Un-Yang-Kor-Dai, or “Anything goes”, brings you cuisine from the Northeast Issan region of Thailand.
The style is spicier than the usual Thai food that we can find, and slightly different in terms of ingredients.
The eatery has outlets in Thailand, with the first Un-Yang-Kor-Dai restaurant was founded by a former lawyer, Panchana Vatanasathien and located at Khao Yai National Park.
The South Bridge Road location here in Singapore is featured in the Michelin Guide, newly listed with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
In terms of starters and salads, the recommended are the Thai Payaya Salad with Salted Egg ($10.90), Sweet Corn Salad with Salted Egg ($12.90), and the UYKD Deep-Fried Platter ($29.80) featuring a medley of crispy prawn spring rolls, Thai-style chicken wings and deep-fried pork neck.
The Thai Papaya Salad with Dried Shrimps ($12.5) is made with the usual ingredients, with cherry tomatoes and dried shrimps for extra layers of flavour. The papaya salad is as spicy as you would expect, but also more umami because of the dried shrimps.
The PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken ($15 for half, $26 for whole) which is based on a Khao Yai classic recipe, is a must-try.
Spring chickens are marinated in blend of black and white peppercorns with coriander, tenderising and flavouring the chicken. After the chicken is roasted, the meat remains juicy and not dry, with a decent kick to it.
I had the UYKD Crispy Pork Belly with Special Dipping Sauce ($14.50), which had a super crunchy outer layer, and you could almost feel the flavours bursting in your mouth.
Very worth the order (and the calories).
You can also go for the Grilled Pork Neck ($17). Pork neck is a nicer cut of a pig, with a more even fat distribution that works wonder for grilling. Elevate the natural taste of the pork neck with the house made tamarind dip, which is spicy and tart at the same time.
The first time I been to the restaurant, I ordered my favourite of Green Curry with Chicken ($14.90) and found it a little ‘off’ and diluted.
During a return visit, I was glad to find a richer and creamier version, complete with tender chicken chunks.
Other Chef-recommended dishes are the Phad Thai with Fresh Prawns ($14.90), Tom Yum Mama Noodles with Prawns and Minced Pork ($14.90), Thai Dried Shrimp Paste Fried Rice with Isaan Grilled Chicken ($14.90), and Grilled Eggplant with Spicy Minced Pork Hot Basil ($14.50).
The Issan-style cuisine is hard to find outside of Thailand, especially in Singapore.
As one of the few eateries offering such a style, Un-Yang-Kor-Dai is a comparatively authentic and affordable place that you should take the chance to experience.
Un-Yang-Kor-Dai Singapore
57 South Bridge Rd, #01-02, Singapore 058688
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Other Related Entries
Soi 47 Thai Food (Clarke Quay Central)
Sabai Sabai Thai Private Kitchen (River Valley)
Just Thai (Killiney Road)
Bangkok Jam (Plaza Singapura)
Thong Aik Coffee (Indus Road)
* Written by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Dean Ang. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
I am so surprise by this write up. Their service sucks.
I placed an order yesterday through foodpanda for 4 sets of food and soup, to be delivered at 12.30 pm. The restaurant informed foodpanda they cannot make the food very close to 12 noon. Now my guests are without food.
On the phone, the manager was not apologetic, and implied I could use another company. I asked if I could wait until 2 pm, but he gave excuses. As a result, I dashed to the restaurant to figure out what had happened.
The manager claimed that foodpanda informed them only at 11.45 pm. But the order was already loaded yesterday afternoon. I suggested that they could have refused delivery service for lunch. But he gave more reasons.
How disgusting. No eatery is great until service comes before food !