Fab Review: NaKorn

NaKorn, located in downtown Evanston, serves upscale Thai food in a casual and approachable atmosphere. Nakorn’s belief is that “authentic Thai food should be found not only in Thailand – but here, as well.” The fresh, bold flavors and the exceptional dining experience makes this place a great spot for any occasion.

NaKorn, which means “metropolitan” in Thai, is the product of co-owners, Sam Rattanopas and Mina Sudsaard, who have been best friends since third grade in Bangkok. The owners couldn’t find authentic Thai food in the area, which inspired them to open NaKorn in late 2016.

{Ambiance}
The restaurant has a warm and inviting feel to it. The walls are painted beige and light blue with murals on opposite ends of the restaurant. There are elephant statues on the walls and wood floors with patterned tile in the center of the restaurant and the bar.

There is a large mural of the beloved King of Thailand, King Bhumiphol, on the back wall of the restaurant.

{Food}
The traditional recipes tasted truly authentic and the modern presentation was stunning. The dishes were almost too pretty too eat. The bold flavors and the freshness of the ingredients really stood out with each bite.

Pandan Tapioca Pearl Crackers
The house-made Pandan Tapioca Pearl Crackers had a nice crunchy and airy texture. If you want to try something you wouldn’t typically find at another Thai restaurant, I recommend this dish. It was served with minced chicken and shrimp relish, which was slightly sweet because of the tamarind-coconut sauce. The green color of the crackers may seem a little off-putting, but don’t hesitate to try this unique dish.

Crab Cake Bite
The Crab Cake Bites were perfect for sharing since they are individually sized. The crab cake was comprised of crab, pork, taro, and water chestnuts, then wrapped in soy paper. It was topped with a juicy piece of crab meat, which made for a superb bite.

Frisée, Fried Tofu
The Frisée, Fried Tofu, was lighter than expected considering it was fried. The dish had shaved beets, which complimented the flavor of the tofu well while adding a fresh element. The crunchy bean curd sheet added a nice contrast to the softness of the tofu. The delicious toasted chili-tamarind coconut cream dressing pulled together this whole dish.

Grilled Amish Chicken
I really loved the presentation of the Grilled Amish Chicken. The lunch version was served in little stacked bowls with a small bottle of tamarind sauce on the side. The papaya salad was flavorful and spicy while the chicken had a nice smoky, grilled flavor. Oh, and the coconut rice… it was highly addictive!

FAB TIP: The dinner version is larger and does not come with papaya salad.

Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Meat
The Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Meat was my favorite dish. Large pieces of fresh crab were served over warm Thai rice noodles. It came with a side of spicy tumeric-coconut curry that you poured over the dish yourself. The tasty curry sauce had the right amount of spice and had an added crunch from the crispy shaved garlic and rice crackers. Overall, this dish had a lot of different flavors going on, but they all complimented each other perfectly to make one flavorful dish.

Mango Sticky Rice
The Mango Sticky Rice had fresh mangos, French wafers, and vanilla ice cream. The sticky rice was sweet and had salted mango milk drizzled over it. The sweet mango cream on top of the pieces of fresh mango added an extra fruity flavor. Just look at these beauties…

FAB TIP: Half-priced bottles of wine on Mondays.

Roasted Pineapple-Thai Basil Soda
The Roasted Pineapple-Thai Basil Soda was the ideal, refreshing summer drink. It had a strong pineapple flavor, with subtle hints of basil, which made me think of tropical beaches.

FAB TIP: Prix-fixe menu available on Wednesdays for $30.

{Experience}
The food at NaKorn is fantastic and the presentation as you can see is brilliant. These dishes from their spring/summer menu are light and colorful and shouldn’t be missed! If you’re looking to try a restaurant just outside of the city, be sure to check out NaKorn in Evanston.

{Location}
NaKorn
Evanston || 1622 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL || P: (847) 733-8424

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)

{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}

Have you been to NaKorn yet? What are your thoughts? Share below.

Eat, Eat, Repeat,
Lisette

Note: This meal was complimentary. However, the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.