Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.05.2013, Qupperneq 46

by Patricia Þormar
If you’re looking for unforgettable ethnic
food, head up the street from the Hlem-
mur bus station to Ban Thai restaurant
and all your dreams will come true. I rec-
ommend bringing five credit cards and
going all in, Icelandic-style. I promise
it will be worth the overdraft. If you’re
budget-minded, time-pressed, or hung-
over, head across the street to Ban Thai’s
take-away outpost, Yummi Yummi, and
you won’t be disappointed.
This place is a credit to the 105
neighbourhood and a saviour of the
masses that can’t bother to boil pasta.
I’ve come here for many a quick fix of
pad thai in my hour of need. This sticky-
sweet concoction offers blessed relief
from exam preparation, errand running
or stress in general. There’s hardly any
need to take a seat on the rickety patio
furniture since it takes only a couple of
minutes to cook your order from scratch.
The odd signs inside provide light
entertainment while you wait: “We don’t
serve water—only soda,” “No refund for
any reason—if you aren’t used to spicy
food, try something milder.” Wise ad-
vice, in my opinion. I can see Yoda now:
“Too strong for you, these noodles are.
Something milder, you must try.” For
multiple orders, I like to linger upon this
one: “If you are in a hurry then order
the same dish, it takes less time and
therefore you don’t have to wait as long.”
These signs speak the truth, except the
one offering Thai iced coffee for 450
ISK—apparently they don’t serve that,
either.
Despite months of patronage, I
haven’t dared wander further down the
menu until now. I took my sister along,
who ordered Yummi Spicy Noodles
while I settled on the No. 4. Noodle
Soup: Tom Yum with shrimp. Within
minutes, I received a huge bowl of
coral-coloured soup with four fat prawns
bobbing at the surface. Its delicate, spicy
flavour was not quite as intense or as
full-bodied as its counterparts’ across the
street at Ban Thai, but for less than half
the price, it’s a terrific mouthful for your
money. My sister’s noodles were equally
delectable, despite the fact that they were
served in a Styrofoam box. Less sweet
but with more bite than their classic
pad thai, this dish could easily become a
regular favourite of mine.
All in all, you’d be hard-pressed to
find a better deal for tastier food. The
portions are ample, the service is quick
and the flavours are pronounced and
satisfying. If yummi is what you are
looking for, yummi is what you will get.
For 1000 ISK, what more could you ask
for?
The Best Fix In The City
What we think
A quick and tasty remedy for acute
hunger
Flavour:
Asian fast food
Ambience:
A greasy joint, charmin only in the
broadest sense of the word.
Service:
Speedy and satisfactory
Price:
All dishes: 1.000 ISK
For 2 (with drinks):
2.500 - 3.000 ISK
Yummi Yummi
Hverfisgata 123,
105 Reykjavík
Mon-Fri 11:30-21 z
Sat-Sun 17-21
PATRICIA ÞORMAR
ALÍSA KALYANOVA
Ban Thai is the finest Thai restaurant in Iceland
1 of 10 the best restaurant in Iceland
the best thai foodyear 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and..
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w w w . b a n t h a i . i s
BanThai
w w w . y u m m y . i s
A l s o R e c o m m e n d . . . . .
n a n a t h a i restaurant
S k e i f a n 4, Reykjavík
y u m m i y u m m i
H v e r f i s g a t a 123, 105 Rvk.
best goddamn restaurant 2011
F D
For your mind, body and soul