Sabai: Comforting Thai cuisine elegantly recreated with heart and soul
Sabai, a new restaurant offering its own take on authentic and comforting Thai dishes, will open in July in the heart of Bonifacio Global City. — Photo by Jan Escosio
A new Thai restaurant honoring the enduring tradition and soul of Thai cuisine will soon emerge in the busy commercial and business district of BGC offering diners a true taste of Thailand.
From the same group behind Uma Nota, Sabai shares its own elevated take on authentic and comforting Thai flavors guided and driven by tradition and nostalgic memories of the food that shaped and defined their identity. It’s Thai cuisine lovingly prepared with a whole lot of honesty and heart. And soul.
The name of the new restaurant reflects a core Thai value which means finding comfort and ease amidst the everyday rush, and that’s exactly the kind of honest cuisine you’ll find at Sabai elevated with an uncompromising passion for authenticity.
At Sabai, everything starts with the food. And that means raising many of the traditional ingredients like galangal, chilies and herbs in partner farms to maintain the flavor profile of their dishes.
Sabai’s Michelin-trained head chef Puwadol ‘Tob’ Assavadathkamjon is ready to serve authentic Thai dishes. — Photo by Jan Escosio
Inside the kitchen, a team of Thai chefs helmed by Chef Tob whose experience includes stints in Michelin starred restaurants promises a taste of Thailand honed by their collective memories by the flavors from their childhood.
Thai food is well known for its vibrant flavors and spicy finish, but Chef Tob and his team brings a delicate nuance to their dishes with cleaner, more elegantly defined layers with just enough heat to remind you of its origin.
With countless Thai restaurants in Manila’s blossoming restaurant scene, it’s easier to simply offer predictable flavors adapted for the local palate. Chef Tob resists this temptation by staying true to his roots, tempering restraint with depth and a clear respect for tradition and where each dish comes from for an honest rendition seemingly from a real home kitchen in Bangkok.
At Sabai, it’s all about unfiltered and uncluttered authenticity elevated with meticulous execution with the proper ingredients for a refreshed narrative on Thai cuisine.
This approach to Thai cuisine is highlighted with an array of dishes at Sabai, unveiling a layer from the rich tapestry of authentic Thai cuisine. In an exclusive preview, Chef Tob presented a lavish sneak peek at what diners can expect at Sabai from starters to mains in sampling portions and dessert including cocktails for a glimpse of the restaurant’s philosophy of culinary depth and honest flavors deeply rooted in tradition.
Using the freshest ingredients, Chef Tob starts your Thai culinary journey with the Pla Kung Yang with succulent Tiger prawns gently kissed by the flames and tossed in lemongrass, kaffir lime and chili for a medley of bold yet elegantly clean notes with just a hint of soothing heat. The Khao Kreab Cream Mun Pu is a delectable play on textural contrasts and flavors with Thai crispy rice pancake topped with a lusciously rich crab fat salad with its unrestrained and unapologetic savory decadence.
They say a nation’s cuisine is a snapshot of the collective history of a culture and every dish has a story or fond memory associated with it. It’s these meaningful links that take us back with each sip and bite.
Chef Tob draws inspiration from these memories with one of the dishes served at the exclusive preview. Weekend lunches at his grandmother’s countryside home from childhood summers still resonate, as he recalled what his grandmother said in reply to his question. “If it makes your eyes water and your heart feel warm, it’s ready.”
And that becomes an insightful glimpse behind one of the dishes by Chef Tob at Sabai with the comforting Tom Sap Pla Khao. The refreshing and hearty Tom Sap Pla Khao or spicy sour soup with tender grouper and Thai herbs drapes the palate with its pure and lingering richness preparing you for the main courses. And yes, the Tom Sap Pla Khao is indeed ready as you take another sip with your watery eyes and a satisfied warmed heart.
A plate of steamed Jasmine rice signals the arrival of the savory mains starting with the Khai Look Khuey, a boiled egg delicately fried for that light crispness outside and rich silky smooth yolk enhanced by a tart tamarind sauce. The Kung Pad Prik Kluea or stir-fried prawn with garlic, chili and salt delivers flavorful bursts of fresh succulent sweetness while the Kang Panang Nuea Nong Lai or stewed fork-tender beef shank simmered in a rich, velvety and mildly spicy Penang curry is as comforting as it gets with a spoonful of soft rice.
In just a few bites, Chef Tob’s Thailand is elegantly shared and experienced with his array of authentic dishes. In between bites, indulge in some Thai inspired libations like the wittingly named Funk You Margarita garnished with chili or the One In A Melon with pink gin and fresh watermelon revealing a playful side to Sabai.
For dessert, Chef Tob served his Ice Cream Khai Kang with silky smooth coconut ice cream topped with golden egg thread for a spectacular finish. Clearly, Chef Tob is recreating his own personal culinary journey inspired by memories of comforting flavors with each dish served at Sabai.
The constantly evolving local restaurant landscape is obsessed with creative innovation with the constant need for reinvention. But Chef Tob offers a slightly different direction with his own uniquely personal stories as a reminder that comforting cuisine done honestly and with heart doesn’t need any update to stay in step with the times. A deep respect for culinary tradition remains a relevant and meaningful concept, and sometimes that’s what’s needed to cut through the crowded and competitive clutter of restaurants. After all, comforting cuisine remains timeless and enduring no matter what game-changing trend pops up. More than the authentic ingredients and exquisite execution by Chef Tob and his team, it’s the pure honesty in maintaining Thai culinary traditions with heart. And a whole lot of soul.
Soon to open sometime in July, Sabai takes you on a flavorful culinary journey to a home kitchen in Thailand elegantly recreating comforting Thai cuisine with a masterful and elevated touch. Now pass me the crab fat salad, please…
