Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft

1745 Peachtree Rd

Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 539-6181

www.tuktukatl.com

As you enter Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft you are greeted by an authentic tuk tuk, a type of pedi-cab found all over the main cities in Thailand. This jewel of a neighborhood restaurant is in the former Taurus space, meaning it’s awkwardly located on the 2^nd floor of a building in the Brookwood Square shopping center. It’s worth finding.

Tuk Tuk opened quietly in December. They have yet to do any marketing so the large space is usually pretty empty. The owner is the daughter of well-known Atlanta Thai restaurateurs Charlie and Nan who own Tamarind and Nan. It’s not a copycat. Tuk Tuk is more street food focused. The largest part of the menu is the small plates which are meant for sharing. Also offered are Thai salads, Bangkok street noodles, big plates, sides and dessert. The room is beautiful and will be even prettier when they get some artwork and more people in the chairs.

But on to the food! Whatever you do, order the Mieng Kum ($9). Also called the “spinach wrap thingie” by my friends, this outstanding small plate combines lime, ginger, onions, roasted peanuts and coconut caramelized in palm sugar – all wrapped in an old-fashioned spinach leaf. It’s just beyond yummy. Another small plate worth tasting and sharing is the Neau Sawan ($9) which is Northern Thai beef jerky with coriander. It is served hot which my friend loved but I liked it best as it cooled down. The Moo Yang ($10) is a cool presentation of grilled Thai style marinated pork skewers brought out dangling from a wooden frame. The Sala Pow ($8) is a selection of stuffed steamed buns that were tasty but not as flavorful as the other dishes.

I have yet to try one of the three Thai style salads but they look wonderful, especially the Yum Woon Sen ($12) – seafood medley and minced chicken cellophane noodle with fresh lime, onions and a touch of palm sugar. My favorite street noodle is the Ba-Mee Moo Dang ($14). This reasonable portion of Thai BBQ pork with egg noodles, crushed peanuts, scallions, cilantro and yu choy is comfort food at its best. My friend had the Pla Haw Bai Tong ($17), also known as whole catfish in a banana leaf. The chili lime sauce on top really made it stand out.  One of the most recent additions to the menu, Panang Nuah ($14) is beef Panang curry served over jasmine rice, topped with a hard boiled egg and kaffir lime. I’m a big curry fan and this one did not disappoint.

I love dessert at Thai restaurants because it’s never too sweet. The Thai custard ($7) did not let me down. Pumpkin custard served over coconut sticky rice is the perfect ending to an authentic meal.

I have visited Tuk Tuk a lot and, after writing this review, I think I’ll go back again tonight! It’s just that good.