Vancouver Columbian

Columbian, The (Vancouver, WA)

May 28, 2004

Lunch Spot: Dok Koon Thai Cuisine - Cream of the Thai crop

Author: ANNIE PIERCE RUSUNEN Columbian staff writer

Section: Weekend
Page: f28

HERE: 3414 N.E. 52nd St., Suite 103, Vancouver; 360-737-0936.

MENU: Thai favorites such as pad thai, drunken noodles, spicy fried rice and green, yellow and red curry dishes are on the lunch menu. Appetizers include egg rolls, salad rolls (vegetables and noodles stuffed in rice paper and served with sweet and sour sauce), satay chicken and deep-fried tofu. Salads range from a papaya salad with shrimp, tomato and peanuts to a Thai garden salad with sliced chicken or fried tofu. The lunch menu also includes Spicy Crispy Catfish, Panang Curry (curry in coconut milk with sweet basil, kaffir leaves and bell peppers) and See-Ew (pan-fried Thai rice noodles with broccoli, eggs and sweet sauce and a choice of chicken, beef, pork, prawns or tofu). Dessert includes sweet sticky rice topped with coconut cream, vanilla ice cream or mango slices or a deep-fried banana with honey.

DRINKS: Soda, coffee, hot tea, lemonade, Thai iced tea, coconut or s! oy milk, beer and wine.

PRICE RANGE: All lunch specials are $6.25.

SCENE: Lunchtime diners have started flocking to this 10-month-old Thai hot spot located at the corner of Northeast 52nd Street and St. John's Road. Bright and clean, Dok Koon Thai Cuisine's wine-colored walls and tablecloths are cheery, and the place is always neat and tidy.

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

IN MY OPINION: What sets Dok Koon Thai Cuisine apart from other Thai eateries is the friendly service, reasonable prices and homestyle Thai fare. Thai staples such as pad thai and curry will please the masses, while spicy catfish and red curry prawns in coconut milk will tempt those with more adventurous palates. Servers are friendly and bring out ample portions of Thai food promptly. Order pad thai to go and you're out the door in five minutes flat.

HEALTH SCORE: 100 percent in March 2004.

Caption:
Pad thai with prawns at Dok Koon Thai Cuisine restaurant, 3414 N.E. 52nd St., Suite 103, in Vancouver.

Copyright (c) 2004 The Columbian Publishing Co., P.O. Box 180, Vancouver, WA 98666.
Record Number: 2004149004