Food Review: Raan Phad Thai 2, a flavorful Thai restaurant hidden in a basement close to Nieuwmarkt.

Whenever I search for the best Pad Thai in Amsterdam on Google, Raan Phad Thai 2 always pops up. I had been quite satisfied with the Thai food at Bird Snack Bar, so I didn't have much interest in trying another place. However, I became curious and visited Raan Phad Thai 2 on Pride day, only to find out that they were closed for a one-month summer vacation.

I liked their attitude and could see their confidence, so I patiently waited for their return, while wondering why it's called Raan Phad Thai 2 and not 1.

The restaurant is operated by two Thai men, and the staff is very friendly. The menu has almost everything except for any pork dishes (which made me suspect that they might come from the southern part of Thailand where Islam is practiced).

Initially, I wanted to have some Pad Thai, but the weather was cold and windy, and I found myself longing for spicier food. So, I decided to try their curry section. They had four varieties of red curry - red curry, red curry with coconut milk, Massaman curry, and Panaeng curry, which are staples of any Thai restaurant.

Choosing between beef and tofu was difficult since they didn't have pork. Eventually, I settled on Panaeng curry with tofu, which successfully replicated all the flavors of Thai cuisine - spicy, sweet, sour, and salty. The fried tofu was perfectly cooked and went well with the curry.

Raan Phad Thai 2 is located in another hole-in-the-wall in the city center of Amsterdam. However, the interior was interesting as they created a Thai shrine with red, gold, and dark wood. On a rainy day, I opted for fresh ginger tea as my drink, which was fragrant and spicy with chunky ginger slices.

They offered a bowl of white rice, but it was not enough to finish the curry, so I ordered another bowl. My favorite Bird Thai Snackbar always serves good curry, but here at Raan Phad Thai 2, the curry was even better. It was richer in flavor and the vegetables were cooked perfectly without getting mushy. The cooking technique was spot on.

While bringing the food, the friendly staff put a candle close to the dishes, saying it would make my pictures look better, and they turned out really well.

Raan Phad Thai 2 is located near Nieuwmarkt station, about 3-4 minutes walk along the canal. The entrance is small, and the restaurant is in the basement, so it's better to watch your head when going down.

Raan Phad Thai 2

Address: Raamgracht 9, 1011 KH Amsterdam

Phone: +31 06 26423841

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