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Fearless Critic restaurant review
Dallas
Food
Feel
Price
7.4
7.0
$25
Thai
Casual restaurant

Hours
Tue–Fri 11:00am–2:30pm
Tue–Fri 5:00pm–9:00pm
Sat–Sun noon–9:00pm

Bar None
Credit cards Visa, MC, AmEx
Reservations Accepted

www.bangkokorchidthai.com

Irving
3311 W. Airport Fwy.
Irving, TX
(972) 252-7770
Bangkok Orchid Thai Restaurant
Where the catfish is crispy and flaky and the pork cries...

Near Target, in a strip mall, this nicer-on-the-inside-than-out Thai place is worth finding for some different dishes done very well.

Yum pla duk fu (crispy catfish flake with basil leaves) is surprising—how can the texture of fried catfish be this light? There is minimal grease to the dish, and the flavors are clean. This is a good item to share as it would be tough to finish a plate by yourself. If you like it spicier, try prik khing (crispy catfish flake), a spicier version with the classic dry sauce of chilies, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, and other spices.

Other dishes to try include the “Grilled Crying Pork:” grilled marinated pork with a wonderful dipping sauce of garlic, fish sauce, shallots, lemongrass, chilies, and a touch of sugar. And if you are a fan of pineapple, try the pineapple curry—it’s less complex than a red curry, as far as the seasoning goes, but based on similar ingredients. It really lets the fruit shine without getting overrun by chilies.

This is a large menu, and a few of the dishes mentioned above are available as a lunch special with a spring roll and choice of soup or salad for under $7.