Sawadee Pee Mai ...that’s Happy New Year in Thai, happening today, and restaurants here have a special menu till the weekend to celebrate

Sawadee Pee Mai
...that’s Happy New Year in Thai, happening today, and restaurants here have a special menu till the weekend to celebrate
Revel in a Thai feast as today is the Songkran festival aka the Thai New Year. Referring to the entry of the sun into the sign of Aries (Ram), Songkran is originally a celebration of the vernal equinox, and a common ritual practiced is that of throwing water filled balloons! And of course, like every other feast, this too comes with a bunch of gastronomic treats. Citrus (The Leela Mumbai) has borrowed Thai props from the Embassy and has an authentic Thai decor to go with the specially crafted buffet. Besides the food and decor, the hosts/hostesses will be dressed in Thai costumes. Chef Ian Kittichai has a specially designed Thai New Year Menu at Koh, InterContinental. “Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, an occasion when families reunite to pay respect to the parents and elderly by pouring water on the hands and, in return, the elderly give out blessings,” says Chef Kittichai, adding that Krayasad, Kanom Krok, coconut rice, Kanom Tom, sticky rice and Pad Thai noodles are some of the delicacies prepared and served on the occasion. “Using a good balance of fresh ingredients such as vegetables, seafood and spices, Thai cuisine has become one of the most acceptable cuisines in the gastronomy world,” says Executive Chef Ashish Shome, Hyatt Regency Mumbai. He recommends dishes like “Som Tum Mamuang (green mango salad), Paw Pia Thawt (crab spring roll), Moo Sateh (pork satays), Kaeng Phet Kai Sai Nawmai (red coconut chicken curry), Khao Niaow Ma Muang (mango puddings)” amongst others. Chef Yatin Wadkar of RainForest Restobar, has prepared a special Thai Mango Passion Cocktail for the day. He says, “To celebrate the Thai New Year what better way to indulge in some tropical delights using the fruit of the season mango. We have whipped the traditional Thai Mango passion cocktail which is light, airy and a perfect way to beat the heat while celebrating!” Chef Aatif and Chef Arvind, Red Zen (Courtyard Marriott Mumbai International Airport), suggest the traditional Green Chicken Curry. “Thai food has its own unique vegetables and ingredients including dried kaffir lime leaves, chopped lemon grass and the very spicy — minced green chilli,” they suggest.