Have you ever found yourself in Orchard area and wondering where to get a relatively cheap meal, without having to fight with the crowd or have to eat at yet another food court?
I know I do.
Located on the 3rd floor of the front block of Orchard Towers, Cafe Sapunsa is a no-frills Thai restaurant that even looks like any restaurant back in Thailand. In addition to the Thai speaking granny server, one can find the all-essential Thai condiments such as crushed peanuts, chilli powder, fish sauce, sugar and pickled chilli all at the table used at your own discretion. Not forgetting the toilet paper roll that serves as complimentary serviettes at your service as well.
The worn, laminated one-page menu was fortunately bilingual. I managed to order a Pad See Ew with prawns (above) that reminded me our local char kway teow. Here, the taste was slightly sweet because of the sweet dark sauce but not overly so. The noodles were fried to a slight char and was delicious with a springy texture. There were plenty of kai lan, just a few fresh prawns and topped with a barely-set fried egg. I say that was a satisfying $5 lunch.
The Pad Thai was also pretty good. I added heaps of crushed peanuts to enhance the aroma and taste. A squeeze of lime juice helped to cut the richness and the bean sprouts added a refreshing crunch at the same time. All the different tastes were provoked at the same time but blended into a harmonious melody.
Admittedly the crowd at this part of town gets sleazier as the day passes by, but I think one should be hassle-free before day breaks. I would not be too worried. In any case, Cafe Sapunsa has another outlet at Robertson Walk (just beside Menya Shinchan) if Orchard Towers scares you. :)
