#15 Sampling all things new at Sukhothai this month...

We arrived to a busy event at the brilliant Sukhothai last Tuesday as the team hosted an evening of fabulous food. We became the first to try and sample their new menu which has not seen a change in 15 years. We were greeted with smiles and a warm welcome before ordering a round of Singha’s and taking our seats at the bar. It would be fair to say we were excited for tonight’s new menu. We had visited earlier in the year and remarked then on how good Sukhothai produces a feeling of Thailand through good food and excellent service. Tonight was no different; commenting again on how Sukhothai cares for those who visit in both of these ways. 

(Sukhothai have four restaurants - we visited their restaurant located on the South Parade in Leeds)

Sukhothai was busy with early evening diners. We picked up our drinks and made our way from the bar and into the restaurant. As we did so we couldn’t help but take in the pictures of Sukhothai’s history. Owner Ban Kaewkraikhot has worked hard to build a delicious tasting food empire which brings the best in Thai food to the folk of Yorkshire. Sukhothai have restaurants in Leeds, Chapel Allerton and Harrogate whilst also claiming the hugely successful Zaap street food as their very own.

(the delicious Gung Ta Krai)

Sukhothai have crafted a new menu which is a balanced mix of old and new, traditional and stylish. We started with deliciously soft and sweet stir fried scallops. Cooked with red and green chilli, garlic and crushed black pepper; the Hoy Shell Grateim Prik Thai made for an excellent starter. We continued to make great choices with deep fried king prawns cooked in lemon grass (Gung Ta Krai) alongside a well styled crispy chicken in Thai-isaan dressing of lime, chilli, toasted ground rice, mint and shallot (see the Laab Gai Krob).

(excellent service throughout)

 Those familiar to Sukhothai will recognise old favourites like the creamy and deep fried crispy chicken served with chilli and kaffir lime leaves (Gai Tod Prik Gang). The Thai green (Gang Kiew Wan) curry or the more red and hotter cousin Gang Ped will keep traditionalists coming back. Sukhothai are presenting fine dining and this was no more evident than when we ordered the delicious and towering lamb shank Massaman Kaa Gae. Locally sourced slow cooked lamb fell apart at the earliest touch and the taste of creamy massaman hinted with star anise and cinnamon was an absolute delight. Newcomers and early favourites to the new menu were not in short supply as we next tried the Roaring Ribeye. Steak lovers will smile with satisfaction at the sight of a juicy 12oz rib-eye garnished in a Penang sauce so familiar to Thailand on a bed of crunchy red and green peppers and fine beans.


 We finished up with coffee before thanking our hosts for an excellent evening. They had launched a fantastic new menu and we were the lucky ones to experience this first. Sukhothai had welcomed us well and served us food difficult to match. It is not hard to understand the success of Sukhothai. It is inviting and friendly, and the food needs no further mention other than that it stands alone as simply the best experience in Thai cuisine across our region.

Sukhothai’s new menu is available from the 26th March. Checkout their website at www.sukhothai.co.uk for more information on Sukhothai across our region and reserving a table at one of their restaurants. We made our visit along with the guys at Pink Gorilla Promotions (Leeds).




 (Sukhothai's new menu will be available from the 26th March)

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