Kalaya
Philadelphia is slowly rising up the ranks as a top foodie destination city in America, thanks to chefs like Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon. Her restaurant Kalaya pays homage to her mother who influenced many of the fresh and very spicy Thai dishes like the Gaeng Massaman Nua (the very tender beef curry with potatoes and peanuts pictured above) and the Shaw Muang (beautifully handmade flower shaped dumpling with ground chicken pictured below). The ninety-two dollar tom yum soup has jumbo river prawns practically crawling out of the pot. Even the sides like the Chinese broccoli and the eggplant with fermented soybean can compete with any of the best restaurants in Chinatown. Be for warned that nearly everything on the menu has some level of spice. The newly relocated restaurant in Fishtown boasts 145 seats, high ceilings, open floor layout and a beautiful postmodern design.
This is as close as you will get to eating in Thailand, at least in Philly.
Pictured: Gaeng Massaman Mua
Notable Mentions
The Worlds 50 Best: “Now situated in airy new digs in an old warehouse in the Fishtown neighbourhood of Philadelphia, Kalaya, named for James Beard Award-winning chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s mother, is back on the city’s culinary map as part of the Defined Hospitality group. Featuring Southern Thai food that speaks to her family history—from traditional dumplings and curries to stir fry and sticky rice—Suntaranon prepares each dish expertly in ways that celebrate the iconic colours, flavours, and aromas we’ve come to expect from Thai cuisine.”
CN Traveler: “Get ready for addictive spice The crowd Not just neighbors The drinks Thai iced tea or BYOB The food Fiery southern Thai fare The service Welcoming and knowledgeable.”
The NY Times: “Chutatip Suntaranon pranced away from her flight-attendant career and onto the national culinary stage in 2019, when she started serving head-turning southern Thai food at a 39-seat B.Y.O. restaurant. As of last year, that Kalaya is no more, but the new version is as dazzling as the original was modest. Palm trees tower over 140 seats inside the new location that opened last November in the Fishtown neighborhood.”
Follow us and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latests restaurants we have eaten at and cities we have traveled.
Be curious and tap into your inner child through travel.