CHENNAI: Ever attended a festival where the staple is sticky rice and jackfruit? If you love to experiment with what’s on your plate, you don’t want to miss out
on the Laana food festival that is being hosted by Benjarong on TTK Road. The thai restaurant known for its innovative menus is trying something new this time around, and its team of chefs looked at the Northern Thai region for inspiration. Laana means a ‘million rice fields’ and the festival that is indigenous to The Laana Kingdom is characterised by an abundance of flavours and influences. Enjoy appetisers like
Aep Goong (succulent prawns delicately marinated and wrapped in banana leaves and grilled in Lanna style), Gai Yang Som Tam (chicken marinated with spicy red curry paste, grilled and served with raw papaya salad) and many more. The authentic Laana menu also includes the traditional main course options like Kaeng Hang Lay (Ancient Lanna curry with chicken or lamb), Goong Normai Farang Pahd Namprik Noom (succulent prawns tossed with asparagus in roasted lanna green chilli paste) , Gai pahd bai Harappa (chicken and bok choy cooked with thai red chillies and sweet basil) and several other delicious offerings made of rice and noodles. For dessert, look forward to Khanun Delight (stewed jackfruit) and Khao Niew Lum Yai (sweetened sticky rice with longans and mango ice cream). Who knew jackfruit could be so versatile?
The Laana food festival is on at Benjarong, #146, TTK Road for lunch and dinner till February 8. For reservations, contact 24322640.