Singapore noodles have become a very popular Asian noodle dish, especially here in the US. You might think that Singapore Noodles originate from Singapore. But the truth is, you’ll very likely have difficulty finding this dish anywhere in Singapore.

This popular noodle recipe was actually created by chefs in Hong Kong and Singapore Noodles commonly appear on the menus of many eateries all over Hong Kong.

Singapore noodles are typically made with stir-fried rice vermicelli noodles (thin rice noodles) and the curry flavoring makes this dish distinctive. There are quite a few varieties of this noodle dish, sometimes accompanied with shrimp, beef or small slices of chicken. And Singapore Noodles can be served as a vegetarian dish without any meat as well.

At Rachada Thai Cuisine, we make our special Singapore Noodles with thin glass noodles called woon sen in Thai. Thai glass noodles are made from mung beans and are a delicious and healthy noodle variety.

We flavor our Singapore Noodles with a special Thai yellow curry, bean sprouts, chicken and green onions for a truly delicious variation of this popular dish.

If you’d like to try something new and exciting at Rachada Thai Cuisine, why don’t you come in soon for our special Southern Singapore Noodles with Yellow Curry. We know you’re going to love this latest addition to our selection of special noodle dishes.

Mr. Snowman says a gift certificate from Rachada Thai Cuisine is the ideal gift giving idea for your family, friends or office mates.

Of course, what a great way to share your impeccable taste for great Thai food when you give a gift certificate from Rachada Thai Cuisine to someone you love.

And who doesn’t love great Thai food?

This holiday season, why not add a few gift certificates for a delicious Thai meal to your list. They’re easy to give and your friends and family will be delighted too!

It’s simple and easy to give a gift certificate from Rachada Thai Cuisine. Just come into the restaurant and ask to purchase a gift certificate.

You can purchase a gift certificate for any amount, so this thoughtful gift will fit any budget.

And as you know, sometimes the holiday season can get pretty hectic. What better way to make it a little bit easier for your friends and loved ones to take a little time out and visit Rachada Thai Cuisine for a delicious and relaxing Thai meal.

You still have enough time before Christmas to come in and pickup a few gift certificates. But don’t put it off too much longer, Christmas is only ten days away!

The worst torrential floods in decades continue to devastate Thailand for over a month now.

The floods have affected more than 38 provinces since October 10th, 2010 hitting the northeast region and the rice fields in the central part of Thailand. As of Nov 4th, over 122 people have lost their lives as a result of the floods.

Although water levels have begun to recede in a few or the northern areas, the water levels remain high in most of the provinces.

The water continues to flow from the north down to lower-lying areas in central Thailand including Ayutthaya which is about 80 kilometres north of Bangkok.

Although temporary wooden bridges were provided around the areas of Ayutthaya to help residents get from one building to the next, many people are still forced to wade through chest-deep water.

In Thailand, flooding of this magnitude can take months for the water to recede.

Businesses in the flood-affected regions are struggling to survive as both the locals and the tourists avoid travelling to these areas. Many of the shops have been forced to shut down.

In the central and northern regions of the country, the rainy season typically spans from about the middle of May to late September or October. This year, however, the rains started late and are continuing later through the end of  the year as well.

While the most devastating impact is on the unfortunate people in Thailand enduring these hardships, the floods have far reaching affect as well. Many of the agricultural products for export have been severely hampered by the flooding in Thailand.

For example, at Rachada Thai Cuisine we use only the best Thai jasmine rice and Thai coconut  milk that we buy from Thailand through distributors here in Southern California.

With food and crop production severely damaged by the floods, these Thai food products have almost doubled in price. We wouldn’t want to compromise the quality of our Thai cuisine, but we definitely feel the pinch from this additional expense.

The following video shows some of the recent flooding in the Sing Buri province located in the central region of Thailand.

We’re saddened by the devastation that’s hit our beloved Thailand and our best wishes and prayers go out to everyone in Thailand struggling to get through this hardship.

And we love to get into the spirit of Halloween around here. We’ve put up a few scary Halloween decorations around the restaurant.  And we even have a dish or two that’s just perfect for Halloween.

Thai food dishes for Halloween you ask? How about our Spicy Pumpkin with Eggplant. It’s a Chef’s Special and one of the favorites here at Rachada Thai Cuisine.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without pumpkins. Good ‘ol Jack O’Lantern brings pumpkins to life everywhere with a scary face.

And this famous gourd-like squash is the secret ingredient that brings our scrumptious Spicy Pumpkin with Eggplant to life as well! We stir-fry pumpkin squash, eggplant, onions and green bell peppers with a little garlic, chili and sweet basil for a special Thai flavor that will have you screaming with joy!

Of course, you can enjoy Spicy Pumpkin with Eggplant at Rachada Thai Cuisine all year long. Your Halloween pumpkin might be a little scary, but our Spicy Pumpkin with Eggplant is never scary, spooky or frightening. Only delicious with every bite!

But we should warn you. Spicy Pumpkin with Eggplant is so good, it may leave you feeling a little haunted, mysteriously dreaming for more. Even when it’s not Halloween!

Halloween is popular in Thailand!

Did you know that Halloween is popular in Thailand? It’s a pretty substantial party on Halloween in Bangkok.

It’s not so much about the ghoulish indulgence with goblins, witches, ghosts and monsters as we enjoy here in the US. Halloween in Bangkok is much more about the party and dressing up in costumes.

Halloween parties in Bangkok typically take place in the bars and night clubs. And some of the more lavish Halloween celebrations continue throughout the entire weekend.

Thais love to celebrate holidays so much that they adopt some of the western festivals like Halloween with great enthusiasm. A popular destination for Halloween in Bangkok is the street party along Silom Soi 4, one of the trendy locations known for fun bars, night clubs, pubs and galleries.

There really is no other citrus substitute that can replace the distinctive flavor of the Kaffir lime.

Surprisingly, the juice of the Kaffir lime is not actually used that often in Thai dishes. Rather, the Kaffir leaves (bai magrood) and the zest of the Kaffir lime peel (pew magrood) are the more commonly used parts of the fruit that introduce the unmistakable and unique essence to many Thai dishes.

The leaves of the Kaffir lime tree are dark green in color with a glossy sheen.  The leaf is actually made up of two parts. The top part is more pointed at the tip and is attached to a more rounded bottom portion of the leaf.  The leaf imparts a sweet, lemony fragrant essence to soups, salads, curries and stir-fried dishes.

The Kaffir lime peel is even more fragrant than the leaves with an exotic flavor that is uniquely different from the zest of other citrus fruit. Along with lemon grass and galanga, kaffir lime peel is a key ingredient in many Thai curries.

Kaffir lime, like many Thai herbs and foods, is known to have traditional medicinal qualities as well. Kaffir lime juice is used to promote gum health and is recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums. The oils in the fruit are blended into various ointments, and the rind is found in medicinal tonics believed to be good for the blood. Similar to lemon grass and galanga, the rind is also said to benefit the digestive system.

At Rachada Thai Cuisine, you can enjoy the distinctively Thai flavor of the Kaffir lime in many of our dishes.

Enjoy the photographs taken at the anniversary celebration. Click on the thumbnails to view full-sized images.

Pam helping the Buddhist monks prepare for the ceremony.

Pam with the Buddhist monks and guests getting ready for the ceremony.

The Buddhist Monks prepare for the ceremony as the guests take their seats.

Pam with a bouquet of flowers for the ceremony.

Pam and Terry in the front row as the ceremony proceeds.

The Buddhist monks dressed in traditional saffron robes, begin the ceremony with prayer.

Buddhist ceremony and blessing underway.

Nick, Maylyn and guests participate in Buddhist ceremony.

Knan

Peter, Paul, ...

Friends and family participate in prayer.

The holy string passes from the golden statue of Buddha, around the bowl of holy water and through the hands of the monks.

Ken and Susan watching the monks perform the ceremony.

The Buddhist ceremonial symbols include the burning incense, candles, and the holy water.

Buddhist Monks enjoy the Thai Banquet Feast.

Yellow Thai Curry and other dishes

The Buddhist monks partake in the specially prepared banquet.

Many varieties of specially prepared Thai dishes.

Plenty of great Thai Food to go around.

The Banquet for the Monks consists of many varieties of Thai dishes.

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You may also be interested in seeing pictures from out first anniversary celebration.

Can you believe it? This past Sunday, April 11th marks the finish of our second year at Rachada Thai Cuisine.

We began serving great Thai food in Moorpark when we first opened the doors on April 11th, 2008.

It’s been a wonderful two years, primarily because of you our very special customers. We love serving our special brand of Thai food. Nothing makes us happier than seeing the smiles on our happy customers’ faces when they enjoy our delicious Thai food, Rachada Thai Cuisine style!

In celebration of our anniversary this week, we have a special Thai dessert surprise for you!

When you come in to enjoy a great Thai meal this week at Rachada Thai Cuisine, we have a complimentary special Thai dessert that we’d like to share with you (offer good through April 18th, 2010).

But it’s an anniversary surprise, so you have to come in and find out what kind of ‘Thai  Sweetness’ we’re making for dessert.

Don’t forget to stop by this week and help us celebrate our second year anniversary!

And many thanks to all of our wonderful customers who make it such a pleasure to serve our brand of delicious Thai food in Moorpark.

Pam and Terry
Rachada Thai Cuisine

We’re now offering great coupon specials and super savings deals that change every week. There’s only one tiny catch – you have to be a member to receive our “members only” coupons.

But not to worry -  it’s really easy to become a member …

All you have to do is register for an account on our website, there’s nothing to it. See the “Members” box at the top of the left-hand sidebar and click on register. As a member, you’re entitled to very special treatment at Rachada Thai Cuisine. And best of all, it’s FREE to join!

Members receive our weekly coupons by email. A different Thai food savings opportunity each and every week for “members only“!

If you’re already a member, be sure to watch for our weekly coupon specials delivered straight to your email.

If you haven’t signed up for an account yet, become a member today. Don’t let another week go by without your special savings coupons from Rachada Thai Cuisine!

Be sure to see our latest coupons for February, 2010. On Monday and Tuesday nights, through the month of February, we’re offering a Pad Thai special, only $7.95.

Pad Thai is one of our most popular dishes, so here’s your chance to save some money and enjoy some great Thai food.

And how about some beer or wine to go with that Pad Thai? Also good through the month of February, on Monday and Tuesday nights, buy a glass of beer or wine and get the second one for 1/2 price.

Make Rachada Thai Cuisine your destination for dinner, and enjoy these Monday and Tuesday night specials. See the February Coupons for details.

Ginger

Ginger (khing) adds flavor to Thai cooking. And did you know that Ginger juice can help cure light fevers, a runny nose or indigestion?

Sweet Basil

Sweet basil is similar (ho-ro-pa) is similar to the variety used in Italian cooking. the oil of sweet basil can be used to make a curative drink to treat indigestion caused by eating too much meat. And fresh sweet basil makes a great natural breath freshener. Just pop a few leaves in your mouth and give them a chew. Sweet basil is also a source of betacarotene, believed to be a cancer-fighting substance.

Lime

Thai limes are smaller and almost spherical when compared to the limes found in most western supermarkets. The juice of a Thai lime is also sweeter.  The lime juice is used in many Thai dish preparations, and a fresh lime segment is often served with many fried rice dishes.

Lemongrass

One of the most subtle, yet distinctive ingredients used in Thai cooking, this herb provides a lemony flavor and aroma, especially when cooked.  In Thai, lemongrass is called “Ta-Krai”. The oil that gives the plant its lemon aroma is a good cure for upset stomach and indigestion. Lemongrass juice or tea is a popular herbal drink in Thai traditional medicine. And did you know that lemongrass tea also makes an effective natural insect repellent that can be used to water houseplants to discourage bugs.

Kha

Galangal (kha) is a root with a similar flavor to ginger. Kha also has many popular traditional medicinal applications.

Onion

Onion is a common ingredient in many Thai dishes. It is considered a weaker version of garlic by many herbal practioners. Like garlic, onion also has a longstanding reputation as an aphrodisiac (but not necessarily proven or substantiated).

Garlic

Garlic is used to add great flavor to many Thai dishes. Garlic also has a number of proven medicinal properties and is known to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol for some. Garlic can also boost the body’s immune system.

Kaffir Lime

The Kaffir lime (Ma-grood) is unusual and different from a common lime in that its skin is often very lumpy, unlike other citrus fruits with smoother skins. The kaffir lime provides a very unique flavor and the kaffir leaves are also used frequently in Thai cooking. Some people even believe that the kaffir lime wards off evil spirits (like garlic to vampires) and hang it outside the door of their house.

Chilli Peppers

Although most associated with Thai cuisine, chilles are not native to Thailand. Portuguese traders introduced chilli peppers to Thailand in the 16th centruy. Chilles provide much of the famous “heat” and “spicyness” that makes Thai food so famous and popular. In moderation, chilles are known to stimulate blood circulation and are believed to help prevent heart disease and cancer.