OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT REVIEWS
By Debra Jorgensen

Suriya Thai Restaurant
123 W. California Blvd., Pasadena
(626) 584-0066

Several years ago Somchai Tipparat was living happily in Thailand, managing his own restaurant when slowly but surely family members started moving to the United States. Constantly visiting the U.S. and becoming more and more “at home” here, he decided to pack up his own family and move here. With his wife, who is the culinary expert, Somchai opened Suriya Thai Restaurant in Pasadena.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Somchai a few weeks ago for a visit and to sample a few of the couple\'s creations. Though just recovering from hosting his daughter’s wedding, he seemed very relaxed in the restaurant business. and I was looking forward to the sampling and to our chat.
The restaurant was decorated with his wife1s touch, and she1s done well. The setting is augmented by beautiful wood paneling and wood beams with soft lighting and comfortable seating. Several flower arrangements adorn the establishment, which definitely adds a nice flair.
Som purchased the restaurant from it’s previous owner, who also served Thai food, approximately three years ago. Since that time, the restaurant has steadily been building a nice repeat business. Since it is directly across the street from Huntington Memorial Hospital, he greets many guests who come from the hospital as well as “walk-ins” from the shopping center the restaurant where the restaurant is located.
To begin with, I ordered a Thai iced tea. Delicious. Most of the time I find Thai iced teas too be so sweet I can only drink a little of it, but this was so refreshing and flavored just right.
After Somchai gave me the run down on the many items on the menu, I decided on the BBQ chicken, which is on the lunch menu. The amount of items on the lunch menu is incredible and there is plentiful on your plate as well. But it’s not at the point where you are worried about if you will fit through the door when you leave. All of the items on the lunch menu include soup, salad, rice and fried wonton.
I was brought a cup of chicken soup with wide noodles in a clear broth with sliced green onions. When looking at the soup, your first thought is, where’s the flavor coming from? It\'s clear, but a wonderful flavor is definitely there somehow.
Next they brought my order on a platter. There was a nice size salad, lettuce, tomato, carrots, cabbage with french dressing. There were three good-size pieces of chicken that had a great flavor, a definite BBQ flavor, but not over-powering. The chicken had a nice smokey flavor and was so tender. It had obviously been marinated for hours then cooked until it just fell off the bone.
The fried rice was a big surprise. Usually, it1s the usual fried rice, with peas, carrots, egg and a little onion. This fried rice had a hint of a nutty flavor. I just kept eating the rice and chicken trying to determine the flavors, but there was quite a mixture in both of the dishes. The rice is definitely a nice surprise.
The fried wonton had a magnificent dipping sauce, made with Thai chilis. I, of course, told them they can make mine as spicy as they like since I really enjoy spicy foods. I could use the dipping sauce they serve on several items I fix at home. The restaurant also caters to its guests\' taste buds. The dishes can be made from mild to spicy, depending on if the guest feels brave or just wants a hint of spice.
My first thought was to order the Pepper Steak, which is beef with tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapple and onions, also found on the lunch menu. I have been hungry for this dish for quite some time, but the BBQ chicken with Thai spices was just too appealing to me to resist.
Another item on the lunch menu that had me thinking twice was the Spicy Seafood Combination, a dish that includes fish, squid and shrimp with tomatoes and onion. For the garlic lovers, (I know who you are...) they have Garlic Pork, which is marinated with garlic, ground pepper and served on lettuce. Sound good?
There is a wide variety of dishes on the lunch menu to choose from, with lunch being served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t try and tell me it’s too far, it takes less than 10 minutes from our San Marino office and there is plenty of parking in the lot.
Next time my sister Deloris comes to town, I will have to take her to Suriya. Several years ago there was a Chinese restaurant in town that served sizzling rice soup that she was crazy about, now we’ll have to try the Thai version. Somchai tells me the Thai version is made with vegetables, chicken, pork and shrimp. Yes, it does sizzle and pop.
Another soup I would like to try is the Phoe Taak. I\'m told it is spicy seafood soup with fish, squid, mussels and shrimp. Those with adventurous taste buds might enjoy Tom Kah Gai, an exotic and spicy soup containing coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms and rareas roots.
Suriya has quite a combination of appetizers including Wing of Angel, deep-fried boneless chicken wings stuffed with bean vermicelli and chicken and served with a sweet dipping sauce, or the always favorite Mee Krob, crispy rice noodles mixed with shrimp, chicken and pork sauteed in a sauce. There also are Golden Cups, which is light crispy flour cups filled with a combination of corn, ground shrimp, ground chicken and onion mixed with a blend of spices, or dumplings, steamed or fried, that are stuffed with minced chicken, napa cabbage and green onions.
Some of the salads served, (isn’t this a great time of year to try these?) include a Chicken Salad that is a feast of cucumber, onion, shredded chicken, tomatoes and green onions served on a bed of lettuce with peanut dressing; Yum Yai, which includes chicken, shrimp, pork, cucumber, onions, tomatoes and green onions served on a bed of lettuce with a spicy lime dressing; or a Beef Salad of grilled beef, cucumber and lettuce mixed with a spicy lime dressing. You can also try the Suriya Salad, which is chicken, shrimp, cucumber, onion and hard boiled egg on a bed of lettuce and served with a peanut dressing.
Suriya also has quite a selection of curry dishes, including Panang, Red Curry, Green Curry, Yellow Curry and, of course, Suriya Curry. There also is a very different version called Pineapple Paradise, which is a mixture of curry, shrimp, coconut milk and pineapple.
Suriya’s prices are very reasonable and the portions are ample. Whatever you order, you will be pleased with both the flavor and portion size. It is a quaint hideaway with a nice, relaxed atmosphere with good service. What more can you ask for?
Suriya is open daily, Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Stop by and give Suriya a try; you will be happy you did.
Good eating!


Debra is an avid food enthusiast, enjoying cooking and eating. She is now the San Marino Tribune’s restaurant reviewer. She can be reached by calling (626) 282-5707 or by e-mail at debrajorgensen@sanmarinotribune.com. You may also read more of her reviews at www.sanmarinotribune.com