I’ve been dining at the Boat Restaurant for over ten years, and the taste remains just as delightful. The owner now has a few more wrinkles, but her hospitality and warm smile haven’t changed a bit.
Today, the restaurant was quite busy. The owner mentioned that a vanload of customers had arrived, and she beamed with joy. It’s not every day you see a full van of people coming to dine here nowadays.
Wherever I go, green papaya salad is my benchmark for rating a restaurant. Is it clean? Is there any residue from the previous customer’s salad? Is the mortar used for pounding the salad properly separated?
The Wood Boat Restaurant scores well on these points; it’s clean and meets my standards.
Of course, there’s the saying that “a little dirt never hurt, (just joking!)” but I prefer my food clean.
You can choose your cut of pork leg here (if you know how to ask in Thai). I always go for the pork knuckle.
Then there’s the radish and pork rib soup I’ve been enjoying for a decade. The soup includes goji berries to add sweetness, which is a pleasant change from the sugar-laden versions at other Thai restaurants. The broth is subtly sweet and not overwhelmingly so.
Chatting with the owner, I learned they’ve added cream pies to the menu, alongside their usual offerings.
This restaurant has been a staple in Pattaya for a long time, often my go-to lunch spot before moving to the factory area.
No grass jelly for me today. I opted for an Americano to perk up.
When tired, sitting under the eaves and watching the fountain is quite relaxing.
Here’s the Google Map link