It was one of those nights where we just wanted a good meal. Nothing fussy, just real food with bold flavours. Un-Yang-Kor-Dai delivered exactly that, and more.

We made a reservation (there are two seatings and it fills up fast). The place was buzzing with chatter, plates clinking, and that warm energy you get when people are genuinely enjoying themselves.

We starter the dinner with Khantoke Nam Phrik platter. A riot of colours, textures and tastes. Moo Ping was tender and charred just right. The Thai sausage, packed with herbs and a touch of funk, was addictive. Paired with crispy pork rinds, egg roll, grilled fish and a rainbow of vegetables. This was the perfect communal dish.

We also had a deep-fried sea bass, standing tall and proud like a centrepiece. Crisp on the outside and juicy within. The mango salad on the side cut through the richness like a zesty little wake-up call.

Then came UYKD’s crispy pork belly. Layers of shatteringly crisp skin and tender meat, served with their special dipping sauce. Dangerous stuff.

The eggplant with spicy minced pork was rustic, comforting and had a nice hit of basil heat. And those deep-fried prawn and scallop cakes were fragrant with green curry paste and beautifully crunchy.

As much as we enjoyed everything, we did realise halfway through that we might have gone a bit too heavy on the deep-fried side of things. Next visit, we are definitely going for their curries and perhaps a fiery tom yum to balance it out.

No Thai meal is complete without dessert. We cooled down with sweet sticky rice and mango, and the good ol’ red ruby in coconut milk, refreshing and nostalgic.

This Michelin-guide restaurant does not hold back on spice or flavour, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s Thai food with soul, meant to be shared with people you love.