S&T Thai Gourmet Cafe

S&T is a fuss-free diner serving up fragrant Thai dishes packed with flavour and spice. In an area full of options, it stands out with its aromatic boat noodles, share-friendly Thai hotpot, and efficient and friendly service. And, as any Northbridge stalwart must, it expertly handles rush-hour lunch lines, families seeking a reasonably priced meal and partygoers readying for a night out.

Most of the regulars have their favourite dish at S&T. And it’s the soupy dishes like guay tiew nam tok (boat noodles with a thick, beefy broth) and tom saep (a tom yum-like beef soup from Isan) that rightly earn lots of praise. While the latter has tender braised pork, it’s the aromatic fresh coriander, lemongrass and coriander that hit your senses and keep you diving your spoon into the herby broth for more. There’s also the standout jaew hon, a spice- and herb-heavy Isan hotpot with bun (thin rice noodles), pork or offal.

And soup-free dishes are treated with just as much love here. Pork is sliced, blanched and topped with a garlic-chilli paste and lemon juice in the popular moo manao. While in the spicy guey tiew pad kee mao (also known as drunken noodles), flat noodles are served in a saucy stir-fry with a heavy hand of basil. And the som tum – or papaya salad – is as punchy and spicy as you’ll find it in Thailand.

You can back up the spicy dishes with refreshing drinks like coconut water and Thai milk tea, and there’s the option to BYO beer and wine. Finish with house-made ice-cream in flavours like Thai tea, green tea and durian; they have sticky rice at the bottom and a sprinkling of roasted peanut on top.