Award-Winning Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine Launches Two New Menus

Recognized for her elevated Thai cuisine and artful presentations, Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng has introduced two new menus at Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine in Steveston, British Columbia. The menus include food sources common for Chef Nutcha as a child, including organic, hand-roasted insects, pomelo, and water buffalo.

Both menus, “A Taste of Baan Lao” and her new Signature Dinner Experience menu, “From The Fields of Thailand To The Shores of Canada” are now open for reservations online.

“From The Fields of Thailand To The Shores of Canada” is a culinary experience that chronicles Chef Nutcha’s life journey from growing up in rural Thailand, to building her life here in Canada, to opening her restaurant on the waterfront in Steveston, on the outskirts of Vancouver. Her various experiences and milestones come to life throughout each guest’s dining experience. As an example, in a playful nod to Chef Nutcha’s previous career as a registered nurse, she created a palate cleanser of lemongrass, pandan, and butterfly peas. The elixir is served with a syringe alongside, filled with freshly squeezed lime juice. Guests are encouraged to inject the lime juice into the beverage and watch as it transforms from azure blue in colour to a stunning violet hue.

“It has been an amazing journey for me. Growing up with no running water or electricity, then becoming a nurse and cancer researcher, and now a chef! In developing this menu, I wanted to share my experience in a fun, creative way, and demonstrate how grateful I am for all the support and encouragement I’ve received from our Baan Lao guests along my path,” says Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng.

This exquisite new menu features 11 dishes, including her new signature dish, Water Buffalo Tenderloin Massaman Curry. Massaman is recognized as the “king of curries”, and is one of the most challenging and time-consuming curries to prepare.

As a child, water buffalo was a staple for Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng’s family and she has brought that tradition to her new menu, sourcing organic water buffalo meat from McClintock’s Farm on Vancouver Island. While visiting the farm, her children became so enamoured with the animals that they now own a young calf, “Koko”. Chef Nutcha is pleased to continue her family tradition by raising water buffalo with her young daughters, allowing them to more fully understand and appreciate her upbringing in rural Thailand.

“A Taste of Baan Lao” provides a tantalizing array from both of her Signature Dinner Experience menus, including her famous Phat Thai, and Wild Sockeye Salmon Green Curry from her first menu, in addition to a few selections from her new Signature Dinner Experience menu, “From The Fields of Thailand To The Shores of Canada”.

Reservations are required for both menus, and can be completed online at https://bit.ly/BaanLaoReservations.

Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine is located on the waterfront in the historic fishing village of Steveston, at 4100 Bayview Street, Richmond, BC.

About Baan Lao

Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine opened in February 2021 and has already earned numerous awards and accolades. The restaurant recently placed #79 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list, and #14 on Canada’s Best New Restaurants. Baan Lao also features prominently on Vancouver’s Golden Plate Awards for 2021 and 2022, recognized both years as Best Restaurant Overall, Best Fine Dining, Best Hidden Gem, and Best Thai. Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng was awarded Best Chef for 2021 and 2022, as well.

Baan Lao means “Our Home”, reflecting our core value of ensuring everyone feels like an honoured guest. Enveloped in the warmth of our surroundings and Thai hospitality, guests enjoy the eye-catching presentation of our food, have their taste buds captivated by the depth and layers in the flavours, and revel in a variety of unique special touches to make the evening a truly memorable experience.

Media release provided by Wanda Love, image courtesy of the restaurant.