A Thorough Taste of Thai

A Thorough Taste of Thai

Inch Sausages

Located in Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, Soi Social sees celebrity chef Ian Kittichai crafting his modern take on beloved classic Thai dishes.

by Runi Indrani


Singapore’s popular destination, Resorts World Sentosa, is home to a new dining destination in collaboration with Thai celebrity chef Ian Kittichai. Situated in the recently refurbished dining space at the integrated resort’s Festive Walk, Soi Social invites discerning diners to experience a modern take on all-time favourite classic dishes from across Thailand’s four culinary regions. 

Before delving into the new restaurant, get to know the mastermind behind it all. Chef Ian Kittichai’s cooking journey is an inspiring success story, which began with him pushing a cart to sell food he made with his mother as a child. He later got a scholarship for haute cuisine training in England and Australia, and the rest is history. Today Ian is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and television personality.

Ian’s unrivalled passion for Thai cuisine inspired him to create Soi Social, offering a menu that pays tribute to the dishes that are largely enjoyed by Thais – from globally renowned ones to dishes that are less known outside Thailand. 

Siam Sour

Backed by a team of skilled Thai chefs, Ian brings vibrant flavours through house-made spice pastes, meticulous cooking techniques, and high-quality ingredients. The team even harvests its own fruits and herbs from Resorts World Sentosa’s own garden to use in the cooking, including kaffir lime, bilimbi, basil leaf and mint leaf. 

“The name Soi Social reflects the concept RWS and I want to create for this new restaurant. Soi, which means street in Thai, represents the comfort food that is loved by Thai people in each unique Thai region that I want to share with guests. Our adaptations of these dishes are prepared and cooked with some of my favourite produce from Thailand, such as sweet water prawns from Ayutthaya, single origin organic chocolate and riceberry from northern Thailand,” Ian mused. “As for social, it evokes the Thai culture of sharing meals. I take great pride in introducing Soi Social – a laidback, social spot for friends and families to gather over delicious Thai food and cocktails and linger on till late.”

The restaurant’s charming ambience will lure diners to come in, with verdant greenery from the al fresco deck to the bistro-style dining area inside. Adorned in earthy tones and natural elements, Soi Social also prides itself on the glass-enclosed show kitchen, creating an exciting sight to watch. The lively scene of the chefs in the kitchen, burning charcoal and the appetising aromas produced are meant to recreate the delicious cacophony found on a busy food street. 

Must-try dishes include Chiang Mai duck sausage with wild betel leaf, ginger, peanuts and chilli; seared scallop in Nam-Tok E-Sarn style with dried chilli and saw leaf coriander dressing; and duck leg confit served with papaya salad and sticky rice.

Another dish not to be missed is the Roasted Special Marinated Duck with Thai Red Curry Sauce. Chinese roast duck is typically used in the dish but Soi Social uses a premium dry aged duck, stuff it with house-made red curry and Kaempferia galanga, then marinate it for 24 hours before roasting. The aromatic and juicy roast duck is served with tomato, pineapple, sweet basil leaves and red curry on the side. It’s a perfect balance of five Thai flavour profiles – sweet, salty, spicy, herbaceaous, sour.

The grilled selection showcases enticing dishes made on a binchotan – a wood-fired oven, like the BBQ southern-style marinated toothfish served with yellow curry sauce; and charcoal-grilled striploin with nam jim jaew dressing. 

The food isn’t the only thing that will take diners on a journey across Thailand. The cocktails here are handcrafted with Thai ingredients and traditional Thai spirits. Opt for the Siam Sour, a zesty and refreshing tipple made from the rich and smooth Phraya rum, fresh lemon juice, a dash of egg white and hom mali rice and lemongrass syrup. 

A great option to hang out, Soi Social also provides two private dining rooms – each accommodating up to six persons. The venue is open from 4pm until midnight from Wednesday to Friday, and 12pm until midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.  

Soi Social

(rwsentosa.com)

@soisocialrws