It had been a few years since I'd been to Krua Thailand at 432 University Avenue West. Maybe because this restaurant--like many on University Avenue--has an unobtrusive street presence, it is easy to bypass. It has an old, weathered sign--not a flashy neon one. But Krua has been a reliable Thai eatery for years, and it was good to stop in again.
Christian, our Wisconsin friend Craig, and I needed to do a little planning for a fall canoe trip, and we figured that Thai food would stimulate our brains. Krua boasts a menu of authentic Thai dishes "rarely seen at other local Thai restaurants," according to its menu. Krua's entrees cover a variety of categories: fried rice, soups, fish dishes, stir fry, curry, and noodle dishes, all in the $9 to $14 range.
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| Krua Thai Papaya Pad Thai |
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| Volcano Stir Fry |
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| Panang Curry |
Craig tried the Panang, a curry in sweet peanut sauce, and declared that it was worthy of his highest rating. The peanut sauce was truly outstanding. Christian opted for the Volcano Stir-Fry, spiced to the max. It indeed was a mountain of veggies and pork, erupting with flavor. (Note: For many dishes, patrons can choose seafood, shrimp, beef, chicken, pork, mock duck, or fried tofu, with prices varying by the selection.) I remembered having been told once by a Thai food afficionado that Krua had the best pad thai in the Twin Cities. So, I tried this, with a twist: the Krua Thai Papaya Pad Thai. Excellent, with wonderfully crisp noodles.
Krua's delicious food inspired some very profound canoeing discussions. For example, our canoeing expert Craig was previously unaware of the dangers of "aerated water" (such as the roiling water at the base of a waterfall), which Christian informed us has so much oxygen that it can cause a canoe to sink deeper into the water. Of course, floating a canoe under falling waters poses its own hazard... and I suspect that canoeing at the base of a waterfall with the paddlers' stomachs filled with Krua cuisine would be sure death (but a tasty one).
