Return to Songkran

On lazy Sundays, the default habit of the family is to eat out for lunch.  There is clearly no need to look further beyond our neighborhood, with Aguirre Avenue already a bustling food mecca.  Despite the seemingly endless options, there's something lazy cozy about coming back to that Thai joint just behind the rusty old gate.

As a testament to Songkran's longevity, the restaurant has remained under the radar yet keeps its loyal followers coming back for more.  Many joints have come and gone along the now famous avenue, yet Songkran has retained its spot tucked amidst the trees in a quiet corner.

We arrived ahead of the hungry BF Sunday crowd, and promptly ordered the Thai staples.  Nothing much had changed since my last visit, even the prices remained easy on the pocket despite a little inflation.

Crispy Catfish with Mango Salad, P215 

An all-time favorite, the Crispy Catfish Salad announced its arrival with a pungent zesty smell.  The shredded fish flesh was lightly fried to a crisp, a texture that was tantalizing to the tongue.  The mango hidden underneath the tangled mess rendered a sweet sour dimension of taste to the dish.  Highly addicting, it was good on its own - but often the case is to sprinkle this over piping hot jasmine rice.

Fresh Spring Rolls, P145

In keeping with a healthier theme, we picked the Fresh Spring Rolls over the fried version.  These rolls were stuffed to the core with fresh lettuce, carrots, and cilantro.  The near transparent wrap barely kept the burgeoning roll together.

Six fat pieces were more than a mouthful.  The greens were fresh and crisp, its flavors enhanced by the accompanying sweet chili dip.  A dash of chopped peanuts added a subtle nutty taste, reminding one of our own local lumpia versions.  I've tried a good variety of spring rolls, from the Vietnamese rolls to the Singaporean popiah, but it's the Thai version that comes out the winner.  Songkran's rendition is a good representation of authenticity.

Stir Fried Morning Glory with Tausi, P135

It seemed we haven't had enough of vegetables, as we added the Stir Fried Morning Glory to our order.  Chopped leaves and stalks of kangkong were sauteed lightly in savory tausi sauce.  The greens were crunchy and fresh, not soggy.  The sauce was not overpowering, mildly sweet and salty.  

Tom Yum Goong, P255

A big bowl of piping hot goodness, the ubiquitous Tom Yum soup was set prominently on our table.  Submerged in the spicy broth were plump shrimp, mixed with some sliced tomatoes, basil, onions, and lemongrass.

However, the vegetables seemed too scanty for the overflowing broth.  A little more greens would have been appreciated.  Also, the number of shrimps was also few, and some were not too fresh.  The broth this time was too sour and overwhelming, despite having the right amount of spiciness.  Still, for less than 300 bucks, the bowl was good enough for three to four persons.  The mere sight of the big silver bowl conjured memories of that Thai stall in Maxwell FC back in Singapore.

Green Chicken Curry, P285

No trip to any Thai restaurant would be complete without sampling the curry offerings.  I've tried Songkran's Green Chicken Curry before, and it was delightful.  Despite lacking a notable viridian hue, the scent of the curry spices wafted gloriously from the plate.

The slices of chicken were tender and moist, absorbing the curry gravy well.  This time out, there seemed to be enough vegetables than my previous experience with this order.  Ample cuts of succulent eggplant shared the mixture with chopped tomatoes and green chilies.  The spiciness was distinct but not too powerful.  The curry gravy was milky, mildly sweet and zesty.  This dish remained consistently good and thoroughly enjoyable.  The only qualm was that the smallish serving size, but one's complaints are easily calmed by the price tag it comes with.

In an avenue with numerous dining options almost like the entire United Nations, (yes there is Greek food finally in BF), Songkran remains the go-to Thai escape for hungry BF residents.  Prices are kept nearly dirt-cheap, although serving sizes are variable and might not be commensurate for some people.  Still, the perk of not needing to endure the worsening traffic of the metro have us homeowners simply strolling leisurely to this hidden gem.  In my case, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump.

Jones

Songkran Thai Restaurant

249 Aguirre Avenue, corner D. Tuazon Street

BF Homes

Paranaque City