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As I stroll through the vibrant maze of shops and eateries in the Land of Smiles, a perpetual smile resides in my heart. I am in awe and appreciation for the enticing and authentic Thai dishes that grace every corner. This abundance of street food choices has become the epitome of authentic Thai culture and storytelling — a narrative cherished by all.
Today, the journey to experience such divine cuisine no longer requires a trip to the Land of Smiles for this amazing cuisine is now available right here on our shores.
Krapow! is that culinary gem that transports diners to the vibrant streets of Thailand. It is a cozy restaurant nestled on the ground floor of SM MOA Exchange — along the street and very convenient and visible.
Stepping into Krapow! you’re greeted by a warm ambience with cheerful yellow tones reminiscent of Thai hospitality. Authentic Thai ingredients adorn the attractive bar in the middle of the restaurant, while the delightful aroma of food being cooked and prepared fills the air.
Krapow! SM MOA Exchange is owned by youthful and business-savvy Felix Assad, the charming son of Lebanese Consul and ace photographer Joseph Assad and his dynamic wife Vicky.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat and the indefatigable SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation president Elizabeth Sy, alongside well-loved media friends, guests, and suppliers.
“What truly sets Krapow! apart is its seamless blend of Thai culinary traditions with Filipino creativity. Krapow! partner and chef Reggie Prospero received his esteemed training under the tutelage of a Thai chef in Bangkok for eight years,” shared Ambassador Traisorat.
“Krapow! brings people together, brings Thailand’s street food to us in the Philippines. It is great value for money, has great taste, and good service. Chef Reggie may not have been born Thai, but his heart beats for Thai cuisine, which he fell in love with, and his taste is anchored on Thai flavors,” he added.
At Krapow!, each dish is a masterpiece, carefully crafted to tantalize the taste buds. From the bold flavors of tom yum goong, a fragrant soup infused with lemongrass, shrimp, and chili sai oua or sweet and spicy sausage slices, each bite at Krapow! is a journey to Thailand.
Sumptuous dishes served were gaeng keow wan neua (green curry chicken or beef with Thai basil and eggplant in coconut-infused sauce), gai tod hat yai, the perfectly seasoned tod man mu (pork skewers with savory Thai sauce), kangkong phat nam man hoi (stir-fried water spinach in Thai oyster sauce), as well as khao pad.
Diners also enjoyed the exquisite gaeng phed ped yang (duck curry) with sweet lychees and grapes, the refreshing yam som o (pomelo salad), and som tum ( papaya salad), which is a perfect blend of hints of sweet, sour, and spicy. And to end the meal on a sweet note, we tried the heavenly khao niew mamuang (mango with sticky rice), Thai nam manao (lime juice), num ma muang (mango juice), khanom Thai (Thai desserts), and more refreshments complemented our memorable meal.
How it started
Unprecedented challenges bring out the best in remarkable entrepreneurs like Felix Assad, who created Krapow! during the pandemic.
His love for Thai food, business acumen and desire to conquer struggles during these trying times paved the way for all his Krapow! ventures.
Felix, who was into commodity trading for 10 years, established Krapow! as a side business during the pandemic.
Chef Reggie was into real estate but already had a penchant for Thai cooking. Another highly accomplished Krapow partner, Jake Pantig, worked for the IT industry for 20 years and was the head of HP Philippines for 12 years.
With the expertise and enthusiasm of these gentlemen, more success for Krapow! is inevitable.
It all began with a serendipitous encounter — an online order of Thai food by Felix from chef Reggie. This significant transaction led to a special friendship and a successful business partnership. The very popular Krapow! restaurant started from a modest space in Poblacion, BGC, and has eventually found its way to the prestigious SM MOA Exchange.
The journey to SM MOA Exchange wasn’t just a stroke of luck; it was a stamp of excellence for hard work and dedication.
SM proprietor Elizabeth Sy emphatically expressed her love for all of Krapow!’s dishes, but it was an independent team within the SM organization that meticulously selected and invited Krapow! to join their esteemed conglomerate.
What impressed the SM team was not only the delicious and authentic Thai cuisine but also Krapow!’s innovative concept and its potential for expansion across other SM properties.
Krapow! is the perfect place for families, couples, friends, office people and more. The appetite of Thai food aficionados will certainly be more than satisfied.
Krapow! is an inspiring story where passion meets perseverance, resilience and triumph.
Krapow! is truly Thai-rrific!
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Head on to their growing branches here in Manila.
Follow Krapow! @krapow.mnl on Instagram and Facebook
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Credit belongs to : www.philstar.com