Chinese / Thai

Harrythecod · Post by **Harrythecod** » Sun 11 May 2014 5:03 pm

Thinking about opening a Chinese /Thai restaurant in the Kyrenia area, with appropriate chefs from those regions, any feedback please, is it a good idea?

Many thanks

Butterflyaway · Post by **Butterflyaway** » Sun 11 May 2014 5:28 pm

Good idea, but you also need authentic ingredients.

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Sun 11 May 2014 5:44 pm

Could be, but be aware there are Chinese and at least one Thai restaurant that may be hard to beat. lthough there is nothing wrong with healthy competition!

terry2366 · Post by **terry2366** » Sun 11 May 2014 6:24 pm

If it's well planned and professional you would do well the two here a very expensive and the food is only average. If you could produce food of a good uk standard you would do well. But the paperwork and hoops you have to jump through are immense. Also unless you are a Cypriot you would need a Cypriot partner so important you find one you can trust. I wish you well I would certainly use you and so would a lot of my friends.

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Mon 12 May 2014 2:03 pm

It would be great to have an authentic Thai restaurant in the North and i agree with terry.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Mon 12 May 2014 2:40 pm

Crash hat at the ready! We do! Bo Thai in Catalkoy. EVERYTHING, bar the curtains came from Thailand. Even the wood for the flooring!

ozankoys · Post by **ozankoys** » Mon 12 May 2014 3:15 pm

1. Unless the law has changed you do not need a Cypriot partner to run a business
2. Although the furniture fixtures & fittings at Bo Thai may have come from Thailand the food bears little resemblance to the very very many Thai meals we have had in Thailand, UK or indeed Malta where we went to the Blue Elephant last year!
An authentic Thai restaurant would certainly have our patronage - good luck!

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 12 May 2014 4:44 pm

Ozankoys, agreed, the wood may be authentic but for me the food leaves a lot to be desired. To be honest, the only thing I miss from the UK is a good Chinese meal, not available here in any of the expensive or not so expensive places regardless of which chef they claim to have. Sadly I grew up in Malaya and my tastes may have changed over the years but not the memories of good food.

Would love to see another Chinese establishment opened here and in particular a decent take away as well.

terry2366 · Post by **terry2366** » Mon 12 May 2014 6:27 pm

Me too after KL Seremban and Penang the food bears no resemblance to that either.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Mon 12 May 2014 7:08 pm

Crash hat still on. Sorry but I like Bo Thai, but I do agree about no decent Chinese!

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Tue 13 May 2014 12:26 am

The Bo Thai matches anything here in the UK. The staff are lovely and the food is excellent.

Carbotec · Post by **Carbotec** » Tue 13 May 2014 5:25 am

Please don't ever complain about a meal as they don't take it too well!!

owl · Post by **owl** » Tue 13 May 2014 9:17 am

Been to Bo Thai twice. Not good first time, gave them a second chance, still not good. Even a 'classic' Red Thai Curry was weird and the roast duck tasted like spam. Dips were like watered down jam. ;-(

For us, 'Bo Thai' = 'No Thai'!

A new Thai would be welcomed here.

bargainboozeandwines · Tue 13 May 2014 11:15 am

Owl Lady wrote:Crash hat at the ready! We do! Bo Thai in Catalkoy. EVERYTHING, bar the curtains came from Thailand. Even the wood for the flooring!

I know owl lady,the decor & furniture is beautiful.

Post by **Soner** » Tue 13 May 2014 11:52 am

Been to several Chinese restaurants in TRNC over the years and was not at all impressed. Fortunately, my wife is from Hong Kong and we bring over some Chinese ingredients from UK when over, so Chinese food I do not miss in TRNC, in fact, it tastes a lot better due to the fresh produce. I have been cooking Chinese food for over 30 years now and can honestly say that there is nothing like home-made. However, it is always nice to sit in a restaurant and being waited on, so believe there is a market for a Good Chinese Restaurant in TRNC....but you must get it right both with food and price, and sustain it, mess up and you will lose your regular customers. Prepare but do not pre-cook, Chinese dishes can be cooked up in minutes, I can not understand why so many of these restaurants get it so wrong.

Good Luck.

Philoz · Post by **Philoz** » Tue 13 May 2014 2:55 pm

So It's everyone round to Soner's for a slap up Chinese meal!
Seriously though,I think the lack,and high cost of the 'special' ingredients make it difficult here-I mean has anyone seen fresh lemon grass In Ya Beles?
The UK is well served with ethnic supermarkets selling all the Asian veggies and spices which are difficult to obtain here.

ozankoys · Post by **ozankoys** » Tue 13 May 2014 2:58 pm

You cannot buy lemon grass here but it is very easy to grow your own!

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Tue 13 May 2014 3:13 pm

In all our time here we have found that some of the restaurants are not consistent! You go one week great, plenty to eat, good quality, served hot, reasonable prices. You go a couple of weeks later awful.

Restaurants here come and go, we can count on one hand only places we now eat.

I don't understand it when they offer small portions especially veggies which are cheap and commonplace. Beef is another matter, truly shocking in most places, tough, gristle, and again not cheap.

If we come across poor food/service, lukewarm food, not enough, we do bring it to the attention of the owners now. Its just a shame not many owners realise what they are serving, less customers as a result, what do they do, hike the prices up. There you go rant over, we are trying the Dragon tonight, first time, lets see how that goes?

Carbotec · Post by **Carbotec** » Tue 13 May 2014 3:23 pm

Hey Mollie have been told very expensive for what you get.!!! Please let me know how you get on. Taking her indoors to Efendi tonight somewhere you can't fault.

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Wed 14 May 2014 8:23 am

Carbotec wrote:Hey Mollie have been told very expensive for what you get.!!! Please let me know how you get on. Taking her indoors to Efendi tonight somewhere you can't fault.

Good food and good wines at Efendi's

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Wed 14 May 2014 9:42 am

Well Mollie the cat what was your verdict?

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Wed 14 May 2014 10:19 am

You cannot fault the setting it was beautiful, the service was spot on, delightful staff, served as soon as you sit down.

The menu is quite extensive. You have a choice of a set menu 75tl, or starters on average 24tl, the main meals were about 50tl. The four of us chose the set menu.

They bring fried seaweed and prawn crackers to nibble on. For the set menu you have a choice of two starters, spring rolls or soup. Three of us had the spring rolls (two each) one had the soup, they were nice. You then order a main course each. Two of our main courses were spare ribs, (one each) and prawns in Garlic (two each small) accompanied by noodles and rice. The food was served hot and probably just enough, but we did order more noodles and rice.

Beer is 8tl for a small bottle, soft drinks 10tl. Angora wine was the cheapest at 35tl, the rest was very expensive, some at 80tl a bottle. We didn't have any spirits but I am told if you do they are all imported. Finally, there was a service charge of 39tl on the bill.

For the four of us the bill was 423TL, but that did include two bottles of Angora.

Overall a nice experience but not cheap for what it was. Please don't take my word for it, try it yourself.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Wed 14 May 2014 10:49 am

Do it yourself: http://theartisttonyrose.blogspot.com/2 ... aweed.html - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chick ... bles_89282 - http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/shrimp-garlic-sauce - http://www.thekitchn.com/15-basic-ingre ... ood-184504 - Coriander and Cilantro come from a plant called coriandrum sativum. The difference between coriander and cilantro is that coriander is the seed of the plant, while cilantro is the leaf.

The only thing I have difficulty finding here are rice paper wraps for spring rolls but you can make spring roll wraps yourself as well - http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-spr ... ers-471396 - The secret of Chinese food is in the preparation, it can take hours but if you like real Far Eastern dish's then you will never be without!!!

Post by **Soner** » Wed 14 May 2014 10:59 am

Tried it myself and found it too expensive for what was served. I love eating out and sometimes pay way over £100 for just the two of us, I do not mind paying a price....but the quality, service, food and experience has to be worth it. Restaurants only get one chance with me, if not up to standard, I never visit again. If good, then I will continue going year in year out - for many many years. Simple. If a regular restaurant visited suddenly falls short of usual good food or service, then it's 3 strike and out.

Philoz....it may even happen.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Wed 14 May 2014 1:52 pm

Does sound nice, but expensive in view of 1 spare rib and 2 prawns! I do object to a service charge put on the bill, I always leave a tip, dependent on the service, food etc. It should be left to the customers discretion.

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Wed 14 May 2014 2:59 pm

75tl for the amount of food you appear to have had is a joke in my opinion. Hope they don`t expect to be roaring success because I feel they will be disappointed.

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Wed 14 May 2014 3:42 pm

It was a large spare rib, well fairly large. OK it was medium size.

ozankoys · Post by **ozankoys** » Wed 14 May 2014 6:15 pm

So what has happened to Harrythecod?? I have heard a Cyprus whisper that Bo Thai is on the market for £1 million pounds what a bargain he should snap it up!

Barbieb · Post by **Barbieb** » Wed 14 May 2014 7:11 pm

I am sorry Molly the Cat, 1 spare rib for a main course, surely not right, was it a rack please say it was, and only a choice of spring rolls or soup for a starter, do not think I will be visiting and not tight by any means, but that sounds extortionate!!!! I will stick with Chinese House, Karaoglanoglu, defo good value now and food always great!

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Wed 14 May 2014 7:41 pm

It was only soup or spring roll for starter, and 4 ribs, 1 for each person for one of the main meals.
the whole meal was tasty but we won't be rushing back, we prefer Indian food.

Barbieb · Post by **Barbieb** » Wed 14 May 2014 7:55 pm

Can't eat Indian myself, but believe the prob same with Indian here as Chinese, not as good as UK, but 1 rib each is having a laugh, you get 3 or 4 for a starter, do not think I will be even trying it now, which is quite a shame, Chinese my favourite food, will stick with Chinese House!!!!!!!!!!

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Wed 14 May 2014 9:58 pm

Luckily we do not have to pay these prices banded about on the island !

Home made is best.

Where are you Harry !

bargainboozeandwines · Wed 14 May 2014 10:00 pm

sorry to tease

Harrythecod · Post by **Harrythecod** » Sat 17 May 2014 3:54 pm

Harry is busy in Thai land at the moment will be back in to weeks things are heating up the Wong ton soup is superb it will be here shortly be ready for a taste festival

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Sun 18 May 2014 3:11 pm

Harrythecod wrote:Harry is busy in Thai land at the moment will be back in to weeks things are heating up the Wong ton soup is superb it will be here shortly be ready for a taste festival

Good news.

I hope the wonton chicken soup looked like this !

No i hope it looked better

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Sun 18 May 2014 4:35 pm

Harry the cod

Im practising in case you do not find a cook/chef

Crispy salt n Pepper chicken pieces and steamed then fried chicken dumplings ! Or wonton.

You might need an apprentice

erol · Post by **erol** » Sun 18 May 2014 5:31 pm

bargainboozeandwines wrote:Harry the cod

Im practising in case you do not find a cook/chef

This might help you along then.

http://tamaraleighauthor.wordpress.com/ ... nton-soup/

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Mon 19 May 2014 7:57 am

erol wrote:
bargainboozeandwines wrote:Harry the cod

Im practising in case you do not find a cook/chef
This might help you along then.

http://tamaraleighauthor.wordpress.com/ ... nton-soup/

It did and that photo is used so much in so many descriptions of wonton

But it can look better than that

HotHippo · Post by **HotHippo** » Mon 19 May 2014 8:30 am

We tried Sushico in Lefkosa yesterday.

The sushi dishes we ordered were good, but the Chinese dishes were a disappointment.

Pleasant staff, and lovely garden tables.

The search continues ..................................

JBA · Post by **JBA** » Mon 19 May 2014 9:11 am

There used to be, and maybe still is, a little Chinese restaurant near the fire station in Girne - but nobody has mentioned it. It is 3 years since I went there. I am no afficianado of Chinese food but the people with me were and thought it was superb.

The lady selling Chinese food at Lambousa market deserves a mention also. As I said, I am no expert but she was recommended to me by people who frequently eat Chinese and it is a lot cheaper than the restaurant prices mentioned here. I regularly buy her spring rolls, they are 2 for 3.5tl (complete with sweet chilli dip) and sweet and sour pork with egg fried rice (approx. 25tl) and the portions seem quite generous to me. You have to cook them but she gives full written instructions for the various items.

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Mon 19 May 2014 9:45 am

Think it was called chopsticks, it was there years ago, sure its gone now.

ozankoys · Post by **ozankoys** » Mon 19 May 2014 12:04 pm

Hothippo we always thought sushico was closed on Sundays? Is is open all day please?

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Mon 19 May 2014 1:13 pm

Now this menu look superb,nice place.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Mon 19 May 2014 2:04 pm

It is closed. I did hear that the girl who does the food at the markets etc was from there, but not sure if that is fact!!

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Mon 19 May 2014 2:52 pm

Owl Lady wrote:It is closed. I did hear that the girl who does the food at the markets etc was from there, but not sure if that is fact!!

think chopsticks closed a few years ago

HotHippo · Post by **HotHippo** » Mon 19 May 2014 5:05 pm

Hello Owl Lady, Sushico opened at 16:00 yesterday.

HH

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Sat 02 Aug 2014 2:19 pm

Any updates from harry the cod !

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Sat 02 Aug 2014 2:47 pm

Visited
Bo Thai a couple of years ago.
Very disappointed, would not recommend or go back.
Expensive for what you got.
My wife had chicken liver that reminded us of the motions our poor dog passed when she had Parvo infection.
She said it tasted disgusting.
When asked how our meal was we said we thought the liver was off.
The owner tasted some and said it was perfectly fine.
They charged us for it regardlessly.
Vowed never to go back.

Agobard · Post by **Agobard** » Sat 02 Aug 2014 3:00 pm

If you don't mind going across the border, try Akakiko. We eat there regularly and find the food very good and very reasonably priced. Japanese plus some Chinese, Korean and Thai dishes. Only 5 minutes from the border at Metehan. Turn left at the 'rings' roundabout, turn right at the lights before McDonalds and then bear left. Akakiko is at the end of the Hilton Hotel. Open every day noon to midnight. Have eaten at Sushico but Akakiko is better in every way.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 02 Aug 2014 4:15 pm

Don't mind going across for food at all - more so if I can find a place that serves Singapore Chow Mein!!! I know its a simple dish, I know its a poor man's dish, I know I should be able to cook it myself - all efforts have failed regardless and it is the one dish that I miss.

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