Restaurant review: Farang – tasting menu

29 02 2016

Farang and Korona - reijosfood.com

Farang is a restaurant which serves modern Asian cuisine, located within the premises of the historical Kunsthalle. Restaurant’s simplified, modern and atmospheric decor combined with the warm service and strong expertise in Asian cuisine creates an excellent setting for a comprehensive dining experience.

One can also drink aperitif in the small bar inside one the the two dining rooms and observe other diners.

As a regular visitor, dediced again to enjoy Farang Tasting menu. Menu consist of 8 dishes if you include thai roti bread as one of them.

CHA PLU, `ROASTED ALBACORE
lime marinated Albacore tuna on a cha plu leaf, green mango, roasted peanut, Atlantic salmon roe

Farang starter - reijosfood.com

HAMACHI SASHIMI `COCONUT & LIME´
hamachi sashimi, coconut cream and lime dressing, Asian herbs

Farang sashimi - reijosfood.com

CRISPY SOFTSHELL CRAB `SALT & PEPPER´
softshell crab, green mango, mint, peanut `nahm jim´dressing

Farang soft shell crab - reijosfood.com
CRISPY PORK & PALM SUGAR CARAMEL
braised, crispy fried pork, caramel, rice vinegar

Farang crispy pork - reijosfood.com

THAI-ROTI BREAD, REDANG CURRY
chinese water cress, bok choy, soft bean curd, battered crispy tofu

Farang thai roti bread - reijosfood.com

MORNING GLORY, `SALT & PEPPER´ TOFU
chinese water cress, bok choy, battered crispy tofu

image

CARAMELIZED BEEF SHORTRIBS, `JUNGLE CURRY & CHILI JAM
roasted beef shortribs, Farang’s `chili jam´ flavoured jungle curry, coconut cream, thai eggplant, `nahm pla prik´ dressing

image

HOLA HOLA 19´
thai style marinated fruits, sweet pea, vanilla and coconut cream, guava peach sorbet

Farang Hola Hola - reijosfood.com

First dish was superb, rolled leaf around tuna with herbs and spices was excellent as always. Fish can change because once it was trout.

Sashimi was soft and spicy dressing complemented the flavour of fish.

Soft shell crab was crispy and paired well with mango and herbs.

One of the favourites crispy pork with palmsugar caramel did not disappoint this time either. It has been one of the favourites all 7 years Farang has been operating.

Tofu had to be eaten with thai roti bread. Bread with sauces was that scrumptious that one could have eaten only those.

Beef shortribs were tender but like more pork ribs. Maybe was already full but this dish was not at the level all others were.

Dessert was 19th version of Hola Hola, becoming already a classic sweet dish. Asian dessert is difficult for Finns but Farang can prepare them to better suit local taste.

Tasting menu has not changed much during the years, but can absolutely recommend it, becase one has a chance to get familiar with different asian flavours. By ordering from a la carte list only few savors can be enjoyed.

For wine had Italian red wine Korone produced from Sangiovese, Merlot, small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and autochthonous vines. Wine paired extremely well with spicy tastes because of grape combination.

Farang was again nominated as Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in February 2016. Actually 3 of 4 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Helsinki are owned by the same guys. Not bad at all!

REVIEW: FOOD 4,5/5 – SERVICE 4,5/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5

https://farang.fi/en/

 

 





Restaurant review: Farang

30 06 2012

Farang is a restaurant which serves modern Asian cuisine, located within the premises of the historical Kunsthalle. Farang offers unique and fresh flavors from Southeast Asia. Restaurant’s simplified, modern and atmospheric decor combined with the warm service and strong expertise in Asian cuisine creates an excellent setting for a comprehensive dining experience. One can also drink aperitif in the bar inside dining room and observe other diners. Farang is mentioned on Michelin guide as charming and best value restaurant.

Dediced to enjoy Farang Tasting menu which was real fireworks:

CHA PLU LEAF WITH SMOKED TROUT
roasted peanuts, trout roe

HAMACHI SASHIMI, VIETNAMESE STYLE
kingfish sashimi, asian herbs, black vinegar dressing

SOFT SHELL CRAB
green mango, mint, caramelized peanut, green ‘nahm jim’

CRISPY PORK WITH PALMSUGAR CARAMEL
crispy fried, braised pork with caramel and rice vinegar

THAI-ROTI BREAD, REDANG CURRY MORNING GLORY, CRISPY FRIED SALT & PEPPER TOFU
chinese water cress, bok choy, soft bean curd, battered crispy tofu

VEAL CHEEK ‘SEREMBAN’
slow braised veal cheeks, aromatic chili broth, ‘chili jam’ -sprout salad, noodles

THAI JASMINE RICE

‘HOLA HOLA 4′
Thai style marinated fruits, sweet peas, lime, vanilla-coconut stock, mango passion fruit sorbet

First dish was superb, rolled leaf around trout and enjoyed crisp and tasty dish. Kingfish was soft and spicy dressing complemented the flavour of fish. Crab was crispy but maybe a little bit too much fried. One of the favourites crispy pork with palmsugar caramel did not disappoint. In Taste of Helsinki it was a little bit over cooked but in an authentic environment just perfect. Tofu and thai roti bread were excellent; one could have eaten only bread with those sauces. Chinese watergrass is close to spinach. Veal cheek was tender and with dressing a great experience. Dessert was 4th version of Hola Hola, tasted better than we had a year ago. Tasting menu has not changed much since eaten last time, but can absolutely recommend it becase one has a chance to get familiar with different asian flavours. By ordering from a la carte list only few savors can be enjoyed.

Farang has few own Australian wines on their wine list. Red one suited well with pork and veal.

REVIEW: FOOD 5-/5 – SERVICE 5-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5

Only annoying fact due to strong and delicious aroma of spices is that one might need to air clothing after scrumptious dining.

Note: Farang is closed 2.7 – 30.7 due to summer vacations. Prepare to book table well in advance as restaurant is always full.

http://farang.fi/?lang=en

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Restaurant/Helsingfors-00100-Farang-308850-41102

If you have time to visit to Kunsthalle after lunch or before dinner it is worth of it – http://taidehalli.fi/english/





Bar and restaurant Boulevard Social has opened

27 05 2012

Owners of Farang and Gaijin Tomi Björk and Matti Wiberg has opened Boulevard Social on 21st May restaurant.

Restaurant provides flavours from Middle East, Mediterranean and North African kitchens. Chef is Kristian Perkola who worked before at Gaijin. As Farang and Gaijin were honored with Bib Gourmand sign one could expect same quality at Boulevard Social.

Restaurant can serve 70 customers and terrace 30 customers at the same time. Location –  next to restaurant Gaijin.

Examples from the menu: RAS EL HANOUT´ DUCK, BOULEVARD SOCIAL `BOULLABAISE´, GRILLED TIGER PRAWNS OUZO & TARRAGON and LAMB SHOULDER `HARISSA. Menu includes also Finnish dishes, but obviously prepared with Boulevard Social way.

http://boulevardsocial.fi

 








%d bloggers like this: