Amazing Thailand in a Carinderia!
by Stephanie Dychiu
Lunch yesterday was at Som’s, a Thai carinderia on tiny Alger Street parallel to Rockwell Drive. The place is tucked behind thick shrubbery lining the gated Rockwell enclave, but food this good never stays hidden for long. When we arrived at around 1:30 pm, all four tables were packed with Makati ad agency types. Uniformed drivers whizzed back and forth to pick up takeout for their perfumed mistresses. We waited on monobloc chairs in the heat and pretended we were at a sidewalk eatery in Chatuchak. Even the Makati Dog & Cat Hospital nearby reminded us of the pet section in Chatuchak.
Som’s is owned by a Thai national who used to be a chef at one of the top Thai restaurants here in Manila. After leaving the restaurant, he and his Filipina wife opened their own canteen. They serve classic Thai dishes like tom yum soup (P98), pad thai (P75), bagoong rice (P75), green and red curry (P75), catfish salad (P105), and ginger chicken (P75). Servings are big enough for two or three people with medium appetites.
Tom yum soup (P98)
Fried spring rolls (P70)
Ginger chicken (P75)
Seats are limited and there are a few bugs flying around, but fantastic cooking is what sets Som’s apart. Yesterday, we had the best tom yum soup and best green beef curry we’ve ever had in Manila. The best AND the cheapest!!! We ate and ate until we could barely move, and then we ate some more. On our next trip back, we’ll be bringing citronella candles and bug lotion because swatting flies takes focus away from the food. Food this good deserves absolute undivided attention! Oh, and did we mention it’s really cheap? Som’s offers takeout if you can’t live without air conditioning. They also give cooking lessons.
Som’s is located at 5921 Alger Street, Poblacion, Makati. Go down Kalayaan Avenue toward the direction of Power Plant Mall, then turn left on Alger just before you reach the gates of Rockwell. Call 757-8079 or 0917-992-7648 for orders and other inquiries.
June 24th, 2006 at 12:18 am
I’ve eaten here about 5 times already and keep coming back for more despite the less than appetizing ambiance.
Unbelievable tom yum and red or green curry chicken.
Pad thai, okay lang, I’ve had better.
If you live nearby, they’ll take a tray to your house!
June 24th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Went to Soms last night with my boyfriend and we orderd
tom yum (Shrimp)
catfish salad
beef red curry
bagoong rice
and not to miss their Thai Milk! yum!!!
June 30th, 2006 at 11:03 am
We tried this last night …
Catfish salad – would have been better if the deep-fried catfish bits were crunchy
Spring rolls – didn’t like this one. Too oily and not really tasty.
Garlic and Pepper shrimp – shrimp wasn’t fresh. Shell was clinging to the flesh. Only 6 small shrimps or 100g in a dish and they claimed it was good for 2!
Thai tea – tasted different but good.
We’re not going back though hehe =D
August 7th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Soms is okay if you need a quick Thai food fix and you’re near the resto. Otherwise, I still prefer Muang Thai in QC. Mas masarap pa ang pagkain sa mga food court sa Bangkok.
September 14th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
hi!
till waht time is soms open?
October 8th, 2006 at 1:45 am
Yummy!
October 22nd, 2006 at 9:39 am
One Word… Maalat
November 15th, 2006 at 9:37 am
yummy..sulit..dont forget to try the following: Fried spring rolls,mixed noodles, and the best—sticky rice with mango..sarap..
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Ako addict ako sa SOMS, suki talaga. They have new branch at reposo street makati.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:25 pm
[...] There’s a sad dearth of Thai restaurants here in the South. There used to be one in BF, a long, long, looong time ago (plus points for anyone who remembers its name—it used to be located right next to Cardinal Ceramics), but it’s been closed for years and years now. My sister and I got all excited about the opening of Sawasdee Siam, before we realized it was a foot spa. What I wouldn’t give to have a Som’s open somewhere in BF (heck, they’re expanding anyway, so I might as well dream!). [...]
February 6th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Looking for information and found it at this great site…
May 13th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
eaten there several times, their papaya salad is good. also their curry dishes. however, if you want authentic pad thai noodles, try visiting the thai kitchen at tomas morato. (not their other branches, only t. morato), they have the best pad thai and other thai noodles in the country.
May 18th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
is the one in reposo better? in terms of ambiance? like, is it airconditioned and have enough tables?
May 19th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Went to the reposo branch for lunch today with friends. We all swear never to go back. Service was okay, but food was nothing great. I’ve tried better thai food. Pandan Chicken is not available, thai iced tea wasnt ready yet and it was almost 1pm…PadThai looked like they put ketchup, it was a bit reddins and sour. Green Curry was okay. Spring Roll was normal. Tom Yum– so-so…. in fairness, price was reasonable, 4pax and bill was a little less than 1K.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! htgzysydsqqxxu
August 21st, 2007 at 4:30 am
I feel like im super patay gutom when it comes to SOMS. Ako addict ako sa SOMS, suki talaga. They have new branch at reposo street makati. My money is really sukat with SOMS price! The best restuarant ever had in my entire life! Love ko talaga ang SOMS.
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:20 pm
My boyfriend and I love eating at Som’s in Reposo. You could never go wrong with a curry dish (which is sweet and spicy and available in red, yellow and green and pork, chicken, beef and shrimp) and fried rice. Wash down the spiciness with their milk tea. They serve kropek while you wait for your food.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:40 am
My friend, Suzetee, introduced me to Som’s and my hubby and I have been hooked on the cheap but glorious food ever since. And amazingly, we’ve spotted people like Gabby Lopez dining there (with a bottle of red wine on hand — hahaha).
October 17th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
eww as in! lots of langaw there! i think its realy over exag! i tried their best sellers like bagoong rice, fried spring rolls, curry & etc. sorry, but the taste, the quality & the service is not good! it is really a carinderia!
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 am
food is ok if you’re scouting for thai food at a minimal cost. but if you’re really craving for that close to authentic taste, try dropping by at the thai kitchen , tomas morato, near shakey’s….believe me, they have the most authentic thai taste among all the thai restaurants here in Manila i’ve ever been to…. (i practically grew up in Bangkok and my taste buds are definitely thai =) )
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
yep, tried soms at tomas morato, their food is good, esp the curry dishes (green and red). and its airconditioned..so there’s no langaw ha ha
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
the one in tomas morato is not soms…the restaurant’s name is “The Thai Kitchen” =)