Mandalay, A Harmony of Flavors at Play

A shot of the sign and front entrance of Mandalay Restaurant & Bar in Niagara Falls, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

Good ingredients make a meal, plain and simple. Each ingredient is like a puzzle, integral to the overall harmony and complexity of the dish as a whole. For quality ingredients one can taste in Thai cuisine done right, one must check out Mandalay Restaurant and Bar in Niagara Falls, New York. 

The curries are all a must, frankly, each with their own unique blend and complexity. The green curry is a personal favorite, featuring Mandalay’s signature green curry sauce, eggplant, green pea zucchini, green pepper basil, and long bean, while the spicy red curry is equal parts amazing, and features their red curry sauce, eggplant, bamboo shoots, red and green pepper basil, and long bean for a sizzling finish.

The rice and noodles portion of the menu is exceptional too. Picking out just one or two does not do it justice, but the Pad Thai is an absolute must, featuring house stir fried rice noodles tossed in the chef's special sauce, egg, small dry shrimp, shallots, and bean sprouts. Another favorite is the Drunken Fried Rice, which comes with sauteed rice in house special spicy soy sauce, basil, bell peppers, carrots, green beans, and mushrooms for an epic finish. 

For main entrees, one can never go wrong with the Pad Ka Pao, available in chicken, pork, beef, or seafood varieties, featuring onions, mushrooms, red peppers, and green peppers in a house chili basil sauce. A similar treat, the Kong Pao is delicious and comes in the same protein varieties with peanuts, celery, ginger, green onions, and dry chili pepper in the chef's house special sauce.

Make sure to check out their expansive vegetarian menu too, with specialties like Pod Rom Mit Joy, a stir fry of house vegetables and tofu finished in oyster sauce and served with rice. A favorite here, and a must-try for any first time diner, is the Kyazan Chet, featuring Mandalay’s signature bean vermicelli in a chicken soup, mushrooms, onions, cilantro, and dried bean curd for a truly tasty bite every time.