Authentic and Spicy Thai Food at New Chiang Mai Restaurant Cacha Cacha in Taikoo Li North

Like a spot straight out of a Thai beach holiday, Cacha Cacha's old cigarette advertisements and street stalls remind of weeks spent on Thai islands (in a time before formal employment and growing up). The partners – one from Hong Kong and the other a second-generation chef from Chiang Mai – have already set up one restaurant in Hong Kong and now come to Beijing, bringing their authentic recipes and ingredients.
 

The menu is plentiful, with curries, rice and noodle options, salads, dips, appetizers, items off the grill, and last but most certainly not least, desserts.
 

The som dtum (RMB 48) is a light green papaya salad tossed with dried shrimps, roasted peanuts, and chili and lime dressing is a great palate opener but beware the whole chilies hiding under all that sliced zingy papaya, threatening to destroy your tastebuds and even the rest of your day if you're not careful.
 

If you'd rather have a meaty appetizer, go for the khor muu nahm dtok (RMB 58), or spicy pork neck salad with toasted rice dressing, the chili combining beautifully with the meat for a smokey-spicy flavor.
 

In terms of mains, we recommend the khao soi (RMB 78), a Chiang Mai specialty. The light yellow curry with noodles, cabbage, deep-fried noodles for texture, and a hidden chicken drumstick, completely submerged, made for a rich and satisfying lunch. You'll want this to keep you warm while it's still cold out.
 

For something sweeter, try the geng keaw wan nuer (RMB 88), or green curry with braised beef briskets, which, although perhaps a little too sweet, contained tender chunks of beef brisket that when combined with rice and a tinge of coconut transported me back to those Thai beaches of yore. Ignoring the cutting winds outside, of course.
 

For that post-meal sugar kick we had ai dim (RMB 32), or liquid nitrogen Thai tea ice cream, which was full of flavor: the earthy tea taste complemented the vanilla perfectly and the method by which it's made creates a delectably smooth consistency that will have you licking the bowl. One spoonful made us realize how much we preferred this type of ice cream to other lactose-heavy varieties.

The lunch time menu gives a choice of four mains, an appetizer from a choice of three, and a drink (sweet and refreshing Thai teas and coffees, hot or cold) for RMB 78-88 – excellent value in our opinion. It's more than enough food to keep you going for the rest of your workday, and escape from Beijing towards warmer climates is a welcome one.

Cacha Cacha
Open Daily 11am-10pm. NLG45, B1/F, Taikoo Li North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5721 2286)
朝阳区三里屯路11号院太古里北区地下一层NLG45

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Photos: Margaux Schreurs