Deciding on where to eat has been a recurring challenge for many, especially when you’ve explored every nook and cranny of the city’s culinary scene. So if you’ve been finding yourself in this situation, don’t worry because we got you! Spice up your hangouts with the latest addition to Cebu City’s vibrant roster of restaurants: Tida Thai.
Opening its doors last May, Tida Thai is a restaurant that revolves around—you guessed it—Thai cuisine. With its vintage decor and low-lit atmosphere, Tida Thai exudes a moody and relaxing ambiance making it perfect for family gatherings and intimate dinner dates with your significant other.
Yet, behind Tida Thai’s sparkling facade and colorful range of dishes is a simple love story that started it all.
From Passion to Plate
Just as there are many facets of love, there are also a million ways to express it. For couple Juna and Jeremy Morgan, their travels to Thailand have led them to discover their newfound love for Thailand’s culture and, of course, cuisine. The Land of Smiles has left an indelible mark on the couple thus they decided to pour their love for it into the making of Tida Thai.
“We actually started this because my husband and I love Thai food. It’s one of our favorite places to go to and it’s close to our hearts,” Juna says with a smile.
Their genuine appreciation and respect for the culture shines through every decision they make— from the curation of their menu down to the decorations like placing the Buddha statue on a table. They also ensure the authentic flavors of the dishes are being delivered by hiring head chef Rico with his 17 years of experience in cooking Thai cuisine. Juna’s commitment to serve authenticity is seen as she shares her future plans for Tida Thai’s head chef:
“We also want to bring him to Thailand to really have that experience to be in the local area, to really have the feels. I guess it’s just different when you’re really there, and looking and seeing how they cook it, and what other ingredients they put to just make our food more authentic.”
Time for Thai Food!
With their diverse menu ranging from noodles and fried rice to curries and soups, Tida Thai shares a glimpse of Thailand with the Cebuano community. It’s impossible for you to get just one thing. Every dish is presented beautifully and creatively which makes it a feast for the eyes as well.
We highly recommend you try out their Pad Thai as it is their best seller. And for good reason! The stir-fried noodles, shrimp or chicken, and vegetables are enveloped in a blanket of savory, sweet, and tangy sauce. Every ingredient has its own role to play in creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will surely delight your taste buds. Not to mention, the chewy noodles topped with crushed peanuts and bean sprouts add a contrasting yet complementary texture to every bite.
Juna fondly recalls a heartwarming moment in their travels that established Pad Thai as their favorite Thai dish: “Every time we go to Thailand, we go to this old lady’s mini cooking station beside the street. We’ve been wanting [or aiming] to have that taste also here in Cebu. That’s what we want to offer to our guests, that they can also feel that warmth and the flavor itself is really good.”
Other guest favorites are the Mixed Seafood Curry, Binagoong Fried Rice, and Tom Yum Goong. Tida Thai also serves Thai-inspired mocktails and cocktails if you want to relax and unwind. Ma-Muang, which means mango in Thai, is a creamy and refreshing mocktail that goes perfectly well with your meals as it balances out the richness of the dishes.
The Mango Sticky Rice is also something you shouldn’t miss. With slices of mangoes paired with warm sticky rice covered in creamy coconut sauce, this classic Thai dessert offers an indulgent combination of sweetness and mild nuttiness. It is the perfect dish to end your meal, leaving you on a sweet and high note.
With Love, Tida Thai
Tida Thai is a sheer embodiment of the love and appreciation one has for another culture. All Juna and Jeremy just want to do is to share the love that they have with everyone else.
“I guess what we want for the Cebuano community is to have a place to relax and enjoy the food with their families and close friends and to enjoy the warmth of Thai cuisine,” Juna shares. “Because for us, it’s really a home. It’s just really close to our hearts, and it’s something we would want to share for everyone.”
Get a taste of Thai cuisine now and visit Tida Thai at The Gallery, Pope John Paul II Ave, Cebu City. They are open for lunch from 11 PM to 2 PM and for dinner from 5 PM to 10 PM. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Photography Kyrra Kho
