From Ying Thai, which co-shares a space with Thong Aik Coffee which had also recently opened its doors just slightly before the Circuit Breaker at Blk 78 Indus Road.

While only Ying Thai’s offerings are available during dinner service with only a pretty limited variety of individually portioned dishes available, we left Ying Thai more impressed than our initial expectations before walking in.

The Basil Minced Pork with Rice may be a fairly standard Thai dish to most but the execution here makes it a winner — amidst that all familiar flavours of stir-fried minced pork in fish sauce that provides the popular Thai dish with its savoury note, there is a slight pepper-ish hint that binds the sauce together with the spiciness provided with the chili. That punch of spiciness, along with the pepper-ish notes gives the dish a punch even at “normal” spiciness level (there is also a Extra Spicy option that sounds exceptionally shiok), while the basil lends its signature aroma to provide the dish with its distinct flavour. Liked how the various ingredients are also seemingly well-portioned here to give enough bite and crunch for a variety of textures — absolutely delightful with the sauce going oh-so-well with the rice and providing it with ample flavour.

Noticed how everyone who did takeaways during our meal there have ordered their Tom Yum Soup with Rice (available in chicken and seafood) — probably something to try out the next time I end up here. A new kid on the block that’s definitely worth looking out for!