Kasira Fine Thai Cuisine

Some of Nanaimo’s tastiest Asian food is served at Kasira Fine Thai Cuisine, 6404 Metral Dr., in a mall next to the Best Western Northgate Inn near Woodgrove. Chef Arphakorn Muanyam or “Aey” learned his trade at a Bangkok noodle house and at several American restaurants. Thankfully, in 2007 he and his family moved to Nanaimo and opened this unpretentious, 12-table restaurant.

The menu opens with appetizers such as satay, spring rolls, and steamed mussels in the $6-13 range. The excellent tom yum soup is $6-9, or try the tom kla (coconut milk soup) for $5-10. The Thai curries are $12-13, the noodles and rice dishes $10-12. One of the most popular noodle dishes is pad Thai (pictured here). Entrees like sweet and sour, garlic pepper, and ginger mushroom go for $12-13. Chefs specials like spicy duck or a seafood dish are $14-19. Stir fried vegetarian dishes cost around $11. In most cases, you’ll be asked to specify mild, medium, and hot spicy. Fried bananas or ice cream for dessert are $6.

Kasira Fine Thai Cuisine is open weekdays from 11 am to 2:30 pm and again from 5 to 9 pm. Satudays they open from 5 to 9 pm only. A mellow Buddha visage smiles down as you dine. With its excellent food, pleasant service, and reasonable prices, Kasira is highly recommended.