If you’re familiar with Dee Tongue Thai by Rung Mama, you will love their new venture: Khao Hom by Rung Mama. Hidden in the bustling central neighbourhood of Ang Mo Kio is Khao Hom by Rung Mama, a Thai restaurant new to the area, but not to Thai food itself. This restaurant may have opened in Djitsun Mall a few months ago in December 2020, but the founders and chefs have been around for quite a while, even being the first few to serve up authentic Thai food in Singapore.
Ever since the 1980s, they have been serving authentic Thai food, operating under the name of Dee Tongue Thai by Rung Mama in Singapore’s very own Little Thailand, Golden Mile Complex. Dee Tongue Thai’s very own Rung Mama is a Thai lady who moved to Singapore in the 1980s and opened up a restaurant where she could share her recipes with all Thai food lovers.
The first restaurant operated at the first level before moving around the shopping mall. Khao Hom by Rung Mama’s owner, Wiki, explained that the expansion had been a part of their plan for a while now, as the old shop was at the corner and was not very well-known. However, when Dee Tongue Thai became quite popular, they decided to expand to Khao Hom in Ang Mo Kio.
Since the COVID-19 situation in Singapore is not as bad now, Wiki hopes that she can expand more and have outlets all over the island. Dee Tongue Thai and Khao Hom are the first few of many planned ventures, and she is looking to open more restaurants under the Rung Mama name. But for now, let’s take a look at the Thai dishes they serve up at Khao Hom.
Where Dee Tongue Thai caters to mostly the Thai people living in Singapore, Khao Hom aims to cater to the Singaporeans instead. But fret not, the same recipe is used for the dishes served at both restaurants. “The spice level is the same too,” Wiki remarked, “and so is the saltiness and sourness of the dishes.”
No visit to Khao Hom by Rung Mama is complete if you do not try their signature dishes that will make you feel like you’re vacationing in Thailand again. First up, we have the Grilled Pork with Homemade Sauce, also known as Moo Yang ($12). A great appetiser before the heavier dishes, the pork is marinated for at least two days and grilled till the pieces are tender, soft, and flavourful.
The Thai Crispy and Fluffy Omelette, which is also known as Kai Jeow ($8), is another great sharing dish. If you wish to add more ingredients such as pork and prawn in your omelette, you have to add an extra $2 and $3 respectively. The omelette is reminiscent of Bangkok’s street food and will take you back to pre-COVID days where you could venture to the Land of Smiles.
Next up, we have the Steamed Fish with Lime Sauce ($30). Another great dish for sharing, you can also be assured about the freshness of the fish. The lime sauce is zesty and gives a sour yet delectable taste to the steamed sea bass. The herbs and spices add a whole new range of flavour as well.
Last but not least, the Tom Yum Seafood ($12) is another flavourful main that is not stingy on the spices. The recipe is passed down from the OG Rung Mama herself, with the herbs imported directly from Thailand. The squid is fresh, and so are the prawns if you choose to top up another $3. I highly recommend you to add the prawns though!
Wiki was nice enough to introduce me to the new menu as well, consisting of the highly sought-after Rainbow Mango Sticky Rice ($9), Banana Fritters with Chocolate Gelato ($9), Shrimp Paste Fried Rice ($12), and Shen Mian ($8), just to name a few. These dishes were bestsellers back in Dee Tongue Thai, and Wiki hopes that these new dishes will attract more customers, new and old.
Address: 5 Ang Mo Kio Central 2 Djitsun Mall, #01-06, Singapore 569663
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 11am–10pm
Contact: 8202 2512
