Dok Khao: A Piece of Thailand in NoVA
BY KITTY L. | SHIROOKAMI - DOGS.UNITE | 7.7.2021
Stella at the patio of Dok Khao, an insanely amazing Thai place. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
An aroma reaches the nose, of hot and smoky chilies, tangy lemongrass, a hint of garlic, sharp ginger, and calming coconut milk - an un unmistakable culinary fragrance that can only be curry. Breathe in as you sit under the verdure of flourishing flowers, kept fresh in the well-lit room, and enjoy the spectacle of exotic cuisine against a backdrop of Stonebridge's busy plaza. You're at Dok Khao.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I first stumbled upon this gem of an eatery when I wanted to find somewhere, anywhere, that could serve up a classic pad kra pow. Then, I dragged Glen and Stella with me, and we've become regulars ever since. The food is excellent, something you can't get anywhere else for miles. The ambiance is wonderful and always changing. Being family-owned, the staff and chef are superb, and you'll always be meet with a friendly smile. Dok Khao has it all, and it's fairly new! I think we've had every dish on the menu, and the chef dishes out the most authentic Thai in NoVA.
Patrons at Dok Khao. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
The moment you set foot into this establishment, you're greeted by kind staff in an ornate waiting room that matches the season. Flowers above make you feel like you've entered a place where freshness is the name of the game. Year-round, as you wait for your order, you can view people playing in fountains to beat the summer heat, or ice skating to keep spirits warm. Just being here is re-energizing, a great spot to take friends to a a table or at the bar.
Entrance to Dok Khao. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
But let's talk about the food. There's authentic Thai and some unique street noodles. Most entrees that aren't noodle-based come with a hefty serving of Thai jasmine rice, which is honored by the establishment's namesake. If you are a Thai-foodie and know your dishes well, you can order dishes by their proper or slang names that don't appear on their menu. Those who love noodles, curry, seafood, and anything spicy will have to try everything they offer. Be warned - the level of spice may be a little on the hot side for those who are not used to heat but you can always request for less (or more) to be added.
Kanom jeep! | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
One of our favorite appetizers here is the kanom jeep, which are a type of siu mai/shumai. In more recent updates to the menu, the name of this has changed a bit, but you can simply ask for kanom jeep and they will know to craft the most divine kind of siu mai imaginable. Moist, finely minced chicken, cabbage, onion, and ginger stuff a pleated, flower-like dumpling, garnished with cilantro, shredded carrots, and herbs, and is dippable in savory sauce.
Spicy coconut rice, where juicy meets crunchy . | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
Another unique hit is the spicy coconut rice, a blend of crispy, toasted coconut rice, ginger bits, flavorful ground chicken, peanuts, and sweet red onions on a bed of greens, topped with a spicy lime sauce. This dish has quite a kick, but it's contrasted by the cooling sensation of cilantro. The texture represents a blend of juicy chunks of meat mixed with light and crispy pieces of rice. If it's too spicy, having a bit of creamy Thai tea wouldn't be such a bad idea at all. It can sometimes come with a whimsical, matching straw.
Spicy coconut rice, with juicy and crunchy . | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
As for soups, tom kha gai makes the top of the list. This is perhaps the only dish I found not to have much heat, with chicken chunks, cherry tomatoes, and button mushrooms in light coconut milk, infused with galangal, ginger's more piney and flavorful cousin. The fusion of creamy, tart, and effervescent is masterfully done, unlike what is commonly available. Even in the simple things, the chef is highly skilled. Personally, I think it goes great with another appetizer, the jacketed shrimp, which is a crispy mixture of shrimp and chili sauce, wrapped in fried wontons. The crispy texture and high proportion of meat to wonton for these rolls reminds me of the lumpia shanghai.
The red curry salmon is as healthy as it is tasty . | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
My favorite entrée would be the red curry salmon, a Dok Khao specialty. Alongside chunks of mushroom, a juicy fillet of grilled salmon rests at the bottom of a bowl filled with sauteed red curry, which has been simmered alongside coconut milk, shreds of bamboo shoots, chili pepper, cruciferous florets, and mushrooms. Like pad kra pow, Thai holy basil enhances the flavor, as does the essential bowl of fragrant jasmine rice. The salmon is extra moist, yet smoky on the outside, and flakes easily into the red curry.
Spicy coconut rice, a combination of juicy and crispy. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
Glen's choice would be the green bean chicken, containing crunchy string beans and sweet red bell peppers, all sautéed in a thin layer of red curry paste and chili sauce. This, perhaps, is on the higher end of the thermometer. Crunchy meets flavorful in this dish, and there is a good amount of chicken breast. The rice absorbs some of the chili sauce, allowing you to taste even more flavor the more rice you eat. If taking leftovers of this dish, be warned that the flavors get bolder! Interestingly, this would be great to eat alongside their pad si ew, stir-fried large and flat egg noodles drenched in a saporous and sweet soy sauce.
Matcha and Thai tea with matching straws. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
Another thing that is worthy of praise about Dok Khao is their dog-friendly patio, which is not advertised at all. Being regulars, we made such great friends with the attentive and humorous staff here. Sometimes you gotta' go where everybody knows your name, right? They actually allow Stella and other dogs to dine with their peeps on the patio just outside the plaza. You need only ask. I'm sure Stella enjoyed the mix of amazing aromas from every menu item.
One happy patron. | Kitty L. / SHIROOKAMI
So what are you waiting for? You won't regret heading over to Dok Khao. Call some friends, think of an occasion, or just be hungry - it's worth it. Given the talent and passion here, it's an outstanding place that is sure to satisfy the flavor seekers and exotic foodies alike.