KIIN

A lively, creative take on classic Thai flavours is spicing up the lives of Adelaide locals and festival visitors alike, writes KATIE SPAIN.

- KATIE SPAIN

Anyone who’s explored the bustling backstreets of Bangkok will know the chaos of street vendors touting bowls of steaming khao gaeng, flame-licked meat on sticks, and weathered hands shredding papaya destined for spicy som tam salad. Sensory explosions like these are difficult to re-live on home turf, even for just a moment.

Yet Kiin, which means “eat” in Thai, does exactly that. Traditional Thai is the inspiration, but executive chef Ben Bertei applies an inventive, modern touch. Bite-sized prawn and lychee pop sticks arrive dusted with chilli sugar-salt, a savoury heart-starter in lollipop form. It’s unapologetically fun, as is the red curry cheeseburger, an oozing slider of provolone, “ketsup” and fried onion.