Foodies, fishmongers and fifth-generation butchers. In this new series, we meet the people behind the produce at Chatswood Chase and ask them for their tips, tricks and trade secrets that will take your next meal to the next level. 

There are few cuisines as beloved as Thai in Australia. The presence of salty, spicy, sweet and sour flavours in every dish is what makes Thai food so mouth-wateringly delicious — it’s little wonder it’s a takeaway staple in so many households. Nor is it a surprise then that Chatswood Chase is adding a much-loved Thai restaurant to its brand new food hub. Joining the ranks along with a lineup of restaurants serving dishes from every corner of the globe, Abb Air is coming to Chatswood Chase with a jam-packed menu of classic Thai favourites and signature dishes of their own. Expect bold and punchy flavours, texture aplenty and a full stomach. Here, we sit down with the Abb Air team to find out more about the exciting new opening. 

Who started Abb Air?  

There were five of us who started Abb Air: Chayakorn Kulthanachaidech, Naruedom Nukraihong, Naruemon Sukdomlurd, Kittipong Tuangsit and Khomsan Chittimani.

When did Abb Air open its first Sydney store?

We opened our first ever store back in September, 2014 in World Square. 

What’s Abb Air’s signature dish?

Our signature dish would have to be Lard na noodles with a crispy egg noodle ball. The dish is then covered in a sauce made of stock and tapioca starch or cornstarch with Chinese broccoli (gai lan). It is seasoned with sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. In Thailand, people often sprinkle some additional sugar, fish sauce, sliced chillies preserved in vinegar (with some of the vinegar), and ground dried chillies on the dish.

What are Abb Air’s top 5 best-selling dishes?

In no particular order, these are the dishes our customers can’t seem to get enough of! 

• Yentafo, which is the Thai version of a Chinese noodle dish called Yong Tau Foo. It’s slightly sweet, sour, salty and spicy.
• Kradong, which is a roll made form three fried meats — we use pork, chicken thigh and beef — that’s seasoned and then served on top of sticky rice with Thai chilli paste. 
• Papaya salad (som tum), which is made with peanuts and dried shrimps and is spicy, salty and slightly sweet.
• Pad Thai with King prawn — it’s a favourite for a reason! This is probably the most loved Thai dish here in Australia.
• Mango sticky rice — who doesn’t love ending their meal on a sweet note?

What dish on Abb Air’s menu are customers most surprised by when they taste it? 

Probably Lard na. It’s lesser known but is similar to pad si ew, with its fresh rice noodles and tasty dark sauce. It’s a lunchtime classic in Thailand.

How do you feel about opening a new restaurant in Chatswood?

We’re really excited to be opening our second Sydney store and are especially proud to be part of the new Chatswood Chase.

What should people expect from the new Chatswood location?

A lot of newness! We’ve upgraded the Abb Air branding, redesigned the logo and made the shop look more luxurious. Customers can still expect the traditional authentic Thai taste, with everything made from our original recipes, as well as various traditional homemade desserts, such as mango sticky rice.

What should people order at Abb Air’s new Chatswood restaurant?

Whether it’s your first time at Abb Air or you’re a regular customer, these are the dishes we always recommend. Lard Na, Massaman Beef Curry, Pad Krapow Gai Sub, which is a dish of stir fried minced chicken or pork with chilli, holy basil and a fried egg, Somtum Set, which is sticky rice, Thai papaya salad, and grilled chicken thigh, and Pad Thai, of course!