The pad thai at Mekong Thai, a family-run restaurant in Heroldsberg, Germany, a village outside of Nuremberg. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Thai food is likely not the first thought for hungry visitors to rural Bavaria.
But after a few months of living in this part of Germany, plenty of exposure to bratwurst and a persistent craving for Asian food, I took a chance on what I thought was Thai Imbiss Mekong in the village of Heroldsberg.
The restaurant had few, albeit positive, reviews and a single picture of a hut-like structure on Yelp and Google.
Using my phone as a guide, the photo I saw and my below-average land navigation skills, I circled a building attempting to find this mysterious hut, only to find that the photo was a red herring.
Mekong Thai, a family-run restaurant in Heroldsberg, Germany, has grown from its original carnation as an imbiss, a German term for a kiosk-style restaurant. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The replacement to what I found on Yelp is a full building, far from the usual size of a German imbiss, which is typically like a kiosk.
The rebranded Thai Mekong, sans imbiss, wasn’t busy on a Friday evening at peak dinner hours. A few patrons were nestled on the shaded patio with a curtain of trees that dampened the sound of Heroldsberg’s primary road, giving the patio a calm atmosphere.
Assuming I would have to stumble my way through my minimal knowledge of German, I tried to ask for a table, to no avail, then resorted to asking whether the waitstaff spoke English, to which they excitedly stated that they did.
The kind and friendly host explained the German menu while giving her personal recommendations for dishes.
Thai Mekong in Heroldsberg, Germany, offers an extensive menu. The restaurant also has an English-speaking waitstaff. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The offerings test the taste buds with varying degrees of spice from an array of curries, noodles, rice plates and specialty items.
As an avid fan of Thai food, I ordered a couple of plates, not wanting to review the restaurant based on a single dish.
The pad thai felt like a good place to start. For 14 euros, I was pleased with the portion. As hungry as I was, this dish could easily have been shared.
Unfortunately, there was nothing special that stuck out to me. The sweet sauce, lemon and peanuts on the side added flavor, but the dish was ultimately average.
I held out hope for the curry and I wasn’t disappointed.
The massaman curry at Thai Mekong in Heroldsberg, Germany, is sweet and spicy, with a hefty portion size. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The massaman curry was the best meal I’ve had in a while. It was sweet with a hint of spice. The potatoes and chicken were tender, and it was all accented by the slight crunch of the sliced carrots. While this dish also could have been a shared plate, I savored every bite of the curry and rice and wished for more.
I did have to wait a while for the food to arrive, but good food should take time. Overall, Mekong is a charming, family-owned restaurant with affordable prices and large portions. Next time I head toward Nuremberg, I may have to stop off in Heroldsberg for another plate of curry.
Thai Mekong in Heroldsberg, Germany, is a family-run restaurant that developed from an imbiss. Its menu features traditional staples such as pad thai and curries. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Thai Mekong
Address: Hauptstrasse 94, Heroldsberg, Germany
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Prices: Main dishes are between 10 and 17 euros; cards and cash are accepted
Information: Phone: 0911-1496-6715, Online: thai-mekong.jimdofree.com/speisekarte
