All the first impressions of Kuay Tiew in downtown Somerville are right. It’s got a sleek facade with a small outdoor dining area; a cool, casual indoor dining room; pleasant staff members and a menu of curries, noodles, soups, salads, rice dishes and other Thai staples that makes the mouth water.
The food, from the complimentary fried noodles and sweet and sour sauce to the apps and entrees, is well-balanced, fresh and quickly prepared. Take the fried rice and pork dish we recently sampled. It’s a heaping plate of lightly crisped, aromatic rice with slivers of tender pork, chopped fried egg, wilted cherry tomato, chili, caramelized onions, scallions and herbs. Everything hits on the first few bites, and then, about halfway through, all the parts seem to come together for a harmonious, satisfying experience. Salt, savory, sweet, umami, bitter… it’s all on each bite.
Kuay Tiew Noodles & More. 42 West Main St., Somerville, ktsomerville.com