Suyi Thai Cuisine, People's Square (素逸 泰料理 人民广场店)

Suyi Thai Cuisine is a Thai restaurant at 367 Jianhe Street, behind the Kuala Lumpur Hotel, in the Chongqing Subdistrict near People's Square in Changchun, Jilin Province, northeastern China. In a city whose dining scene is dominated by Dongbei, Korean-Chinese and hotpot restaurants, it offers a change of flavour: coconut-based curries, lemongrass, lime leaf and chilli rather than soy-braised and fried northeastern dishes. The menu is built around well-known Thai standards, including tom yum soup, a hot and sour broth with lemongrass and prawns; yellow curry with prawns, a milder coconut curry flavoured with turmeric; pineapple fried rice, a sweet-savoury rice dish served in a hollowed pineapple in some restaurants; and green papaya salad, a crunchy, sour and spicy dish that is a staple of Thai table spreads. Typical spend is about ¥73 (roughly $11) per person, placing it in the mid-range for Changchun, and the restaurant holds a very high review rating of about 5.0 on the platforms from which it is listed, although the number of reviews behind such a rating may be small. The dining room is a quiet, modest space with a calm atmosphere suited to couples and small groups; dress is casual and the noise level is low compared with a typical Chinese dining hall. The beverage programme is likely to include Thai-style iced tea, fruit drinks, beer and soft drinks, though the exact list has not been documented. Reservations are not typically required, though a phone call helps for groups, and weekday lunches are easiest. Its location near People's Square makes it a convenient stop for visitors exploring the city centre, and it is a useful option for those who have eaten several days of heavy northeastern food and want something lighter. Ordering a soup, a curry, a salad and rice for two diners provides a balanced spread.