"Broward—and specifically Fort Lauderdale—is spoiled when it comes to Thai food. Not only do they get the phenomenal Larb Thai-Isan, but just 12 minutes away in Oakland Park, Nour Thai is making Isan dishes with flavors more satisfying than discovering your car has not been towed after parking in a risky spot. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc The simple strip mall restaurant is quiet enough to not distract from the thrilling menu of Thai dishes. Start by ordering liberally from their separate Isan-focused menu. Over on the main menu, the must-order dish is the gorgeously purple chor muang dumplings. And you’re in good hands with pretty much every curry or noodle dish. Things can get really spicy, but the helpful staff will guide you towards less painful spice levels—unless they sense you are the type of person who brushes your teeth with bird's eye chili. Food Rundown photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Deep Fried Spicy Laab Sour, acid, salt, spice—it’s hard to think of a flavor that’s not contained within these fried balls of laab. But what stands out the most is how the lingering spice complements all these flavors, challenging them to be their best. Kind of like a stern but supportive math teacher who knows deep down that you can conquer long division. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Chor Muang These purple dumplings have been pinched into beautiful little flowers. Initially, we suspected this might be a dish more focused on appearance than flavor. We have never been more wrong. The filling of shrimp, pork, peanut, palm sugar, and herbs has a rich, sweet, and savory flavor that defies comparison and demands another order immediately after you’ve finished. photo credit: Ryan Pfeffer Spicy Shrimp Salad You can skip this—only because the sauce leans a bit too sweet, and the spice promised in the name of the dish never arrives. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Duck Noodle Soup They plop half a gloriously crispy duck into this bowl of duck broth, rice noodles, chinese broccoli, bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro, and basil leaves. The exposed duck retains its crunch, while the submerged half absorbs even more rich duck flavor from the excellent broth. photo credit: Ryan Pfeffer Mango Sticky Rice It’s not the most flavorful thing on the menu, but this heart-shaped mango dish is adorable. Order it if you’re on a date." - Ryan Pfeffer
