Having a meal at an underground (literally) restaurant is always an exciting thought.
But Nahm is a true hidden gem in Auckland’s CBD, and is a perfect spot to head to for one of the best lamb shank massaman curry in town.
The shanks are cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the spices are blended together perfectly with the massaman sauce - a perfect match with a bowl of steaming hot Thai jasmine rice.
Staying true to Thai cooking, Nahm restaurant owner Sivanoot Petchjam says it takes more than three hours of cooking time to get the massaman lamb shank to its texture and luxurious taste.
“It’s a lot of effort, but seeing customers enjoy our food is our reward,” Petchjam said.
Another signature dish at Nahm is the Thai boat noodles, a dish which was originally served from boats on Bangkok’s canals and floating markets.
It contains beef and pork, as well as meatballs and pig’s liver. The soup is seasoned with pig blood mixed with salt and spices.
“We use fresh pork blood unlike most other restaurants which use power. We have a good relationship with our supplier which is why we are able to get regular fresh supply from them,” Petchjam said.
The dishes cooked at Nahm are based on traditional recipes which is sourced directly from Thailand.
Translated from Thai to mean “water”, Nahm had its origins on the waterfront in Nelson.
“It was always my dream to own a big, well-known restaurant - a place where I could create and serve all my favourite dishes that I used to eat when I was young,” Petchjam said.
“The dishes on our menu were inspired by memories of the food I enjoyed in Thailand and the dishes loved by Thai people.”
Petchjam said hospitality is in her blood which started in Thailand when she worked in a pizza company. Then she joined a famous Japanese restaurant called Tsunami in JW Marriott Bangkok.
When she first moved to New Zealand, she worked in a Thai restaurant in Christchurch.
“I was so happy seeing many people enjoy the food we served that I started my own company,” she said.
Her journey as a restaurateur began in Auckland’s Food Alley with a stall called Wangthong Thai Food. Then a second food court outlet Lime Thai was opened in the Imax Theatre building. Both of these have ceased operating.
In 2015, she opened Nahm in Nelson and then in 2017 Nahm on Elliott Street started.
“My previous roles gave me a solid foundation to run the restaurants,” Petchjam said.
“We are offering a Thai street food concept featuring simple dishes commonly found in Thailand.”
She said its strength was the variety of food.
“You will find everything from classics like pad thai, chicken rice and satay to more intense flavours like som tum plara, raw salmon and prawn yum zap.”
With so many delicious options, the biggest challenge about dining at Nahm will be - which dishes do you pick?
Nahm | Auckland - 39 Elliott Street, Auckland CBD
This article is brought to you in partnership with Nahm.
