Thai cuisine is becoming hugely popular in Sri Lanka. In the long lists of restaurants Rice Box is definitely one of the high contenders. The food is delicious and affordable. And what makes it even better is that they deliver it to your doorstep. A new venture of the popular Chinese restaurant Steam Boat, Rice Box is situated in the same building in Nawala. With beautiful Thai umbrellas hanging off the ceiling and Thai lilies to brighten up the place the ambience of the restaurant is appealing and inviting. 

(Ambience: 4/5)

Chef Naruepak Maneeshi or more popularly known as Chef Thiew has been residing in Sri Lanka for a long time and has fifteen years of experience in the field. She helped us to place our order, recommending the tastier and more popular dishes. She visited us quite a few times to see whether we were enjoying the food. The staff at Rice Box is also accommodating and helpful. 

(Friendliness of staff: 4/5) 

For our starters we ordered Thai Money Bags (Rs. 500) and Prawn Toast (Rs. 500). The money bags were crispy and tasty. But I absolutely loved the prawn toast! In fact it was my favourite dish from Rice Box. For entrées the portions were big and filling. 

For our mains we ordered a Prawn Phad Thai (Rs. 800). It was stir fried noodles served with lots of prawns and vegetables. Served warm it was quite tasty. 

To accompany the Phad Thai we also ordered Bean Curd and Cashew Nut Curry (Rs. 500), a Duck Curry with Pineapple (Rs. 820) and a Pork Spicy Style Curry (Rs. 700). I am a huge meat lover but to my surprise I enjoyed the bean curd and cashew nut curry most. Served warm it was delicious and complemented the noodles well. 

The duck curry with pineapples, bell peppers and tomatoes on the other hand was too sweet for me. But you can always choose to have it made another way. After you choose your meat there are seven different styles you can pick from. And they also give you enough chillie paste to spice up your dish to your taste.

The pork curry was from their Wok Dishes option on the menu, again after you pick your meat you can also pick the style of cooking to your preference from eight different choices. I didn’t particularly enjoy the pork curry with the noodles, however it would have been a perfect match with one of their rice dishes. 

Rice Box has just two dessert options and we ordered their Sago with Coconut Cream and Sweet Corn (Rs. 350). It was delicious and a perfect end to the meal. The sweet corn in sago was a first for me, but I absolutely loved it! The sago was also not too sweet and lovely with the coconut cream. 

(Food and value for money: 4/5) 

You can also place orders for takeaway or have them delivered to your doorstep. Rice Box also has five attractive and tempting set menu options starting very reasonably at Rs. 360 and upwards. They ensure neat compartmentalized packing as well. They also cater for outdoor events and their catering menu starts from Rs. 1100 upwards. There is ample parking space and a reception hall that can easily accommodate 75 people to which you can cater from the Rice Box. The restaurant itself also has a private dining area. 

(Parking and other facilities: 5/5) 

They are open every day from 11AM to 3PM for lunch and 6PM to 11PM for dinner. Make your way to the Rice Box situated at No. 14, Narahenpita Road, Nawala to enjoy some good Thai food. Check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/RiceBoxSriLanka for more information and call them on (011) 2 806806 for reservations. 

Photographs by Kanishke Ganewatte