Krungthep's Thai sausage: 50 Favorite Dishes, no. 46

Benjamin Carter Grimes

Welcome to flavor country

As a countdown to the Best of the Twin Cities 2013, coming April 17, the Hot Dish is serving up 50 of our favorite local dishes.

Last year we voted Krungthep Thai, the new Eat Street outpost of the ever-popular Bangkok Thai Deli, the best Thai restaurant of 2012 thanks to dishes like its wickedly hot green curry, silver noodle-stuffed chicken wings, and crispy whole fried fish. But one special appetizer surprised and delighted us above all others: Krungthep's house-made Thai sausage.

With all the spring rolls, cheese wontons, and delicate fried fish cakes in the appetizer section, it's easy to overlook the Thai sausage, but that would be a grave mistake. These little nuggets are made of pork and packed with bright notes of lemongrass, Thai basil, tons of garlic, and just enough fat to make them snappy. They're served with a mini relish tray of raw veggies meant to cut some of the spice and cool you down between bites, and it really works.

50 Favorite Dishes:

No. 50: Somos Peru's crema volteada
No. 49: Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub's waffle battered chicken sandwich
No. 48: Namaste Cafe's bison mamacha
No. 47: MidNord's Argentinian empanadas