Tio Wally Eats America: Saya ‘gain

I’m happy to have Tio Wally (long-time Me So Hungry reader) aboard to send in his eating adventures from across America. Here he is in Kent, Washington.

Greetings from Kent, Washington
N 47° 24.7214’ W 122° 13.636’ Elev. 30 ft.

I walked into Saya Thai and Japanese Restaurant and she asked, “Where’ve you been? I haven’t seen you for awhile.” I’d only been there once/twice before, but she remembered me. I liked that.

I’d called Saya at 9:30 a.m. — they don’t to open ’til 11 or so — but they graciously obliged me … if it was take-out. I like that.

When I picked up the food I reminded Denise how much I’d wanted to try their “signature dish for 23 years.” I couldn’t remember what it was called so she kindly wrote the name on a business card.

The dish is called, well, let’s let Denise ‘splain it:

“Don’t put this on FaceBook,” she demanded. Ever the credit to my gender, I lied and said, “I won’t.”

Gai Yang is crazy good. It has the tang and bite of yellow curry but it’s “smoothed,” I guess, by the coconut milk. Although the chicken is baked, it retains that unmistakable, exquisite Thai char, not unlike satay. It’s accompanied by some sort of hopped-up soy sauce that’s delightfully hot. I wish I could say more but I’m too busy eating.

It’s served with a small iceberg lettuce salad and a yogurt-based(?) dressing. I don’t know what it is. It’s pink and it’s yogurt, I think. I’d investigate it but, again, I’m too busy eating.

I hate to resort to teen saws but … this Bai Yung ROCKS! If only I weren’t too busy eating. I’d tell you about it but, sorry, I’m too busy eating.

And so we roll.

Saya Japanese and Thai Restaurant, 8455 S. 212th St., Kent, Washington

Tio Wally pilots the 75-foot, 40-ton(max) land yacht SS Me So Hungry. He reports on road food from around the country whenever parking and InterTube connections permit.