Most nobread-ers avoid Asian restaurants like the plague because most people don’t realize that gluten-free soy sauce and regular soy sauce taste exactly the same. So when I stumbled on Doi Moi, I was shocked and excited to find out they have a dedicated gluten-free menu that features more than two items. It was truly a revolutionary experience. I walked into Doi Moi looking like a deer in headlights not only because I was starving, but also because I was captivated by the extremely cool vibe, clean look, and tantalizing aromas surrounding me. I immediately knew I was in for a great meal…
After first glance of the menu, I decided to start with the spicy fried cashews. These are basically like Trader Joe’s spicy chili cashews but a million times better because they make them fresh in-house. Next, you need to order the sliced raw scallops, served on a chilled shell for aesthetic purposes, with chili, lime, lemongrass, crispy garlic, and cilantro. After the first bite, you’ll regret you ordered these to share with your friend and will start to casually hint to them they should save their appetite for the main course.
If you’re obsessed with curry like I am, your next dish should be the Gaeng Ped Yan, or crispy duck legs in red curry, served with pineapple, kaffir lime, heart of palm, and tomato. The pineapple will be a delightful contrast to the “phet,” or spiciness of the curry. If you can tolerate cross contamination, the Cá Chiên or crispy whole fish absolutely has to be part of your meal. Doi Moi uses the seabream fish instead of the typical flounder, which provides a much more meaty, crispy, delicious experience. Dip every bite in the ginger dipping sauce and you’ll be transported to another level of flavor. Other nobread-friendly options you should definitely check out if you have a big appetite include the Sai Grok, or homemade sausage, Laab Ped, or duck and duck liver salad, and the Gaeng Kheiyu Hoi Chell, or seared scallops in green curry. Doi Moi’s dessert menu changes fairy often, but if you happen to make it on a day when they’re serving one of their rice puddings, it will be worth the indulgence.
Doi Moi definitely deserves to be your go-to Vietnames or Thai place. If you want to go on the weekend, make sure to make a reservation. Be sure to order a cocktail or two with dinner and then head downstairs to their cocktail lounge two birds, one stone to continue your night in a swanky fashion.