Hidden in the corner of a shabby-looking store complex next to the modern Whelk-Saugatuck Sweets boulevard, lies a true gem of a restaurant: Rainbow Thai.

I didn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes before the dumplings graced the table.  I got a hint of the flavor of the two dishes when I smelled them coming to the table from a foot away. Without hesitation, I dug into the dumplings. There was a perfect balance of crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside.  The pork within the dumpling was not too rubbery and not too fall-apart-in-your-mouth-ey, and the soy sauce added an extra edge to the appetizer. If I was stranded on an island with only one thing to bring as food for the rest of my life, I would bring those fried pork dumplings.  

Equally as wonderful was the Mee Grab. While the shrimp was borderline too spicy for my taste, it was still perfectly cooked, accredited to its perfectly pink color, with hints of sea salt.  The fluffy texture of the shrimp was contrasted perfectly by the crispy noodles and vegetables that came with the dish.  As the Thai would say, this dish is อร่อย (xixy, meaning delicious).

Soon following was the main course.  The duck Choo Chee arrived looking somewhat like the Indian chicken tikka masala but tasting completely different.  The duck was cooked like a steak to a perfect medium-well, unlike other restaurants that usually undercook meat.  Orange creamy-yet-spicy sauce was a very compatible option with the duck since the tenderness of the meat seemed to allow it to absorb the sauce’s flavor.  

Following the meal, stay for dessert and have Thai dessert specialties, including coconut pudding and green tea ice cream.  Rainbow Thai is a lovely place to have a meal, and it surely serves a rainbow of delight.