IF you like your Asian food, then chances are you’ve already sampled the best that Tralee has to offer in Tamarind Restaurant.

The business on Matt Talbot Road has been dishing up tantalising Malaysian, Thai and  Chinese specialities for 13 years since Andrew Ong and his family came to town.

“In May 2005 we opened the restaurant, but before here I was in Westport and Dublin where my brother still has a Malaysian restaurant,” said Andrew, who originally hails from Malaysia but is very much at home in Tralee.

“The children — Caitlín, Maeve and Cyrena — all grew up and went to school here in Tralee, so it’s very much a family business and Tralee is our home.”

Andrew and his wife Angeline have established a great trade — whether it’s in the restaurant or the adjoining take-away service — with many customers who have come in time and time again over the years.

“Many have come in with their families from the beginning, so it’s great as I have seen their children grow up over the years. Some of those children are adults now and are coming in with their own friends and families.

And the reason they come back time and time again is the quality of the food.

“We have really authentic Thai and Malaysian dishes that you won’t find anywhere else around. There is a mix of more spicy dishes and some less so,” he said.

There’s amazing appetisers like Tamarind Guinness Flavoured Coated Ribs, Salt and Pepper Chili Squid  and Roti Canai (Malaysian style pancakes with curry sauce).

For mains you could try a stir fry like the Gratiem Prik Thai, a Green or Red Curry or brave the heat of Sambal Belacan, a fiery hot stir fried shrimp paste dish. With many different appetisers, curries, stirfrys, soups, salads and sushi rolls, you’re going to find something to suit all tastes.

A unique feature of the restaurant is their early bird which, starting at 5pm and ending at 9pm, surely must be the latest ‘early bird’ in town. And at €16.80 for three courses it’s amazing value. They also do a late Sunday lunch special from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Children are also welcome with a range of small toys and colouring books to keep them happy while they wait. Parking is very handy too in nearby Garvey’s carpark.

Tamarind is also a popular place for special events like birthdays and christenings and of course their takeaway service is hugely popular.

So if you haven’t been in Tamarind before or haven’t called back there for a while, it’s definitely worth calling in to sample the best Asian food you’ll find around.

• Tamarind is open Monday to Thursday 5pm to 10.30pm; Friday and Saturday 5pm to 11pm and Sundays 2.30pm to 10.30pm. There is a €3 delivery charge for takeaways (minimum order €15). Call 066 718 1810 or 066 718 1783.