When Vipawan “Opal” Rahm became a stay-at-home mom in 2015, she couldn’t stop thinking about food. After years working as a server in South Lake Tahoe, the Bangkok native found herself obsessed with opening a restaurant that would bring the authentic street food of her childhood to Reno. That vision became Moo Dang Thai, now celebrating its 10th year. The menu at Moo Dang reflects Rahm’s middle-class upbringing in Bangkok—it’s not fancy restaurant fare, but the vibrant, spicy, memory-laden dishes she longed for from Thailand. Some recipes come from her vegetarian mother. Others, like the very popular khao soi (a creamy coconut curry noodle soup), were added by customer request. Rahm’s mission remains simple: Serve the best Thai food possible—authentically spicy, not too sweet and focused on fresh, healthy ingredients. Moo Dang is located at 1565 S. Virginia St., in Reno. Visit www.thaimoodang.com.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten locally in the last month?
A bowl of Pho from 999 Pho. The broth is outstanding. You can taste that the spice and the beef in it are perfect. I also love the condiments that they leave on the table, especially their homemade roasted chili oil. I love spicy! Next time you go, be sure to try it—yum!
Your kitchen is on fire—metaphorically! What are you cooking?
Pad Thai and drunken noodle, of course! They are our most popular dishes. (I use) authentic pad Thai sauce only, though—no short cuts. I use only tamarind fruit, palm sugar and fish sauce, all imported from Thailand.
Who is your strongest culinary influence?
I have to say it’s me, because I am a big foodie. I love to eat as much as I love to cook. Whenever I taste something good, my brain starts working and tries to figure out what’s in it and how to prepare it. I like trying to crack the code.
What is your go-to midnight snack?
Well, I am Asian, so my midnight snack will be instant noodles ramen. Haha! I always have them at home—so convenient, and they come with variety of flavors. I add a poached egg for protein, squeeze a lime on top, and top off with chili flake. Best snack ever!
Which local restaurant deserves more attention, and why?
Tofu House Korean cuisine. Recently reopened again after COVID, it is my go-to for Korean food in town. Their menu offers delicious Korean fried chicken, seafood pancakes, and jajangmyeon (savory noodles in black bean sauce), which are popular dishes in Korea. It is nice to try something new.
How does food contribute to our community?
Food is not only for nutrition, but it is also social and cultural. There are so many varieties of cuisines to explore and discover how different ingredients, seasonings and tools all add to the experience. It would be boring to have just one cuisine. I am so grateful that Thai cuisine is a popular cuisine in the U.S., and that when you think about pad Thai, it might make you smile.
What is the most unusual thing in your refrigerator right now?
Shhhh! It is the “king of fruit”—durian from Thailand. So yummy! I had to hide it in the freezer so my husband would not think that our house had a gas leak. If you have a chance, please try it.
Please share your favorite food memory from growing up.
I grew up in Bangkok. On the way home from school, there were food carts that cooked along the side of the road. One of my favorite bites is pork skewers and sticky rice. They cook the pork on a small grill over the charcoal. The pork skewers were so juicy that sometimes I had to use sticky rice to soak all the juice that was left in the bag.
What’s the one kitchen tool you can’t live without?
I choose my wok, because I cannot live without it. It’s versatile, as it can boil and sear, and its shape allows you to flip food quickly and easy. Plus, it makes prefect fried rice.
If you could have dinner at any restaurant in the world tonight, where would be it, and why there?
Wow, it would be a dream come true, but it’s a tie. I would like to try Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, because I want to experience his first restaurant when he was a young chef and put all his passion into the food he made. Other than that, I would love to be in Thailand and go to the night market for my comfort foods with my family.