Tuk Tuk, a Thai food restaurant located in Tewksbury, is one of Massachusetts’ finest Thai restaurants. Although the location is not ideal, the inside of Tuk Tuk is a refreshing change of scenery. Upon entering, customers are confronted by an impressive bar area backed by an elaborate mirror. The restaurant only seats five or six parties, but this creates a cozy and personal feel. Some of the seats are backed by elaborate throne-like structures lined with pillows. The authentic décor is not the only authentic aspect of the restaurant. Soul Sopchocchai, the founder and sole proprietor of Tuk Tuk, moved to America from Bangkok, Thailand 35 years ago and has brought some of the culture with him. All of the dishes are made to order and the chefs can easily accommodate customer requests. The intricacies of many different herbs and spices show how much energy is spent making each dish. Sopchocchai remarked, “We get shipments of fresh produce almost daily, so we don’t need MSG to enhance the flavor of our food.” The serving team is personable and each course is brought out as soon as the previous is finished.Sopchocchai also walks around the restaurant and talks to each customer in between courses. One of the best dishes is the Green Curry Chicken, which is considerably spicy but not so overwhelming that it takes away from the sweet flavor. And when ordering drinks, don’t stick with water, but order a Thai Iced Tea instead. Although the restaurant is geared towards adults, it has dishes most children will enjoy too, such as chicken satay with a peanut dipping sauce. To top the meal off, try ordering a dessert such as the Mango Sticky Rice. This unusual but delicious combination is a mix of mung beans, sticky rice, mango and cream. Frequent Tuk Tuk patron Matt Bourque said, “I’ve lived in Andover my whole life and this is the best restaurant I’ve been to. I want to keep it a hidden secret.” Another perk? Tuk Tuk plans to begin a delivery service soon. Tuk Tuk 1699 Shawsheen St Tewksbury, MA 01876 Approx. driving time: 10 min
