Many Kiwis love devouring a hot and spicy Thai dish and east Auckland locals are lucky to have an outstanding Thai restaurant in this community in Zana at the Ormiston Town Centre.

Diners are invited to indulge in a symphony of flavours, from aromatic curries to sizzling stir-fries, crafted with care to honour Thailand’s culinary heritage.

Zana proudly serves Halal meats and offers refreshing smoothies and juices made from the freshest ingredients.

Whether it’s a leisurely lunch or a captivating dinner, experience a serene escape at Ormiston Town Centre.

Zana’s extensive menu features a wide range of dishes with something to satisfy all tastes.

It has numerous entrees including chicken satay, Thai curry puff, spring rolls, money bags, spicy kebab and chicken nibbles.

People after something tasty but not too heavy can choose from four Thai salads, or four soups, including the always popular Tom Yum and Tom Khar Hai.

There’s the traditional range of curries as well as the super tasty chicken, lamb or beef sizzler, snapper, stir fries, fried rice, noodles, drinks and extras.

Thai food is loved around the world for its bold, vibrant flavours and its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

People are drawn to its complexity and how each dish can pack a punch with distinct flavours that all harmonise beautifully.

Coconut milk is a key ingredient in many Thai dishes, contributing a rich, creamy sweetness to curries, soups, and desserts.

Thai food also uses sugar, often palm sugar, to sweeten certain dishes in a way that feels more earthy.

Sourness in Thai food is typically brought in through ingredients like lime, tamarind, and green mango. The tanginess from these elements adds brightness and depth to dishes.

Saltiness is added through fish sauce, the primary source of salt in Thai cooking.

It brings a savoury, umami depth to dishes, enhancing the overall flavour profile without being overwhelmingly salty.

Thai food can feature a slight bitterness, often from herbs like Thai basil or certain vegetables like bitter melon, which adds complexity and contrasts the other flavours.

The spices and herbs used in Thai cooking are integral to its unique flavour and include chilli, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, Thai basil and coriander.

Curries are a big part of Thai cuisine, with variations like green, red, yellow, and massaman, all varying in heat, flavour complexity, and spice content.

Thai food is adored for how it manages to combine such powerful ingredients in a way that feels both exciting and harmonious.

• Ormiston Town Centre is at 240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush.