Maui boasts countless places to dine with stellar views and jaw-dropping scenery. Now I’m adding Nui Garden Kitchen to the list.
The colorful Thai food truck is situated on the mauka side of Lower Kula Road about halfway between Kimo Drive and Kula Hardware. Stretching behind it is Maui Nui Farm on 40 beautiful acres with natural crops and exotic flowers.
Pick up your Thai food order at the truck and then dine at one of the picnic tables near fragrant water lilies, lotus flowers and other aquaplants in gurgling ponds near Buddha statues, lavender fields and golden bamboo archways and bridges.
“This is really farm-to-table as everything is picked fresh right here on our property,” says owner Nui Mizel, who has been in business with the food truck for three years while growing natural produce on her Maui Nui Farm for 16 years.
Born in rural northern Thailand to a farming family near Chiang Mai, Nui is as adept at operating a tractor as she is growing basil or wok-frying savory ono fish curry. Nui sells produce to Mama’s Fish House, Mana Foods, VIP Food Service, Sun Fresh and Kula Produce, among many others.
“I used to cook for Shep Gordon for eight years,” says Nui. “He was the best boss I ever had. I respect him like my own father.”
“Many times, when I was hosting chefs from around the world at my house, I called Nui to come down and cook because her tastes were so unique and different,” says Gordon, who owns adjoining restaurants Mala Wailea and Migrant in South Maui and who stars in the movie “Supermensch.”
“She used the freshest produce from Upcountry, the recipes were very enticing and her smile was always present,” Gordon continues.
Nui Garden Kitchen lunch wagon is open from 9 to 5 p.m. daily and most of the produce used grows nearby on an acre plot dedicated to the operation.
“Every day, I go out and pick cilantro and Thai basil and onions,” she says. “But sometimes I go to the Maui Nui Farm above to mix it up with pumpkins and other vegetables like kale, corn, potatoes and lettuce – and bananas for my smoothies.”
As we talked, cars pulled up and people started to line up to get their Thai food fix. With wok-frying, plates were up and on the counter fast.
“I like to come here every week or every other week,” says Oliver Smith. “The chicken curry is my absolute favorite. I also really like the organic farmers market that she has. It’s really cool.”
“I always order pad Thai,” says Nathan Richardson. “They use exactly the proper amount of spices and the right ratio of peanut sauce to noodles.”
Other popular dishes are fresh summer rolls filled with tofu, shrimp or vegetables; green-papaya salad, Massaman curry; tom-yum soup; and local favorites such as kalua pork. Beverages range from Thai iced tea and Thai coffee to farm-fruit smoothies.
The farm stand above the truck is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. This weekend, customers get special prices there, says Nui.
Call 264-1103.
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