If you've defeated the Evil Jungle Prince or grown weary of pad thai, a Thai culinary adventure awaits you in Honolulu. Don't get us wrong, pad thai in the hands of a skilled chef is perfectly fine, but there's a world beyond the comfort of pineapple fried rice and spring rolls.

This pinkish soup, pronounced yen-tah-foh, is definitely a special find at Malee Thai in Maunakea Marketplace. The sweet, salty and spicy flavors meld together in a savory blend. Special flavor agents at work: shrimp, calamari, fried tofu and, oh yeah, cubes of cooked pork's blood. (Malee will make the dish without the blood if you're squeamish.) The broth's complexity can only be tasted, not described.

Visit Metromix (www.honolulu.metromix.com) for nine other must-try Thai dishes available on O'ahu.