New Thai restaurants on Long Island
Ra-Kang in Long Beach serves a knockout Panang curry, pictured, with duck. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
It used to be that Thai fare was relatively hard to come by on Long Island. A yen for tom kha gai or red curry would often mean a drive of at least half an hour. That, thankfully, is no longer the case, as the local Thai food scene keeps expanding.
Here are four relatively new places where you can find a worthy Thai food fix.
TUM THAI CUISINE, 274 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre, 516-543-5078, tumthainy.com
Amid gold leaf ceiling sculptures, delicate crystal chandeliers and gilded birdcages, you’ll find a compelling array of Thai dishes. Recommendations include a nuanced tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup), comforting curry puffs and a complex red curry with shrimp. Finish with an elegant creme brulee, presented in three flavors.
ASIA TASTE, 581-583 Smithtown Bypass (Route 347), Hauppauge, 631-360-0008
This is that rarity — a Japanese-Thai restaurant that actually does justice to Thai fare. Try the rousing tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup) sparked with chili and lime, loaded with tender pieces of chicken, lemongrass and mushrooms. Tom yum goong, or shrimp hot and sour soup, is its near-equal. Other dishes to order include an exemplary pad Thai with shrimp, the not-too-sweet pineapple shrimp curry and the hearty, herbal basil duck.
KRUNG TEP THAI BISTRO, 23 S. Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck, 516-498-9889, krungtepthaibistro.com
In a serenely pretty little space, you’ll find an array of Thai dishes that both respect and tweak tradition. Standouts include Thai spareribs, an original invention featuring meltingly tender ribs coated with a thick paste of Thai herbs and spices. Also recommended are curry puffs, tom yum soup with shrimp and a knockout, Panang curry with duck. The eggplant-studed green curry with fish fillets is particularly resonant.
RA-KANG THAI CUISINE, 895 W. Beech St., Long Beach, 516-442-1313, rakanglongbeach.com
Vibrancy informs the highly genuine Thai cuisine at this attractive newcomer. Here, shrimp tom yum soup exemplifies the classic Thai interplay of spicy-sweet-sour-salty. For a jolt of flavor, try shrimp-basil rolls. Other recommendations include flaky little chicken curry puffs, shrimp in red curry and a Panang curry with vegetables.
