Posts Tagged With: Larb Ubol

Hell’s Kitchen – 5 Asian Dishes I Can’t Get Enough of

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Ziggy

Blue Ribbon Sushi Oxtail Fried Rice The latest issue of W42st has a proud theme. Inside there’s a mini zine where you’ll find 5 Asian dishes I’m mostly proud of

Oxtail Fried Rice at Blue Ribbon Sushi – Bone Marrow added for exceptional richness, while fluffy omelette makes it exceptionally good looking. Sauteed Squid is a close runner-up

Tofu at Danji – The only tofu I consistently order in NYC. A Hell’s Kitchen classic

Pad Ped Moo Krob at Larb Ubol– Its like the “Best of Thai” in one dish. Beautiful crispy pork belly, Thai eggplant, peppercorns, curry paste, and plenty of chili heat

Shredded Beef w/Asian Spicy Green Chili at Gourmet Szechuan 56 – Its so good, it makes you put the phone away. Besides, I cant catch a signal here anyway.

Pork and Crab Soup Dumplings at Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen – I’ve ordered them so many times, they’ve stopped asking what I want. My picture should be on that wall in no time, next to Andrew Zimmern

Danji Tofu

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: Blue Ribbon Sushi, danji, food, Gourmet Szechuan 56, Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen, Larb Ubol, Travel | 4 Comments

Best Thai in Hell’s Kitchen

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Ziggy

Pure Thai Ratchaburi

Pure Thai Cookhouse – Among the plethora of Thai eateries flooding 9th avenue, Pure Thai stands out (and so will you for a while unless you arrive early or in off hours). It was built to resemble a Shophouse in Thailand in order to give you a taste of the Thai food culture. The menu doesn’t feature the usual curry suspects, but more daring dishes that represent various regions of Thailand. E.g. The Jungle fried rice, the simple Ratchaburi with homemade dry noodles, crab and pork, and the more intense Wok Curry Paste with Pork. The lone dessert, pumpkin custard with coconut sticky rice wrapped inside a banana leaf always a recipe for a full blown attack. 766 9th (51/52)

Pure Thai Pumpkin

Pam Real Thai – If you are looking for chandeliers, table cloth, and a little bench for your man purse, you will not find it here. Though “Room Service” another Thai player nearby does have some of these things including nice chandeliers. The minimalist décor is the same as it was 10-15 years ago, and so is the menu. But if you are a fan of flavor and dont care about anything else, this is the place for you. The sick Oxtail soup is reason enough to go, and just about everything else I ever had here is made with a lot of love. Try the Pad Kra Prow (with shrimp), Seafood Kee Mao, Pad Prik Khing, and the terrific Khao Soi. The menu size is intimidating, so ask away if not sure. And the $2 Thai Ice Teas help combat the occasional hefty spice levels. 404 W 49th St (off 9th)

Pam Real Oxtail Soup

Larb Ubol – In the last several years, we’ve seen a slew of eateries open, specializing in Isan cooking. First there was Zabb Elee who intorduced the bold Northeastern flavors to us, until they gave birth to Larb Ubol. Don’t expect anything more than a bookstore café type décor (notice a trend here?). I bike here sweating the heavy traffic in order to sweat some more with dishes such as the peppercorn heavy Pad Ped Moo Krob and the Duck Larb. The spice levels approach “Thai Spicy” at times (but not quite there) so this is not for the faint of sugar seeking heart. But hey, this is after all Hell’s Kitchen. 480 Ninth Ave (37/36)

Larb Ubol Whole Fish

Kare Thai – You know what the next best thing to Thai food on 9th? Thai food on 10th! Yes, they are naturally spreading to 10th these days because they are running out of real estate. And among them all, little Kare is my favorite. I’ve had some pleasant meals here with co-workers though I mainly use it for a convenient quick Kee Mao grab on the go, always greeted by smiles. And the complimentary lunch special snack helps. You know what they say, “You give a smile, you get Shumai!”. 752 10th Ave (51/52)

Wondee Siam II – Back in the day, this was the place I frequented. And although I havent been in many years, I still have devoted co-workers that swear by this place. If you are new to Thai food, or simply want to taste something familiar that you are used to and enjoy back home like Green curry and Pad Thai, this may be the right place for you. 813 Ninth Ave (53/54)

Pure Thai Pork

Larb Ubol larb

Larb Ubol Pad Ped Moo Krob

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: Best Thai in NYC, food, Kare Thai, Larb Ubol, Pam Real Thai, Pure Thai Cookhouse, restaurants, Travel, Wondee Siam | 2 Comments

Hell’s Kitchen – What’s Up?

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Ziggy

I haven’t eaten much to write about lately. Partly due to religious holidays where I either had to eat at the in-laws or survive the annual semi fast (eat light, not brush teeth..). So I’m taking this opportunity to update you all that there are no updates to the Hell’s Kitchen guide. “That’s it. He officially ran out of things to write about” So, so not true. I have plenty of things to write about. Like, about the wonderful fan mail I’m finding in my Spam box lately (Brazilian girls are big fans apparently, all sorts of Russian marriage proposals, quality of life improvement suggestions…). Anyway, here’s what’s happening in the neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen lately

Pizza. New gourmet pizzas are popping up everywhere these days in the area. I already discussed Pamela… err I mean Annabel (confusing spam email fans). Vinyl owners teamed up with NYC-LA-Back to NYC chef Jason Neroni to open B-Side (Get it? Vinyl, B-Side? I actually don’t get it). It looks very promising and I plan to check it out very soon. There’s another place on the Capizzi side of the area that I’m long overdue for a first visit.

Larb Ubol (above) – Big Mazal Tov to LU for joining the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmet list, awarded to best cheap(er) eats. Although awarding the same distinction to Khe-Yo means that I dont quite understand the qualification or I should probably get half of my Khe-Yo check back

Danji – Losing their Michelin star this week. Does this mean it should be avoided? My theory is that the Michelin inspector sat in the same seat as I did a few weeks ago where I couldn’t open the drawer at the bottom to get the menu out as it was hitting against the side of the wall. That’s the only explanation I have since the menu hasn’t changed since they got the star, and the dishes come out in consistent fashion

Oxtail – One of the best things I’ve eaten lately is the Oxtail soup at Pam Real Thai. With two Thai places already on the list I’m not so quick to add a third, but this soup is tremendous. Pleasant heat, A LOT of pleasant heat, with deep lasting flavors and a coupe of hefty meaty bones. There are all sorts of amazing soups in the area I’m enjoying lately, perhaps worthy of a post?

No Addition – Not that I’m not trying new places. Briciola – Feh! and awkward. Puff Cha – Dido. But trying desperately to like it. I’m completely content however with the current list and dont feel the need to add anything.

Now, back to fan mail…