Somtum Der - New York

This Thai restaurant in the Northeast offers unique dishes that are not typically found in traditional Thai restaurants. Many of the dishes were quite spicy, such as the famous papaya salad, somtum der. The waiter asked us what level of spiciness we preferred when we placed our order, and next time we will choose "normal" instead of "spicy." The overall atmosphere was good and we had a enjoyable experience.

I was looking forward to visiting this restaurant, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. The staff were friendly, and the food was decent overall, but it was lacking that special touch or wow factor. The flavors were milder compared to other Thai restaurants I've tried. I appreciated that they didn't overly season their dishes, which worked for me. They also allowed you to adjust the spiciness levels of certain dishes. However, the beef in our pad Thai was a bit dry and the flavors were not very pronounced. The salted egg salad was also lacking in flavor.

10/10 would eat at this restaurant again and again. I must say that I am a fan of acidic and spicy foods. I enjoy bold flavors. I prefer dishes with lots of shallots and garlic, to the point where I may not be able to kiss anyone for the rest of the evening. Our orders included delicious cocktails and strong but tasty fried chicken with a flavorful sauce. Unfortunately, the chicken seemed a bit old. I would recommend skipping this dish and instead trying the Bamboo Shoot Salad, which I would happily eat in large quantities. I have a fondness for bamboo shoots and enjoyed the funky and toasted rice in the salad. The Spicy Fried Rice was also quite enjoyable.

Esaan (Northeastern) style Thai food with flavor just like Thailand. Many Som Tum style to choose. We visited from Maine where there aren?t that many authentic Esaan food. Ordered Som tum, Larb, Tom Saab, and raw shrimp in spicy sauce. It was perfect spiciness and very delicious. We left very satisfied. Definitely recommended.

Simply one of the best and most authentic Thai restaurants in NYC. Stepping in you?ll be hit hard by an unapologetic wave of fishy south East Asian smells. The decor is a bit simple, but the flavors more than make up for it. If you are adventurous stray away from the typical phad somethings and get a warm salad (larb) and basic noodles or rice on the side. It?s not for the faint of heart, but if you know you like real authentic Thai food, you can?t go wrong here.