Royal Siam Restaurant – Thailand in Manhattan

If you say Thailand is in Manhattan’s bohemian Chelsea neighborhood, you’re likely to get a laugh. But that’s assuming the conversation takes place in a circle of people unfamiliar with Thai cuisine. And Royal Siam 1A is on 8th Avenue. The diminutive affectionate suffix “chik” confirms that the size of the place is small, and it is cozy and quiet.

This place is hardly suitable for a dinner-party or a family celebration but it is right to come here in the afternoon or in the evening to taste delights of Thai gastronomy.

Of course, in the menu there are only dishes of Thai cuisine – from salads to desserts. The wine list is international. A separate menu page is dedicated to business lunches.

The main convenience of the menu, similar to the ancient Asian treatise, is that the composition of all dishes is detailed, i.e. it is easy to understand what makes up a “tom-yum” or with what “un-won” is served.

Thai exotica comes in all its variety – soups, duck dishes, curry, rice in all its variety (Thais revere rice and cook it in a most unexpected way), and again a variety of noodles and – oh my God – frog legs.

Thai noodles are a special item of conversation. Made of rice flour, wheat flour, mixed with eggs and soy sauce… Cooked in a special wok. Then you have the chef’s fantasy and your own choice: with what degree of pepper spice and what additives (shrimp, beef, pork) or without them you want to see on your plate.

The portions are average for New York: you can eat enough, but you can hardly take anything with you. The bill, too, will not damage the family budget – $20-25 per person. This includes desserts, which are unpretentious – pudding, eternal, but this time sweet, rice, pancakes filled with banana.