3-05-2024 8:51pm

"Exploring Flavorful Excellence: Top Thai Restaurants to Savor on Long Island"

Samantha Hespos Editor

Thai cuisine's rapid ascent makes it the fastest-growing restaurant category in present-day New York. Amidst the city's vibrant culinary scene, local Thai establishments vie for attention alongside chic Thai diners, cocktail bars, and trendy club-restaurants. The intense competition within New York City has prompted many restaurateurs to broaden their horizons, choosing to expand and relocate to Long Island. This migration has ushered in a fresh wave of trendy Thai spots, contributing to a burgeoning culinary scene on the island.

A Thai restaurant's initial triumph lies in crafting the perfect curry puff, filled with savory chicken and enveloped in flaky, delectable dough. It's a prelude to the culinary journey that unfolds, featuring iconic dishes like khao soi, where crispy noodles luxuriate in a coconut curry. Bold flavors emerge in sizzling skillets, showcasing shellfish adorned with bundles of fresh green peppercorn, challenging even the most resilient to embrace the heat. A revelation occurred in a Bohemia strip mall with the discovery of Bangkok street foods, underscoring that Thai cuisine has truly elevated suburban dining to a new and exciting level.

Embark on a culinary journey through Long Island, where a diverse array of regional menus awaits. From the northern allure of Chiang Mai and the Isan region to the central charm of Bangkok cuisine, the south's spicy offerings, and innovative Thai/Chinese/Japanese/Burmese fusion, these restaurants showcase the rich tapestry of Thai flavors. Some are recent discoveries, while others have remained hidden gems for years. The common thread? Exceptional curry, accompanied by delights like a crab omelet or the classic pad krapow. Here's a guide to the best Thai restaurants on Long Island, promising a symphony of tastes and textures.

Tonnam Thai Kitchen, located at 1126 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia, has emerged as a culinary gem, transforming from a Chinese takeout spot into a haven for Bangkok street foods adorned with edible flowers. Since its inception in 2022, Tonnam has cultivated a devoted following, drawing in patrons with its unlikely but delightful fusion of flavors. Helmed by classically trained Bangkok chef Vorragun “Brian” Vongdarunee and his wife, Kasamaporn “Masi” Chansaksri, formerly of a Thai restaurant in Astoria, the restaurant finds solace in Suffolk County's natural beauty. This tranquility is reflected in dishes like the tangy laab gai ($10), a minced chicken salad bursting with fresh herbs and red onions. Noteworthy is their boat noodle soup ($18), an unparalleled rendition of the Bangkok specialty, featuring a viscous black broth and vermicelli noodles strewn with chopped green onions. For more information, contact 914-829-2770 or visit tonnamthaikitchen.com.

Tee' Thai Flavors, nestled at 357 Broadway, Bethpage, introduces a Tom Yum soup ($16.95) that steals the spotlight in Thai cuisine. Universally cherished, this rendition boasts a bracing and delightfully sour profile, capable of evoking tears of joy. Every element harmonizes seamlessly — from the lusciously juicy cubes of pork belly adrift in the pungent broth to the ground meat, vermicelli noodles, and even the wonton crackers. Owned by Bangkok native Paul Saenngarm, this under-the-radar gem offers more than just stellar soup. The Thai sausage is a porky and juicy delight, while the Hainan chicken rice (Khao Man Gai) is expertly poached and delicately nuanced. For additional details, contact 516-513-1868 or visit teethaiflavors.com.

Sanook Thai, located at 96 W. Old Country Rd., Hicksville, stands as the newest and most formidable contender on this list. Prepare for an intense flavor experience as chefs Dumrongsak “Pop” Chaichana and Sengdeuane Sisongksam, hailing from Northern Thailand and Laos, deliver uncompromising recipes that pack heat and sour, fishy delights. Dive into the iconic khao soi noodle curry ($16.95), a cult-favorite from Chiang Mai, or experience the boldness of Laotian-style papaya salad ($17.95) featuring padaek, a robust fermented fish sauce. Don't overlook the sleeper hit, grilled chicken ($20), with legs and thighs adorned in a sticky glaze, revealing gloriously juicy meat. Indulge by ripping off a hunk and savor it alongside sticky rice from the bamboo basket. For more information, contact 516-261-9778 or visit instagram.com/sanook_thai_ny

Siam Emerald

88A N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre

In Rockville Centre's trendy Thai restaurant, the tea leaf salad demands a double take—an unexpected addition from Myanmar to the menu. Co-owner Kanlayanee “Sandy” Kosapattarapim and chef Sirikorn Chujit, collaborators at their Park Slope eatery Bangkok Degree, fearlessly explore Thai fusion. Their sweet twist on the Burmese classic captivates, epitomizing the beauty found in each dish. Notably, the tuna flowers ($15) steal the show, presented on an elaborate golden stand featuring pastry cups of tuna adorned with makrut lime leaves and bold chile spices. While the menu boasts diverse options, Bangkok street foods take center stage, including ba-mee moo dang/moo grob ($25), an egg noodle delight showcasing the star: fried pork with a lusciously fatty center and crisply shattering skin. For more details, contact 516-678-0886 or visit siamemerald.com.

Nestled at 621 Hicksville Rd., Bethpage, The Theo Thai Bistro uniquely blends Thai and Vietnamese flavors, reflecting co-owner Thanida Nguyen's Bangkok roots. In 2020, she joined forces with her Vietnamese-born husband, Khoa, to establish this halal Thai restaurant, named after their son Theo. Embracing halal recipes, the menu showcases the intersection of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, featuring dishes like pho and a chicken banh mi sandwich. Standout offerings include the assertively fried and pleasantly breaded Thai chicken wings ($9) and a fiery twist on the classic pad gra prow ($15.95), or holy basil stir fry, featuring slices of chicken. For more information, contact 516-490-9988 or visit thetheothaibistro.com.

Dive into the expansive menu at SriPraPhai, located at 280 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, where one visit may not suffice to explore its encyclopedic offerings. Unfamiliar dishes like beef offal soup, chu-chee shrimp, and sukee abound, making it challenging to navigate without an intimate knowledge of Thai gastronomy. However, a safe bet is the stewed pork leg with mustard greens and a hard-boiled egg ($14.50), showcasing tender meat bathed in a sweet soy glaze. The iconic fried watercress salad and the “fried chicken & crabmeat rolls” ($14) among the 37 appetizers are must-try delights, with meaty and crunchy textures that could easily become legends. For more details, contact 516-280-3779 or visit sripraphai.com.

At 23 S. Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck, JaydSiri Thai Bistro, a one-woman show by Sirikanya Suworrapan, captivates with a robust selection of Isan dishes. Isan, known for spicy papaya salads and flavorful minced pork larb, takes center stage in this chic bistro. House specials like Isan steak stir-fries with fragrant lemongrass and duck basil kraprao stand out. However, the Thai Ocean ($28) steals the spotlight—a sizzling stir fry featuring calamari, plump shrimp, and crispy battered fish, adorned with onions and red bell pepper. Bursting with spice and sourness, the seafood's vibrancy is enhanced by fresh green peppercorns, a hallmark of the finest regional Thai cuisine. For additional information, contact 516-696-3654 or visit jaydsirithaibistro.com.