TLDR
Authentic Thai w/ bold flavors & satisfying portions. Standouts incl. duck curry, crispy pork belly & killer cocktails. Vegan options avail.
Instagram Posts References
Charoen Krung presents a visually appealing duck curry dish. Slices of roasted duck breast are served in a rich, vibrant curry sauce, complemented by pineapple chunks and decorative watermelon radish, suggesting a sophisticated and flavorful Thai culinary offering.
Charoen Krung was one of the esteemed participants in the TASTES of Thai SELECT 2025 Food Festival held at 28 Liberty St. Plaza. This event celebrated authentic Thai cuisine and culture, bringing together various NYC-based Thai restaurants to showcase their culinary offerings to the public.
Charoen Krung is presented as a top-tier Thai restaurant in NYC, offering an impressive culinary experience suitable for various social occasions. The review emphasizes the high quality of the food, particularly highlighting the tender Panang Short Rib in a rich curry sauce and the fresh, flaky Ginger Branzino. Appetizers like crispy corn fritters and golden puffs with unique dipping sauces are also praised as highly addictive. Beyond the food, the restaurant's cocktails are noted for being both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. The ambiance is described as comfortable enough for a third date, suggesting a relaxed yet appealing setting. The spot also offers vegan options and outdoor seating.
Charoen Krung Thai is presented as a highly recommended Thai restaurant offering a flavor-packed and satisfying dining experience. The post specifically praises the Ghang Phed duck, described as crispy duck in a fragrant, bold, and comforting red curry. The Royal Pad Thai is highlighted for its large, perfectly cooked shrimp and sweet-savory perfection. The crispy pork belly is noted for being ultra-crunchy on the outside and juicy inside, while the chicken satay is commended for its tenderness and creamy, rich peanut sauce. The overall sentiment is extremely positive, emphasizing the authenticity and 'Thai soul' in every bite.
Details
Charoen Krung Thai offers a diverse and authentic Thai culinary journey, earning praise for its flavorful dishes and satisfying portions. While some dishes like the pad thai have received mixed reviews, others like the Ghang Phed duck, Royal Pad Thai, and crispy pork belly are highly celebrated. The restaurant is also noted for its excellent cocktails and accommodating vegan options, making it a versatile choice for various dining preferences.
Food Overview
Charoen Krung Thai serves authentic Thai cuisine with a focus on bold flavors and generous portions. Standout dishes include the Ghang Phed duck, Royal Pad Thai, and crispy pork belly. While the pad thai has been noted as not the best, the restaurant also offers excellent cocktails, vegan options, and well-executed dishes like the Panang Short Rib and Ginger Branzino. The food is generally considered a strong point, with many dishes receiving high praise for taste and quality.
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include the Ghang Phed duck, Royal Pad Thai, crispy pork belly, Panang Short Rib, Ginger Branzino, kra pao moo sup, and their Thai iced tea. The crispy corn fritters and golden puffs are also noted as addictive appetizers."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •kra pao moo sup(2)
- •pad kee mao(2)
Caveats
Some reviews suggest that while Charoen Krung is a good option for its area, it may not compare to top-tier Thai restaurants found elsewhere. There's also a mention that the high review scores might be influenced by the generally lower quality of dining options in the immediate vicinity, and one user found the pork belly to be overly crispy and lacking flavor.
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About CHAROEN KRUNG
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Thai Recommendations In Midtown
"This user added a '+1' to the recommendation for Charoen Krung."
PositiveFrom post: Thai Recommendations In Midtown
"Charoen Krung was listed as one of three Thai restaurant recommendations."
PositiveFrom post: Best Fried Rice In Ny
"This user likes that some Thai places, like Charoen Krung, allow substituting multigrain brownberry rice for white rice in their fried rice."
PositiveFrom post: Charoen Krung Thai
"This user agreed that the restaurant's high ratings might be due to the generally lower quality of dining options in the immediate area. They found the pad kee mao to be decent."
NeutralFrom post: Charoen Krung Thai
"This user pushed back on criticism of their own review, stating that it was not overly critical to find the highly recommended dishes, like the pork belly, to be disappointing due to being too crispy and flavorless. They did, however, concede that the pad kee mao was decent."
NegativeFrom post: Charoen Krung Thai
"Responding to context about local competition, this user reiterated their strong support for the khao kha moo and kra pao moo sup, stating their versions are excellent."
PositiveFrom post: Charoen Krung Thai
"This commenter believes the restaurant is highly rated because it competes with very basic eateries in Midtown. While considering it good for the area and price, they don't see it as comparable to top-tier Thai food found elsewhere. They also suggested nearby Indian and Japanese options."
PositiveFrom post: Charoen Krung Thai
"The user found Charoen Krung Thai to be the best Thai option in Midtown East, although they noted that other local options are not very good. They suspect the restaurant specializes in Chinese-Thai dishes and highlighted the pork belly appetizer and basil pork as standouts, along with a good Thai iced tea."
PositiveFrom post: Where Do You Grab Dinner
"Charoeng Krung is listed among several recommendations for good takeout or quick meal options."
Positive