Hug Esan
Thai restaurant · Elmhurst ·
Northern Thai cuisine, vegetarian options, casual, take-out
Northern Thai cuisine, vegetarian options, casual, take-out
"Hug Esan is on the same block in Elmhurst as some of our other favorite Thai spots, like Zaab Zaab and Ayada. Get a group together and settle into the tiny, vibrant dining room for a meal you’re going to be talking about for a while. Build out your order around a whole tilapia: it comes grilled or fried, and both choices are correct. You should also get a bowl of spicy mee ka tee or khao piak sen, a meat-heavy soup thickened with pork blood. Round out your meal with some salads and small bites. We’re especially partial to the grilled chicken livers and crispy frog legs." - bryan kim, arden shore, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore
"The compact Isan Thai spot in Elmhurst doesn’t have alcohol, but you can drink your own for a manageable sum: $1 per bottle of beer, $5 per bottle of wine. A few beers should help you tackle some crispy frog legs, a whole fried tilapia, and the fish sauce-heavy house papaya salad, served with a spread of pork rinds, sausage, and salted egg that borders on overabundant." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Near Thai dining destinations Ayada and Zaab Zaab, Hug Esan is smaller than these restaurants, but the regional Isan specialties here are no less mighty. Get four people together, BYOB (for a small fee), and settle into the tiny dining room for a lunch or dinner you’re going to be talking about for a while. The whole tilapia comes grilled or fried, and both are good choices. You should also get a bowl of spicy mee ka tee or khao piak sen, a meat-heavy soup thickened with pork blood. Round out your meal with some salads and small bites. We’re especially partial to the grilled chicken livers and crispy frog legs, but everything is delicious." - will hartman, bryan kim, hannah albertine, neha talreja, willa moore
"Hug Esan in Elmhurst has a so much good food that you'll want to come back with a group, but the restaurant is pretty tiny—so it's easier to walk in with just one other person. Share a whole tilapia, grilled or fried, and round out your spicy Thai Esan meal with a salad and small bites, like grilled chicken livers or crispy frog legs." - bryan kim, will hartman, willa moore, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick
"There’s no stinting on the fish sauce and other sharp flavors at Hug Esan, from owners Chiraporn Sornphoom, Jariya Charoenwong, and chef Jintana Khamphaiboon. The fascinating, delicious, and frequently fiery Isan menu runs to chicken with jeaw sauce, toasted rice salad dotted with sour sausage, crab omelet served over rice, whole fish, plus the usual larbs and papaya salads." - Eater Staff
