Lung Yai Thai Tapas
Thai restaurant · Little Havana
1731 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Highlights
Authentic Thai tapas with coconut curries, soups, and salads.
Authentic Thai tapas with coconut curries, soups, and salads.
"Part of the reason people still continue to line up outside of Lung Yai is because they’ve been consistently making great khao soi, crispy chicken wings, and spicy beef salad since 2015. Also, it’s still a fun dinner (even though you can no longer sit inside and get blasted with techno). Luckily, the narrow (and slightly chaotic) alleyway seating still has colorful strobe lights and a funky playlist. It’s an ideal backdrop for knocking back beers with friends and sharing some teeny shrimp dumplings. Lung Yai has become a reliable takeout spot over the years, too—in case you’d prefer to have their red curry from your couch." - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"An incredible authentic location for Thai tapas. A bar set-up with flavorful, mouth-watering delicacies to share. The chefs make you feel like you are at their homes for family dinner. It is adorned with a minimalist interior and a laid-back side yard covered in string lights. Favorites include The Crispy Duck Salad and Shrimp Spring Rolls. Pay particular attention to the Northern Thai dishes—a delicacy rarely found in most Thai restaurants. Chef Bas is electric and charismatic. Be forewarned—if you catch a beer with him you might just stay the entire night, happily forgetting any other plans you might have had." - Colada Collective
"Thai tapas are one of the last food groups diners might expect to find in Little Havana, but massive waits almost every night since opening a decade ago prove that Lung Yai is in demand. Pro-tip: Chef Bas is known for his strict rules, so check out the menu before heading to the restaurant and be prepared to put in your entire order upon arrival — each table only gets one shot to order." - Allison Ramirez
"The hype around Lung Yai has never fully died down since it opened in 2015. People still refer to the little spot at the heart of Calle Ocho as a “hidden gem” or “the best Thai restaurant in Miami.” Neither is true. But their consistent khao soi, crispy chicken wings, and spicy beef salad have helped Lung Yai settle into its role as the Miami classic it was always destined to be. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Everyone has a story of their first time at Lung Yai. (If you don’t, this is your sign to go.) Grazing elbows with strangers at the communal picnic table is Miami’s equivalent of rubbing the bronze balls of Wall Street’s charging bull. Their walk-in only policy has remained unchanged, so you might have to wait on the weekends to snag a seat. Along with Sanguich and Cafe La Trova, it’s the hottest table on Calle Ocho. Since they’ve stopped seating people at the indoor counter, it’s best to come when Miami isn’t an atmospheric oven. 98% of the tables are for two, so bring someone who loves sharing and disco lights. We wouldn’t have believed this in 2015, but Lung Yai has also morphed into an excellent takeout spot over the years. Keep it in mind the next time you want reliable Thai without leaving your couch. Food Rundown Som Tam This tart, sour papaya salad makes you purse your lips like the War Heads mascot. Keep it on the table throughout your meal because it acts like a cooling system between hot bites of dumplings and wings. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Shrimp Steamed Dumplings Each one is about the size of those compressed towel tablets that expand with hot water. They’re packed with hot, juicy shrimp and should be given a swirly in the sweet, tangy soy dip. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Khao Soi Get this noodle soup with beef. The mild version is not spicy at all. You mostly get a sweet, coconut flavor. We also appreciate the dual textures from the crispy and soft noodles. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Chicken Wings Drumstick or wing? That’s the only internal dialogue that should be happening when these land on your table. The wings are so crunchy, they can block out your high-pitched cousin with each bite. photo credit: Karli Evans Neua Nam Tok It’s a carnivore’s idea of a salad. The thin slices of beef soak up every bit of the spicy and sour dressing that’s spread all over. The pieces of lettuce on the side are a friendly reminder that it is, indeed, a salad. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc" - Mariana Trabanino
"You could drive down the street a dozen times and still overlook this intimate little nook that hides in plain sight. Little Havana is certainly an unexpected place to find one of the city’s hottest Thai kitchens, but the long waits are an indication (no reservations) that Chef/owner Veenuthri Trisransri knows what he’s doing. On a menu that mixes typical standbys with Northern specialties, begin with an order of homemade dumplings with a pork or shrimp filling, served steamed or fried. Khao Soi, a coconut-based curry with your choice of protein, bobs with egg noodles and has a rich, creamy profile without too much heat.Tables, plates and even the place itself is small, so order ambitiously and be prepared for a kitchen that sends out dishes faster than you can finish them." - Michelin Inspector
