Saranrom Thai is a cozy, Michelin-recognized gem in Elmhurst serving vibrant traditional dishes, including must-try catfish mango salad and fragrant curries, all at great prices.
"Just a few blocks away from Hug Esan and the rest of the little Bangkok spots, Saranrom Thai is right up there with some of the other big names in Elmhurst. Come with a small group, enjoy some bright, refreshing sake-based cocktails and get distracted by the reruns of Top Chef: Thailand that always seem to be on. The food doesn’t stick to one particular region, so feel free to order around the menu. Our perfect meal starts with a papaya salad and an order of the yum pla duk fu: a mango salad with shredded and fried catfish that is not to be missed. Grab a few curries and fragrant kee mao Thai (with some of the longest rice noodles we’ve ever seen), and finish off your meal with durian sticky rice." - bryan kim, hannah albertine, nikko duren, arden shore, will hartman
"A tiny aerodynamic miracle occurs when the kitchen and front doors at Saranrom Thai open at the same time. The smell of fish sauce caramelizing and frying chilis rushes through the railroad-sized Elmhurst restaurant and straight into your nose. It’s the sort of highly seasoned air that keeps neighborhood regulars coming back (and therefore the door open) and primes your brain for one of the best Thai meals in New York. photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff Saranrom’s cooking pulls from regional traditions all over Thailand, and stands out for being notably herb-packed rather than spicy. Their kee mao thai has enough clean Thai basil flavor to work as a substitute for Vicks Vaporub, as well as some of the longest, chewiest rice noodles we've met. Even if the food generally doesn’t reach the heat levels of some of our other favorite Thai spots in the neighborhood (Hug Esan or Zaab Zaab), there's plenty about the menu to remember—especially the yum pla duk fu, a mango salad with catfish that’s fried, then shredded, and sops up the juicy salad. The restaurant has no flash or glamor, and it doesn't need any. Once you're seated, someone who works there will smile and ask if you want your meal coursed out, or if you’d like another $10 sweet and floral sake cocktail. And you do, probably. Because you're going to want to stay in that vortex of fish sauce air for as long as it's socially acceptable. Food Rundown photo credit: Alex Staniloff Hoy Tod This pancake studded with a half dozen mussels tastes like a sea breeze trapped in a boardwalk funnel cake. While some more mussels would be nice, this is an excellent starter to split with a couple of people. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Yum Pla Duk Fu This is the best thing on Saranrom’s menu, and one of our favorite Thai dishes in the city. The catfish has a texture somewhere between pork floss and cornflakes, and does its job of mopping up all the bright, fish-sauce-fueled green mango salad juice underneath. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Kang Kua Sator When you see the four chili emojis on the menu, you might think this curry is going to be hot-hot. In reality, it's sweet and warm, and something we’d happily eat in our pajamas several times a week, even if the heat falls a bit short of expectations. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Kee Mao Thai If you've got a stuffy nose, order this kee mao thai, which has foot-long rice noodles, a little kick, and an herby menthol quality we love. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Crispy Pork With Basil Crunchy, chewy pork with a fragrant basil sauce. Order this only if you have several people at your table so you can finish the dish quickly, because as soon as the pork cools down, the skin becomes a little hard to bite through. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Durian Sticky Rice A creamy, warm way to end your meal. Make sure to get one of these on your table." - Will Hartman
"Saranrom is one of Elmhurst’s best Thai restaurants, and it's also the one that feels most like a local favorite night out, with Top Chef: Thailand playing on the TV. The aromas from the kitchen are so good they’ll convince you that all you ever wanted was to bathe in every sauce, curry, and noodle dish on their long menu. Drift away on this aromatherapy session while eating your hoy tod, a mussel pancake that tastes as if a bivalve and a funnel cake spent a little too much time listening to a Marvin Gaye record." - will hartman, bryan kim, hannah albertine, neha talreja, willa moore
"In a neighborhood brimming with great hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurants, Arunee stands out for its modern decor and spacious seating. They do a better-than-average version of your usual favorites like pad cee ew and tom kha gai. Sidle up to the bar for a drink after work or a quick bite." - Diane Shaw
"Longtime fans of the previous tenant (Paet Rio) will be thrilled to know that little has changed under this new name. The interior is still as cozy as ever, like a long train car with wall-to-wall wood paneling and redolent of incense. Service is welcoming and attentive; and the food, most importantly, remains notably appetizing, in an area rich with competing Thai kitchens.The dizzyingly long menu features curries, fried rice, salads, and stir-fries. But look closely and you’ll find real gems, like yum pla duk, or a delicate weave of crispy catfish topped with tangy mango salad. Miang kha-na is an essential starter, mixing lime rinds, pork, and peanuts to brilliant effect. Bright, fiery, sharp, and spicy—this is Thai food in its most captivating form." - Michelin Inspector
