Jando S.
Yelp
Compared to other Thai spots in the borough (#1), Tuk Tuk feels like a trendier version of what would otherwise be average Thai food. Long before LIC became a hot spot for Asian fare, it was Tuk Tuk who held down the fort along Vernon as a go-to option for (Southeast) Asian cuisine.
It's a narrow restaurant and a majority of seats are primed for 2-4 folks at a time. The decor is colorful and modern and very inviting. I love the clean bathrooms, large bar, and overall vibe. The crowd is usually reflective of the neighborhood: young, hip, and ready to spend.
Food wise, there are some highs and lows. The good news is that their curry options are definitely tasty and have some serious heat for spice lovers. The green, panang, and massaman are the ones I'd focus on. Additionally the stir fried noodle dishes have been tasty, especially the pad kee mao (spicy) and the pad see ew. I always see pad thai on people's tables, but that's a given at any Thai restaurant.
Where I've been disappointed in the food has been in several dishes, but namely the ones that have their crispy duck and mock duck. In addition to being their most pricey protein add on, I've just had really bad luck with their pineapple duck curry ($26) and their duckaholic ($26) and pretty much any duck add-on. I had higher hopes for their khao mun gai ($16) but similarly to their satay, it's been a tad too dry for me. I also think their noodle soups, such as the boat noodles and khao soi have also been somewhat lackluster, which is a shame since the presentation is on point.
Overall, the service seems good. The staff is friendly and they're prompt with orders and drinks. I used to order takeout occasionally, but these days I'd much rather dine in. It'll probably be awhile before I'm back again, but I do hope they continue to keep this part of LIC well fed.
__________
(#1) Mostly Woodside, aka Lil Bangkok.