this place was AMAZING and the atmosphere was so vibey! service was amazing -- you get cookies before your meal and you can get free rice refills :) every dish was amazing and all the flavours were balanced and rich! my fav was the duck curry, pairing the creamy curry sauce with the soft, tender duck pieces and fresh grapes and vegs was genius read more

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The first time I tried hor mok was at a Bangkok night market in 2010, in the late evening, after a very long flight. We were scrounging for whatever dinner we could find at that hour, from street vendors who were heroically operating despite a recent street bomb in the area. Using our terrible, travel guide Thai, we somehow ended up with some of the most impossibly delicious (and spicy) Thai food we'd ever had in our lives, everything expertly tied into small plastic bags and taken back to our hotel room for often tearful consumption -- tearful because the food was so spicy it made us cry! My first hor mok, a savory, curry custard made from coconut milk, red curry paste, eggs, and fish, recalled flan or mousse or chawanmushi -- a very spicy chawanmushi. It was as creamy and rich as any dessert. I was in love at first bite. Deeply in love. We spent our next few weeks in Thailand eating it wherever we could find it: mostly from street vendors, but also from significantly more expensive restaurants catering to the local well-to-do. For the next decade or so, I pursued hor mok back in NYC. I found it -- beautifully made -- at Zabb Elee. When that legendary Isaan restaurant closed, I was bereft. Naturally, when I saw hor mok on the menu at Jan Jao Kha, I knew we had to go. Jan Jao Kha is a looker. It's a tiny, narrow, railroad-style restaurant like so many in Hell's Kitchen. To get to the bathroom at the back, you pass by the kitchen, where dishes are placed on the counter for wait staff to pick up as they are prepared. (There were a lot of chefs in that small space, looking quite hot, poor things.) But the dining room is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers everywhere, the ceilings hung with garlands (probably artificial), and murals on the walls. Unlike some beauties, though, Jan Jao Kha also has substance. The food is well made as well as beautifully plated. We started with the beautifully presented Pomelo Salad ($19.00; Royal Thai pomelo salad. Premium pomelo, shallots, mints, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, with chili lime dressing). Like so many great Thai dishes, this was a balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy heat. There was a bit of fish sauce in the dressing, which the adults in the group enjoy -- but it was dialed down enough that the Progeny enjoyed it, as well. As for the long-anticipated HOR MOK PU GOONG ($32.00; Lump crab meat and shrimps custard wrapped with banana leaf), Jan Jao Kha's version was very upmarket and included a huge amount of crab meat, as well as a few large, juicy shrimp served on top. It was less silky than the versions I so loved in Thailand and at Zabb Elee, and quite a bit less spicy. The flavors were there, however: a subtle fragrance of lemongrass, basil, lime leaf, and banana leaf. There was a nice layer of spinach and cabbage underneath the custard. And did I mention there was a LOT of crab? A main of BASIL FRIED RICE WITH GRILLED BEEF ($34.00; Grilled NY steak, sweet peppers, onions, and basil leaves, mixed with rice topped with fried egg) was also nicely executed. The rice was pleasantly smoky (whether from real wok hai or a bottled / powdered agent, I couldn't tell) and the very lightly seasoned steak admirably tender. I'm guessing this dish is on the menu for the less adventurous, spice averse clientele. The 11-year old is very fond of Massaman Beef ($30.00; Stew beef, potatoes, cashew nuts, and fried onion, in massaman curry sauce), and really enjoyed the version at Jan Jao Kha. Beef was very tender, but had been cut into overly large pieces that were difficult to eat without a knife. (Knives are NOT on the dining table at all, per Thai custom, only a fork and a spoon.) The one-year-old restaurant does not (yet?) have a liquor license, so we went with a kid-friendly blueberry rooibos tea. A few things to note: Steamed Jasmine rice is served from a large bowl that a wait person brings around -- as much or as little as you wish to have of it. I like that diners can customize to their own appetites and less goes to waste. Service was a mixed bag. There were two women who attended our table. One was older and very nice. The younger woman was strangely devoid of warmth unlike most Thai (and Thai Americans) we've interacted with. She was a touch pushy about upselling, looking almost angry when we declined her suggestion to order more. She again looked miffed when, at the end of the meal, she pushed us to write a Google review for the restaurant, and I told her I would write a Yelp review, instead. read more

Writing this review weeks after visiting and I don't recall anything substantial. It was cozy and certainly not bad. But being in NYC, other Thai spots do pop-up in my head first. Very cute interior. Waitstaff was super kind. Unlimited white rice as well. read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

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Very cute ambiance, great for a date or girls dinner. Food was wonderful, so much flavor in every dish. Banana blossom salad reminded me of the salad I had in Thailand! Everyone loved their dish, and spicy option isn't too difficult to handle. You get unlimited rice refill that they scoop for you out of a huge pan haha. Would definitely come again to try their mains! read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Banana Blossom Salad - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

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Just wow. This place had the most delicious branzino I've ever tasted. It was so flavorful with cilantro/lime/the crunch of the fried outer layer was absolutely mouth watering. We also ordered the pork curry and it was so good. I didn't even come hungry but felt like leaving a bite was a waste! They also had someone going around making sure you got rice refills if you wanted!! Also! I'm not usually one to notice decor/details but this place is designed down to the studs. The table scape is incredible with pink satin-y napkins, green cups, specialty serving dishes. Beautiful cultural mural on the wall and the staff all wore these cute thai cultural pants. It was such a cohesive dining experience & I felt like royalty dining there. read more

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So zen! Love this spot. A nice quieter escape from the hubbub of Hells Kitchen on a weekend night! Very small and quaint so make that reservation and be on time! Service is great. Top notch treatment. So kind! The decor is delightful, French meets Thai. Darling! Love the rose colored silky napkins spun into the shape of a flower in the glass bowl presentation. Beautiful fresh rose baby's breath Peruvian lily table flowers. They really pay attention to details here! The glasses, and glass serving ware is etched beautifully and the porcelain looking Lisbon tile vibe dishes are beautiful. Down to the little lamps and dim lighting. Just fantastic romantic or chill vibe for a casual evening with family friends loved ones or a classy casual work dinner. We started with the chicken dumplings. Very cute, a touch of flavor but very small bites and super thick dumpling. Good for a taste test not so much if you're savory hungry. Prices are reasonable. Food comes fast! We also got the banana prawn appetizer and grapefruit salad (spicy) The mango tumeric and cinnamon plum teas were good, leaned heavier into the mango tumeric tho. Probably wouldn't do the cinnamon plum again. It's not good and bitter once it cools down. The panang beef was meh, and chicken with eggplant was average level good. Now the branzino, fantastic. Not much fish for more than two though if you're hungry. All in all, super cute spot and chill vibe which I greatly appreciated after a long day of travel and work week. Would get the banana shrimp appetizer again just for the delish salad that it comes with and the branzino. Music is chill jazz classical piano type vibe. Really nice. I could definitely come back! read more

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Side notes- Rare Thai place that provides rice for free. Also, they have 400+ 5-star reviews on a "certain search engine," so you might want to make a reservation as the spot is tiny. From the Kaew Jao Jorm folks, Jan Jao Kha is a newer Thai spot that I went to very recently with one of my usual groups. They are north of many of the other Hell's Kitchen Thai restaurants, and I hope they do well. The place is small, with very friendly service, and while it's not the spiciest spot for Thai, they make up for it with amped-up flavors. I didn't bother with a drink, though someone else enjoyed their Thai iced tea. The first thing to arrive was the Thai Mackerel Fried Rice for $25 with Thai mackerel, onion, scallion, tomatoes, and Chinese broccoli, mixed with rice. This had the mildest flavors of the dishes we ordered, but was still tasty, with many mackerel pieces throughout the rice, which added some slight fishiness. The veggies added a mix of textures and colors to the dish. Regarding the rice, I would complain about the wok hei, but I generally don't expect it at Thai restaurants. This was good, but I would recommend splitting it rather than making it a main unless you really love mackerel. There was a particularly excellent take on Massaman Beef for $30 with stew beef, potatoes, cashew nuts, and fried onion, in massaman curry sauce. As someone who generally prefers slightly spicier Thai, I have never been the biggest fan of this dish, as most places make it a bit too sweet and not aromatic enough for my liking. This was the opposite, as there was a mélange of spices ranging from star anise to others. The dish also had a bit of heat, and while there wasn't much beef, it was very tender. I would heavily recommend this. There was also the Sukhothai Fish Tom Yum Noodle for $28 with egg noodles, fish fillets, bean sprouts, and Thai herbs in tom yum broth. The name of the dish is a bit of a misnomer if you're expecting it to taste like a more standard tom yum, since the Sukhothai part refers to a slightly different variant with a lot less tamarind. The coconut flavor and aromatics were stronger than most tom yum, while the dish had a mild spiciness. The fish inside was tender, and there were plenty of egg noodles to sop up the tasty broth. This was very tasty. The last dish, the Panang (or Phanaeng) Duck Curry for $35, with duck breast, lychee, pineapple, grapes, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and basil leaves in a curry sauce, was also good, though a bit less than at other spots. The duck was nicely cooked, being meaty and tender, but I prefer some other places that have crispier skin. The curry itself was a bit less spicy than at some other places, but it was still pretty well-flavored with a good amount of kaffir lime and galangal. The grapes, like their sister restaurant, were peeled, and I didn't mind as they added a bit of sweetness along with the lychee. While listed, there also wasn't an abundance of bell peppers, which is definitely my preference as well. This was good, but it was my least favorite dish overall, both for the duck and the curry. This is yet another good Thai restaurant that opened on 9th Avenue. It might be a bit north of most spots in Hell's Kitchen, but the flavors here excel, with general quality, and the prices are a tad more reasonable due to the free rice, making it more equivalent to Chalong and a few other places. I expect lines once more people know about this spot, as it's tiny and excellent. Mid 4 for the general quality. read more

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A charming and cozy addition to the neighborhood. The food is elevated Thai that's presented in a lovely manner and full of delicious flavors. Cute touches like the use of varied China and serving dishes, murals, and server uniforms really make this a unique experience. No alcohol but feel free to BYOB. read more

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This restaurant serves great Thai food in Hell's Kitchen. The interior is quaint and pretty decoration. I like how they serve rice here, out of a large serving pot and plop it on your plate. You can get refills too!! A lot of Thai dishes that are authentic, some of which I've never had before, which the staff walked me through. My partner and I liked the curries! read more

came for friday lunch and it was empty but it meant that service was quick! got the duck curry and papaya salad and both were good! overall decent thai, a good place if you're in the area. read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

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This place was SO cute! Small and intimate, I loved looking around. The table setup wasalso very cute with the napkins folded like roses. The food was very good, I got the massaman beef. They load your plate up with rice for you and you can ask for more!! Unlimited rice!! They also have tea which is super cute. Service was amazing. read more

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Cute new place in Hell's Kitchen! The spot is tiny but you don't feel cramp up Nice decor and the staff is nice and accommodating Better to make a reservation Food is yummy and decently price No alcohol but you can bring your own drinks at no extra fee Perfect for a bite before a show read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Pad See Ew Beef Lots of beef and flavorful - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

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This is such a lovely, cozy and delicious spot. The waitstaff were very kind and helpful when i asked for recommendations. We ordered the fruity duck, which was juicy, tender, and flavorful and paired well with the sweet fruit. The crabmeat clay pot came with this delightful spicy sauce, and the vermicelli noodles were very savory. The gnocchi dessert was chewy and fluffy in sweet warm coconut milk, with sesame seeds and slices of coconut - i loved it. They offer unlimited rice that you can ask for. I adore this spot and definitely plan on coming back to try the rest of the extensive and unique menu! read more

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Came the other night to try this place out after seeing that it has 5/5 stars on Google. It was just myself and I didn't have a reservation but they luckily had an open table. The place is quite small so definitely recommend coming early to try for a walk in or better yet, getting a reservation. The waiters were efficient and kind. I ended up getting two appetizers: the mango salad and the shrimp cakes. Both were fantastic. The mango salad was perfectly seasoned. It was punchy, full of umami from small fried fish pieces, tangy, and sweet. The mango was julienned perfectly and was so incredibly tender. The shrimp cakes were fried perfectly on the outside, crunchy, but not greasy while being super flavorful and tender on the inside. The place is definitely a little upscale, but I highly recommend it and can't wait to come back to try more dishes! read more

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The presentation of the food is what sets this place apart, and the dishes are slightly different from most other thai restaurants in the neighborhood. The ambiance is also dark and lovely at night. That being said, there were a few minuses: 1) the smoke from the kitchen pervaded the dining area so that all my clothes smelled like smoke after, and 2) my water upon one refill had a floral scent--slightly like dish soap which hadn't been fully cleaned away. But then again, they give you free white rice refills (which I cant believe isnt the norm anymore) so, hey, that's a plus in my book. read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Mackerel fried rice was tasty - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

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we came for lunch and were surprised at the lovely atmosphere for a small restaurant. Everything on the table was lovely as was the mural on the wall. Nice service. we both ordered appetizers for lunch and the portions were so large we couldn't finish them. Everything was spicy and delicious. read more

Stumbled on this restaurant and walked in enticed by the charming decor and a number of people inside. A little girl at the next table said to her parents that this was the best Thai food she ever had. After my meal, I had to agree with her wholeheartedly. This is not your basic Thai food but a gourmet version of it, although they do serve classic Thai dishes also. This was a total package from exquisite food, to charming decor, to waiters in traditional clothes. I'm hesitant to write a rave review because as it is, it's hard to get in. I don't want to make it impossible! But where praise is due, it must be delivered. read more

Lovely restaurant. Great ambience. Friendly service. Excellent lunch specials including appetizer and soft drink. Thai fried rice tofu was delicious. read more

Exquisite food in a meticulously curated space. Kind and informative service that leads you to a delicious meal.

This was our second time eating here and it was just as good as the first. The Mango salad was superb with a fresh lime dressing and crispy fish that added some umami and texture. The Shrimp Cakes were delicious, served with a plum sauce. The Gaeng Gai, a chicken with eggplant, was cooked in a delectable yellow curry sauce that we managed to soak up with the table side rice they serve with the dish. We're looking forward to going back again to continue exploring the extensive menu. This is a neighborhood gem! read more

Service was lovely and food was delicious! Order tea because it is served exquisitely and it's delish! read more

Jan Jao Kha Thai Restaurant - Blueberry Roobios tea! - Thai Near Me - New York, New York

This place is small but decorated so nicely. Food was very good and service could not be better. We would highly recommend this restaurant.

What an awesome find for Christmas Day dinner. We stumbled into this tiny gem -- maybe 23 seats total. We started with crispy fish mango salad, beautifully cut and arranged. With peanuts and cashews. Main dishes included basil steak fried rice, curry with pork belly, Panang curry with tofu, and seafood curry (made gluten free). Each dish was beautifully prepared and the flavors were sublime. Service exceptional. A last minute cancel and the hostess ran after us and seated us right in the window seat. Light piano music with holiday tunes played, and each table had delicate lights and a small rose bouquet. The mural painting reminds me of White Lotus season 3 opening. Amazing food. Desserts are coconut-based. Really enjoyed it. White rice included with each meal and generous portions served. If I lived in NYC, this would become a regular go-to place. read more

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Super intimate and romantic spot with upscale dishes. For the price we were concerned it would be a "for show" place, but we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food! We got the shrimp cakes, pomelo salad, mackerel fried rice, crab clay pot, and duck curry with lychee for 3 people. I usually think Thai food in the city is too sweet to have mainstream appeal, but the dishes here were definitely better and not overly sweet. Loved that the rice was unlimited and served straight from a piping hot dish. I will say that although we made a reservation a few days in advance and confirmed previously, they called the day of asking if we could come later due to overbooking. We didn't have any plans scheduled so we agreed, but just something to note since that definitely seemed a little meh to do to a customer. You definitely need a reservation since there's such limited seating. We kept seeing people trying to walk in and get denied. Would come back for a date night with good food and decent portions!! read more

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Holy smokes. Never in my life did I experience sitting in my favorite cuisine restaurant and having a live roach fall into my dish and walk all over my food. There was also one roach dead on the floor. I was so stunned I didn't even get to take a picture. I am beyond disgusted and was in such terrible shock that I stayed and I am still wondering why I stayed after that encounter. I'm upset at myself and my judgement for not getting up and leaving. My parents don't even like Thai food but I convinced them to try it and wow this was a major fail. I would not recommend this place at all. I am still so upset and wondering why I didn't leave immediately. The shock has not worn off yet. read more

Fantastic menu that goes well beyond the typical American-Thai restaurant. Every dish was delicious and unusual. The space is warm and inviting with tasteful decor. I wish they had a liquor license, but we will be back! read more

Everything savory I've tried so far was full of flavor and delicious. Their lunch specials are pretty good value. The desserts simply alright and not worth the price. Staff is pleasant and attentive; ambiance is good, though depending on where you're sitting, it could feel a little cramped. One of Hell's Kitchen's better Thai restaurants in my humble opinion. read more