Pok Pok NYC is no secret amongst New Yorkers who know their Thai food. But I’ll be the first to admit, only making it there on the back end of this summer (after New York had already endured its Pok Pok frenzy) meant that I was pretty late to the party. Perhaps I was suspicious of a hipster hotspot touting authentic Thai in Brooklyn or maybe it was the idea of having to travel for Thai when I knew I could get fuss free authentic Thai at Zabb Elee or even eat it in trendy downtown environs at Uncle Boons. But there is something remarkable about this ramshackle restaurant with a sunny disposition that serves some of the most intense Thai flavors in the city. Eating there just once will make all your suspicions fall by the wayside.

Ordering Ike’s Vietnamese fish sauce wings will do it for you ”“ they burst with flavor and the entire table will rally around a second helping which will only make you feel cheerfully big-headed for having the foresight to order them in the first place. And Pok Pok NYC is worth the trip from Manhattan too if you jump into a cab and come with the expectation of a (rather pleasant) wait at Whiskey Soda Lounge (the restaurant’s neighboring bar) where you can knock back Thai beers and snack on chicken wings.

http://www.pokpokny.com/home/

117 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 923-9322

Kaeng Hung Leh (Northern Thai sweet pork belly and pork shoulder curry with ginger, palm sugar, turmeric, tamarind, Burmese curry powder and pickled garlic) ”“ Photo: Garret Ziegler

(Feature image: Ike’s Vietnamese fish sauce wings ”“ Photo: Garret Ziegler)

 

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