Manhattan may have the reservation lists, but Queens has some of New York City’s most exciting Thai food — and Hug Esan is making sure diners know it. Tucked away on Woodside Avenue in Elmhurst, this family-owned restaurant specializes in the bold, fiery cuisine of northeastern Thailand. Translation: If your idea of Thai food begins and ends with pad Thai, prepare for a delicious education.
Forget Mild. Hug Esan Brings the Heat.
Hug Esan focuses on Isan cuisine, a regional Thai cooking tradition known for punchy chilies, tangy lime, fermented fish sauce, fresh herbs and sticky rice. The flavors are unapologetically intense, and the menu rewards adventurous eaters willing to venture beyond the usual takeout favorites.
One standout is the crispy rice salad, nam khao tod, tossed with sour pork sausage, peanuts, ginger, shallots and herbs. It delivers crunch, tang and savory depth in every bite.
The grilled chicken, known as gai yang, is another reason to make the trip, especially when paired with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce. For a dramatic centerpiece, order the whole tilapia, available grilled or fried, and prepare to give your usual dinner routine a serious upgrade.
Papaya salad is another essential, with variations that can bring plenty of heat and funky, fermented flavor. Consider yourself warned: “medium” and “Thai spicy” are not necessarily the same conversation.
A Tiny Elmhurst Restaurant With Big Flavor
Located at 77-16 Woodside Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens, Hug Esan keeps things casual, with a small dining room that puts the focus squarely on the food. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot where sharing several dishes makes more sense than playing it safe with one entrée.
The restaurant is also family- and women-owned, bringing authentic Isan cooking to New York diners since 2017.
For anyone hunting for standout Thai restaurants in Queens, Hug Esan deserves a place on the list. Come hungry, bring friends, order the sticky rice — and keep a glass of water nearby.
New York has plenty of restaurants that bring the heat. Hug Esan brings the whole northeastern Thai experience.
