Southeast Asian Food in Queens

Larb from Pye Boat Noodle

Someone told me once that Thai food in NYC is underwhelming and that’s why I no longer speak to them. That may be true if you never leave Manhattan but Queens has some of the best South/Southeast Asian food in the country, especially in the Elmhurst and Woodside neighborhoods. You’ll actually find regional Thai restaurants, not just generic pad thai’s, as well as the best bahn mi sandwiches in the city. Indonesian, Himalayan and Malaysian restaurants here are also infinitely better and cheaper than their Manhattan counterparts.

LET'S GO!

Elmhurst is where you’ll find the most popular bahn mi spot in the city, Joju. While every sandwich on the menu is stellar, the star of the show in my opinion is the kimchi fries with a runny egg on top. It’s the perfect versatile snack for any time of day. Pair it with one of their refreshing drinks, like the passion fruit rose tea with lychee jelly, my personal favorite that I get at least once a week.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the neighborhood at an opportune hour (afternoon/evening), you may see Chinese BBQ carts around and you should absolutely stop by to get a few kebabs. They’re extremely cheap (about $1.50 per) and great to snack on while you walk around.

Around the same area, you’ll also find two noteworthy Indonesian restaurants, Sky Café and Asian Taste 86. Both have great noodle dishes on their menu, especially the egg noodle dish at Asian Taste and the Mie Komplit at Sky. The must try dish though is Sky Café’s Nasi Bungkus (beef, rice and assorted sides in a banana leaf). It’s a little spicy but not overwhelming.

Mie Komplit Noodles from Sky Cafe

Nasi Bungkus from Sky Cafe

Egg Noodles from Asian Taste

Also close by is Taste Good Malaysian (cash only!), next to the large supermarket. This place does an excellent Nasi Lamek (coconut flavored rice with chicken rendang, anchovies, and sides), probably the best in NYC. Laska noodle soup, Roti and Hainan Chicken are also great here. The menu is huge and you really can’t go wrong with any choice.

Nasi Lemak

Laksa

Hainan Chicken and Fried Noodles

The new Hong Kong Food Court is next door and here you will find options from all over Asia. The Xin Jiang Food stall has amazing trays of cumin lamb/chicken. There is also a Thai Roast Pork stall as well as a very good Himalayan stall. Come here if you want to sample a little of everything or share dishes family style with a group. Most stalls here are cash only but some accept credit cards over a certain minimum.

Momo Dumplings

Thai Roast Pork

While not SE Asian, Himalayan Cuisine is also incredible in this area. Lhasa Fast Food is an Anthony Bourdain approved hole in the wall with amazing momo dumplings and noodles. Space is tight in this little restaurant and you have to walk through a sketchy looking hallway before you reach the food.

Spicy Cold Noodles

For Thai food, the options in Elmhurst are truly endless. If you’re in the mood for a quick bite, head to Eim Khao Mun Kai (cash only!) for the chicken rice or the crispy pork counterpart next door. Both are affordable hearty meals.

Chicken

Crispy Pork

If you’re looking for something more ‘dinner with friends’, try Lamoon, which specializes in Northern Thai cuisine and is VERY spicy but delicious. You can also head towards Woodside and another slew of amazing Thai restaurants.

Khao Soi and Kanom Jeen Nam Ngeaw from Lamoon

Order the grilled fish at Hug Esan and wrap it in lettuce for a healthier (low carb) but still tasty option. In the same area, you will also find some fantastic Thai desserts at Khao Nom (cash only!). Also try the beautiful rainbow crepe cake at Dek Sen.

Grilled Fish at Hug Esan

Coconut Pudding and Pandan Crepes from Khao Nom

Rainbow Crepe Cake from Dek Sen

Thai Noodle Soups are another must try in Queens. Raan Kway Teow does a great vermicelli based light noodle soup but for the best Thai noodle in NYC, head towards the Astoria direction and hit up Pye Boat Noodle. Get the beef boat soup with thick rice noodles for the perfect cold weather meal.

Duck Kway Teow

Beef Boat Noodles

Towards the LIC side, make sure you stop by House of Thai for THE BEST chicken wings in NYC. They’re topped with some kind of crack-infused salt that makes them incredibly addicting.

Crack Infused Wings

For Filipino cuisine, make your way towards Sunnyside for Tito Rad’s Grill where you can try a fried pork knuckle. The highlights of this spot are the Sizzling Sisig (pork) and the Laing (taro leaves and meats in spicy coconut milk).

Sizzling Sisig and Laing

Pork Knuckle

Finally, if you’re in the mood for pho, head to District Saigon, a slightly more upscale Vietnamese joint that has probably the best pho meat in the city. Try their free range chicken or brisket pho and if you come at the right time, they also have happy hour drink specials (lychee martini!).