Rua Thai opened in July 2023 in Brooklyn. Thailand is known for its floating markets, where vendors offer food, handicrafts and souvenirs from traditional wooden boats afloat on khlongs (canals). Chef and co-owner Kornpon Theeraumpornkul grew up in the province of Ratchaburi in central Thailand, home to Damnoen Saduak, one of the largest and most famous floating markets in the country. Rua (rowboat in Thai) pays homage to the markets and his family, who sold food at the market.

Chef Kornpon's grandmother taught him most of the family recipes. He enjoyed modifying the recipes to create something new and to have his family try them for feedback. When he came to the US, he worked in the kitchen alongside many skillful chefs at Prem-On, one of the most famous Thai restaurants in New York at that time. Later he became the head chef at one of the most popular Thai restaurants in New York called Yum Yum. He worked for about 20 years in New York restaurant industry before opening Rua Thai.

Ingredients and spices that are indicative of Thai cuisine are Thai chili, white pepper, and lemongrass.

3 Appetizers we suggest to try are the Shrimp Donuts served stacked on a sugarcane stick, RUA Fresh Summer Rolls with beautiful edible flowers, and Crispy Calamari with their signature egg yolk seafood mayonnaise dipping sauce.

3 Entrees that we suggest are: Mama Tom Yum Grilled River Prawns served over sauteed tom yum flavored ramen noodles; Fish Curry Custard with butterfly pea rice, and Pla Tod Numpla crispy whole branzino with mango salad.

We added Kanom Jeen Rice Vermicelli a perfect rice for summer with curries and other dishes. Thai Fried Rice and Basil Fried Rice also go well with many dishes.

Cocktails are created by one of the co-owners Dolporn Thongneam and a bartender. We suggest trying Chom Bueng is made with whiskey with a touch of lemongrass and homemade honey syrup, it is smoked and served covered to be unveiled at the table - it brings the experience to the next level.

Pak Tho, a watermelon mojito, is a thirst-quenching cocktail that’s great for the summer, the watermelon makes it very refreshing.

Suan Pueng is a cocktail created to pair with Thai food, it has a gin base and a hint of basil which goes very well with gin.

To complete your meal and to end with something sweet, we suggest Mango Sticky Rice, Coconut Pudding, and Chocolate Lava Cake.

RUA THAI

204 Smith St,

Brooklyn, NY 1120

ruathai.com

IG @ruathainyc

PHOTO CREDITS | Michael Tulipan