When crispy pork belly makes you forget about every other Thai restaurant in Midtown East, you know something special is happening at Charoen Krung Thai.
The kitchen operates at 955 2nd Avenue with traditional wok technique and authentic Thai preparations that refuse to adapt for bland American palates.
Serving lunch 11:30am-4pm and dinner 5-10pm daily, this classy spot proves Thai cuisine deserves more than plastic containers and fluorescent lighting.
What Makes Charoen Krung Special
The crispy pork belly at $19 demonstrates how proper Thai technique creates texture worth obsessing over – crispy exterior giving way to tender, flavorful interior.
Charoen Krung Thai maintains traditional Thai flavors through dishes like ghang phed duck and panang short ribs that show range beyond standard menu offerings.
The classy atmosphere separates this from typical Midtown takeout spots while still welcoming dogs in certain areas and accommodating both business lunches and evening diners.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Charoen Krung Thai launched at 955 2nd Avenue bringing authentic Thai cuisine to Midtown East without compromising traditional preparations for office lunch crowds.
The menu spans street food traditions like sweet corn fritters to elevated dishes like royal pad thai, proving Thai cuisine offers more than most Americans experience.
Split service accommodates Midtown rhythms – lunch crowds seeking quick quality, dinner guests wanting proper Thai flavors in a classy setting.
Food Highlights
- Crispy Pork Belly: At $19, proper Thai technique creates the crispy-tender contrast that makes this dish stand out. The preparation showcases why texture matters as much as flavor. 🥓
- Pad Thai: Traditional preparation with tamarind and proper wok technique at $19 creates authentic flavors. The real method makes a familiar dish exceptional. 🍜
- Drunken Noodle: Wide rice noodles stir-fried with Thai basil and chili at $19 bring proper heat. The traditional technique doesn’t hold back on spice. 🍜
- Sweet Corn Fritters: These $14 fritters capture Thai street food tradition as perfect starters. Crispy preparation creates an addictive texture. 🌽
- Summer Rolls: Fresh rolls at $15 demonstrate the lighter side of Thai cuisine. The preparation balances heavier curry dishes. 🥬
- Ghang Phed Duck: Red curry duck at $35 showcases premium ingredients in traditional preparation. The duck treatment demonstrates the kitchen’s technical range. 🦆
Atmosphere
Charoen Krung Thai sits at 955 2nd Avenue in Midtown East, where classy design and moderate noise create elevated Thai dining that feels special without pretension.
Dogs are welcome in certain areas while the space maintains sophistication that separates it from typical Midtown takeout joints flooding the neighborhood.
Split hours accommodate different crowds – lunch 11:30am-4pm, dinner 5-10pm (until 10:30pm weekends) – serving both quick business meals and leisurely evening dining.
Bottom Line
Visit Charoen Krung Thai because authentic Thai preparation in a classy Midtown East setting means crispy pork belly and traditional flavors that refuse to compromise.
The pad thai and drunken noodles prove traditional wok technique and proper seasoning create dishes that taste authentic rather than Americanized for office lunch crowds.
The classy atmosphere, authentic preparations spanning street food to elevated dishes, and commitment to traditional Thai flavors prove this 2nd Avenue spot has earned its place serving exceptional Thai dining in New York.
Address: Charoen Krung Thai
955 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022
📞 (929) 789-9456
🕐 Daily: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Fri-Sat until 10:30 PM)
Authentic Thai cuisine | Classy atmosphere | Midtown East | Dogs allowed | Split lunch/dinner service | Traditional preparations