Susan Guan

This restaurant was amazing! It’s a little on the smaller side, but don’t let that deter you! The waiter was incredibly nice and attentive. I’ve had Thai food across NYC many times, but each time I’ve left feeling a little disappointed, like something was missing. However, this restaurant is easily one of the best Thai spots I’ve visited in the city! I absolutely loved the tom yum soup! Not only did it warm me up on a chilly night, but the flavors were impeccable. The soup was so flavorful with a wonderfully complex profile. At first, the citrusy sourness hits you, and as that fades, the umami and savoriness kick in, creating a delicious balance. The soup leaves a subtle hint of sweetness at the end, making me crave more! The beef was a little dry, but the sauce more than made up for it! It was absolutely delicious, with a hint of citrus that cut through the fattiness of the beef, elevating the dish to another level. Normally, I’d get tired of eating beef over and over again, but the sauce kept me wanting more! The green curry was also fantastic! The coconut milk added just the right amount of creaminess, not too heavy, but still rich and satisfying. There was a subtle sweetness that tied the curry together, balancing out the dish perfectly. Overall, this place is a must-visit! I truly believe it’s a hidden gem, and I’ll definitely be coming back!

Thomas Secor

Zaab PuTawn is awesome. They have a fantastic lunch deal - pretty much any main on the menu for the regular price, but you can order two apps and a drink as well. I had a three course meal with a drink for eighteen bucks (plus t&t). That’s pretty much unbeatable. And the food was banging - hot and spicy. Had the pork rib soup (pic is not so pretty but you don’t eat photos, am I right?), with a small papaya salad, some veggie dumplings and a ginger lemon drink. The soup was tangy and spicy and meaty and delicious. I got sticky rice on the side which was a perfect complement to the soup. And the service was on point. The server had the kind of smile that just made you happy inside. I will definitely be back!

Sherry Fernandes

Update: I’ve been eating here every other week for months.. and I’m so disappointed today. I ordered dinner which was crispy rice with soured pork. There was some stony substance in there. I’m not sure what it is.. but I couldn’t eat it. It was like sand everywhere.. This was disappointing. More than half my order was just lettuce. This is the first time I’m leaving a review for a restaurant. The first time I visited this place was a week ago.. We ordered quite a bit and every single thing was spot on! I am very picky about eating at places and this spot has to be the best Thai food in NYC. Everything that I had here has great flavors. The spice levels were fantastic!! Unlike most restaurants, they don’t cater to a white populations tastebuds.. the food is spicy but can be adjusted.. I travelled from New Jersey to get here last night and even though I reached late, they still served me and patiently waited for us to finish the meal. The people are exceptionally kind here. I would 1000% recommend this place. I know good food and good flavors and this was definitely worth every penny. I think you ought to try this spot at least once because you’ll definitely keep coming back!

+1

Dylan Halliu

Awesome food! The marinated raw blue crab and grilled liver was amazing. Fantastic, authentic flavors! The mango sticky rice was also super solid. Great service, super welcoming, and pretty quick as well. Definitely stop by if you’re in the area!

Bryan Lau

We came by again and I will upgrade my rating to 5. I think the Pad Thai was incredible with chewy noodles and long, seared strips of deep fried tofu. The pork jowls were crunchy and juicy, served with a fish sauce with a bit of a kick. It saddens me to say, but the dinner has incredible value, $54 for two entrees and an app, which is an indictment of how we are being fleeced elsewhere. We had the fried fermented salmon and the pork belly rice. I think the food overall is close to being great; the salmon was amazingly crisp yet tender and juicy on the inside (cooked to medium ish). Overall, the food just seemed to be a bit on the dry side, and some of the garnishes like the cucumber slices were old and parched. For its supposed heritage, I think it can do a bit better. The Thai iced tea was excellent, with strong tea and not too sweet.

Natalie Chan

My dining experience at Zabb PuTawn was truly phenomenal. The food was delicious, each dish served was very fresh, flavorful, and had an excellent presentation. The staff were great, they were welcoming, friendly, and super helpful. The atmosphere was absolutely beautiful, it felt very comfortable and clean. Highly recommend!!!

Jia Yaj

Visited this past weekend twice and this place did not disappoint! I love Thai food and have eaten the real deal in Thailand. This is one of the most authentic Thai restaurants I’ve been to. The spice level and flavors really hit the spot. When the server brought out the 4 mini side chili powder and sauces, I was in heaven. 😍 The chef special papaya salad was phenomenal! Everything was delicious. Only minor negative was no meatballs in the noodle soups. Otherwise loved this place!

+3

Jia Sun

A great authentic Thai restaurant in UES's restautrant row. Chef from Michelin kitchens bring you this great taste. The skewer were tender and juicy. Shrimp cervice with spicy salad a very interesting dish, along with the papaya salad. The crispy duck and khao soi really hit the spot. Mango sticky rice ended the meal in a sweet note. It's a small spot, but definitely worth a visit.

+6

danigloo2829

I came here with a meetup, and the host host ordered the food for us. I. Loved. Every. Dish. The spice is perfect. Just hits the spot! The photos posted aren't even all of it. My favorite would be the Khao soi. Because that mellowed all the spicy dishes we had so I recommend having that after having a spicy dish. I like the crackling with jackfruit. The crackling compliment the spiciness of the jackfruit. Desserts! You must order dessert after having your spicy dishes! Again, I love the coconut with jackfruit. These two fruits go well together in ice cream! Lastly, the duck. I don't like duck as much but this dish blew my mind. I like the crispness of it. I didn't taste the gamey flavor so I was ok with it. If your in the Upper East Side. Have Thai food here. I heard they get packed so be sure to be there before they get busy.

+1

Augusto Paulino

Follow-up review after 1 year: The lunch special at Zabb PuTawn remains a great value ($16.33, tax included). The soup and the crispy tofu were a good start to the meal. The gaprow (stir fried Thai basil with tofu) had a real kick to it. Drink was included and the iced green tea was delightful and refreshing. Original Review: This is a go-to, no-fuss place for flavorful Northern Thai dishes. The Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodle) is actually spicy, not pseudo-spicy as in other Thai restaurants. The Chinese broccoli was crisp and fresh, though the $5 up-charge for crispy pork belly is a bit much. Less successful was the Kanom Jeeb (fried pork and shrimp dumplings) which seemed a tad oily.

+2

Nilima Shet

Just came here a day ago and absolutely loved it! So reasonably priced and the flavors are great - definitely worth checking out if you want a more authentic Thai menu and a nice variety of spice levels! Absolutely loved the papaya salad, curry puffs, spring rolls, and panang curry. We were too stuffed to try dessert but would've loved to! Well definitely need to come back. The restaurant is cute and cozy though maybe a teensy bit cramped. The noise level when packed is very tolerable so it still feels like you can have a nice intimate dinner with your group!

+2

All around an average Thai restaurant. They offer a value lunch deal but none of the additional options stand out. The teas are very sweet and definitely taste like there was extra sugar added. The papaya salad did not have very spicy sauce as most papaya salads normally are served over. The edamame was also barely salted. The panang curry was very watery and the pad kee mao noodles were flavorless.