Chanpen in Hell's Kitchen.

For a few years now, I have been going to Chanpen when I decide I need some Thai and I happen to be in Hell's Kitchen. This is a stable staple of Thai food, and you can usually get in without problem.

The Thai ice tea flows like water if you let it. Of course you will end up on a sugar high.

I recently started a meal there with a Thai salad, basically a side salad with their ginger dressing. Pretty good.

I have a favorite entree on the menu, but it is hard to come by. The haw mok, made of chicken steamed in a banana leaf is especially good. Of course, on a recent trip, they were out yet again! Instead they had a soft-shell crab haw mok. I am not a huge soft-shell crab fan, but I tried it any way. Good, but just not the same when you have your heart set on something. However, the vegetables in the haw mok sauce mixed with the steamed rice were delicious.

The decor here is a little over the top at time, but a part of the charm. Altogether, the Chanpen package works.

Chanpen

761 9th Ave

Corner of 51st St

Phone: 212-586-6808

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