New York's latest Michelin-starred restaurant has a better branch on Silom Road
Somtum Der makes the leap from Silom somtam specialist to the toast of New York.
The Michelin Guide announced its full star ratings for New York last night, and among the recipients were two Thai restaurants, one of which started life in Bangkok.
Bangkokians will be especially familiar with Somtum Der, the Silom restaurant that branched out to New York's East Village in 2013, which has been awarded a Michelin star for its uncompromising Isaan-style street food.
Specializing in somtam (a spicy Thai papaya salad) and other classic Northeastern dishes, Thanaruek Laoraowirodge's restaurant originally opened in the capital in 2012 with the objective to steer Bangkok taste buds away from the sweeter flavors they so cherish.
Somtum Der follows in the footsteps of another Isaan restaurant, Zabb Elee, in making the leap from Bib Gourmand winner ("exceptional good food at moderate prices") to fully-fledged Michelin-star restaurant.
Another overnight Michelin-star recipient was Uncle Boons, a tiny Thai restaurant specializing in drinking food, while past notable awardees include Copenhagen’s Kiin Kiin and David Thompson’s London branch of Nahm.
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