Hello dear
Welcome To Hug Esan
At Hug Esan, a delightful gem in Elmhurst, NY, Thai cuisine takes on a unique twist through the vibrant flavors of Esan, a region renowned for its bold tastes. This cozy, women-owned eatery offers a warm, home-cooked atmosphere, making every visit feel like a meal at a friend's house. With options like the addictive Khao Piak Sen and fresh Larb Pla, each dish showcases high-quality ingredients and invites generous servings of herbs to elevate the experience. The dedication to sustainability, evident in their plastic-free packaging, reflects a commitment to both exceptional taste and the environment. Hug Esan isn't just a restaurant; it's a heartfelt embrace of comfort food that brings joy with every bite.
About
Hug Esan
Welcome to Hug Esan, a delightful Thai restaurant nestled in the charming neighborhood of Elmhurst, NY, on Woodside Avenue. This cozy eatery offers an inviting atmosphere that feels like a second home, perfect for indulging in the vibrant and bold flavors of Thai cuisine, particularly from the lesser-known Esan region, which borders Laos.
At Hug Esan, you're in for a culinary journey that delights both the senses and the soul. The menu features a tantalizing array of dishes, from the savory Kor Moo Yang grilled marinated pork neck to the flavorful Neur Nam Tok grilled rib eye beef salad, all artfully accompanied by traditional Jeaw sauce. Each dish is crafted with fresh, authentic ingredients that promise to transport you straight to Thailand.
- Vegan and Vegetarian Options: Whether you’re full plant-based or looking for limited vegetarian selections, Hug Esan caters to diverse dietary preferences with a special focus on hearty vegan offerings.
- Casual Dining Experience: With its warm and inviting decor, the restaurant provides a casual dining atmosphere, making it perfect for brunch, lunch, and dinner. You can even enjoy a delightful dessert!
- Convenience and Accessibility: Offering reservations, delivery, and takeout, along with wheelchair access and a dog-friendly policy, Hug Esan ensures a seamless dining experience for all.
- Community-Centric: Proudly Asian-owned and women-owned, Hug Esan exemplifies a commitment to community and local ingredients, wrapping every meal with a sense of warmth and authenticity.
- Unique Happy Hour Specials: Enjoy great deals during happy hour, paired with a selection of Thai beverages like refreshing Thai iced tea and coconut juice to elevate your dining experience.
Guest reviews rave about the exceptional quality of food and service. Customer Kumar D. describes it as a "gem," praising the warmth of the space and the skillful service. Evan N. recalls the addictive flavors of the Khao Piak Sen soup, a must-try for anyone seeking a comforting meal. The atmosphere, combined with the chefs' commitment to showcasing Esan dishes, creates a sense of home-cooked comfort that resonates with diners.
Whether you're sharing family-style dishes with friends or enjoying a quiet dinner, Hug Esan offers a dynamic menu that caters to all palates. So why wait? Make your reservation today at 77-16 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373 or call (929) 328-0392. Embrace the flavors of Thailand and find yourself wrapped in the heartwarming essence of Hug Esan!
Book a table
Make A Reservation
“ Oh my, what a gem of a Thai restaurant! Everything we had was delicious and the service was top notch. It's a small little cozy honey space and we loved it. I wish I took pics but we were hungry and devoured everything on the table! Go here, you will not be disappointed ”
“ Really interesting to try esan dishes instead of the classic thai options. Everything was very good and gives off home cooking vibes in a warm, comforting setting. Even from the outside it looks like an apartment. Inside, the space is tiny but cozy with only 5 tables and from where we were sitting the kitchen was visible. Favorite part of all the dishes was having plenty of lettuce, cabbage, thai basil, and cilantro to add to every bite! ”
“ These are one of those meals that just makes me so happy. We have been looking for a Laotian restaurant in NYC, this is a Thai restaurant that serves food from a region of Thailand that borders Laos and hence the dishes are very closely related. Nam Khao Tod has been one of our favorite dishes in general for the past couple of years and they did it flawlessly here. (Can confirm that it's still one of my favorite dishes) The Khao Piak Sen was INSANE and addicting, an absolutely amazing soup. It was sour, sweet, umami, salty it just had everything. And it was HUGE! Larb Pla was lightly fried to perfection with an awesome fish sauce to go along with it. Every dish just wrap it up in lettuce, with rice, and a bunch of herbs of your choosing and you have a perfect meal. The server was so friendly and I love how simple the restaurant was. Only cash or Venmo! ”
“ OH MY GODDDDDD, this is a restaurant that you cannot pass up!!! truly in my top 5 for all of nyc!!! ordered the nhao kum taod, grilled fish, papaya salad, larb pla, and tomyum soup - every single dish was good and so unique! esp liked the larb pla!!! restaurant is small so call ahead for larger parties. the servers were patient with our large party! I cannot recommend this place enough!!! ”
“ We have been here twice now. First time with 7 ppl, ate a good assortment of many dishes. ALL were amazingly good. We shared family-style and oohed and aahed over every morsel. It was so good, we Had to come back. This time with friends visiting from oot. We got 4 dishes to share, and were bowled over with how good the duck and crab fried rice was. The shrimp pad thai and beef laab were terrific, too. They cleaned the plates of duck and crab. I mean raves! Service is brilliant and the kitchen can do no wrong. Highly recommend. ”
“ The spring rolls and pork jawl were my favorite! Small place but cozy. Service was good. Definitely worth a try! ”
“ This hidden gem offers authentic Thai food and is an amazing spot. I always go for the crispy tilapia with their homemade tamarind sauce--it's fantastic. If you're feeling adventurous, try the pork liver larb. It's a salad made with pork liver, onions, fish sauce, and greens, and it's one of my personal favorites! The crispy pork belly is fried to perfection, not too greasy or fatty, and super comforting. The raw shrimp salad is another must-try. It's incredibly spicy, with a lime dressing and loads of garlic--I love the kick it gives! ”
“ Returned with a big group and tried most of the menu!! We shared Larb pla, Larb pedd, Gai yang, Nam khao tod, Mee ka ti, Tum sua plara, Thum tai, Spring rolls, Moo yor, Neur yang, Crispy pork belly, Crab fried rice and Pad ka prow. Crispy rice salad, crispy tilapia and steak were the highlights this time. Also loved the steamed sausage!! ”
“ Food: One of the best Thai restaurants I've been to. Every dish was packed with flavor. The grilled ribeye was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and marinated very well. The beef was moist and juicy. The pork larb was so tasty and full of aromatic herbs and spices. The dish is served with lettuce, mint, and other herbs to wrap the pork larb with. The grilled tilapia was very fresh and flavorful. Service: Staff was very friendly and attentive. They kept coming over to ask us if everything was okay. When the fish arrived, they removed the skin for us and even came back later on to remove the bones. Ambiance: The restaurant is very small and only a few tables are available so be sure to make a reservation. Decor is very nice and space is comfortable. ”
