Feb 20, 2024 - Food and Drink

Try Lom Wong for a unique, delicious Thai food experience

Thai is one of my favorite kinds of cuisine, and after hearing the buzz about Lom Wong, I ordered takeout from there for Valentine's Day.

Esquire named Lom Wong a top new restaurant to try in the U.S. last year, and chefs Alex and Yotaka "Sunny" Martin were James Beard Award semifinalists.

Catch up quick: Lom Wong opened in Roosevelt Row in 2022.

According to Esquire, a third of the menu is inspired by recipes from Sunny's mother and grandmother from northern Thailand; a third is from central Thailand; and a third contains "seldom seen" specialties from the Moklen tribe, a fishing community in the southern part of the country.

What we ordered: Every review I've seen touted the Ae Kan Khlak Ti, a Moklen sea bass curry, so I gave it a try.

I also went with the Boo Pad Pong Garee, a stir-fried crab dish; the Gai Tawt Won Pen crispy fried chicken wings; and the Pad Kwang Toon, stir-fried bok choi and tofu.

The verdict: It was like no Thai food I've ever had, and in a great way.

The sea bass was the star of the show — about the most tender piece of fish you'll ever find, and the spicy curry sauce complemented it well.
The crab was outstanding, and I loved the crunchiness of the chicken wings.

What's next: I tried to order the Sai Ua and Nam Prik Noom, a Thai sausage dish, but they were out.

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