Review: A taste of Thai at Kraam in New York City

Dishes at Kraam. Photo Courtesy of Kraam.

Kraam is a new Thai restaurant that opened in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan.

This journalist had the opportunity to dine for lunch at Kraam on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

By definition, “Kraam” is a Thai word that means for indigo or organic dye; moreover, Kraam is synonymous with “craft” or “wisdom passed down through generations.”

Kraam was influenced by the founders’ childhood memories and travels throughout the different regions of Thailand, coupled with a desire to host friends and families.

Appetizers

As an appetizer, one should try their “Koi Tuna,” which is a Thai style yellowfin tuna tartare on lettuce cups that is garnished with crispy shallots and toasted rice.

Yet another noteworthy starter was their “Grilled Sweet Corn & Papaya Salad,” which features cherry tomatoes, long beans, green papaya slices, peanuts, chili, garlic, dried shrimp, and sweet tamarind.

Sides

Notable sides were their “Pad Eggplant,” which is stir-fried eggplant with miso, chili, garlic, and basil, along with their “Jasmine rice,” which is traditionally cooked in a steamed fashion as it is a Thai staple.

The same holds true for their delectable “Thai Egg Fried Rice,” which is Wok fried jasmine rice with egg and scallions.

Entrée

As an entrée, one should try their grilled marinated ribeye steak, which was tender, accompanied with roasted vegetables, as well as dipping sauce that consists of spicy tamarind and roasted Thai eggplant chili sauce.

Desserts

While dining at Kraam, one should leave room for dessert! One should try their “Sweet Mango & Coconut Sticky Rice,” which is quite savory thanks to its coconut cream and toasted coconuts.

Their ice cream comes in four distinct flavors: Thai iced tea, traditional Thai coconut with corn and jackfruit, guava lychee, and butterfly pea & young coconut. This journalist tried the latter two ice cream flavors, and they were scrumptious.

The Verdict

Overall, Kraam is an impressive new Thai eatery in New York City. Their menu is highly eclectic, where it incorporates meals from the different regions of Thailand with seasonal and quality ingredients. The presentation of their various plates was artistic and creative.

The servers and management were attentive to their patrons’ needs, and everything arrived at the table in a swift fashion.

Kraam is a fine example of the Thai cuisine; moreover, it has a neat and pleasant ambiance to it, and it garners an A rating.

To learn more about Kraam, follow the Thai restaurant on Instagram and visit its website.