Bangklyn East Harlem Introduce
Bangklyn East Harlem is more than just a Thai restaurant; it is a captivating slice of Bangkok charm right in the heart of Uptown Manhattan. Nestled on 2nd Avenue, this highly-rated spot is recognized by **Locals** as a true "quiet gem" in East Harlem. It instantly transports diners to Thailand, not just through its authentic, bold flavors but also through its distinctive atmosphere, complete with décor that feels kind of retro and music that evokes the same genuine vibe found in its namesake city.
The restaurant operates on a truly unique and admirable model, with a single chef passionately running the entire operation—both the kitchen and the front of house. This dedicated approach ensures an uncompromising commitment to quality, resulting in food that is consistently described as "consistently amazing" and "beyond legit." Dishes here are praised for having real **wok hei**—that unmistakable, delicious smoky stir-fry flavor achieved through expert technique and intense heat—and for being "absolutely spot-on."
While the chef may possess a "serious face" that new customers might find "intimidating," regular patrons know this is simply the focused intensity of a culinary genius at work. The high quality and authentic taste are worth the visit alone, solidifying Bangklyn as a must-try destination for authentic Thai cuisine in New York City. The menu features a balanced mix of traditional favorites and specialty items, catering to needs for Comfort food, **Healthy options**, **Vegan options**, and **Vegetarian options**.
Bangklyn East Harlem is conveniently located at 2051 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA. This placement in East Harlem makes it an accessible and beloved neighborhood spot for Manhattan residents in the Upper East Side and surrounding Uptown areas.
The restaurant provides a comfortable and accommodating setting, focusing on a pleasant dining experience:
- Atmosphere: The ambiance is distinctly **Casual** and **Cozy**, with a unique, retro-inspired décor that patrons feel the chef has put "a lot of heart into." It offers an intimate space perfect for a relaxed meal.
- Accessibility: The establishment ensures inclusivity by providing a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, making it easier for all members of the community to enjoy its phenomenal food.
- Outdoor Dining: **Outdoor seating** is available, allowing patrons to enjoy their authentic Thai meal while soaking in the energy of 2nd Avenue.
The location and atmosphere appeal primarily to **Locals**, offering a hidden gem aesthetic that feels like a quick, charming escape from the city hustle.
Despite its intimate size and single-chef operation, Bangklyn East Harlem offers a comprehensive and impressively efficient range of services designed for the convenience of busy New Yorkers.
- Dine-in and Seating: Guests can enjoy the authentic "Bangkok vibe" inside with comfortable **Seating** and full **Table service**. The restaurant **Accepts reservations**, a useful feature given its popularity and limited space.
- Off-Premise Efficiency: The restaurant is known for its incredible speed, with food coming out "super fast." This efficiency extends to **Takeout**, **Delivery**, and **No-contact delivery**, making it a perfect choice for those who need a delicious meal quickly.
- Dining Times and Options: Services cover the main meal periods, being highly **Popular for Lunch** and **Dinner**. They also offer **Dessert** options and cater to quick visits with **Quick bite** and **Small plates** offerings.
- Payment and Crowd: Payments are flexible, accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. The spot is designated as **Good for kids**, welcoming **Families** into its casual, cozy setting.
- Onsite Services: The presence of **Onsite services** (referencing the chef's all-encompassing role) ensures a high standard of quality control and a unique connection to the person crafting your meal.
Bangklyn East Harlem is defined by several powerful highlights that contribute to its status as a local favorite and a highly recommended destination for authentic Thai cuisine in NYC.
- The “Angry Chef” Genius and Wok Hei: The single, passionate chef/owner is the restaurant’s heart. His intense focus is credited with the **phenomenal flavor** and the "beyond legit" quality of the dishes, which frequently feature the highly desired **wok hei** smoky stir-fry characteristic.
- Authentic Bangkok Vibe: The cozy, slightly retro décor and the specific selection of music create an atmosphere that genuinely feels like being "instantly transported back to Bangkok," making the dining experience feel like a cultural trip without leaving Manhattan.
- Impressively Fast Service: Despite the single chef managing the entire operation, the food is noted as coming out "super fast," a rarity for food of this high, authentic quality, and a huge plus for New York diners.
- Specialty Beverages: The beverage menu features unique, authentic options beyond standard soda ($2.00), including **Southern Thai Tea** (Cold $4.50) and **Vietnamese Coffee** (Cold $4.50).
- Inclusive Menu Offerings: The menu excels at providing a thoughtful mix of **Comfort food** alongside **Healthy options**, with clear and excellent choices for **Vegan options** and **Vegetarian options**—such as the **Khao Mun Tofu** ($15.95) and **Tofu Steak** ($10.95).
- Dining Flexibility: The offerings include **Quick bite** and **Small plates** (like the **Tofu Steak** and **Papaya Salad**), perfect for a light meal or sharing, and the seating arrangement allows for a casual, intimate experience.
To experience the authentic flavors and unique atmosphere of this East Harlem hidden gem, please use the following contact details for orders or inquiries:
Address: 2051 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA
Phone: (646) 429-8128
Mobile Phone: +1 646-429-8128
Bangklyn East Harlem is highly worth choosing for New York City diners who value authentic flavors, a truly unique atmosphere, and highly efficient service. The specialized dishes—particularly the chicken and rice options—are the main culinary draw.
The Must-Order Chicken and Rice Bowls: The highest recommendations are for the signature rice dishes, all served over fragrant ginger rice with a side of soup. The **Khao Mun Gai** ($16.95), featuring steamed chicken, is an authentic Thai comfort food classic. For those who prefer a crunch, the **Khao Mun Gai Tod** ($17.95), with crispy fried chicken, is also highly recommended and comes with a spicy plum sauce. The **Khao Mun Tofu** ($15.95) provides an excellent **Vegetarian** alternative using roasted tofu.
Unique Southern and Classic Appetizers: Be sure to start with the **Southern Fried Chicken** ($11.95), a popular, crispy appetizer marinated with intention and served southern Thai style. The **Fried Cabbage** ($15.95), noted for its deep flavor, and the fresh **Papaya Salad** ($13.95) are excellent choices for small plates that showcase the kitchen's mastery.
Balanced Curries and Noodles: The main dishes are expertly balanced. The **Pad Thai** ($15.95+) is lauded for being "well balanced," with the addition of crushed peanuts providing a "perfect texture." For noodle variety, the **Morning Market Noodles** ($14.95+) and **Tamarind Coconut Milk Noodles** ($15.95+) offer specialized, complex flavors. The **Green Curry** ($16.95+) and **Red Curry** ($16.95+), customizable with your choice of protein, are rich and aromatic.
A final, important note: while the food is impeccable, the **Southern Thai Iced Tea** (Cold $4.50) is authentic, but patrons should be aware it "doesn’t come with milk and is super sweet," so it should be ordered with caution if you prefer a less sugary version. Ultimately, the overall package of phenomenal, spot-on food, the unique single-chef passion, and the charming atmosphere confirms Bangklyn East Harlem as a necessary visit for any New Yorker seeking an authentic "quick trip to Bangkok."
Bangklyn East Harlem Menu
Appetizer
- Tofu steak $7.95
Roasted Tofu fermented with soybean sauce
- Southern Fried Chicken $7.95
Crispy fried chicken southern style with spicy plum sauce
- Fried Cabbage $8.95
Fried Cabbage with fish sauce
- Papaya Salad $8.95
Green papaya, tomato, dried shrimp, peanuts with lime and chili dressing
Rice Dish
- Khao Mun Gai $11.95
Steamed chicken over ginger rice, cucumber, comes with fermented soy bean sauce, come with soup
- Khao Mun Gai Tod $11.95
Crispy fried chicken over ginger rice, cucumber, comes with spicy plum sauce, come with soup
- Khao Mun Tofu $10.95
Roasted tofu over ginger rice, cucumber, comes with soy bean sauce and mushroom soup on the side
- Fried Rice (tofu & mushroom) $11.95
Sautéed rice with special house sauce top with fried egg
- Fried Rice (Fried Chicken) $12.95
Sautéed rice with special house sauce top with fried egg
- Fried Rice (Crab Meat or Shrimp) $14.95
Sautéed rice with special house sauce top with fried egg
- Basil Fried Rice (tofu & mushroom) $11.95
Sautéed rice and chili basil with special house sauce top with fried egg
- Basil Fried Rice (fried chicken) $12.95
Sautéed rice and chili basil with special house sauce top with fried egg
Noodle Dish
- Pad Thai* (Tofu & Mushroom) $11.95
Sautéed white rice noodles with tamarind sauce, dried shrimp top with fried egg and garnished with bean sprouts, scallions and peanuts
- Pad Thai* (Fried Chicken) $12.95
Sautéed white rice noodles with tamarind sauce, dried shrimp top with fried egg and garnished with bean sprouts, scallions and peanuts
- Pad Thai* (Crab meat or Shrimp) $14.95
Sautéed white rice noodles with tamarind sauce, dried shrimp top with fried egg and garnished with bean sprouts, scallions and peanuts
- Morning Market Noodles (Tofu & Mushroom) $11.95
Plain Noodle with chicken soup, garlic, chili oil and lime
- Morning Market Noodles (Chicken) $11.95
Plain Noodle with chicken soup, garlic, chili oil and lime
- Tamarind Coconut Milk Noodles (Tofu) $11.95
Rice vermicelli noodle mixed with coconut tamarind sauce, soy bean paste, bean sprout, mixed vegetables, assorted pickles, peanuts, chili oil and lime
- Tamarind Coconut Milk Noodles (Crab Meat or Shrimp) $14.95
Rice vermicelli noodle mixed with coconut tamarind sauce, soy bean paste, bean sprout, mixed vegetables, assorted pickles, peanuts, chili oil and lime
Curry Dish
- Green Curry (Tofu & Mushroom) $11.95
Eggplant, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
- Green Curry (Fried Chicken) $12.95
Eggplant, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
- Green Curry (Crab Meat or Shrimp) $14.95
Eggplant, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
- Red Curry (Tofu & Mushroom) $11.95
Pumpkin, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
- Red Curry (Fried Chicken) $12.95
Pumpkin, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
- Red Curry (Crab Meat or Shrimp) $14.95
Pumpkin, bamboo shoot and basil served with rice
Drinks
- Southern Thai Tea (Hot) $3.00
- Southern Thai Tea (Cold) $4.50
- Vietnamese Coffee (Hot) $3.00
- Vietnamese Coffee (Cold) $4.50
- Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale $2.00
Bangklyn East Harlem Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- Locals
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Bangklyn East Harlem Photos










Bangklyn East Harlem Location
Bangklyn East Harlem Reviews
cheftamarindcrab meatclothesfried chickencomfort foodbrothmusiccoconut noodlesbasil fried rice
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This Thai spot is consistently amazing. The food comes out super fast, and it’s always packed with flavor.There’s only one chef running the whole place—he handles both the kitchen and front of house. He looks pretty serious, and I swear new customers always get a little intimidated by him 😅My friends and I jokingly call him “the angry Thai chef” —but honestly, his cooking is beyond legit.The dishes have real wok hei (that delicious smoky stir-fry flavor!), and everything is absolutely spot-on.Sitting inside the restaurant felt like I was instantly transported back to Bangkok—same taste, same music, same vibe.The decor is kind of retro, and you can tell the chef put a lot of heart into the place. He seems like someone with a lot of stories, quietly taking care of his little hidden gem.You have to give this place a try. Don’t be scared off by his serious face—he’s a genius in the kitchen.Highly recommend the chicken rice bowl—it comes with a side of soup too.Just a heads-up: the Thai iced tea doesn’t come with milk and is super sweet, so order with caution 😄But overall, this place is full of charm. If you take your time and really savor the food, it’s basically like taking a quick trip to Bangkok without leaving town 🇹🇭💛
July 11 · vivi ChanleBangklyn is one of Harlems’s quiet gems - casual, intimate and creative space. The spring rolls were crisp and golden, chicken was tender and marinated with intention. Pad Thai was well balanced, crushed peanuts give it the perfect texture. Highly recommend ✅
October 10 · Malcolm ThaxtonBangklyn is a breath of fresh air in a city full of fast casual pop ups.Other have commented how authentic the food is. I am neither Thai, nor have I ever been to Thailand, but the food here tastes like what I imagine a home cooked meal would be like. I had the morning noodles and they were fantastic!
August 28 · James PolhemusWOW—last night, I had to have some Thai. My body was craving for some Green Curry. Some Papaya salad. I had the need… 😌Google said Bangklyn, 🤔. I never heard of it before. I checked the reviews—authentic, bold, truly Thai. That’s all the review I neededYummmmm, It was 😊. Absolutely amazing.🔥 Incredible chef-owner🔥 Huge plates, even bigger flavors🔥 Green curry with crab meat 🦀🔥 Som Tam with fresh papaya 🥗This place is a must-visit. A true hidden gem 💎
February 24 · Ted Weitz MDAs someone who grew up in Thailand, this place feels like a local corner diner with varieties of comfort food. The owner is really intentional about everything he does and offer the highest quality of meals without msg. Will def be back!
November 18 · Jira Sai
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