Elephant Ear Introduce
For New Yorkers seeking an authentic, high-quality Thai dining experience right in the heart of Midtown, **Elephant Ear** stands out as a premier destination. Located in the vibrant Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, this establishment transcends the typical Thai restaurant with its sophisticated blend of traditional Southeast Asian flavors and modern Asian fusion techniques. It’s not just a Thai restaurant; it also identifies as an Asian Fusion restaurant and a full-service bar, offering a comprehensive and engaging culinary adventure.
Elephant Ear has quickly become a local favorite, renowned for delivering delicious food with remarkable speed and a chic, cozy, and trendy atmosphere. The restaurant’s mission is to bring the essence of traditional Thai cuisine to life with a modern touch, featuring classic staples alongside creative culinary twists. Customers rave about the generous portion sizes, noting that favorite dishes like the **Drunken Noodles** are served in substantial portions, offering great value in a city known for its high prices. The menu highlights a commitment to freshness and quality, ensuring every plate, from a quick bite to a luxurious Chef's Special, is bursting with flavor.
Beyond the food, Elephant Ear is celebrated for its exceptional beverage program, noted for having **Great cocktails** and a **Great tea selection**, making it an ideal spot for a pre-theatre dinner or a relaxed evening out. The combination of fast service, a friendly vibe, and a full bar amenity makes this Asian-owned gem a highly recommended addition to the Hell's Kitchen dining scene.
Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, Elephant Ear is situated at **690 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA**. This prime spot in Hell's Kitchen places it within easy walking distance of major Broadway theaters, making it a perfect pre-show or post-show dining option for New York residents and tourists. The neighborhood's lively energy perfectly complements the restaurant's modern, inviting atmosphere.
The restaurant strives to be accessible and welcoming to all patrons:
- **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and **wheelchair accessible restroom** are provided.
- **Pets are allowed outside** for those dining with their canine companions.
- **Paid street parking** is available nearby for patrons driving to the location.
- The atmosphere is described as **Casual, Cozy, and Trendy**, drawing a diverse and inclusive crowd, including **Groups, Family-friendly** diners, **LGBTQ+ friendly** patrons, and **Tourists**.
Elephant Ear operates with extensive hours, generally open from **11:30 AM to 11:00 PM every day**, ensuring availability for lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings.
Elephant Ear provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet the dynamic needs of the New York City lifestyle:
- **Dine-In Service:** Full seating options are available for Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, and Dessert, with **Table service** provided.
- **Off-Premise Options:** Includes **Curbside pickup**, **No-contact delivery**, traditional **Delivery**, and **Takeout**.
- **Special Events & Large Orders:** Dedicated **Catering** services are available, featuring large trays of popular dishes like **Pad Thai Tray** ($90.00), **Basil Fried Rice Tray** ($90.00), and **Short Rib Prik Kang (Catering)** ($150.00).
- **Bar & Beverage Program:** A full **Bar onsite** offering **Alcohol, Beer, Wine, Hard liquor, Cocktails**, and **Coffee**. Patrons specifically highlight the creative, well-executed cocktails.
- **Inclusivity & Amenities:** The restaurant accepts **Reservations**, utilizes modern payment methods (**Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments**), provides **Restrooms** and **Wi-Fi**, and is **Good for kids**, offering **High chairs** and a dedicated **Kids' menu**.
- **Menu Variety:** Offers **Comfort food, Healthy options, Quick bite, Vegan options, and Vegetarian options** to accommodate diverse dietary needs.
Elephant Ear's menu is a major highlight, showcasing both traditional excellence and adventurous Chef's Specials:
- **Chef’s Special Masterpieces:** The menu features premium, distinctive dishes that elevate the dining experience, such as **Fried Whole Tamarind Branzino** ($33.00), the intensely flavored **Crying Tiger With Garlic Rice** ($29.00), **Deep Fried Softshell Crab With Red Curry** ($29.00), and the rich **Pineapple Curry Slow Cooked Duck** ($30.00) with lychee.
- **Exceptional Seafood Selection:** The offering includes high-end seafood items like **Steam Chillean Sea Bass** ($33.00), **Goong Prik Kula (Seafood Cob)** ($26.00), and **Sautéed Mixed Seafood with Salty Duck Egg** ($27.00).
- **Street Food & Comfort Classics:** Popular takeout dishes include flavorful noodle and rice options like **Pad Thai** ($19.00), **Drunken Noodle** ($19.00), and **Krapraw Gai Sub (Minced Chicken Basil)** ($19.00).
- **Unique Fusion & Appetizers:** The appetizers feature creative Asian fusion items such as **Thai Basil Minced Chicken With Crispy Pani Puri** ($16.00) and the sampler **Elephant Roast Combo** ($19.00), providing an exciting start to any meal.
- **Curry Variety:** Offers the full spectrum of popular Thai curries including **Red Curry, Yellow Curry, and Green Curry** (all $19.00), allowing guests to choose their preferred heat and flavor profile.
- **Acclaimed Beverages:** Known for **Great cocktails**, described as creative and delicious (with one patron noting the quality of the Lychee-infused options at a sister establishment, suggesting a similar standard), and a **Great tea selection**, including a recommended **Peach Thai Tea**.
- **Generous Portions and Fast Service:** Customers frequently highlight the combination of large, satisfying portions and the speed of food delivery, making it ideal for the fast-paced New York lifestyle.
Elephant Ear can be reached using the following contact details for reservations, takeout, or general inquiries:
- **Address:** 690 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA
- **Phone:** (646) 478-8661
- **Mobile Phone (for reference):** +1 646-478-8661
Elephant Ear is a standout choice in the fiercely competitive New York dining scene for several compelling reasons. Primarily, it offers a refreshing take on Thai cuisine by skillfully balancing authentic recipes with creative Asian fusion elements, ensuring the menu is both familiar and exciting. This balance is evident in the quality of their classic curries and noodles, as well as the ambition of their Chef's Specials, which introduce diners to high-end, hard-to-find dishes like the Slow Cooked Duck and the Tamarind Branzino.
For Manhattan residents, its location in Hell's Kitchen is a major convenience, particularly for those looking for a high-quality, pre-theatre meal that doesn't sacrifice flavor for speed. The confirmed highlights—**Fast service, Great cocktails, and Great tea selection**—all align perfectly with the demands of a busy New Yorker. The generous portion sizes also address a common urban dining complaint, offering excellent perceived value. Furthermore, the establishment’s commitment to providing a trendy, cozy, and inclusive atmosphere, coupled with full bar service and extensive catering options, makes it highly versatile. Whether you're dining solo, hosting a group, or planning an event, Elephant Ear delivers a consistent, high-energy, and satisfying experience that has firmly established it as a must-visit Thai and Asian Fusion spot in Midtown NYC.
Elephant Ear Menu
Rice And Noodle Rice And Noodle
- Laksa Noodle Soup $19.00
- Pad Thai $19.00
- Drunken Noodle $19.00
- Pineapple Fried Rice $19.00
Chef's Special Chef's Special
- Fried Whole Tamarind Branzino $33.00
fried tamarind Sauce with Branzino Grilled Marinated Branzino butterfly fillet with tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, cilantro, lemongrass, and black pepper 1,deep fried whole fish serve with shallot,lime,kaffir leaf lemongrass,chili,thaiginger,red leaf lettuce with spicy-lime seafood sauce and salty palm sugar sauce., 2,fried half fish topping with mango salad and stir-fried tamarind sauce with another half fish meat
- Goong Prik Kula(Seafood Cob) $26.00
jumbo shrimp and squid sautéed in chili flakes and lime leaves
- Pineapple Curry Slow Cooked Duck $30.00
crispy-skinned duck breast marinated with tumeric,cinamon,bay leaf,chili,and cook with lychee and pineapple in a yellow curry
- Short Ribs Prik Kang $28.00
(slow cooked beef ribs with bay leaves,cinnamon, peppers, and ginger until they're fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor curry paste, kaffir lime leaf, asparagus, coconut milk.)
- Crying Tiger With Garlic Rice $29.00
seared ribeye steak with thai spicy dipping sauce served on a claypot garlic fried rice with egg and vegie
- Deep Fried Softshell Crab With Red Curry $29.00
Deep Fried Softshell Crab, paired with juicy Crab Meat,boiled with Homemade Red Curry Paste.kifrr leaf,crab meat,garlic,red curry,coconut milk
- Steam Chillean Sea Bass $33.00
lime juice,Kaffir leaf, bay leaf, lemon grass,garlic,tamarind sauce with chicken broth 1,steam with lime chili sour soup on 2,spicy-lime soup
- Thai Herb Roast Chicken Plate $26.00
(Isaan Classic)grilled chicken with thai herb thai ginger,lemongrass,kaffir leaf)
- Duck Tamarind Eggplant With Tamarind Sauce $30.00
duck breast marinated with tumeric,cinamon,bay leaf,chili
Classic Entrée Classic Entrée
- Yellow Curry $19.00
- Boiled Chinese Broccoli With Garlic Sauce $18.00
(boiled Chinese broccoli with garlic, scallion, sesame oil, in houses special soy based sauce)
- Red Curry $19.00
- Stir Fried Crispy Chicken With Lemongrass $23.00
(chicken,lemongrass,chili,fish suace,kaffir leaf,holy basil)
- Sautéed Mixed Seafoodwith Salty Duck Egg $27.00
(Sauté up fresh squid ,tiger shrimp in a housemade seafood sauce, mixed with long green beans, shallots,bird's eye chilies,bay leaves,kaffir leaf)
- Green Curry $19.00
- Stir Fried Green Bean With Sambal Sauce $18.00
stir-fried long beans with shrimp garlice in indonesian style sambal sauce
- Crispy Pork Belly With Chili And Basil $24.00
Crispy-on-the-outside, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, slow cooked to perfection and then deep-fried for that extra crunch. Paired with medley of chili and holy basil, a drizzle of shrimp sauce and a dollop of Thai chili paste
Appetizer
- Elephant Roast Combo $19.00
chicken satay,shrimp taco,beef satay,shrimp chips,fried chicken ball
- Mango Avacado Salad $17.00
mango,tomato,avacado,cilantro, and garlic, lime chili and salty palm sugar dressing
- Steam Mussel With Thai Herb $18.00
mint,basil,lime,cilantro,palm sugar
- Grill Jumbo Tiger Shrimp With House Special Garlice Sauce $18.00
tiger shrimp,garlic,sweet soy sauce,
- Thai Basil Minced Chicken With Crispy Pani Puri $16.00
stir-fried minced chicken with holy basil and long beans in sweet soysauce,fish sauce,chili,
- Papaya Salad $16.00
Shredded green papaya, dried shrimps, string beans, tomatoes, peanut with chili lime dressing.
- Fried Chicken Wing With Lemongrass Sauce $18.00
Crispy chicken wings coated in lemongrass sauce,top with cilantro and thai ginger chips. cilantro,mint leaf
Soup
- Northern Thai Coconut Chicken Soup $24.00
coconut milk,lime ,chilli,chicken,cilantro
- Tom Yum Goong Spicy Sour $23.00
with mix seafood shrimp,mussel,musshroom,onion,kifrr leaf,long bean,lime,chilli
Most Popular of Take Out
- Krapraw Gai Sub (Minced Chicken Basil) $19.00
Medium spicy, minced chicken, chili,long chili, string bean and thai basil topped with fried egg with jasmine rice
- Pad Krapraw Basil $17.00
medium spicy,thai chili, string beans, onions,long chili and basil leaves with jasmine rice
- Prig Khing Moo Krob $20.00
medium spicy,stir fried spicy red chili curry with crispy pork, string bean, chili, Kaffir leaves and thai herbs topped with fried egg
- Thai Fried Rice $18.00
Chinese broccoli, scallions, tomatoes and fried egg mixed with jasmine rice
- Basil Fried Rice $18.00
medium spicy, chili, onion,long chili, basil leaves and fried egg with jasmine rice
- Pad Khing Ginger $17.00
medium spicy, shredded ginger, onion,long chili, scallions,and mushrooms served with jasmine rice
- Yellow Curry $19.00
- Drunken Noodle $19.00
- Pad Khing Garlic $17.00
minced garlic, onion, assorted vegetables.servedwith jasmine rice
- Red Curry $19.00
- Pad Thai $19.00
- Eggplant Basil $17.00
Medium spicy, eggplant,thai chili, onion,long chili and basil leaves,served with jasmine rice
- Green Curry $19.00
Appetizer (Catering)
- Gai Gor Lae (Catering) $110.00
Grilled marinated chicken skewers with house made paste. (25 pieces). ($9.17 / person) Serves 12
- Roti Massaman (Catering) $110.00
Pan-fried Roti with 4 cups of chicken massaman curry dipping sauce (contains peanuts). ($7.33 / person) Serves 15
- Por Pia Tod (Crispy Spring Rolls) (Catering) $105.00
Deep-fried spring rolls with cabbage, glass noodles, taro, shiitake mushroom, sesame oil, carrot, and plum sauce. (35 pieces) ($5.83 / person) Serves 18
- Sai Krok Isan (Catering) $110.00
Fermented sour pork sausage, peanuts, lime, ginger, cilantro, and chilis. (18 pieces). ($7.33 / person) Serves 15
Seafood Entrees (Catering) Seafood Entrees (Catering)
- Pad Cha Talay (Catering) $150.00
Sautéed shrimps, squid, New Zealand mussels, young peppercorn, fingerroot, basil, and long hot peppers. Very spicy. A tray of jasmine rice on the side ($25.00 / person) Serves 6
- Short Rib Prik Kang (Catering) $150.00
Braised beef short rib, curry paste, kaffir lime leaf, and coconut milk. Medium spicy. A tray of jasmine rice on the side. ($25.00 / person) Serves 6
- Goong Muk Prik Klua (Catering) $140.00
Sautéed jumbo shrimps, squid, garlic, chili, cilantro, and kaffir lime leaf. A tray of jasmine rice on the side. ($23.33 / person) Serves 6
- Kaeng Hung Lay (Catering) $130.00
Braised pork belly, house-made curry paste, peanuts, asparagus, and ginger (mildly spicy). A tray of jasmine rice on the side. ($21.67 / person) Serves 6
- Green Curry (Catering) $90.00
Thai eggplants, basil, long hot peppers, and coconut milk. A tray of jasmine rice on the side. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
Rice&wok skills (Catering) Rice&wok skills (Catering)
- Thai Fried Rice Tray (Catering) $90.00
Rice with Chinese broccoli, onions, scallions, tomatoes, and fried egg. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
- Krapraw Moo Krob (Catering) $120.00
(Crispy Pork Belly Basil)Crispy pork belly with long hot peppers. Fried egg and a tray of rice on the side. ($20.00 / person) Serves 6
- Phuket Pineapple Fried Rice Tray (Catering) $90.00
Rice with pineapple, onions, scallions, cashews, curry powder, and fried egg. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
- Kana Moo Krob (Catering) $120.00
Crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli. Fried egg and a tray of rice on the side. ($20.00 / person) Serves 6
- Krapraw Moo Sub (Catering) $90.00
(Minced Pork Basil)Minced pork stir fried with chopped string beans, long hot peppers, and basil. Fried egg and a tray of rice on the side. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
- Basil Fried Rice Tray (Catering) $90.00
Rice with chili, onions, long hot pepper, basil leaves, and fried egg. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
Noodles (Catering) Noodles (Catering)
- Pad Thai Tray (Catering) $90.00
Sautéed rice noodles, egg, peanuts, bean sprouts, chives, scallions, and red onions. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
- Pad Se-Ew Tray (Catering) $90.00
Sautéed broad noodles, Chinese broccoli, egg, and thick soy sauce. ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
- Kea Mao Tray (Catering) $90.00
Sautéed broad noodles, basil, egg, onions, long hot chili, and chinese broccoli ($15.00 / person) Serves 6
Salads (Catering) Salads (Catering)
- Mango Avocado Salad (Catering) $80.00
With julienned mango, avocado, red onions, cherry tomatoes, cashews, and yum dressing. ($11.43 / person) Serves 7
- Somtum Thai Salad(Papaya Salad) (Catering) $80.00
Shredded green papaya with dried shrimp, string beans, tomatoes, peanuts, and chili lime dressing. ($11.43 / person) Serves 7
Elephant Ear Details
From the business
- Identifies as Asian-owned
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great tea selection
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Elephant Ear Photos










Elephant Ear Location
Elephant Ear Reviews
soup dumplingslychee martiniribeyegarlic ricebroadway showhells kitchenpandan drinkpani puritimes squaremango avocado salad
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Super cool vibes inside and not too loud. Loved the food!! I got drunk’n noodles and they weren’t really that spicy so I added some spice but they were so good!! Usually I feel like Thai places give smaller portions but this was pretty large for a drunk’n noodle dish. Our server was Shin and was super nice and helpful!! I recommend.
September 22 · Lia HillWent in there for dinner.Apart from the taste, Best part is the fastness in delivery of food.I tried the coconut based Thai soup and the red curry. Red curry was spicier than I imagined but still a wonderful treat to taste buds.The peach Thai tea was really great as well.I recommend for anyone who is the mood for some good Thai food.
September 07 · Suresh JayaramanFantastic Thai restaurant just around the corner from Times Square, super convenient if you’re in Midtown. The space is clean, modern, and welcoming. I love the green curry, short ribs, and papaya salad, and all three were incredible. The flavors were so authentic they instantly reminded me of my trip to Bali. Everything was fresh, balanced, and beautifully presented. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered takeout the very next day. Highly recommend if you’re craving great Thai food in the city!!❤️❤️
July 25 · 黄伊童Absolutely loved my meal at Elephant Ear!I ordered the Crying Tiger with garlic fried rice, and it was amazing — the beef was tender, perfectly grilled, and packed with flavor. The dipping sauce had just the right amount of heat and tang. Our server, M, was fantastic — super friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Will definitely be coming back!
August 24 · HIJET BORJAStumbled upon this Thai restaurant while craving Thai food, and it did not disappoint! We ordered Pad Thai, fried chicken with lemon, crispy pork belly, and Thai milk tea — everything was absolutely delicious. The place itself is beautiful, cozy, and just a few minutes from Times Square. Definitely recommending it, and I’ll be back anytime I’m nearby and in the mood for authentic Thai flavors. 🌶️🍜🥢
August 28 · Lee de villa
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