KRU Brooklyn Introduce
## Introduction and Overview: KRU Brooklyn—A Modern Masterpiece of Ancient Thai Flavors
For New York diners seeking a truly exceptional and progressive Thai experience, **KRU Brooklyn** stands as a beacon of culinary excellence in the dynamic Williamsburg neighborhood. Situated on North 14th Street, KRU, which means "guru" or "mentor" in Thai, is much more than a restaurant; it’s a living lesson in Thai culinary history. The concept is centered on the modern interpretation and revival of sophisticated, 100-year-old Thai recipes that are rarely served in the United States, offering a refreshing departure from familiar menu items.
Under the guidance of its highly acclaimed chefs, KRU has earned significant recognition, including being named a **MICHELIN Bib Gourmand** recipient and a **James Beard Award Semifinalist** for Best New Restaurant in America. This critical acclaim underscores the commitment to both authenticity and innovation. The food is celebrated for its incredible depth of flavor and beautiful, artistic presentation, elevating the entire dining ritual.
The atmosphere at KRU is described by local patrons as a perfect blend of **Casual, Cozy, and Trendy**, with a moody, elevated-chic interior. It is highly popular for **Dinner** and solo dining, making it a prime destination for an intimate meal or a special night out in the city. KRU is committed to providing a full, sophisticated dining experience, complete with an informed staff who are happy to guide you through the nuanced and exciting menu.
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## Location and Accessibility
KRU Brooklyn is conveniently located in the thriving North Williamsburg/Greenpoint area, easily accessible to New Yorkers from across the boroughs. The precise address is **190 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA**.
The restaurant’s location places it near major transportation hubs, including the L train at Bedford Avenue and the G train at Nassau Avenue, making it a simple and straightforward journey for dinner. The proximity to popular Brooklyn landmarks like McCarren Park, The William Vale, and Wythe Hotel also makes it a natural dining choice for both local residents and visitors staying nearby.
In terms of physical access, KRU is dedicated to being inclusive:
- **Wheelchair Access:** The restaurant provides a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and **Wheelchair accessible seating**, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the dining experience comfortably.
- **Amenities:** A clean, well-maintained **Restroom** is available for all patrons.
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## Services Offered
KRU Brooklyn’s service model is tailored for an upscale, reserved dining experience, with key options that maximize customer convenience in the New York environment.
- **Dine-in and Reservations:** The primary focus is the refined **Dine-in** experience, featuring **Seating** and professional **Table service**. Due to high demand and popularity, **Dinner reservations are recommended**, and the restaurant **Accepts reservations** to ensure you secure your desired time.
- **Event and Catering:** KRU offers **Catering** services, and the space can accommodate large parties, with the main dining room suitable for groups up to 70 guests, making it ideal for corporate events or social celebrations.
- **Takeout and Delivery:** For those preferring to enjoy the unique flavors at home, the restaurant provides convenient **Takeout** and **Delivery** options.
- **Bar and Beverages:** A comprehensive **Bar onsite** is a key feature. The **Offerings** include a well-curated selection of **Alcohol**, **Beer**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, alongside a highly praised program of **Cocktails** designed to complement the complex Thai flavors.
- **Dining Times:** KRU is a dedicated **Dinner** spot, with the option to enjoy **Dessert** to complete the culinary journey.
- **Payment Options:** For ease of transaction, the restaurant accepts various methods, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.
- **Dietary Accommodations:** The menu includes thoughtfully prepared **Healthy options** and a variety of **Small plates**, ensuring flexibility for differing palates and appetites.
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## Features and Highlights
The menu at KRU Brooklyn is a distinctive and adventurous exploration of Thai cuisine, organized into a sophisticated sequence of courses that include Small Plates, Relishes, and Big Plates.
- **Unique Culinary Concept:** KRU’s strength lies in its scholarly approach to food, re-imagining historic, nearly lost Thai recipes. This commitment results in a menu that is unlike any other Thai restaurant in the city, providing a fresh and educational culinary perspective.
- **Critically Acclaimed Specialties:** Guests consistently rave about the bold, inventive dishes. Must-try "Big Plates" and curries include the famously intense and flavorful **Kaeng Pa" Beef Tongue Curry**, the rich **Crispy Honey Soy Pork Belly**, the expertly prepared **Branzino** (often red curry-rubbed), and the unique **Coconut Milk Bbq Whole Cauliflower** ($25.00).
- **Intriguing Small Plates and Relishes:** The menu encourages adventurous dining with items like **White Turmeric Spicy Salad** ($24.00), the refreshing **Squid** (crudo-like salad with lemongrass and ginger), **Young Jackfruit** salad, and the traditional Thai Relishes (savory dips served with fresh vegetables) such as **Smoked Whitefish Relish** and **Lon" Cured Pork Jowl**.
- **Exquisite Meat and Seafood:** The quality of the protein-based dishes is exceptional, highlighted by the **Beef Tongue Steak** ($48.00), the tender **Saffron Chicken** ($29.00), and the highly praised **Lamb Shank** (noted by a customer for being "fall off the bone tender").
- **Sophisticated Ambiance:** The interior design is celebrated, featuring an **Elevated Chic** and **Moody** aesthetic that perfectly complements the fine dining experience. The decor is thoughtfully minimalist, allowing the food's presentation to be the star.
- **Chef Pedigree:** The culinary excellence is rooted in the high-level training of the co-owner and chef, who has worked under celebrated chefs at world-renowned establishments, including Nahm in Bangkok, reinforcing the commitment to masterful Thai cooking techniques.
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## Contact Information
For New Yorkers interested in dining at KRU Brooklyn, please use the following details for location and booking inquiries:
- **Address:** 190 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Due to the restaurant's popularity and sophisticated approach to service, it is highly recommended to check their website or contact the restaurant directly for phone numbers, detailed menu information, and to secure a reservation.
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## What is Worth Choosing KRU Brooklyn
KRU Brooklyn is worth choosing for New York City residents who view dining as a sophisticated culinary journey and who are looking to experience a new, highly elevated dimension of Thai cuisine. This is not the place for a standard Pad Thai takeout; it is a destination for thoughtful, deeply flavorful, and expertly presented food.
What truly sets KRU apart and makes it a must-visit is its unique mission: to revive and modernize **100-year-old Thai recipes**. This means the menu is filled with authentic, complex, and exciting dishes—like the boldly spicy **Kaeng Pa" Beef Tongue Curry** and the deboned, stuffed **Branzino**—that are unavailable at most other Thai establishments in the city. The recognition from the **MICHELIN Guide (Bib Gourmand)** serves as a professional guarantee of the quality and value offered.
Beyond the food, the **Trendy** and **Cozy** atmosphere makes KRU an ideal venue for a romantic or special occasion dinner. The excellent **Cocktails** and wine list complement the intensity of the dishes perfectly. For the adventurous and discerning New York food lover, KRU offers a high-end, memorable, and culturally rich dining experience that redefines what Thai food can be in the city.
KRU Brooklyn Food & drink
Sake Lees
- Grilled Lees-San Sausage $12.00
- Lees-San Sausage Crispy Rice Ball Salad $8.00
Salad
- Thai Green Papaya $7.00
- Corn $8.00
Sides
- Soft Boiled Egg
- Smoked Duck Breast And Braised Vegetable Stew
- Kaeng Pa" Beef Tongue Curry
- Apple Curry
Small Plates
- Crispy Noodles $18.00
- Young Jackfruit $18.00
- Squid $15.00
- White Turmeric Spicy Salad $24.00
- Heirloom Tomatoes $17.00
- Steak Tartare $19.00
- Bone Marrow
Big Plates
- Coconut Milk Bbq Whole Cauliflower $25.00
- Branzino $27.00
- Saffron Chicken $29.00
- Crispy Honey Soy Pork Belly $38.00
Side Dishes
- Thai Rice Omelette $14.00
Small Plates, จานเล็ก
- Young Jackfruit Salad
- Cauliflower "Pla" With Crab Meat Salad
- Fish "Golae
Relishes
- Lon" Kalamata Olive
- Lon" Cured Pork Jowl
- Smoked Whitefish Relish
- แกงคั่วสรรพรส ไข่แมงดาเทียม
Others
- Half Cornish Hen
- Salted-Crusted Whole Fish
- Chicken Liver Skewer $3.00
- Cabbage Skewer $3.00
- Shishito Pepper $7.00
- Jaew Sauce $3.00
- Peanut Mix $5.00
- Fresh Veggies $3.00
- Sticky Rice $3.00
- Beef Tongue Steak $48.00
KRU Brooklyn Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Locals
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
KRU Brooklyn Photos










KRU Brooklyn Location
KRU Brooklyn Reviews
steak tartarebranzinobeef tonguerelishcrabcocktailslobster currycrispy noodlesbone marrowjackfruit
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The food here is exceptional both in terms of flavor and presentation. What it lacks a little in ambience, it makes up for in the quality of its food. The squid salad was nicely chilled and had a beautiful aroma from the lemongrass and ginger. It had a nice blend of sweet fruit and sour lime flavors. The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender and was topped with a chive and garlic sauce. The garlic and onion spiced gravy had a moderate zing to it.
August 04 · Sam GHow delicious 😍 salmon salad was so refreshing- and the chicken in combo w the sauce they gave us 😍 interior vibes were also moody but elevated chic- also not too full for a Friday night! Service was also amazing and so sweet!
October 01 · Mariel CamargoNothing on this menu resembles what you typically think of Thai food! Different ingredients (beef tongue, jackfruit) and preparations. Exciting to taste new things! Can’t wait to come back. Jackfruit salad, noodle salad, Thai tea tiramisu were highlights.
July 12 · Jerusha FrostI had the pleasure of dining at KRU Brooklyn for Restaurant Week 2025, and it was truly a standout experience — from the thoughtfully curated menu to the energetic yet intimate vibe of the space.First, the atmosphere: KRU strikes that rare balance between cool and cozy. Industrial-modern interiors with artistic touches, warm lighting, and an upbeat soundtrack create a space that feels both elevated and welcoming. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay for hours, sipping wine and savoring each course.Speaking of wine — the wine selection is excellent. Well-curated, diverse, and food-friendly, with options that complement the bold and intricate flavors of their dishes. The staff was knowledgeable and happy to offer pairing suggestions, which made the experience feel even more refined.Now to the Restaurant Week tasting menu, which was a thoughtful journey through Thai flavors reimagined with technique and creativity:✨ SAVORY FRUIT BITEA beautifully unexpected amuse — layered with textures and a hint of tropical brightness. A playful start that set the tone for the meal.🦞 LOBSTER TARTARE BITEDelicate, fresh, and luxurious. The lobster was tender and sweet, elevated with subtle heat and citrus. A perfect bite.🦀 Crab TartletsThese were crisp, buttery, and generously filled with crab. A harmonious mix of Thai herbs and creamy textures.🐙 Squid SaladLight yet packed with umami. The squid was perfectly cooked — tender, not rubbery — and served with a tangy dressing that awakened the palate.🥩 Beef TartareBold and balanced. The seasoning was spot-on, with rich savory notes rounded out by herbs and a gentle chili warmth. Served with crispy rice or chips (if I remember right) — it had great contrast in texture.🌱 Jackfruit Curry Pot PieA surprising and comforting dish that brought creativity to the forefront. The jackfruit was tender, soaking up the aromatic curry, and the flaky crust added a buttery richness that tied it all together. A standout vegetarian option that held its own among the proteins.⸻Final thoughts:KRU Brooklyn continues to push the envelope on what modern Thai cuisine can be. Each dish showed restraint, technique, and deep respect for Thai flavor profiles — while also being boldly original. If you’re looking for a Restaurant Week experience that actually feels like a treat (and not a watered-down prix fixe), this is it.Highly recommend — and I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the full menu.
August 04 · Leighton VignolaA friend recommended this place, saying the food is different from a regular Thai restaurant—in a good way. The interior is modern, and I love seeing how people are taking Thai food to the next level. The taste is authentic, but the plating is unique. We arrived right when they opened, but we couldn't get a table without a reservation. So, I recommend making a reservation before you go. The drinks and food were both good, and overall, I am satisfied.
March 31 · Matt Jitwichot
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