When in Bangkok Introduce
For New Yorkers seeking a distinct and elevated Thai dining experience, When in Bangkok, located on Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, delivers an exceptional fusion of authentic Thai street food vibrancy with a modern, stylish edge. This establishment, proudly identifying as women-owned, is not just a place to eat; it's a destination where the atmosphere is as engaging as the cuisine. It has quickly become a local favorite for its ability to offer classic Thai dishes alongside unique, culinary-forward options that are rarely found elsewhere, making it a standout in the diverse Queens dining scene.
The restaurant’s menu showcases a commitment to bold, authentic flavors, often with a "serious kick" of spice, appealing directly to those who appreciate genuine Thai heat. The dishes are designed to be bursting with flavor, whether it’s a standard like Pad Thai or a signature item like the Crispy Pork Belly Basil or the highly recommended Crab Fried Rice. The experience is comprehensive, extending beyond the plate to a full bar offering beautifully presented cocktails and an array of tempting desserts, such as the acclaimed Churros with Pandan Sauce. The combination of delicious food, great drinks, and a cute, trendy interior makes When in Bangkok a place where one can truly "enjoy both the atmosphere and the food."
From quick lunch specials to a full dinner service featuring specialty dishes like Lamb Chop Panang and Pineapple Curry Duck, When in Bangkok caters to various dining needs. The attention to detail in the preparation and the overall attentive and friendly service contribute to a wholly enjoyable and memorable meal, solidifying its reputation among locals for offering a unique slice of Thailand right in the heart of Flushing.
Location and Accessibility
When in Bangkok is strategically located on Northern Boulevard in Flushing, NY, a bustling and highly accessible part of Queens. This location is key for drawing diners from across the borough and the wider New York City area.
The exact address is:
161-16 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358, USA
Accessibility is a priority for the restaurant, ensuring a comfortable visit for all patrons. The location features a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom. For transportation, the area offers both free street parking and paid street parking options. The venue's location on a major thoroughfare makes it easily reachable by car and public transit, positioning it as a convenient and welcoming spot for locals and groups.
Services Offered
The restaurant offers a wide array of services designed for flexibility, catering to every need from a quick meal to a full celebratory dining experience.
- Dine-in Service: Enjoy the cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere with table service for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner. The restaurant also offers catering services.
- Outdoor Seating: A pleasant option for dining outside, where small dogs are allowed, making it pet-friendly for outside diners.
- Delivery & Takeout: Convenient options for enjoying the high-quality Thai cuisine at home or work. Onsite services are also available.
- Reservations Accepted: Guests can call ahead as the restaurant accepts reservations, highly recommended given its popularity.
- Bar Service: Features a bar onsite with a wide selection of Alcohol, Beer, Hard Liquor, and Wine, alongside highly-praised Cocktails and Happy Hour drinks.
- Amenities: Includes a clean restroom, a gender-neutral restroom, and free Wi-Fi for customer convenience.
- Payment Options: The establishment accepts all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments.
Features / Highlights
When in Bangkok is distinguished by its unique blend of traditional and contemporary features, making it stand out as a premier Thai restaurant in Queens.
- Unique and Signature Dishes: Beyond the standard Pad Thai and Red Curry, the menu features specialty items like Soft Shell Crab Karee, Crispy Pork Belly Pak Boong, Tom Yum Mussels, and the highly recommended Pad Thai Bo Ran.
- Women-Owned Business: The restaurant proudly identifies as a women-owned establishment, a notable feature for patrons who wish to support diverse local businesses.
- Exceptional Drinks and Desserts: Known for "Great cocktails" that are beautifully presented and "Great dessert," with items like Lychee Fizz Mocktail, Thai Iced Tea, and the popular Churros with Pandan Sauce.
- Atmosphere and Vibe: The interior is described as "very cute and stylish," offering a trendy, cozy, and casual setting that is popular with groups, locals, and the LGBTQ+ friendly crowd.
- Lunch Specials and Quick Bites: Offers affordable and focused Lunch options (Noodles, Fried Rice, Curry) and Quick Plates like Khao Soi, ensuring fast service and a good value midday meal.
- Dietary Versatility: The menu includes Healthy Options, Small Plates, and dedicated Vegetarian options, such as Vegan Massamun and Vegan Kua Gai, to accommodate diverse nutritional needs.
- Bold Flavors: The dishes are known for "bursting with bold flavors" and sauces that "packed a serious kick," making it an excellent choice for diners who enjoy authentic, spicy Thai cuisine.
- Family-Friendly: The establishment is good for kids and provides high chairs, welcoming families to enjoy the flavorful experience.
Contact Information
To make a reservation or inquire about their special menu items and catering options, please use the contact details below:
Address: 161-16 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358, USA
Phone: (929) 362-2000
Mobile Phone: +1 929-362-2000
What is Worth Choosing When in Bangkok
When in Bangkok stands out as a top-tier choice for Thai food in New York, particularly in the Flushing area, due to its commitment to high-quality, memorable experiences that go beyond the food itself. What makes it truly worth choosing is the successful blend of authentic, bold Thai flavors with an elevated, modern dining setting. Unlike many standard local Thai spots, When in Bangkok offers "unique options you don’t usually see," such as the Crispy Pork Belly dishes, Pineapple Curry Duck, and the aforementioned specialty Pad Thai Bo Ran. This culinary creativity ensures that every visit offers something new and exciting.
The restaurant is also an excellent choice for social outings due to its stylish interior and exceptional bar program. Patrons consistently praise the "great cocktails," many of which are "beautifully presented," adding a layer of fun and sophistication to the meal. Whether you are looking for a casual dinner or a place to celebrate, the trendy, cozy atmosphere and the attentive, friendly service make it an ideal backdrop.
Furthermore, its dedication to inclusivity and convenience—evidenced by the full accessibility features, gender-neutral restroom, and acceptance of reservations and various payment methods—makes the entire dining process seamless. For New Yorkers craving strong, spicy Thai flavors alongside a great atmosphere and unique menu items like Lamb Chop Panang, When in Bangkok is highly recommended as a comprehensive, high-value, and utterly delicious Thai destination in Queens.
When in Bangkok Menu
Lunch Noodles
- L-Pad Thai
Stir-fried rice noodles in tamarind sauce with bean sprouts, chive, peanuts, tofu and egg
- L-Pad See Ew
Stir-fried flat noodles with Chinese broccoli and egg in sweet soy sauce
- L-Pad Kee Mao
Stir-fried flat noodles with basil, long beans, red pepper, chili, and egg
Lunch Fried Rice
- L-Thai Fried Rice
Egg, tomato, Chinese broccoli, scallion, and onion.
- L-Basil Fried Rice
Egg, onion, red and green pepper, carrot, string bean, chili, and basil.
- L-Pineapple Fried Rice
Egg, pineapple, cashew nut, tomato, onion, scallion, and curry powder.
Lunch Sauteed
- L-Kra Prow
String bean, red and green pepper in spicy basil sauce (made traditional style - cooked with ground meat if you select chicken or pork) recommended with fried egg (+$3.50).
Lunch Curry
- L-Red Curry
Bamboo shoots, red pepper, and basil in coconut red curry sauce.
- L-Green Curry
Eggplant, red pepper, and basil in coconut green curry sauce.
- L-Panang Curry
String bean, carrot, red pepper, and lime leaf in Panang curry sauce.
Lunch Special Deals (No starter included)
- L-Tom Yum Noodles Soup $17.00
Choice of noodles with roasted pork, ground pork, fish balls, bean sprouts, scallion, cilantro, and peanuts in spicy creamy Tom Yum broth
- L-Khao Moo Dang $17.00
Roasted pork, crispy pork belly, Thai sweet sausage, and boiled egg over rice topped with house BBQ sauce and sweet soy vinaigrette
- L-Khao Kha Moo $17.00
Stewed pork knuckle over rice served with mushroom, Chinese broccoli boiled egg and garlic chili vinaigrette
Napkins & Utensil
- Napkins & Utensils $0.00
SPECIALS
- Pumpkin Fries $12.00
Pumpkin tempura served with sweet chili sauce and ground peanuts
- Pumpkin Curry $20.00
Choice of meat with pumpkin, long beans, basil, red chili in red curry sauce
- Lamb Chop Panang $36.00
Grilled lamb chops served with Panang curry sauce and grilled string beans
- Kiss Of Lychee $14.00
Small Plates
- BKK Platter $27.00
Sampler platter includes Crispy Crab Rolls (2), Chive Rice Cake (4), Cho Muang (4)
- Curry Puff $14.00
Crispy puff pastry filled with curry chicken, potato, onion served with cucumber relish
- Cho Muang $13.00
Butterfly pea flower dumplings filled with caramelized shallots, sweet turnips, and peanuts served with crispy garlic, cilantro, and lettuce
- Fried Pork Belly $14.00
Crispy fried marinated pork belly top with garlic crisps served with sriracha sauce
- Tod Mun $15.00
Panko breaded shrimp cakes served sweet plum sauce
- Tamarind Wings $14.00
Fried marinaded chicken wings coated with spicy tamarind sauce and fried shallots
- Zabb Wings $14.00
Crispy chicken wings dusted with spicy Thai herbs seasoning
- Tom Yum Mussels $13.00
New Zealand green mussels baked with Tom Yum flavored sauce and mozzarella cheese
- Mango Branzino Rolls $14.00
Fresh summer rolls with lettuce, angel hair noodles, carrots, red cabbage, mint topped with crispy branzino served with spicy sweet lime sauce and ground peanuts.
- Crispy Crab Rolls $14.00
Crispy spring rolls filled with shrimp and crab meat served with sweet chili sauce
- Crispy Wontons $11.00
Crispy fried wontons stuffed with fish balls served with spicy tamarind sauce
- Chive Rice Cake $11.00
Crispy chive rice cakes served with sweet chili soy sauce
- Spring Rolls $11.00
Crispy spring rolls stuffed with mixed vegetables and glass noodles served with sweet chili sauce.
Cold Plates
- Som Tum $14.00
Spicy green papaya salad with carrot, long beans, tomato, dried shrimps, peanuts and crispy pork rinds
- Marinated Crab Salad $19.00
Spicy mango salad with marinated raw blue crabs, red onion, tomato, cashew nuts and celery.
- Shrimp Mango Salad $19.00
Spicy mango salad with grilled shrimp, red onion, tomato, cashew nuts and celery.
- Softshell Crab Mango Salad $21.00
Spicy mango salad with crispy softshell crab, red onion, tomato, cashew nuts and celery.
Soup
- Tom Yum $25.00
Mixed seafood, mushroom, red onion, tomato, cilantro, culantro, fresh chili in creamy lemongrass broth
- Tom Kha $21.00
Chicken, mushroom, red onion, tomato, fresh chili, cilantro, and culantro in citrusy coconut galangal broth
- Seaweed Tofu Soup $20.00
Ground pork, seaweed, silken tofu, mushroom, scallion, and cilantro in clear broth.
Signatures
- Steamed Sea Bass $39.00
Steamed whole seabass with cabbage, lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves topped with house special spicy seafood sauce
- Crispy Sea Bass $39.00
Deep fried whole seabass topped with fish sauce syrup served with spicy & citrusy Thai herbs salad with red onion, ginger, lemongrass, mint, cashew nuts, mango, toasted chili
- Soft Shell Crab Karee $28.00
Crispy softshell crabs in creamy curry egg sauce with egg, scallion, celery, onion, and red peppers
- Chicken Massamun $21.00
Braised chicken leg in Massamun curry with potato, onion, and peanuts
- Lemongrass Sea Bass $25.00
Crispy fried seabass with cashew nuts, peanuts, toasted chili, and lemongrass tamarind sauce
- Thai Herbs Ribs $26.00
Pork ribs sauteed in spicy Thai shrimp paste "Kapi" sauce with long beans, lemongrass, fingerroot, peppercorn, and chili.
- Crispy Pork Belly Basil $25.00
Crispy pork belly in spicy basil sauce with long beans and red peppers
- Crispy Pork Belly Pak Boong $25.00
Crispy pork belly sautéed with morning glory in spicy garlic sauce
- Pad Thai Bo Ran $27.00
Stir-fried rice noodles in tamarind sauce with jumbo prawns, shrimp paste, bean sprouts, chive, peanuts, tofu and egg wrapped inside egg net
- Braised Pork Leg $28.00
Stewed pork knuckle in sweet 5-spice soy sauce served with mushroom, Chinese broccoli, boiled egg ,and garlic chili vinaigrette
- Crab Fried Rice $28.00
Jumbo lump crab meat fried rice with onion, scallion, and egg served with house special spicy seafood sauce
- Pineapple Curry Duck $33.00
Half roasted duck in coconut red curry sauce with tomato, pineapple, eggplant, red pepper, and basil
- Kau Gai $23.00
Crispy fried flat noodles with chicken, squid, bean sprout, and eggs on hot plates served with green leaf lettuce and sweet sriracha sauce
- Vegan Massamun $19.00
Mixed vegetables and tofu in massamun curry with potato, onion, and peanuts
- Vegan Kua Gai $19.00
Crispy fried flat noodles with vegetables and tofu on hot plates served with green leaf lettuce and sweet sriracha sauce
Noodles
- Pad Thai
Stir-fried rice noodles in tamarind sauce with bean sprouts, chive, peanuts, tofu and egg
- Pad See Ew
Stir-fried flat noodles with Chinese broccoli and egg in sweet soy sauce
- Pad Kee Mao
Stir-fried flat noodles with basil, long beans, red pepper, chili, and egg
Fried Rice
- Thai Fried Rice
Egg, tomato, Chinese broccoli, scallion, and onion.
- Basil Fried Rice
Egg, onion, red and green pepper, carrot, string bean, chili, and basil.
- Pineapple Fried Rice
Egg, pineapple, cashew nut, tomato, onion, scallion, and curry powder.
Sauteed
- Kra Prow
String bean, red and green pepper in spicy basil sauce (made traditional style - cooked with ground meat if you select chicken or pork) recommended with fried egg (+$3.50).
Curry
- Red Curry
Bamboo shoots, red pepper, and basil in coconut red curry sauce.
- Green Curry
Eggplant, red pepper, and basil in coconut green curry sauce.
- Panang Curry
String bean, carrot, red pepper, and lime leaf in Panang curry sauce.
Quick Plates
- Tom Yum Noodles Soup $19.00
Choice of noodles with roasted pork, ground pork, fish balls, bean sprouts, scallion, cilantro, and peanuts in spicy creamy Tom Yum broth
- Khao Soi $22.00
Egg noodles in coconut curry sauce with braised chicken topped with crispy noodles, red onion, pickled cabbage, lime and chili oil
- Khao Moo Dang $19.00
Roasted pork, crispy pork belly, Thai sweet sausage, and boiled egg over rice topped with house BBQ sauce and sweet soy vinaigrette
- Khao Kha Moo $19.00
Stewed pork knuckle over rice served with mushroom, Chinese broccoli boiled egg and garlic chili vinaigrette
Sides
- Wok Seared Cabbage $14.00
Seared cabbage with garlic and fish sauce
- Pak Boong Fai Dang $18.00
Stir-fried morning glory with garlic and chili in fermented soy bean sauce
- Jasmine Rice $3.00
- Butterfly Pea Sticky Rice $4.00
- Pandan Coconut Sticky Rice $5.00
- Steamed Rice Noodles W. Garlic Oil $5.00
- Fried Egg $3.50
- Seafood Sauce (2oz) $3.00
- Seafood Sauce (8oz) $10.00
House Special Spicy Seafood Sauce
- Dipping Sauce (2oz) $2.00
Desserts
- Churros With Pandan Sauce $11.00
Crispy churros with pandan custard sauce
- Mango Mousse Cake $13.00
Mango mousse cake served with coconut pandan ice cream
Mocktails
- Rose Lemonade $10.00
Lemonade, rose syrup, butterfly pea tea
- Lychee Fizz $10.00
Lychee syrup, lemon, grenadine, tonic water
- Ocean Breeze $10.00
Pineapple juice, lemon lime soda, edible glitter
- Passion Fruit Mocktail $10.00
Passion fruit puree, mint, lime, seltzer
- Virgin Chatuchak Sunrise $10.00
Mango juice, Cream de mango.
- Virgin Meet Me At Siam $10.00
Strawberry puree, Milk, Lemon juice.
N/A Beverage
- Butterfly Pea Jasmine Soda $7.00
- Yuzu Soda $7.00
- Thai Iced Tea $6.00
- Thai Iced Tea (OAT) $6.75
- Lychee Thai Tea $7.00
- Thai Iced Coffee $6.00
- Thai Iced Coffee (OAT) $6.75
- Guava Juice $6.00
- Mango Juice $6.00
- Lychee Juice $6.00
- Pineapple Juice $6.00
- Coke $3.00
- Diet Coke $3.00
- Ginger Ale $3.00
- Sprite $3.00
- Seltzer $3.00
- Saratoga Sparkling Water 28oz $8.00
- Saratoga Still Water 28oz $8.00
When in Bangkok Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
When in Bangkok Photos










When in Bangkok Location
When in Bangkok
161-16 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358, USA
When in Bangkok Reviews
crab fried ricehappy houraestheticsteamed sea basslegotamarind wingsmarinated crabtod munchive cakesrestaurant week
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This Thai restaurant in Flushing offers not only classic Thai dishes but also some unique options you don’t usually see. The interior is very cute and stylish.The food was delicious, and they also have a bar with a wide variety of cocktails. Many of them are beautifully presented and fun to try. For dessert, I had the Thai iced tea ice cream with churros, which was amazing and quickly became one of my favorite desserts.It’s a place where you can enjoy both the atmosphere and the food.
August 25 · S. B.A Thai restaurant right off northern Blvd. The dishes were bursting with bold flavors, and the sauces packed a serious kick. If you enjoy heat, most dishes are spicy. The drinks were pretty standard. Service was attentive and friendly, making the whole meal enjoyable. Definitely worth visiting if you're craving strong, spicy Thai flavors. Would recommend the crispy curry duck and crab fried rice.
May 19 · Eddy ChenWe tried the Restaurant Week menu, all very flavorful and delicious. We had the ceviche, good combination of mango and slightly spicy fish. The lamb chops are really good, like the creamy sauce that comes with it. Yummy dessert, we had the coconut sundae.Atmosphere is very nice, minimalist and modern and the service was very good despite of us coming at the last hour ona sunday night
August 17 · David RoigWe chose to have our son’s first birthday party at WIB after having lunch there and loving their Thai dishes.Pauline was our main contact for coordinating everything and she was so great to work with! She was easy to reach via email and answered any questions we had. She was flexible with letting us arrive extra early before the party to set up decorations, and she even provided different options for table layouts to accommodate our balloon garland.We had to drop just 1 star off our rating because many of our elderly guests had difficulty climbing the stairs to reach the 2nd floor for the party. The stairs were very steep, and some of our guests had to carry up their strollers/car seats, which wasn’t ideal. Something to definitely be aware of if you have any people with mobility issues!The birthday party also happened during a heatwave in NYC so even though their a.c. was running, our guests were still dripping with sweat. The restaurant was not at fault for this obviously, but it definitely made the party extremely hot and memorable lolOverall, the experience was great! Our guests loved the food, and they helped package anything that was leftover for us to take home. High chairs were provided for the children at the party, and they offered to cut the cake for us free of charge. We did not feel rushed, the service was attentive, and Pauline checked in on us multiple times to ask if we needed anything. Highly recommended for any event or gathering! :-)
August 07 · Jennifer CRestaurant week menu was good, would be curious to come back to more items on the dinner menu. The tom kha ramen was very good, fish cooked well and the sauce was flavorful. My friend got the crab curry and really liked it. Service was fine. Definitely would recommend making a reservation if possible.
August 02 · Rosie Lu
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