An Isaan Dinner at Zaab Zaab
Gastronauts!
First off, skip our talky-talky, scroll down and check out this menu. Go ahead, we’ll wait.
Done? Yeah, we know, right? Seriously, Durian and duck egg creme brûlée? It’s going to be legendary.
So, yes, our next dinner takes us to Zaab Zaab in Elmhurst. It was originally Hainanese chicken joint, replete with wall-to-ceiling mural of chickens in Tuk Tuks. They did a complete 180º after the chef served her favorite hometown Isaan dish, Larb Ped Udon, as a staff meal. The restaurant never looked back: They painted over the chickens, and went all in on Isaan Thai cuisine. Sweet, sour, salty, hot and—yes—a little bit bitter. Partners Pei and Bryan have several restaurants in Queens and Brooklyn, but this one is our favorite.
So, Gastronauts, here’s your chance: Come join us in Elmhurst with us for an amazing dinner of Isaan Thai food, you’ll be sure not to see again. It’s a cozy place, so grab your RSVP right quick: This one will fill up fast.
A Isaan Dinner at
Zaab Zaab
Tom Hang
Steamed beef intestine, tripe and spleen with sour lemongrass flavor. Served with bitter jaew khom and sweet spicy jaew sauce.
Larb Ped Udon
Isaan minced duck, duck intestine, duck crackling and liver seasoned with charred galangal, birdseye, chili and lime leaves. Served with house vegetable and herb basket
Isaan Som Tom Platter
Spicy shredded papaya with house fermented fish sauce, salted egg, raw shrimp, black crab, salted duck egg, and khanom jeen noodless
Larb Nuer
Isaan minced beef with blood and tripe seasoned with charred galangal, birdseye, chili and lime leaves. Served with house vegetable and herb basket.
Gaeng Om Style Frog
Frog in Isaan herbal curry with dill, roasted rice powder, chili, and garlic
Steamed sticky rice and khao jee grilled sticky rice
With nam prik noom charred chili dip and nam prik ong tomato and pork dip
Durian & Duck Egg Creme brûlée
With nam prik noom charred chili dip and nam prik ong tomato and pork dip
Lots and lots of Thai beer
Zaab Zaab
Elmhurst, Queens