Somtum Der, Lower East Side, NYC

Somtum Der is a Isaan (Northeaster) Thai restaurant on Avenue A and 6th Street. I had learned it’s one of the Michelin inspector’s favorites for a good value. I like finding cheap eats to share.

I highly recommend their $12 lunch special with one of their not-to-be-missed spicy papaya salads along with deep-fried crispy chicken thighs, sticky rice and a dipping sauce. Worth the trip alone. We also shared their house-specialty grilled pork kati ($13) marinated in coconut milk and served with a savory dried chili dipping sauce.

Larb Pla Dook Yang ($14) spicy minced grilled catfish salad was my least favorite, with little discernible catfish flavor. The only thing positive I could mention was the crackly crunchy toasted ground rice that garnished the dish. Skip it.

-bonnie

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Somtum Der
East Village
85 Avenue A
(East Sixth Street)
New York, NY
212-260-8570
somtumder.com

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About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.

Somtum Der, Lower East Side, NYC