Hell’s Kitchen has a new culinary gem: Jan Jao Kha, a Thai restaurant that prides itself on offering an experience unlike any other in the city.
Located on 9th Avenue between W54th and W55th Streets, Jan Jao Kha opened its doors earlier this month and is already making waves with its distinctive menu.
The restaurant’s offerings include innovative dishes such as swan-shaped dumplings filled with caramelized peanuts, bat-shaped taro puffs, and a delightful banana blossom salad with grilled aromatics.
Entrees show off the restaurant’s commitment to the extraordinary, featuring crab meat clay pot, pork-stuffed rambutan, and a stunning duck curry infused with lychees, pineapples, sweet peppers, and grapes.
Dessert enthusiasts will find purple gnocchi made from rice flour and butterfly pea flower, generously covered in coconut milk, a sweet treat that’s hard to resist.
What sets Jan Jao Kha apart from other Thai eateries is its focus on the rich culinary history of Thailand, particularly dishes that were once reserved for royal and noble families during the Ayutthaya Kingdom from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
Co-owner Shinnawat Tamtai, alongside his business partners, opened this restaurant with the aim of presenting elevated street food that is rarely found in New York or even Thailand.
They opened their first restaurant in New Rochelle in 2022, followed by a second location in Williamsburg last year.
Shinnawat explains that their strategy to stand out in New York’s bustling food scene involved digging deep into Thai history to recreate dishes that were previously known only through cookbooks, making them accessible to modern diners.
When the opportunity arose to occupy the space previously occupied by Noodie’s Thai Kitchen, the trio swiftly took action, recognizing an oversaturation of Thai restaurants in the area.
To differentiate themselves, they chose to delve into traditional recipes and elevate them for a contemporary audience.
With a nod to history, the regal theme permeates the menu with creations like royal bird dumplings and king fish steak.
Seafood lovers can rejoice, as the menu features an impressive array of proteins, including tiger shrimp, branzino, crab, scallops, and octopus.
In a departure from the typical approach of allowing diners to choose their protein, Jan Jao Kha encourages patrons to center their meal around a specific seafood dish, though substitutions can be arranged upon request.
Even popular staples like Pad Thai and Fried Rice are reimagined with high-end proteins like jumbo shrimp and steak, aligning with the restaurant’s elevated concept.
The dining experience is enhanced by opulent decor that features vibrant drapes, woven garlands, lush flowers, and elegantly adorned pots.
A striking mural depicting historical scenes adds to the regal atmosphere that the owners aim to create.
Their commitment to high-quality service reflects the dining theme, with rice served tableside from a large metal pot, ensuring every guest experiences a hint of royal treatment.
Jan Jao Kha is open daily from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, with delivery available on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 pm.
image source from：w42st
