Comments on: Pure Thai Shophouse Makes Me Never Want To Eat At Any Other 9th Ave. Thai Restaurant Again

By: nelsonlee

nelsonlee — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:16:36 +0000

This place is amazing. You cannot go wrong with the home-made noodles.

By: spicythainoodle

spicythainoodle — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:14:53 +0000

Just a heads up from someone who is Thai, this place is very far from being authentic. we had the curry calamari and this is not even close to how it is supposed to be made. the yen tah foh noodles was an absolute abomination. it is one of my favorite noodle dishes and I couldnt even eat it here. the water just plane tasted like vinegar and water. we also had the pad kee mao noodles which tasted ok, as long as you dont think it is authentic thai. I have been to Land, and now Pure because of all the hype and I think I will stay away from this chef’s restaurants. On a positive note though, the service was nice and the ambiance was something I enjoyed.

By: chowsue

chowsue — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:47:36 +0000

DH & I tried it out a week or so ago. It was very very good. My Thai buddies love the place, so I guess it gets the stamp of approval from the Thai community! :-)

I did not enjoy any of the appetizers. Apparently the veggie dumplings are the thing to get and I will have to go back to give that a try. The pork rib was disgusting..it was hard and overcooked. The crepe thing was disgusting as well….the lime was too sour and even with those picked off it was bland.

But the noodles…yes, they are good. Not Thailand good (I’ve been 5 times), but better than any other noodle shop in NY.
I LOVE the fresh handmade noodles. That is hard to find in Thai restaurants.

The place is way too small to be comfortable. I felt like I was sitting on the stranger next to me’s lap. And the men at the next table were talking so loudly, it was not fun. I think I would take to go next time.

I agree with uptownnow…pretty much all Thais I know think Wondee is the best Thai, NOT Pam. Pam is good, but Wondee is better. And yes, they will make things off the menu for those who know what to ask for. That said, if you really want authentic Thai food…sorry..you gotta go to Queens!

I also agree with uptownnow that Pure is NOT the only Thai place worth visiting on 9th. Wondee is excellent. Pam is great. I LOVEEEEEE Room Service. LOVE the food there. It is not authentic, but more fusion..but the food is awesome. Off 9th, there are lots of other Thai places that are worth visiting. Reserve on 3rd ave springs to mind. It is an unusual Thai tapas/wine bar that has very surprising, yet tasty “tapas”.

Great writeup. I am droooling looking at these pictures. Nice job Chris!

By: uptownnow

uptownnow — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:11:15 +0000

I too am loving Pure and have been there at least 1/2 a dozen times since they opened.

But saying “i’ll suggest that Pure Thai Shophouse is perhaps the only Thai restaurant worth visiting on 9th ave” is too much to handle.

Yes, there is a universe of mediocre Thai in 9AV, but Won Dee Siam 1 (792 9th Ave)is the mothership of authentic Thai in Manhattan. You can order things off menu like yen ta fo that are are as keeping it real as I’ve ever had out of Thailand.

But don’t take my word for it – the staff from Pure eat at Won Dee Siam 1 (warning: do not confuse Won Dee Siam 1 with the other Won Dees).

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:49:59 +0000

Just got back from Pure. I had the chicken satay and the jungle curry fried rice with mixed vegetables and tofu. Hubby had the wok chili turmeric with beef. It was amazing. So different even from Pam’s Real Thai (my previous reigning champ of Thai on ninth.) It tasted like haute cuisine – for $8.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:59:00 +0000

I’m tired of Thai places (Q2, Room Service, etc) that try too hard with their decor to differentiate themselves. Pure Thai had super rustic/authentic decor, which I thought set them apart.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:57:20 +0000

no shill here. curry puffs needed a lot of work and the nakorn sawan chicken soup didn’t match the other dishes. I was very impressed with the food regardless. For the record, I live very close to this neighborhood and have suffered through countless Thai meals from the Wondee/Yum/Pam/Heng progeny – none of the food from these guys were as exciting as Pure Thai’s.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:55:27 +0000

I wish. I’m addicted to the khao soi at Rhong Tiam Express. I was hoping for something similar here.

By: Lady T

Lady T — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:49:49 +0000

OMG totally agree! I’ve been there 3 times in the past 5 days. pathetic, maybe. satisfying, definitely!!

By: Miche

Miche — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:21:51 +0000

Had the Pa-Yao Beef Noodle Soup with the Egg Noodles – beef was super tender and flavorful, the egg noodles had great texture, but the broth was really greasy. Also had the Wok Basil with Ground Chicken – good flavor, a tad too salty though. Also ordered the omelet with shallots – I love eggs fried in lots of oil and this side dish went well with both the noodle soup and the chicken. I shared all of the food, and for 2 small Asian women, it was very filling, and just out of ML price range with tax and tip at $11 each.