ML Happy Hour: Yum Yum Too Gets An Unfortunate Second Chance

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

Our existence is fraught with great but nigh unanswerable questions. “What is the meaning of life?’ “Is there a God?” “Will Jennifer Aniston ever make a watchable movie?” And here at Midtown Lunch the question is: “Why the F*%@k do you need three Yum Yum storefronts in a row?” I mean, this ain’t no hot asian threesome. We’re talking basically some generic Thai food with a decent happy hour. Well, I was forced to delve deeper into this quandary when a coworker choose this place for an after work bite.

There were some ups and downs to the meal, not surprisingly the up was a spicy shrimp soup. It had a nice paprika/chili powder addition but without the bite. Not bad for gringos and with just enough flavor to make it interesting and satisfying for me especially because there was a strong squirt of lime. Sadly there was but one lone shrimp bobbing in a soupy sea. It went down in one slurp and then I was left with broth, some green onions, and raw sliced mushrooms.

Now Zach likes to base his Thai experience on the quality of their Pad Thai,
however, I personally tend towards a spicy green curry when I try a new place.

The onions, bamboo shoots, basil, red bell and eggplant all made a strong appearance and the dish was satisfying but not anything I’d go out of my way for. The beef was tender and absorbed the coconut milk flavors well, but again there was little spiciness and it tasted like most quick Thai meal joints: not bad by any means, but not memorable. I’ve never been to Thailand, so I can’t speak for authenticity, but I’ve had Thai that I’ve enjoyed much more. Which leads me to the question, “Why is this place always busy?” Maybe it’s about the ambiance? They do have that right. Outdoor space, clean and stylized décor, nice lighting, low prices, it’s so inoffensive that it’s mediocrity elevates it to the perfect place to take acquaintances that yearn for a slightly “nicer” experience then a pub and burger joint.

My first review didn’t exactly view Yum Yum or its sisters in a positive light. I can’t say my second visit really changed my opinion. Lesson learned. Do not listen to your coworker, drag them to your dependable pub instead.

Yum Yum, 650 9th ave, (212) 956-0639
Yum Yum 2, 622 9th avenue (At 46th St), (212) 247-2228
Yum Yum 3, 658 9th Avenue Corner (at 46th Street), (212) 956-0639

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