RYNN: A Non-traditional Take on Thai

Apr 5

Apr 5 RYNN: A Non-traditional Take on Thai

There are not 10, not 20, not 50, but a whopping 700 Thai restaurants in New York City. A famous example of gastrodiplomacy, in which a country uses food as a means of globalizing and building international interest, Thai food in America is both lauded and criticized for its consistency. On one hand, it’s always good. On the other, every place is more or less the same. The arrival of RYNN, however, might just shake things up for the Thai scene. An innovative new restaurant in the East Village, RYNN is reimagining traditional Thai dishes for a culinary journey that aims to entrance Thai food aficionados and newcomers alike.

Strawberry salad, Li Tiang, Yum Geaw Tod

The concept behind RYNN, or "รินน์", posits the space not as a restaurant, but a vessel for creating memories. A quick look through their menu and it’s easy to see why—their offerings draw inspiration from cherished childhood experiences for bites that evoke nostalgia, yet are surprising enough to spark conversation. Take, for example, their Khao Soi Gai Tod. Typically served as a soup, the RYNN version forgoes broth for sautéed curried egg noodles alongside crispy chicken. Other changes include switching out classic green papaya salad (Som Tum) for a spicy strawberry one, and incorporating French techniques for a syrupy Thai Tea Crème Brûlée. The star of the show, however, is their Banana Roti dessert. A twist on fried ice cream, this offering features butterfly pea coconut ice cream alongside a banana that is wrapped in roti and fried for a treat that hits crunchy, salty, and sweet.

Khao Soi Gai Tod (crispy chicken with sautéed curried egg noodles)

Drinks at RYNN offer a similar experience—interesting twists such as a Glass of Grass (Pandan Infused Vodka, Lemongrass, Coconut juice, and Grass jelly) and the Kopitiam (Coconut toasted Espresso)—are served up along with more classic drinks, such as Satay, with its Turmeric-infused Rum and Cucumber cordial, and the elegant Sodalite, a Yakult Clarified Negroni. All pair well with both the dishes and the space’s loungelike interior. It’s the perfect place for date night, or a girls night—especially fitting since the restaurant is completely women-owned.

So if you’re craving Thai but don’t mind a twist, check out RYNN the next time you’re in the EV. They offer a lunch menu Monday to Sunday from 12pm – 3:30pm, and dinner from 5pm – 10pm.

For more information and to view the menu, check out @rynn.nyc or https://www.rynnnyc.com/.