Get ready to transport your taste buds to the bustling floating markets of Ratchaburi, Thailand, without leaving New York City at the new restaurant Rua Thai. “Rua Thai pays homage to the famed floating markets of the Ratchaburi region of Thailand, where our chef Kornpon Theeraumpornkul grew up. The name Rua translates as “rowboat” and refers to the boats where vendors like chef’s family plied their goods on the canals of the market,” Anchalee Sirisuwat, Co-Owner of Rua Thai, explained. “The menu’s contemporary style of cooking showcases the flavors of Thai street food while channeling the bustling energy of the floating markets. On the menu, you’ll find unique dishes inspired by those his family sold in the market alongside modern takes of Thai favorites.”
A Culinary Journey through Ratchaburi: Exploring Rua Thai’s Unique Thai Street Food
Here, Chef Kornpon Theeraumpornkul pays homage to his family’s vendoring roots with a contemporary twist on traditional Thai street food. “The menu at Rua Thai is based on the traditional Thai dishes that Chef Kornpon grew up cooking with his grandmother and selling at the floating markets,” Sirisuwat told us. “After years working in New York, he has developed a more modern style of cooking that includes playful presentations, such as turning traditional shrimp cakes into shrimp donuts that are served on a sugarcane stick and using a family gravy recipe with duck for an elevated dish with traditional flavors.”
Soon, diners will be able to sip on creative cocktails made with sugarcane and enjoy beer, wine, and spirits at Rua Thai’s full bar. The cocktails are each named for different districts of the Ratchaburi province. “Pho Ta Ram is in the northern part of Ratchaburi and is full of rich vegetation, which inspired the bright blue and green colors of this cocktail which combines vodka, pineapple juice and a dash of blue raspberry syrup,” Sirisuwat said of the cocktail list. “Chom Bueng is known for having many caves and caverns, most notably the Khao Bin cave. The cocktail marries Jameson Irish whiskey, honey syrup, sour mix, lime juice, and pounded lemongrass and is topped with smoke from applewood. Other cocktails include the Pak Tho, Ban Phong, Bang Phae, Damneon Saduak, and Suan Phueng.
The restaurant’s décor incorporates traditional touches such as triangle pillows used on daybeds. “The goal was to create an atmosphere that was comfortable with a relaxed ambiance but still feels elevated. Modern lighting fixtures help to combine the two different styles,” Sirisuwat told us of the design elements. “On the traditional side, we use triangle pillows attached to day beds with Thai patterns and a warmer color palette. On the more modern side, we played with umber wood and used a cooler blue color palette that reflects water and the river where the floating markets are located. The combination of the two styles reflects our unique offerings with a personal touch.”
Rua Thai is located in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, making a fun and flavorful new addition to the bustling area. “Rua Thai is a cozy neighborhood Thai food spot with an elevated and modern feel. It combines traditional recipes with a modern twist and playful plating,” Sirisuwat told us. “A unique take, Rua Thai’s menu finds inspiration from the floating markets in Thailand and has an exciting cocktail program that ranges from smoky cocktails on the rocks to dessert drinks with whipped cream and sprinkles.”
