Michelin-Starred Chef Opens Crying Tiger: Inside the New Southeast Asian Hotspot in Chicago’s River North

You’ll want to be on the lookout for a restaurant in the Chicago dining scene that has captured our attention. Chef Thai Dang, who gained national recognition for his upscale Vietnamese cuisine at HaiSous, is now showcasing the diverse flavors of Southeast Asia with his latest venture. This month, he and Lettuce Entertain You launched Crying Tiger, located in River North in the former Hub 51 space. The restaurant pays homage to the dishes Dang and his team grew up enjoying. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by the vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of Southeast Asian night markets , blended with Chicago’s industrial heritage. Lettuce Entertain You collaborated with London-based David Collins Studio, the designers behind the distinctive Tuscan steakhouse Tre Dita, to create the interior of Crying Tiger’s. The space features an abundance of greenery and beautiful colors, with many of the elements being custom-made, including light fixtures from Hong Kong. Yet, one unexpected detail ties Chicago to Southeast Asia. The team discovered that the accordion-style security gates commonly seen in front of businesses throughout Thailand and Vietnam are actually manufactured by Acorn Wire + Iron Works, a Chicago-based company. The company was commissioned to produce a set of custom gates for Crying Tiger as a nod to those found across Southeast Asia. Chef Thai Dang said: > When I came to Chicago as a cook for Lettuce Entertain You’s Michelin-starred L2O , I could have never imagined that 16 years later, I would be collaborating with Lettuce as a Chef and Partner for Crying Tiger. > This restaurant means so much to me because the menu pays homage to my immigrant family and our culinary traditions . As we explored Southeast Asia, every culture seemed to borrow flavors and ingredients from one another, and we are excited to share the diversity in this type of cuisine. Crying Tiger focuses on Southeast Asia traditions ----------------------------------------------------- The menu focuses on the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia , as well as foods that Chef Dang and Managing Partner Amarit Dulyapaibul both loved during their childhood. Dang, Dulyapaibul, and the Crying Tiger team traveled extensively through Bangkok, London, Sydney, Vietnam, and Hong Kong to gather inspiration for their menu , which highlights shareable dishes that feature the bold and intricate flavors of Southeast Asia. Chilled and warm starters include the Chinese donut, Prawn Toast; Youtiao with herb nam jim; Chargrilled Sugarcane Beef Bo La Lot, wrapped in betel leaves; and Crispy Hong Kong Pork Belly. Stir-fry, rice, and noodle dishes include Clay Pot Lobster Pad Thai and Rolled Rice Noodles with roasted maitake mushrooms. Other signatures include the Grilled Wagyu Beef Nam Tok, homemade curries, whole fish dishes, and more. The dessert menu is crafted by Juan Gutierrez, a winner from Netflix’s “School of Chocolate.” It showcases traditional flavors with modern techniques, such as a Toasted Coconut Sundae with Palm Sugar Caramel. Source: https://secretchicago.com/chef-thai-dang-crying-tiger-river-north/