BOONNOON Market — Restaurant in Arlington

When I think of Arlington, Thai food isn’t the first thing that comes to mind—until Boonnoon opened its doors. This place has single-handedly put Arlington on the map for incredible Thai cuisine.

From the outside, Boonnoon is a humble, unassuming storefront. But once you step inside, you’re immediately welcomed into a warm, inviting space that feels thoughtfully curated. The small layout somehow feels cozy instead of cramped, with soft green walls that echo the lush plants near the windows, a display of Thai ingredients and snacks for purchase, and white marble tables adorned with fresh flowers. Every detail makes this spot feel intentional and elegant.

For our fourth Boston Dining Club meetup, we decided to dive deep into the menu, and Boonnoon did not disappoint. Here are some of the highlights:

• Ua Lao (Spicy Northern Thai Sausage): This Chiang Mai-style sausage packed with lemongrass was grilled to perfection, balancing spice with a smoky, fragrant kick. • Wings & Wings Zab: Both versions of the wings were perfectly crunchy and well-seasoned, but the Wings Zab stole the show. Topped with a citrusy, spicy powder and thin slices of red onion, it was truly something special—flavors that really make you pause. • Kui Chai (Crispy Chive Cake): I didn’t have high expectations here, having only known chive cakes through Korean or Chinese dishes. But these blew me away. Crisp on the outside with a soft, mochi-like interior, and an amazing chive aroma—unexpected and unforgettable.

Specials:

• Thai Banana Fritters: Perfectly textured and easy to share, with a subtle acidity in the bananas that reminded me of plantains. • Crab Nuggets: Thai cuisine seems unmatched at capturing crab’s flavor, and Boonnoon is no exception. If they’re available, don’t miss these. • Moo Honk: Braised pork with Chinese 5-spice that was unbelievably tender. It may seem familiar, but the way they prepare it will make it feel like you’re tasting this dish for the first time. • Larb Gai: Ground chicken with lime, spices, and red onion—a refreshing counterbalance to the richer, heavier dishes. Perfectly executed.

The food alone would make Boonnoon worth visiting, but the thoughtful service and atmosphere elevate it even further. Boonnoon isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience that feels like both a taste of home and a...

Our first visit so we ordered more food than we could finish because we wanted to try a variety of menu items. Pad see you can be made with flat rice noodles or egg noodles and our choice of flat rice noodles with shrimp was good. Noodles were a tad too over cooked for our preference but flavor was very good. Pad Thai was ok and was quite sweet with a syrupy glaze at the bottom of the plate. The noodles were more over cooked in this dish and we probably would not order it again. There was a fried mackerel special today (pla lui suan) which was excellent with a fresh chili sauce that complemented it perfectly. The Kao soi was delicious with velvety chicken, crispy wonton bits on top and these noodles were perfect texture in the curry based broth. Wings Zab is also a winner. We got the spicy version and it is salty, sour, sweet and spicy at the same time dressed with red onions and cilantro. Another great appetizer is the Karee puff. They have two options and we went with the curry potato filling (vs sweet taro). The pastry is flaky and light and they made it to order so it was hot and delicious. Overall this place is a great option and we will return to try the rest of the menu. The staff is helpful and friendly. Get the Thai iced tea. You’ll need it to cool off from the wings....

Heard a rumor at the gym…that the cute Thai guy owned a restaurant down the street, lol! Rounded up my husband and friends to check it out! (Pardon the low-quality photos, but you get the idea.)

BoonNoon Market is an unassuming, hole-in-the-wall restaurant/take-out place…but don’t pass it by, it’s one of Arlington’s best kept secrets!

The food is authentic and flavorful…transporting me back to once upon a time when I lived in Thailand for two months, watching my life flash before my eyes in those tuk-tuks, exploring the Bangkok night markets, and buying street food in plastic bags, sealed with a rubber band from the man hunched over a wok at the street corner.

I have yet to try everything on the menu, but my go-to dishes are the Panang Pork Curry and Moo Honk! My go-to apps are the wings zab, chive cakes, and shrimp donuts.

The restaurant is very clean, offering 7 small tables, outdoor seating (weather permitting), and a small area of Thai-imported snacks and goods. Plan accordingly if you want to dine-in, as the tables fill up quickly! If you order take-out, order online first.

Very highly recommend BoonNoon Market, and excited to support and see this small business succeed!! Be sure to say hello to Jeep, the owner, and tell him...