Boran — Restaurant in New York

Super authentic and insanely delicious Thai food with unbeatable value. Easily my #1 Thai spot in NYC. Many dishes are unique to this place—you won’t find them elsewhere. No reason not to give 5 stars!

We ordered the Goong Chae Nam Pla, Pineapple Curry with Shrimp, and a Tom Yum Soup.

Goong Chae Nam Pla – Lightly cooked fresh shrimp topped with a house-made spicy and tangy seafood sauce, served over a bed of lettuce, bitter melon, garlic slices, and mint. The staff told us to eat everything together in one bite, and we struggled a bit to scoop it all up at once—but the moment we did, it made total sense. Each ingredient played its perfect role: the sauce was slightly sour and decently spicy (but not overwhelming—it was the kind of heat that clears your mind in the best way). The shrimp were super fresh and springy, and the garlic, mint, and bitter melon added a clean, refreshing layer after the spice, while the lettuce gave it a crisp, sweet finish. There were six shrimp, and the two of us couldn’t stop—one after another until they were gone. So good!

Pineapple Curry with Shrimp – A must-order every time we come here. This sweet, tangy, and spicy pineapple curry goes perfectly with rice. We first tried it because it was served inside a real pineapple, but after one bite, we were hooked. If we didn’t have other dishes to try, we could easily order two servings and waddle home happy.

Tom Yum Soup – Nothing much to say except: perfectly authentic. The mushrooms, shrimp, and squid were all incredibly fresh. It was bright, flavorful, and whetted our appetite right away.

We ended up getting the Mango Sticky Rice—it’s hands-down the best mango sticky rice we’ve had in New York. Several times before we had come in and been told it wasn’t available that day because the mangoes didn’t meet their quality standards. Surprising for such a small restaurant, but they clearly take their ingredients seriously. The mango was fresh and fragrant, the coconut milk was just the right amount and sweetness. We were too busy being amazed by how good it was to even talk—just bite after bite...

This place came highly recommended by my friend who also heard the recommendation from two of her own friends so the word of mouth of how this restaurant is a must-go-to, is really phenomenal. Came here with my friend for the first time and was blown away by the excellent appetizer sampler. It's a perfect way to try out all the different appetizers to see which you like best-- the only problem was I loved all the appetizers and wanted more of each!

I tried out their duck curry and enjoyed it so much. My friend ordered their pad thai but wasn't too impressed with it. Go with the duck curry, friends. Anyway, the interior is nice and cozy, albeit a bit tight on space, and their dining seats and table could use some upgrading as they creaked and seemed a bit old. Staff were welcoming and nice, and overall the atmosphere was super pleasant whether you're eating out with your girlfriends, or if you're on a date.

I brought my new (at the time) boyfriend here for his birthday and he also enjoyed the food and experience and he wasn't too big on Thai food before coming here so that says something. If you do like Thai food then this is the best place to become a regular at or to save for special occasions. I think the prices here are fair and not too inflated for the portion sizes you receive. If you think you'll like it, you definitely will so come try them out for yourself, you won't be...

Horrible Customer Service & Discriminatory Practices

As a 40-year resident of this neighborhood, I’ve had my fair share of dining experiences across Brooklyn and beyond. I’ve been a loyal customer of Barren Thai on Court Street, regularly ordering meals totaling over $70 per order. While I’ve appreciated their food in the past, their customer service has reached an unacceptable low.

There were one or two instances where the order was incorrect. I returned the food—politely and within reason. Since then, this restaurant has refused to deliver to me, despite the fact that I live literally one block away. Their decision seems personal, petty, and outright discriminatory. I’ve never encountered such treatment from any other restaurant in the area.

To refuse service to a loyal, paying customer simply because they expected accuracy in their order is both unprofessional and offensive. This is not how you treat neighbors in a community, especially one as tight-knit as ours.

I’m deeply disgusted by how they run their business and will no longer be supporting them. There are many better Thai spots in Brooklyn that not only serve great food but treat their customers with the respect they deserve. Barren Thai should take a serious look at their customer service practices—or they’ll continue losing the very community...