Samsaen Thai — Restaurant in New York

Drawn by high Google Maps ratings and a desire for a new Thai spot in Hell's Kitchen during a heat wave, my friends and I decided to try Samsaen.

Despite a reservation made via phone due to RESY issues, our name wasn't on the list upon arrival. Thankfully, it wasn't crowded and we were able to sit down. I understand this is a new opening (it's been a week), and I hope such system errors get ironed out.

The exterior was somewhat hidden without prominent sidewalk signage, but the interior offered a completely different experience. Warm oranges, reds, and browns evoked Thailand's tropical climate, subtly supported by travel cues like luggage. I later learned of its charming Thai train station theme, reinforced by thoughtfully designed cups, plates, and gold cutlery. However, I must note that the decorative luggage positioned above our heads felt a bit precarious; I genuinely hope they've been properly secured to prevent any mishaps. We initially weren't given a happy hour menu. Upon inquiry, we were told 4 PM to 6 PM, despite seeing a Google Review photo showing 4:30 PM to 7 PM. This misinformation was disappointing, and I hope they delete that photo. The menu itself was charmingly divided into "Coach Car" (more common dishes) and "First Class Lounge," with more elevated dishes, honoring the train theme.

The servers were incredibly nice, with many checking on us, including who we assumed was the manager. They helpfully recommended many signature dishes.

We ordered the Jelly Fish and Squid Ink soup, Northern Thai Herb (Ua Tod), Chinese Broccoli, Crispy Pork Wonton, Samsaen Khao Soy, Crispy Fried Fish, Morning Glory with Crispy Pork Belly, and Mango Sticky Rice for dessert.

The Jelly Fish and Squid Ink soup was surprisingly room temperature, but its perfect texture and performative entrance made it intriguing; I'd reorder it. The Northern Thai Herb (Ua Tod) was tough, and I wasn't a fan. Chinese Broccoli was nice, but it's not a must-order if you already have other vegetable dishes. Crispy Pork Wontons had an intriguing straw-like appearance, offering a balanced shell-to-filling ratio that made them unique and recommendable. Samsaen Khao Soy looked great with wagyu, but was a letdown for many friends due to its unexpected savory profile over the anticipated coconut sweetness. I personally didn't mind it, but agree it needed more sweet. Morning Glory with Crispy Pork Belly was arguably the best dish, a safe, delicious option I highly recommend. Crispy Fried Fish was only okay, a bit hard, making me wish we'd chosen steamed. However, the presentation was beautiful, with the fish head thoughtfully covered. Lastly, Mango Sticky Rice was good; the rice had great coconut flavor and pleasant sweetness, complementing the perfectly almost-ripe mango.

A notable letdown was that they didn't have alcohol yet. I really hope their alcohol license gets approved soon, because the dishes would have been perfect with beer.

The bathrooms were uncomfortably warm, like a sauna, likely due to proximity to the kitchen. Air conditioning is definitely needed to prevent discomfort.

Overall, with its excellent service, beautiful food presentation, and thoughtful branding, it was a fantastic dinner experience I'd recommend and plan to...

Came by Samsen shortly after it opened recently -- our party of 2 walked in around 6:30 and there were still plenty of tables to seat us immediately. The restaurant is pretty nicely decorated -- there's a "train station" theme with lots of ornate golden finishings -- and since it's new everything felt very clean and spacious.

They were offering a happy hour special at the time (I'm not sure what times/days it's generally available), so we opted to do the combo of two appetisers and two entrées for $42.

For our appetisers we had the tom yum soup and the pork meatballs. Tom yum soup had a decent flavour but was a bit watery, and the pork meatballs were pretty meh -- not the most tender/juicy but had an OK flavour.

For mains we had the pad see ew with chicken and pad thai with chicken. The pad thai was pretty good, although the tomato/ketchup-y flavour was quite strong, and it tended to be a bit on the oilier/saltier saide. The chicken and shrimp tasted very yummy. Pad see ew was also not bad. The flat noodles were a very nice chewy-ness, and the light soy sauce flavour went well with the chicken and gai lan veggies.

Service was prompt, although our server was a bit too eager/in-our-face about it to the point of mild discomfort. Price point was great (portion sizes big enough to have leftovers), and it seems the regular menu is pretty fairly priced too -- not just the...

I had an amazing dining experience at Samsaen Thai Restaurant in New York! The food was absolutely delicious authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and beautifully presented dishes that made every bite memorable. What truly stood out, though, was the service. Kanya, our waitress, went above and beyond to make the evening perfect. She was warm, attentive, and genuinely caring, checking in at just the right times without ever being intrusive. Her knowledge of the menu was impressive, and her recommendations were spot on I’m so glad I followed her suggestions. It’s rare to find service that feels both professional and personal, but Kanya delivered exactly that. She made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down and left us with such a positive impression that I’ll definitely be coming back and bringing friends with me. If you’re in New York and craving authentic Thai cuisine with excellent service, Samsaen is the place to go. And if you’re lucky enough to have Kanya as your server, you’re in for a...