Terra Thai — Restaurant in New York

There are things you generally take for granted in your day to day life that you simply don't appreciate, but without life experience, how could you? I'd argue that your local takeout spot is at the top of this list.

You move away and miss it more than you could have ever imagined. You try to find a substitute, but they just don't make your go-to dish QUITE the same. Something’s missing, something’s off.......... Well, I'm sure you can see where this is going, but Terra Thai is my local takeout spot. My life raft. My lighthouse in a storm.

This large Basil Chicken Plate medium spice is essentially keeping me alive at this point, as I have it AT LEAST two times a week. It is a MOUND of carefully seasoned flavorful chicken, a side of white rice, an egg, and broccoli. There is no beating it. It is the equivalent to a home cooked meal and is the perfect post workout meal. It is the sole reason that Terra Thai is my starting PG on my All-NBA Lower East Side restaurants.

We are at the point now when I call in to place my order, Aung, the owner, answers with a "Hi Johnny!!" and it brings a smile to my face every time. I go in and we chop it up, she asks how work is, how my friends are, how life is going, etc. I always give her a hug on the way out...she is essentially my east coast Granny at this point ahaaha.... damn I miss my Granny... Also I've become cool with one of the employees in there, shoutout to my guy Yoshi always showin love!

So am I a little biased? Yeah maybe, but you're off your rocker if you think I would come here as often as I do if that large Basil Chicken Plate didn't SMACK like it does. I literally price things in Basil Chicken Plates these days... I'll be out at Flower Shop or Ding-a-Ling and think "Yeah I could buy this drink rn but that's really a full Basil Chicken Plate at Terra Thai..."

Sometimes you have to go through deep pain in order to appreciate true greatness. You have to wander and be lost in order to know when you've found something special. You have to lose that Fire Grilled Chicken Salad from Cafe Rio in order to appreciate the large Basil Chicken Plate from Terra Thai.

Andy Bernard put it better than I ever could when he said “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ole days before you've actually left them.” Well, I know I'm in the good ole days right now and I'm appreciating every last second. I eat every large Basil Chicken Plate like it’s my last.

THANK YOU TERRA THAI! THANK YOU AUNG, I LOVE YOU!

IG...

This place is hands down my favorite Thai restaurant. Initially wasn’t enthused by the slightly dry white meat chicken, but now high quality flavorsome shrimp are now an option on most dishes on the ever expanding menu. I regularly order the shrimp pad Thai (without the excessive raw sprout garnish) with its crunchy toasted peanut halves. The slightly spicy San Jan Drunken rice noodles with basil and red pepper are even more exciting. The tender five spice stewed pork comes with tasty pickles, sunny side up egg, and tasty white rice. I always order since the pork freezes well. The coconut pancakes are essential: light fluffy little cakes with an ever so slightly sweet rich coconut flavor, punctuated by shredded coconut. My friend said they were the best thing she's ever eaten. Personally, I prefer them without the sesame seed garnish which distracts from the perfect flavor and texture. As for the Bah Jang--sticky rice cooked in pork broth with peanuts and dried shrimp--what an exciting collection of flavors! The owner is super sweet. The two 2-person bar tables with stools are gone...

Where to begin... Firstly, Terra Thai is a must hit spot for Thai food. I've done my fair share of eating through Thailand and for years have struggled to find authentic flavors here in America. Terra Thai is the only spot I've found that does it right - it's as close to authentic as you can get. No place to sit down, so either take it home or eat in Thompkins Square

Secondly, the owner is an absolute gem. I walked in one day and asked for extra basil in my pad krapow gai (basil chicken). Of course she said yes, and then asked when I could come back so she can cook me lunch using her home grown holy basil (much more flavor). Came back a few days later - we took a minute to admire her basil, then cooked me the best basil chicken yet

Overall, if you appreciate authentic food and small mom & pop style restaurants -- you need to get...