Zaab Zaab — Restaurant in New York

We came here for the first time yesterday and tried out their Soup Norman, Hor Mok Catfish, and Crab Fried Rice. Portions here seem fairly small despite the price, for example the crab fried rice was in a relatively small plate but was $22 which on the one hand is understandable considering that it is crab but we found it to be a bit too pricey. While the crab fried rice was delicious, this may have been because our experience with the Soup Normai (marinated bamboo shoots) and Hor Mok Catfish (catfish steamed/marinated in bamboo leaves) was very very salty so eating the crab fried rice made it extraordinary. It was almost unbelievable how salty both of these dishes were and we weren’t exactly sure if this is how the dishes are normally but we hope that is not the case. Even after eating the two sides with the fried rice, it was still incredibly salty and we were unable to finish the food. This place definitely was well decorated and we were really looking forward to it but overall the food was way too salty and plating was not particularly aesthetic or appetizing either. Afterwards, one of us experienced some diarrhea and we hope it was not from the food here. The prices of drinks on the menu are also not transparent at all - in fact there were no prices, but perhaps everything for the drinks were $5 but we were not aware of this at all. Menu is also slightly confusing and I think service could’ve been better in terms of checking in with us on the food or giving us water in the beginning. There were also lots of flies in the restaurant from when we first sat down and throughout the entire meal - it was rather unappetizing and made the experience less pleasing. Although we would not come back here, the ambience of the place is not bad and it was...

I was genuinely excited to try this place, but unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing. Everything started off fine until a HUGE cockroach suddenly flew over me while we were eating. It was alarming and uncomfortable — we had to leave our seats and wait outside while a staff member went to handle it. He said he dealt with it but I saw it go behind the seats so I asked him to show us the bug. My husband went outside with him to confirm if it was dead. We sat down again but I felt uneasy and grossed out. The cockroach had been flying near our food, walking on the wall and the table next to us — it could’ve easily landed in something. I didn’t enjoy my meal. We spent $75 and walked away feeling like it really wasn’t worth it.

The staff member told me that he had been in the restaurant industry for 36 years and knew how to deal with situations like this. I respectfully disagree. He only said to me “are you ok?” once but didn’t really apologize and there was no attempt to make us feel comfortable, and honestly, no sense of care from anyone.

What disappointed me most wasn’t the bug — things happen — it was the complete lack of response. A simple sincere apology or even offering us a dessert or something on the house would’ve made a huge difference. Instead, we were left feeling awkward...

Zaab Zaab means Delicious Delicious and that is what this place is. Cuisine from northeast Thailand, this is not your typical NYC Thai fare with spices and sauces in combinations that sing. We had the Thai green ice tea - refreshing on a hot day and cooled off the legit Thai heat coming from our dishes:

Tom Hang: the tripe and spleen were cooked to perfection - just the right amount of chew and flavor was fresh. Loved the two sauces - one hot, one bitter Nan Khao Tod: menu says croquettes but it's like the crispy rice at the bottom of a clay pot mixed with a fermented pork sausage. A flavor explosion. So good. Surf and Turf skewers: tbh this had the last flavor but was cooked to perfection - not overdone at all - very fresh. The flavor and heat came from the dipping sauce. The salt baked fish: chef's kiss. A must get - I have never had a whole fish cooked to perfection like this. Juicy, steaming, fresh. The herbs and noodles in a rice wrap with two sauces - one chili and peanuts, one tamarind and shallots.

Our servers were attentive and informative. No condescension and joyfully made recommendations.

Inside is bright and welcoming. There's one all-gender bathroom.

We...