![]() ![]() Discovering hidden gems in NYC Exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods In addition to a great tip on how to discover the hidden treasures of NYC while saving money and experiencing cultural immersion. If you're a fan of discovering off-the-beaten-path attractions or have already experienced the city and are looking for something new, this guide is just what you need. These cool places range from sky-high meadows offering a unique perspective on urban greenery, abandoned places whispering tales of bygone eras, street food stalls serving up local flavors you won't find elsewhere - all waiting for you just around the corner. Well, we're here to unveil some of these lesser-known spots in NYC. Sure, you might want a glass of milk at some point during your meal, but thanks to the addition of herbs, citrus, and the play on textures throughout each dish, your palate will have so much more to focus on than just pure spice.Famous landmarks such as Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park are often the first places that come to mind when one thinks of New York City. But what about those hidden gems in NYC, tucked away in out-of-the-way neighborhoods? Those best-kept secrets that even some city residents might not know about? While Zaab Zaab prides itself on being a spicy restaurant, don’t stay away out of fear of the heat. Served alongside two sauces, both in true Isan-style having some form of heat, as you cut into the whole fish, you’ll find a surprise purse of pandan leaf and lemongrass. When the whole fish dish came out on a wooden board, we all said “Ooooh” as it was placed in front of us, taking up at least a quarter of the table. The real star of the show is the mieng pa plow. Our table agreed we wanted everything exactly at the heat level it was meant to be served, and from there, our designated Isan expert listed our order: mieng pla pow (salt-crusted tilapia marinated in cumin, garlic and white pepper, stuffed with pandan leaf and lemongrass, $36), larb ped udon (minced duck breast with charred galangal, gizzards, fried duck skin, lime leaf, chili, roasted rice powder, $24), som tom pu pla ra (a spicy shredded green papaya with chili, lime, black crab, and house fermented fish sauce, $20), gaeng om gai (traditional herbal curry braised with Thai eggplant, lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, and dill, $18.95), and finally, moo tod pla ra (fried pork belly marinated in fermented fish sauce, $16.95). ![]() Our smiling server came over to explain that Zaab Zaab carries the tradition of Isan cuisine in the form of heat, and that if we wanted anything mild, to say the word. “It’s almost like an instruction manual on how to eat,” one of my other Isan-novice friends said, taking notes that she never once picked up a utensil. Better known as mukbang, or an “eatcast,” live-streamed or pre-recorded footage of people dining alone, usually women, originated in Korea but is a popular practice amongst several Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures. While he scanned the menu, I became mesmerized by the large screen plastered on the back wall of a woman eating large portions of herbs, shrimp, rice, and more with her bare hands. “Order everything, whatever I absolutely can’t miss,” I told him. I hope you brought friends, because, despite the small space, Zaab Zaab is definitely a “the more, the merrier” type of place thanks to its large family-style portions and plates.īeing far from an expert in Isan cuisine, I was fortunate enough to dine with three friends, one of whom knows the Thai cuisine like the back of his hand. ![]() Once inside, there is a narrow stretch of tables and occasional live music on Friday and Sunday nights. But if you haven’t, Queens has a great place as both an introductory and for those well-familiar with it: Zaab Zaab.Įstablished in April 2022, Zaab Zaab is a true easy-to-miss hidden gem, with no flashy signs on the exterior. If you’re a fan of spicy food, hopefully you’ve at least heard of Isan cuisine from Thailand. ![]()
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