Somtum Der

"The Red Hook location of Somtum Der has a significant advantage over its East Village counterpart: a backyard. Their patio is currently open for outdoor dining, and you can book a reservation online ahead of time to guarantee yourself some somtum with salted egg, pork larb, and sticky rice." - hannah albertine

"Somtum Der is an East Village spot that specializes in Isan Thai food, and it’s one of our favorite places for a fun, casual dinner with a big group. The dining room is big and airy, with lots of long tables that will easily fit five to seven of your friends, and they have a good list of cocktails and Thai beer. Multiple types of papaya salad should be on your table: our go-tos are the tum thai kai kem, which gets an extra punch from salted duck egg, and the tum poo pla-ra with tiny field crabs. Next, get the H’orderves Der so you can try all the sausages, and finish with grilled meats, larb, and some spicy prawn sashimi." - bryan kim, hannah albertine, nikko duren, arden shore, will hartman

"Thai delivery and takeout available - call to order." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, bryan kim, arden shore, matt tervooren

"While its sister restaurant Kiin Thai disappeared during the pandemic, Somtum Der forges ahead making several versions of its eponymous green papaya salad, plus a more general menu that focuses on the food of Isan, the region that bulges in Thailand’s northeast. Yes, some very fiery food is available, but you must request the heat. Don’t miss the larbs, either." - Robert Sietsema

"In 2023, Thai staple Somtom Der hit its 10th anniversary. To celebrate, the restaurant is launching a limited offer menu starting today, running until February 9." - Emma Orlow