Raenu Thai: Top-Rated Authentic Thai Cuisine and Lunch Value on the Upper West Side

Raenu Introduce

## Raenu Thai: Your Authentic Culinary Escape in the Upper West Side

For New Yorkers in search of genuine and high-quality Thai cuisine, **Raenu Thai** on Amsterdam Avenue is a definitive local favorite. This established Thai restaurant offers an extensive menu that captures the rich, vibrant, and complex flavors of Thailand, providing a true culinary journey for every diner. Raenu Thai is celebrated for its commitment to traditional recipes, with owners from Bangkok ensuring the food is prepared authentically, "like in Thailand," as noted by one of the team members. From the perfectly balanced spice of their curries to the savory depth of their noodle dishes, Raenu is dedicated to delivering fresh, flavorful, and generous portions.

The restaurant provides a **Casual** and **Cozy atmosphere**, making it an inviting spot for all types of outings, whether you're having a focused **Solo dining** experience or gathering for a relaxed **Dinner** with family. Its reputation for excellent food at a great price, especially the highly-praised lunch special, makes it a must-visit in the neighborhood. Beyond the classics, the menu accommodates all dietary preferences, with abundant **Vegan options** and **Vegetarian options**, alongside crowd-pleasing **Comfort food** and dedicated **Healthy options**.

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## Location and Accessibility for NYC Diners

Raenu Thai is conveniently located at **844 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025**, placing it directly in a vibrant, accessible area of the Upper West Side. This neighborhood position is ideal for local residents and those visiting the uptown area, facilitating easy access for all dining styles.

Its central placement on Amsterdam Avenue means that the restaurant is easily reached via multiple modes of transportation. While **Paid street parking** is the typical Manhattan option for drivers, the location ensures simple connectivity for both customers picking up orders and delivery services. The restaurant fosters a welcoming environment for the diverse NYC community, proudly noted as **Family-friendly** and **LGBTQ+ friendly**. Moreover, the establishment’s dedication to a comfortable experience extends to its physical design, featuring a quaint, plant-adorned interior that adds to its **Cozy** ambiance.

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## Convenient Services Offered

Raenu Thai is structured to meet the needs of fast-paced New York life, offering flexible and modern service options for all patrons.

**Dining Options:** Available for **Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert** with comfortable **Seating** for dine-in guests.
**Delivery and Takeout:** Comprehensive services include standard **Delivery** and convenient **Takeout**, with a specific option for **No-contact delivery** to prioritize safety.
**Popularity:** The restaurant is highly **Popular for Lunch, Dinner, and Solo dining**, underscoring its versatility for any schedule.
**Payment Simplicity:** Accepts all major **Credit cards** and **Debit cards**, in addition to modern **NFC mobile payments**.
**Family Welcoming:** The atmosphere and offerings are certified as **Good for kids**, making it an easy choice for family meals.
**Dietary Versatility:** A wide range of **Vegan options** and **Vegetarian options** are available across the menu, from curries to noodle dishes, ensuring everyone can enjoy a meal.

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## Culinary Features and Menu Highlights

The menu at Raenu Thai is impressively comprehensive, reflecting the full spectrum of Thai culinary artistry. It is organized into distinct categories to highlight both authentic street food classics and innovative chef creations.

**Exceptional Lunch Special:** A standout feature is the universally praised lunch special, often cited as one of the best values on the UWS. For an affordable starting price, diners receive a choice of an appetizer and a large entrée from the Curries, Noodles, Fried Rice, or Entrees sections.
**The Big Four Curries:** All major Thai curries are featured: **Red Curry**, **Green Curry**, **Panang Curry**, and **Massaman Curry**, each customizable with a large selection of proteins, including **Chicken, Tofu, Vegetarian Duck, Shrimp, Beef,** and **Salmon**.
**Traditional Noodle Favorites:** The extensive noodle menu includes the classic **Pad Thai**, the sweet and savory **Pad See Ew**, and the spicy **Drunken Noodles**, along with satisfying soups like **Tom Yum Noodle Soup** and **Duck Noodle Soup**.
**Unique Thai and Chef's Specials:** Look for authentic, hearty dishes such as **Gai Yang** (Roasted BBQ Chicken), **Crispy Pork Gra Prow**, and a variety of duck and seafood preparations like **Duck Tamarind** and **Soft Shell Crab in Basil Sauce**. The **Chef’s Specials** elevate the experience with high-end choices like **Grilled Herb Salmon** and **Seared Lemongrass Sea Scallops and Jumbo Shrimp**.
**Creative Appetizers and Sides:** The appetizer list is long and varied, featuring fan favorites like **Spring Rolls**, **Thai-Style Chicken Wings**, the rare **Chive or Taro Dumplings**, and **Duck Roll**. They also offer unique sides like **Ginger Brown Rice** and **Prawn Flavored Chips**.
**Generous Portions:** Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its **generous portions**, ensuring every dish provides both great value and a satisfying meal. The **Beef Salad** is often highlighted for its substantial, steak-like portion size for the price.
**Authentic Dessert Options:** A full selection of Thai desserts is available, including the beloved **Mango Sticky Rice**, **Pumpkin or Taro Custard**, and the nostalgic **Banana Leaf Sticky Rice**.

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## Contact Information

To experience Raenu Thai or inquire about their services, please use the following contact details:

**Address:** 844 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
**Phone:** (646) 998-5414
**Mobile Phone:** +1 646-998-5414

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## What is Worth Choosing: Unbeatable Value and Menu Depth

Raenu Thai is worth choosing for New Yorkers primarily because of its **unmatched combination of value and menu depth** in the competitive Upper West Side market. The standout feature is its lunch special, which is consistently recognized as one of the best, most affordable deals in the entire city, providing a complete, high-quality meal with an appetizer and entrée for a price point that is hard to beat. This excellent pricing is maintained without compromising on portion size or ingredient quality.

Furthermore, the restaurant's menu offers a rare degree of culinary variety and authenticity. Diners can move beyond typical Thai-American standards to explore more traditional Thai dishes like **Gra Prow with Minced Pork or Chicken** and expertly prepared seafood from the **Chef's Specials**. The ability to fully customize main dishes with a wide selection of proteins, including high-demand alternatives like **Vegetarian Duck** and multiple seafood options, makes Raenu exceptionally accommodating for all diets and tastes. For anyone in NYC seeking a cozy, neighborhood spot that delivers authentic, flavorful, and filling Thai food, Raenu Thai represents a genuine and reliable choice.

Raenu Vibe

Beverages
Soda $1.50
Choice of Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Sprite, Seltzer Water
Spring Water $2.00
Sparkling Water (Pellegrino) $2.50
Juice $3.00
Choice of Orange, Pineapple, Coconut, Lychee, or Mango Juice
Thai Ice Tea $3.00
Thai Ice Coffee $3.00
Chrysanthemum Ice Tea $3.00
Iced Green Tea $3.00
Bubble Milk Tea $3.50
Choice of Thai Ice Tea, Thai Ice Coffee, Taro, Green Tea, or Milk Tea

Appetizers
Spring Rolls $6.00
Glass noodles and vegetables served with sweet yellow chili sauce.
Thai-Style Chicken Wings $7.50
Served with sweet chili sauce.
Chicken Curry Puffs $7.00
Served with cucumber sauce.
Tofu-Vegetable Curry Puffs $7.00
Served with cucumber sauce.
Chicken Satay $8.00
Served with peanut sauce and cucumber sauce.
Fried Calamari $8.00
Served with lemongrass, ginger, mayo sauce.
Crabmeat and Shrimp Rolls $8.00
Served with sweet chili sauce.
Fried Tofu $6.00
Served with ground peanuts and sweet chili sauce.
Panko Fried Shrimp $8.00
Served with Sriracha mayo sauce.
Chicken Meatballs $7.00
Served with BBQ sauce, pineapples, onions, and bell peppers
Chive or Taro Dumplings $7.00
Wrapped in rice flour and served with sweet, chili and garlic soy sauce.
Gyoza $7.00
Choice of Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Edamame or Vegetable. Consists of scallion, ginger, garlic served with sweet, chili and garlic soy sauce
Crab Rangoon $8.00
Crispy wonton skin, crabmeat and cream cheese served with sweet chili sauce.
Steamed Chicken Dumplings $7.00
With sweet, chili, garlic sauce.
Spicy Fish Cake $7.00
With crushed peanuts, cucumber and chili sauce. Hot and spicy.
Duck Roll $9.00
Roasted duck with scallions, cucumber, Sriracha and hoisin sauce wrapped in a tortilla.
Grilled Pork $8.00
Grilled, marinated with garlic, onion, chili and lime sauce.
Spare Ribs $8.00
Served with spicy tamarind sauce.
Thai Scotch Egg $7.00
Boiled egg wrapped in sausage.
Panko Fried Avocado $8.00
Served with Sriracha mayo.
Thai Lemon Chicken $9.00
Fried chicken tenders with lime mayo sauce.

Salads
Thai Salad $6.00
Mixed green, tomato, cucumber, bean sprouts and fried tofu served with peanut or sesame dressing.
Som Tum (Papaya Salad) $8.50
With string beans, carrots, tomatoes, garlic and chili lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Duck Salad $13.50
Roasted duck with cashew nuts, mango, green apple, mint, tomatoes, sweet and chili lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Larb Gai $10.00
Minced chicken with red onion, scallion, mint, roasted rice powder, dried chili and lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Beef Salad $11.00
Grilled sliced beef, cucumber, red onion, mint, tomatoes, sweet and chili lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Grilled Shrimp Salad $11.00
Avocado, mango, lettuce, cashew nuts, red onion, garlic and chili lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Soft Shell Crab Salad $12.50
Soft-shell crab with mango, avocado, red onion and cashew nuts with chili lime juice.
Avocado Salad $8.50
Mixed greens with avocado, tomatoes and cucumbers with sesame sauce.

Soups
Small $5.50
Large $9.50
Wonton Soup
Clear broth with Thai wonton ground chicken, shrimp and bok choy.
Tom Kha
With a choice of shrimp, chicken, or vegetables and coconut milk, lemongrass, mushrooms, galanga, chili and lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Tom Yum
Lemongrass, mushrooms, onions, kaffir lime leaves, chili and lime juice. Hot and spicy.
Tom Jerd
Steamed tofu and vegetables, clear broth, glass noodles and mushrooms.

Choice of Protein For Curries, Entrees, Fried Rice, and Noodles
Chicken $13.00
Vegetables $13.00
Tofu $13.00
Pork $13.00
Vegetarian Duck $14.00
Shrimp $16.00
Squid $16.00
Beef $16.00
Duck $16.00
Jumbo Shrimp $17.00
Mixed Seafood $17.00
Tilapia $17.00
Served only in Curries
Salmon $17.00
Served only in Fried Rice or Curries

Curries
Red Curry
With a choice of protein, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, eggplant, bell peppers and basil. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Green Curry
With a choice of protein, coconut milk, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and basil. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Panang Curry
With a choice of protein, coconut milk, string beans, bell peppers and long hot chili. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Massaman Curry
With a choice of protein, coconut milk, potatoes, carrot, and onions. Served with jasmine rice.

Entrees
Pad Gra Prow (Basil)
With a choice of protein, bamboo shoots, onion, long hot chili, Thai basil-chili sauce. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Pad Khing (Ginger)
With a choice of protein, ginger, mixed vegetables with ginger soy sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Pad Medmamuang (Cashew)
With a choice of protein, cashew nuts, assorted vegetables with cashew sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Pad Prik Khing (Curry)
With a choice of protein, string beans, bell peppers, long hot chili, and chili paste. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Garlic
With a choice of protein, mixed vegetables and garlic sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Eggplant Basil
With a choice of protein, onion and long hot chili in basil sauce. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Rama
With a choice of protein, steamed broccoli with peanut sauce. Served with jasmine rice.

Fried Rice
Thai Fried Rice
With a choice of protein, egg, tomatoes, scallions, onions, Chinese broccoli.
Pineapple Fried Rice
With a choice of protein, pineapple, egg, tomatoes, scallion, onion, raisins and cashew nuts.
Thai Sausage Fried Rice
With a choice of protein, sweet Thai Sausage, egg, red onion, scallion, ginger and fresh chili.
Spicy Fried Rice
With a choice of protein, chili, onion, string beans, bell peppers, and basil. Hot and spicy.
Crab Fried Rice $16.00
Lump crab, egg, scallion and onion.

Noodles
Pad Thai
With a choice of protein, stir fried rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, chives and peanuts.
Pad See Ew
With a choice of protein, sautéed flat rice noodles with egg, Chinese broccoli and sweet dark soy sauce.
Drunken Noodles
With a choice of protein and flat or udon noodles with tomatoes, onions, chili and basil. Hot and spicy.
Tom Yum Noodle Soup $14.00
With rice noodles, ground and pork balls in clear broth, peanut and boiled egg.
Duck Noodle Soup $16.00
Rice noodles with braised duck, smooth broth, Chinese broccoli, bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro and garlic.

Thai Specials
Gra Prow with Minced Pork or Chicken $14.95
Thai chili basil sauce with fried egg. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Crispy Pork Gra Prow $14.95
Crispy pork belly in basil sauce and bird's eye chili. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Crispy Pork with Chinese Broccoli $14.95
Crispy pork belly in garlic sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Tilapia Pad Ped $15.95
Sauteed fillet tilapia, Thai eggplant, string bean and baby corn in spicy curry sauce. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Thai Pork Chop $15.95
Grilled marinated tender pork chop with sticky rice. Served with sticky rice.
Duck Tamarind $16.95
Roast duck with tamarind sauce and stir fried mixed vegetables. Served with jasmine rice.
Duck Gra Prow $16.95
Roast duck with basil sauce, onion, carrot and string bean with bird's eye chili. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Duck Curry $16.95
Roasted duck in coconut milk, tomatoes, pineapple, bell peppers and basil. Served with jasmine rice.
Gai Yang $17.00
Roasted half BBQ chicken. Marinated in Thai herbs, served with sticky rice, papaya salad and sweet chili sauce.
Pla Rad Prik $17.00
3 flavor sauce served with sauteed vegetables and jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Karee Shrimp $17.00
Jumbo shrimp, Chinese celery, onion, egg, long hot chili and sautéed with yellow curry. Served with jasmine rice. Hot and spicy.
Salmon Teriyaki $17.95
Grilled salmon fillet, teriyaki sauce and stir fried mixed vegetables. Served with jasmine rice.
Soft Shell Crab in Basil Sauce $19.00
Crispy soft shell crab with basil sauce on the sauce, served with sautéed vegetables and jasmine rice on the side.

Chef's Specials
Grilled Herb Salmon $17.95
With roasted red potatoes and mixed greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
Broiled Lemon Sole $17.00
With roasted red potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, sautéed vegetables and ginger soy sauce.
Pan-Seared Soft Shell Crab in Garlic Butter Sauce $18.00
Served with mixed vegetables and roasted red potatoes.
Seared Cashew Nut Lemon Sole $18.00
Avocado-cashew sauce served with sautéed asparagus and ginger brown rice.
Seared Lemongrass Sea Scallops and Jumbo Shrimp $19.00
Served with spicy mango-asparagus salad and chili-lime vinaigrette. Hot and spicy.
Sautéed Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops in Balsamic Cognac Sauce $19.00
Served with mixed vegetables and jasmine rice.

Side Orders
2 oz. Additional Sauce $1.00
Choice of Hot Chili Sauce, Cucumber Salad Sauce, Sweet Orange Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce, Dumpling Sauce, Sweet Yellow Chili Sauce, Sriracha, Calamari Sauce, Spicy Mayo, or Sesame Dressing
Peanut Sauce $2.00
2 oz.
Jasmine Rice $2.00
Ginger Brown Rice $2.50
Sticky Rice $2.50
Sweet Sticky Rice $3.50
Covered in coconut cream
Steamed Noodles $3.00
Choice of Rice or Flat noodles
Prawn Flavored Chips $3.00
Served in Peanut sauce
Fried Egg $2.00
Steamed Chinese Broccoli, Bok Choy, American Broccoli, or Mixed Vegetables $5.00
Sautéed Chinese Broccoli, Bok Choy, American Broccoli, or Mixed Vegetables $7.00
Edamame $5.00
Served with Sea Salt
French Fries $5.00
Served with Spicy Mayo

Desserts
Coconut Fried Ice Cream $6.50
Served with raspberry sauce on the side
Mango Sticky Rice $7.00
Sprinkled sesame seeds on top
Banana Leaf Sticky Rice $6.50
Pumpkin or Taro Custard $6.50
Served on top of sweet coconut sticky rice
Deep Fried Oreos $6.00
Deep Fried Twinkies $6.00
Fried Banana $7.00
Served with honey on the side

Choice of Protein for Lunch Specials
Chicken $10.50
Tofu $10.50
Pork $10.50
Vegetables $10.50
Vegetarian Duck $12.50
Beef $13.50
Shrimp $13.50
Squid $13.50
Duck $13.50
Seafood $14.50
Tilapia $14.50
Only in Curries
Salmon $14.50
Only in Curries or Fried Rice

Lunch Specials
A Choice of an Appetizer
A choice of the following: Green Salad with Peanut or Sesame Dressing; Spring Rolls; Steamed Chicken Dumpling; Tom Yum with Shrimp, Chicken, or Vegetables; Tom Kha with Shrimp, Chicken, or Vegetables; Crab Rangoon; Chicken, Kung Pao, or Vegetable Gyoza
Curries
Red Curry, Green Curry, Panang Curry, or Massaman Curry
Noodles
Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, or Drunken Noodles
Fried Rice
Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice, Thai Sausage Fried Rice, or Spicy Fried Rice
Entrees
Pad Khing (Ginger), Pad Gra Prow (Basil), Pad Prik King (Curry), Pad Medmamuang (Cashew)

Raenu Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Paid street parking

Raenu Photos

Raenu Location

Raenu

New York New York County New York Amsterdam Avenue

844 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA

Raenu Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 116 user reviews.

pricespad see ewdeliverytake outfried ricespicyappetizerstarochicken dumplingsboba

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Lovely little place with probably the best lunch value in the city for just $10 bucks you get an app and main. Food was great, well portioned and flavorful. Green curry had some kick to it and the Pad Thai had a fair amount of tofu. Place is tiny so only a few tables but attentive service nonetheless. Worth a visit if you’re in the neighborhood.
June 01 · Shreyas Shah
Pretty good for the price! Cozy interior - bonus points for the plant decor. The pad Thai with mixed vegetables and chicken dumplings was great. Also ordered the green salad but it had too much peanut sauce.
May 20 · Lina Lin
Food was pretty good for the price. I found the Massaman Curry too sweet and spicier than advertised. I could not finish it. The steamed chicken dumplings were pretty good.My friend had the minced pork dish and she enjoyed it.
August 25 · Zachary L.
Joined a friend here for the lunch special and was glad I did! It's a small place with less than 20 seats, but it's cheery. The food was tasty and the service was attentive. I believe that they may not have a restroom - I didn't see where there was one. Definitely recommend this little Thai...
July 27 · Al Cohen
cozy Thai spot with great food! Green curry with chicken was delicious!! So worth the value, would definitely recommend :)
November 11 · Helen Zhang