NYC: Marwin – Great place for casual Thai food

Marwin is a casual Thai restaurant on the Upper East Side. It was Steve who told me about the place, and if you don’t have a Steve to tell you about Marwin, chances are, you’ll probably just walk by, because the restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, and nothing, including the name, would suggest that you just missed a true neighborhood gem.

Marwin opened back in 2021, but Steve first discovered the restaurant earlier this year. The first times he went, the restaurant was almost empty, but with a lot of take-out activity at the counter. However, recently, in-house dining also seems to be picking up, and the other night we were there, we got the very last table in the tiny restaurant, and people were lining up outside.

The menu is a weird mix of authentic Thai dishes, a bit of fusions, plus the kitchen’s own creations. They also do different kinds of ramen, and while the may not be the typical ramen bowls that you’d recognize from Japan, they are tasty and delicious in their own way.

I’ve been texting back and forth with the owner, who is from Thailand. He told me that the chef and the rest of the team at Marwin are also from Thailand. According to the owner, the most popular dishes are the khao soy (a rich curry dish from Northern Thailand), the Peanut Sauce Lover (homemade peanut sauce and chili paste served over your choice of fried chicken or tofu), and the Fried Chicken Curry, – all of which I have yet to try. Instead, I have made my own list with my Marwin favorites. The list is made together with Steve and more dishes might be added along the way as we explore more of the menu:

Crispy Belly: Fried pork belly served with a spicy jaew (Thai dipping sauce). A really nice snack.

Tom Yum soup: I tried this last time I was there. It’s a nicely executed version of one of my favorite Thai classics, and the balance between the sour, spicy, salty, and aromatic flavors was just right.

Larb: The classic minced meat salad from North-Eastern Thailand is usually so spicy, when I order it in Bangkok, that it causes extensive sweating, and quick emptying of water glasses. The version at Marwin is milder, but still has a kick, and I’m sure they’ll add more chili if you ask:)

Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen: Nice, pork-based, broth with a decent level of heat from chili oil. Comes with a generous amount of toppings including corn, pork belly, egg, and seaweed.

See-Ew Noodles with duck: Broad, flat noodles with duck, egg and broccoli in a soy-based sauce. One of those dishes it’s impossible to go wrong with. Not spicy.

Marwin, 1132 1st Ave., New York, NY 10065