Wondee Siam, the Thai restaurant that has been a Hell’s Kitchen staple since 1996, has moved to a new, larger space on the corner of W52nd Street and 9th Avenue. The owners plan to maintain the original location at 792 9th Street, a few doors north. , and turn it into a takeout restaurant.
“Wondee” means “good day” in Thai, and Siam is the old name of Thailand, so together they mean “good day in Thailand.”
When we visited last week, all the tables inside Wangdee Siam were filled at 5pm. By 5:30, a line of loyal patrons was already forming out the door. Most of the customers are Thai, and one of the restaurant’s co-owners, Sudavi Vasbooncho, says that’s always been the case.
“We were very busy,” Sudavi said. “We have long-time regular customers, and we also have new customers.”
The menu features classic favorites like pad thai (filled with a secret sauce!), as well as a section translated into Thai, featuring delicacies for New York City’s Thai community.
Sudavi said one of the most popular dishes ordered by Thai people is papaya salad with raw crab. Another specialty is the crispy pork served in broccoli leaves, which she says creates the perfect combination of sweet and savory in the mouth. In the past few years, members of the Thai royal family were frequent visitors. The interior is modern and spacious, with tiled walls and a curved bar.
“Danny” Likisansk and his wife Nikki of Pamuang opened the restaurant after coming to the United States in 1980 and working in restaurants. ” Danny recalled his early days working in restaurants such as the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center.
The couple operated several stores in Hell’s Kitchen, but they are now closed. Nikki’s father owns a restaurant in Chowburi, Thailand, and Nikki learned to cook from his father. Danny recalls that at first, his family didn’t believe they could run a restaurant.
“My family was like, ‘How are you going to run a restaurant when you don’t know anything?'” he said. Since then, he has certainly proven them wrong.
Danny and Nikki currently live in New Jersey and own another restaurant in Jersey City called One Dee Siam. There is a poster next to the door explaining the history of the restaurant.
“Here in Hell’s Kitchen, our journey began with Finploy’s ‘Big Mama’ Rikisansk’s dream to bring authentic Thai flavors to New York,” it reads. “Our evolving menu started as a crowd-pleaser and has grown to include unique ‘secret Thai’ recipes. These special dishes were once kept secret, but now we are proud to offer them to you. Discover our story in every dish, a fusion of traditional Thai cuisine and Big Mama’s heartfelt passion. ”
Restaurants are family events. Nikki and Danny may be in New Jersey now, but Nikki’s sister is working in the kitchen at the back of the house. Sudavi, who is also a Hell’s Kitchen resident, has worked at Wangdee Siam for 15 years and recently became her partner. She said one of her son’s girlfriends works at the store, and another son may join soon.
“We’re very family-oriented,” Danny said with a smile.
