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New Addition to Elmhurst's Thai Town Highlights Northern Specialties

By Katie Honan | July 18, 2017 4:40pm
 Hug Esan on Woodside Avenue opened in early July. 
Latest Restaurant in Elmhurst's Thai Town Highlights Northern Specialties
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ELMHURST — After years of working as a server in Thai restaurants around the city, Chiraporn Sornphoom had an idea of what she wanted in her own restaurant.

"We make the atmosphere feel like you're eating at home," she said about Hug Esan, which opened July 4 on Woodside Avenue.

There's seating for around 20 at the cozy eatery, which is decorated with the Thai flag and named for both the English meaning of "hug" and the Northern Thai word that means "love."

Sornphoom's menu, which she created with the help of her friends and the restaurant's chefs, Chalita Bootsri and Variya Jaroenwohg, features northern Thai specialties.

Portions are kept a bit smaller so diners can try multiple dishes.

"We're cooking like home cooking," she said. "I want people to try something new."

The menu's signature dishes include khao piak sen, a rice noodle soup with Vietnamese pork sausages, spare ribs and pork blood; a pork crepe; and a whole grilled tilapia served with vermicelli noodles and sticky rice.

There are multiple larb salads, as well as soups and side dishes.

In the few weeks since they've been open, Sornphoom said the response has been "great."

"The Thai community in New York welcomed us to the block," she said, referring to the multiple Thai restaurants on the stretch known as "Thai Town."

"I'm so happy that they like my food."

Hug Essan, 77-16 Woodside Ave., open every day but Wednesday.