SaRanRom Thai Review: Is This Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai Restaurant in Elmhurst Worth the Wait?
Quick Summary
Elmhurst is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Queens when I want Southeast Asian food. This time, I visited SaRanRom Thai, a compact Thai restaurant on Broadway known for bold, regional flavors and its distinction in the Michelin Guide.
SaRanRom Thai is currently listed as a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a designation awarded to spots offering high-quality cooking at reasonable prices. However, that acclaim comes with one notable catch: the restaurant gets exceptionally crowded.
We waited roughly 30 minutes for a table, and wait times can stretch even longer during peak dinner hours. But after tasting the Pineapple Duck Curry, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Beef Pad Thai, and Fried Calamari, I immediately understood why food lovers are willing to stand in line.
Good to Know
| Category | My Rating / Details |
|---|---|
| Overall | 9.6/10 |
| Food | 9.8/10 |
| Service | 9.6/10 |
| Atmosphere | 9.0/10 |
| Value | 9.3/10 |
| Favorites | Pineapple Duck Curry, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Beef Pad Thai, Fried Calamari |
| Total Spent | $144.48 |
| Michelin Status | Bib Gourmand |
| Biggest Drawback | Tight dining space and mandatory peak-hour wait |
| Best For | Couples, small groups of friends, and solo dining |
| Would I Return? | Definitely |
My Quick Verdict: The cramped dining room and wait times won't appeal to everyone, but the food and service were exceptional. SaRanRom Thai is a spot I will gladly wait for again.
Watch My Experience
My video covers the lively dinner rush, along with a full look at everything we ordered—from the crispy catfish and calamari to the duck curry, fried rice, Pad Thai, Thai iced tea, and desserts.
Jump to:
Why I Visited SaRanRom Thai
Elmhurst has no shortage of great Southeast Asian options, which is why I keep coming back to explore this part of Queens. I've previously reviewed local Malaysian staples nearby—like my deep dives into Taste Good Malaysian Cuisine and Pulau Pinang—so returning to Broadway for Thai food felt like a natural next step for the blog.
What drew me in was SaRanRom's Michelin backing. The Michelin Guide specifically highlights their Yum Pla Duk Fu—a dish of crispy shredded catfish served with a tangy mango salad—praising its contrast of textures and bold seasoning. Despite the distinction, the space feels like an approachable neighborhood joint rather than a formal dining room, and judging by the crowd outside, it has zero trouble attracting diners.
What to Know About Wait Times
If you're planning a visit for dinner, be prepared to wait.
We waited roughly 30 minutes during our visit. Securing a reservation in advance proved difficult, as available time slots filled up fast. Michelin notes that the restaurant manages its own bookings, but based on my experience, I wouldn't count on walking in or locking down an exact peak-hour table without a buffer.
Stopping by for a late lunch or during off-peak hours will likely yield a faster seat. Personally, the wait was the biggest downside of the evening, but as you'll see from the food below, it was worth it.
Atmosphere & Service
Stepping inside makes the seating bottleneck obvious: SaRanRom Thai is tiny. The dining room is long and narrow, with tables set close together. During peak hours, the space gets loud, lively, and undeniably tight.
Despite the close quarters, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Exposed brick, warm wood paneling, hanging greenery, decorative artwork, and warm lighting give the room a cozy, inviting feel even when packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Looking around the room, you see a clear contrast—cozy design paired with a buzzing, crowded floor.
If you prefer quiet meals with plenty of personal space, peak dinner hours here might feel overwhelming. Large groups will also struggle with the seating layout, but it works exceptionally well for parties of two to four, or solo diners.
Service Under Pressure
Despite the packed dining room, the staff were friendly, fast, and welcoming throughout our meal. I was genuinely impressed because the floor was working at full capacity, yet our table never felt neglected or rushed. Popularity shouldn't excuse slow service, and SaRanRom’s team handled the floor smoothly.
- Service Rating: 9.6/10
Location & Subway Access
- Address: 81-10 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373
I took the M or R train to Elmhurst Avenue, followed by an easy 5-minute walk down Broadway. Since Taste Good Malaysian Cuisine and Pulau Pinang are right around the corner, this stretch of Elmhurst remains one of the absolute best areas in Queens for a regional food crawl.
Complete Dish-by-Dish Breakdown
This was far from a small meal. Our total came out to $144.48 for two people, covering drinks, three appetizers, three main courses, and two desserts. Given the quantity of food and the culinary precision coming out of a Michelin Bib Gourmand kitchen, the bill felt very fair for NYC standards.
Here is my full, granular breakdown of everything that hit our table:
1. Thai Iced Tea
We started with classic Thai iced tea. It arrived ice-cold, sweet, and creamy, providing a crucial cooling counterpoint once the spicier, highly seasoned dishes began filling up the table. SaRanRom lets you customize your spice levels, but having something cold and sweet on hand made the spicier bites much more enjoyable.
2. Yum Pla Duk Fu — Crispy Catfish with Mango Salad
This was easily one of the most unique starters of the night. The dish features fluffy, deep-fried shredded catfish that creates a light, crispy nest, covered with a bright, tangy salad of sliced green mango, red onions, fresh herbs, and crunchy peanuts.
This is the exact dish Michelin calls out in their review of SaRanRom Thai, and it's easy to see why. The contrast between the savory, crunchy fish and the sour, citrusy mango dressing is brilliant. It was a great reminder of why it's worth branching out beyond standard takeout starters.
3. Fried Calamari
The Fried Calamari was an immediate standout for me. The squid arrived golden, piping hot, and exceptionally crispy without feeling oily or rubbery. It was easily one of my favorite bites of the entire dinner and a dish I would reorder without hesitation.
If you read my previous review of Ayada Thai located in Chelsea, I also ordered the crispy fried calamari. However, the calamari in Saranrom Thai tasted much better than the one I've had in Ayada Chelsea.
4. Curry Puffs
We also ordered the Curry Puffs as our third appetizer. They arrive as golden, flaky pastry shells stuffed with a savory filling of spiced potatoes and curry seasoning. The closest comparison that came to mind was a crisp Indian samosa that I had in Tikka N Talk—different dough and regional spices, of course, but a similar satisfying comfort-food structure. They were well-made and tasty, though the mains that followed quickly stole the show.
5. Pineapple Duck Curry
This was easily the best main dish of the entire night. Tender, rich slices of duck breast were served in a deep, aromatic red curry broth balanced by sweet chunks of pineapple, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables.
I ordered it at a mild spice level, which allowed just enough heat to cut through the richness of the duck without scorching my palate. The interplay between the savory duck fat, complex curry spices, and sweet fruit created an incredible depth of flavor. This is an absolute must-order.
6. Crab Meat Fried Rice
Our fried rice dish was packed with a surprisingly generous portion of sweet, lump crab meat tossed throughout fluffy, wok-charred rice, egg, and scallions.
My Personal Pairing Trick: Spooning the rich red curry broth from the Pineapple Duck Curry directly over the Crab Meat Fried Rice created the single best flavor combination on the table. The sweet crab and wok-fried rice absorbed the spicy duck curry sauce perfectly. If you visit with a group, order these two together.
7. Beef Pad Thai
For our noodle dish, we chose the Beef Pad Thai. Pad Thai is ubiquitous on Thai menus, but finding one with the perfect balance of flavors and wok texture is surprisingly rare.
SaRanRom's version hit every mark. The flat rice noodles were cooked perfectly with tender strips of beef, bean sprouts, and chives, balanced by a sharp tamarind tang and subtle sweetness—completely avoiding the heavy grease or cloying syrupiness found at lesser spots. The portion was large enough to share family-style alongside our rice and curry.
Between the Duck Curry, Crab Fried Rice, and Pad Thai, it was almost impossible to pick a single winner. All three excelled in completely different ways.
8. Sweet Sticky Rice
For dessert, we originally wanted classic mango sticky rice, but because we dined during a busy late evening rush, the kitchen had run out of fresh mangoes.
Instead, we received the sweet coconut sticky rice on its own. While I obviously missed the fresh fruit, the sticky rice itself was warm, rich, well-infused with coconut milk, and delightfully sweet. It's a small reminder of what can happen when you visit a popular spot near the end of service, but it was still enjoyable.
9. Taro Balls with Egg Yolk in Coconut Milk (Bua Loy Kai Kem)
Our second dessert was Bua Loy Kai Kem, a traditional Thai comfort dessert featuring delicate, chewy taro glutinous rice balls floating in warm, sweet coconut cream with a rich, salted egg yolk embedded inside.
After a heavy meal of bold, spicy, and savory dishes, this dessert was a welcome change of pace. It offered a comforting, sweet-and-savory conclusion that you rarely find on standard Thai restaurant menus in the city.
Was $144.48 Worth It?
Our final bill came out to $144.48 for two people. Considering we ordered two drinks, three appetizers, three full-sized entrees, and two desserts, the price-to-quality ratio is phenomenal.
More importantly, the quality of the cooking matched the bill. SaRanRom Thai isn't a cheap takeout counter, but it also doesn't mark up its prices just because it holds a Michelin nod. That's what I respect most about the Bib Gourmand category—it highlights spots delivering genuine culinary mastery at everyday prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SaRanRom Thai a Michelin restaurant?
Yes. SaRanRom Thai holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction, recognizing restaurants that serve high-quality food at accessible prices.
What should I order at SaRanRom Thai?
My top highlights are the Pineapple Duck Curry, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Beef Pad Thai, and Fried Calamari. Be sure to ladle the duck curry sauce directly over the crab fried rice.
Is SaRanRom Thai expensive?
No. Our bill totaled $144.48 for a multi-course feast including drinks, appetizers, mains, and desserts.
How long is the wait?
Expect roughly a 30-minute wait during dinner, though peak weekend hours can run longer.
Can you make a reservation?
Reservations are available through the restaurant, but peak-hour slots book out quickly due to high demand.
Can you customize the spice level?
Yes. The kitchen can adjust spice levels upon request.
Is SaRanRom Thai good for groups?
It works best for parties of two to four. Due to the small layout, large parties may have a hard time getting seated together during busy hours.
How do I get there by subway?
Take the M or R train to Elmhurst Avenue. The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the station.
SaRanRom Thai Restaurant Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | SaRanRom Thai |
| Address | 81-10 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373 |
| Cuisine | Regional Thai Cuisine |
| Michelin Status | Bib Gourmand |
| Top Favorites | Pineapple Duck Curry, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Beef Pad Thai, Fried Calamari |
| Total Spent | $144.48 |
| Service | Fast, friendly, and welcoming |
| Atmosphere | Cozy, warm, narrow, and busy |
| Wait Time | ~30 minutes during dinner |
| Spice Level | Customizable |
| Payment | Cash and credit cards accepted |
| Best For | Couples, small groups, and solo diners |
| Nearest Subway | M/R at Elmhurst Avenue (5-minute walk) |
| Would I Return? | Definitely |
| Overall Rating | 9.6/10 |
My Recommendation: If you're heading here for dinner, don't show up starving or in a rush. Expect a wait, order several dishes family-style, and make sure the Pineapple Duck Curry and Crab Meat Fried Rice are on your table!
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