Allow the friendly servers to sway your decisions.
These dishes may be standard fare halfway around the world, but if you want a taste of Thailand, you don't need to travel that far -- just visit Kunya Siam, the latest stop in our tour of ethnic eateries at the Jersey Shore.
Kunya Siam | 99 1st Ave., Atlantic Highlands | (732) 291-2397 | kunyasiam.com
The chicken tamarind at Kunya Siam in Atlantic Highlands features crisp petals of fried chicken. Avoid that Friday afternoon traffic jam going south by taking the Seastreak ferry to the Shore. Walk a few blocks from the ferry terminal in Atlantic Highlands to find yourself seemingly transported to a beach on Phuket to explore Thai seafood dishes -- tom yum soup, shrimp in green curry and pla lard prik, a mildly spiced whole red snapper. On the way over to Kunya Siam, make a quick stop at Carton Brewing to pick up local beers that pair well with the Atlantic Highlands restaurant's spicy food.
MORE: Global food at the Jersey Shore
Allow the friendly servers to sway your decisions. Crispy petals of fried chicken in tamarind sauce are a delight. Try the som tum, a refreshing green papaya salad, and Siam duck with pineapple and basil. For a memorable dessert, finish with a silky textured taro custard or pandanas creme brulee, made with the juice of tropical screw pine leaves. BYOB
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