HUNTINGTON STATION, NY – March 24, 2026
For over a year, I drove past that black sign with the gold lettering in the old Francesco’s Pizza & Pasta space at 209 Walt Whitman Road across from Walt Whitman Shops and thought… what is that place?
It was intriguing. Windows completely covered. No peek inside. Just that sign quietly sitting there, calling my name every time I drove by.
Then one day, a neighbor posted in Huntington Matters Community Forum about “the new Thai place by the mall” – and I literally jumped up out of my chair.
They’re open?! How did I not feel that in my bones?!
What sealed it for me was her mention about lots of gluten-free and vegan options – which, if you know, is not easy to find in Asian cuisine.
The Reluctant Dinner Date
I love Thai food.
My family… does not.
So when I told my husband Lance I wanted to go, his response was:
“Enjoy…” (Husband code for: I’m not going.)
Two Fridays later during our first Huntington Matters Weekly Update live podcast episode, Raan Thai was my “Crave” – a restaurant you desperately want to try – in the “Fave & Crave” restaurant poll. I shared my lament that nobody would try it with me.
The next night, neither of us felt like cooking so Lance said, “Let’s go out. Anywhere you want.”
(Insert plotting side-eye.)
RAAN THAI!
He sighed. Shoulders dropped. “Alright. Let’s go.”
First Impressions
The space is small but bright, immaculate, and thoughtfully designed with warm and interesting touches including a colorful mural that reflects across the mirrors and gives it a lively, modern feel.
What stood out most, though, was the service. It’s next level. They don’t rush you. They don’t push you. They actually take the time to understand what you like and guide you toward the best choices on the menu.
There’s an ordering kiosk by the door if you want a quick, no-contact experience. There’s a small, comfortable dining area where you can order traditionally. And if you need help – like me – they will walk you through the menu in detail to make sure you get it right.
And they genuinely want to do that.
A Menu That Actually Works
About half the menu can be made gluten-free, most dishes are dairy-free, and they have a dedicated allergen station. That alone sets them apart.
Beyond that, the menu is built for flexibility. You can choose your protein, adjust sauces, and select your spice level from 0-5. They are serious about the spice levels, and the warning on the menu makes that clear: “No refund when you order your food spicy and cannot handle it.”
There are plenty of options – dumplings, spring rolls, satay, curries, noodle dishes, fried rice, stir-fries – but you are not left to figure it out on your own. They guide you based on what you like, which makes a big difference.
What We Ordered
Lance ordered the fried Thai dumplings and the sweet and sour pork. I ordered the steamed vegetable dumplings with a gluten-free sauce and the Pork Pad Woo Sen – stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables in sesame oil and a gluten-free house sauce.
The dumplings were excellent. Even the fried ones were not greasy, and the sauce was very well done.
Lance’s dinner surprised him. The pork was extremely tender, the flavors were balanced, and everything tasted fresh. He kept saying it felt like something you would get at a much higher-end restaurant.
Lance was raving. This is someone who has actively avoided Thai food.
The Glass Noodles Surprised Me
I am typically not a huge fan of glass rice noodles because they are often rubbery and fairly flavorless. I decided to give it a try after the waitress explained that they are similar to Mei Fun, which is one of my favorites.
Every bite was a flavor explosion. The noodles were perfectly cooked to absorb the sauce, and the dish included a mix of unexpected vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers, along with the more traditional ingredients like onions, scallions, cabbage, zucchini, and carrots.
The portion was generous – easily enough for two meals – and we finished with a simple mango sorbet that was perfect to share.
What Makes This Place Different
Raan Thai focuses on “Authentic Thai Street Food”, which is lighter and less sauce-heavy than what most people are used to. The flavors are more concentrated and balanced, and each ingredient stands out.
You can tell that attention is paid to how everything is prepared. It feels intentional.
The Story Behind It
Co-Owner Yuna’s path to Huntington is not a typical restaurant story.
She moved to the United States from Thailand just four years ago, after the pandemic significantly impacted her business there and left many opportunities uncertain. Looking for a fresh start, she made the decision to come to America – and invest in something entirely new.
What makes that decision even more remarkable is that she had no prior restaurant experience.
While still living in Thailand, she purchased the existing Raan Thai restaurant in Smithtown – without ever seeing it in person.
She arrived, learned the business, and within a short time began adapting the recipes to reflect the way the food is prepared in Thailand, working closely with her husband, Chef Xia (pronounced Seeah).
After establishing the Smithtown location, she began looking for a second space and chose Huntington.
“I feel drawn to the neighborhoods and community… it fits my lifestyle.”
The Huntington location, however, came with significant challenges.
The former restaurant required a complete overhaul, including underground plumbing and infrastructure that could not be reused. What she initially expected to be a manageable renovation quickly became something four times more than anticipated.
At one point, she seriously considered walking away. She stayed with it, and I’m so glad she did!
Her husband, Chef Xia, leads the kitchen and has developed many of the sauces – including the gluten-free and vegan options – to ensure they maintain the same depth of flavor as traditional recipes. They also brought chefs from Thailand to keep the food as authentic as possible.
Hours, Location & How to Order
Raan Thai at 209 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY is open six days a week for lunch and dinner (closed Mondays), with late hours – check their website for details. They offer lunch specials, pickup and delivery. You can order directly through their website for in-store menu pricing with a reasonable $3.99 delivery fee, or through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub at a higher menu price to cover platform costs.
10/10 from the Margolins. Go try it – and let us know what you think.
Photography by June Margolin.
