Obao – Thai
Obao captures the electric spirit of a Southeast Asian night market, blending industrial-chic design with the intoxicating aromas of charred meats and fresh Thai herbs. The kitchen transforms traditional street food into an elevated sensory journey, where the bright zing of lime and the fiery heat of bird's eye chilies dance across plates of silky noodles and aromatic curries. It is a vibrant urban escape that pulses with energy, offering a sophisticated yet soulful experience where every bite celebrates the bold, balanced complexity of authentic Thai flavors.
647 9th Avenue +1-212-245-8880 https://www.obaony.com/Rating: 4.7/5 (7916 reviews)
Cuisine: Thai
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, pescatarian, diabetic, sugar-free, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, whole30, paleo, mediterranean, atkins, south-beach, high-fiber, anti-inflammatory, weight-watchers, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, gerd, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, low-fodmap, carnivore, zone, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, candida, lectin-free, macrobiotic, pegan
Currently closed
Hours
- Sunday - Thursday
- 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
- Saturday
- 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM
What diners are saying
Diners rave about Obao’s flavorful Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly highlighting the rich beef and vegan pho broths, tender yellow curry noodles, and perfectly balanced Pad Thai. Guests consistently praise the welcoming and "zen" atmosphere, noting the beautiful aesthetics and cozy vibes that make it a great spot before a show. Reviewers also celebrate the attentive and friendly service, with specific shout-outs to helpful staff members like William and Nate who provide excellent recommendations and ensure a smooth dining experience.
Menu
Specials
- Whole Lobster Pad Thai - $55: Thin rice noodles served, lobster tail, bean sprout, chive, crushed peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian
- Short Ribs Massaman - $38: Braised grass-fed short ribs, mashed sweet potatoes and roasted peanuts topped with crispy shallot Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free
- OBAO Bun Platter - $28: Grilled pork, shrimp, tofu, beef balls, crispy spring roll, vermicelli noodles, fresh vegetables, pickled carrot and radish, peanuts and nước châm sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free
- Lemongrass Short Ribs Over Rice - $32: Braised short ribs, stir fried onions, grape tomatoes, fried egg, lemongrass sauce and crispy shallot Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Pla Todd and Mango Salad - $38: Deep fried Sea bass, lettuce leaves, mango salad, cashew nuts, fried lemongrass, crispy shallot and Thai spicy seafood sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian
- Duck Red Curry - $29: Red curry paste, duck leg confit, coconut milk, cherry tomato, pineapple, lychee, and Thai basil leaves Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
Appetizers
- Three Shrimps in The Green Sea - $14: Steamed shrimps, rice paper, black tobiko, cherry tomatoes, lime, red onion, crispy shallot, mint and spicy seafood sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Vietnamese Crispy Pork Belly - $16: Fried crispy pork belly, green leaves lettuce, picked carrot and radish, spicy seafood sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Crispy Spring Rolls - $14: Pork, shrimps, taro, mushrooms, and sesame oil, pickled carrot & radish with nước châm sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers
- Vietnamese Chicken Wings - $13: Deep fried chicken wings, fried garlic served with pickled carrot & radish Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Steamed Dumplings - $14: Chicken, shrimps, shiitake mushrooms, and sesame oil, sambal chili soy sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Low-Fat
- Sambal Spiced Calamari - $13: Fried calamari, scallions, and onion stir-fried with butter and Sambal Oelek Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Vietnamese Salad - $12: Shredded mango, lettuce, red onion, rice paper, carrots, cilantro and sweet fish sauce, crispy onions Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
- Papaya Salad - $13: Shredded young papaya, lime, chili, garlic, long beans, tomatoes crushed peanuts and palm sugar Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
- Kimchi Fries - $13: Sriracha mayo, scallions, and sesame seeds topped with spicy pickled napa cabbage Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Shrimp Tom Yum Soup - $12: Lemongrass soup, shrimp, button mushrooms, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, tomatoes, shallots, and bird's eye chilies Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Fresh Summer Roll - $13: Choice of tofu or shrimp green leaf lettuce chive, cilantro, vermicelli, pickled carrot & radish, thin rice paper, peanut sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Mushroom Bahn Xeo Tacos - $12: Shiitake mushroom, button mushrooms, bean sprouts, iceberg lettuce, scallion, cilantro, pineapple nước châm Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Mayo-Clinic
- Spare Ribs with Honey Tamarind Glazed - $12: 6 hrs. braised pork spareribs tossed with honey tamarind glaze served with Vietnamese table salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo
Sides
- Sautéed Bean Sprouts and Chives - $9: Bean sprouts, chive and garlic Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida
- Sautéed Chinese Broccoli - $12: Chinese broccoli, chili and garlic Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
Noodles
- Pho Bò - $18: 12 hrs cooked beef broth, thin sliced rare beef, cooked brisket, thin rice noodles, onions, cilantro, side of bean sprouts, jalapeño and lime wedge Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Weight-Watchers, Volumetrics
- Pho Bò Short Ribs - $34: A delicate combination of fresh salmon, cream cheese, and asparagus, rolled in orange-hued tobiko for a burst of sunrise-inspired flavors. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, Weight-Watchers
- Pho Ga - $18: Chicken leg confit, shiitake mushrooms broth, thin rice noodles, onions, cilantro, side of bean sprouts, jalapeño and lime wedge Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Weight-Watchers, Volumetrics, TLC, Mayo-Clinic
- Pho Chay - $18: Fried tofu, shiitake mushrooms broth, thin rice noodles, onions, cilantro, side of bean sprouts, jalapeño and lime wedge Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Weight-Watchers, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Khao Soí Chicken - $20: Creamy coconut yellow curry soup, egg noodles, chicken leg confit, pickled mustard green, red onion, crispy noodle, lime wedge Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Pad Thai - $20: Thin rice noodles with shrimps or chicken, egg, bean sprouts, chives, and crushed peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
- Pad See Eew - $20: Stir fried flat noodles, grass-fed beef, egg, garlic, Chinese broccoli, picked long hot pepper and white pepper Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Drunken Noodles - $18: Flat noodles, sliced chicken, egg, garlic, bird's eye chilies, bell peppers, Thai basil leaves Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Pork & Shrimp Bun - $21: Grilled pork & shrimp, vermicelli noodles, cucumber, bean sprouts, mint, scallion, peanuts, nước châm sauce, pickled carrot and radish Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low-Fat, Weight-Watchers, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
- Garlic Butter Noodles - $20: Garlic butter egg noodles, stir fried garlic butter shrimp , iceberg lettuce, scallion, cilantro, picked carrot and radish Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
Entrees
- Vietnamese Pork Chops - $20: Grilled pork chop, nước châm, pickled carrot and radish Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Lectin-Free
- Crab Fried Rice - $29: Crabmeat jumbo lump, egg, cucumber, scallion, Thai spicy seafood sauce and chili fish sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Chicken Green Curry - $19: Hand crushed green curry paste, sliced chicken, Thai Eggplant, Thai basil leaves, bird's eye chili and bamboo shoot Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins, South-Beach, High-Fiber
- Bò Lúc Lac - $28: Seared diced New Zealand grass fed beef , onion, grape tomatoes and top with crispy shallot Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers
- Eggplant Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce - $19: Stir fried eggplant, tofu, onion, bell pepper, chili, garlic, and Thai basil Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Shrimp Basil Fried Rice - $20: Jumbo shrimps , egg, garlic, chili, bell peppers, onions, Thai basil leaves Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Ka Prao Moo Krob - $25: Crispy pork, Thai basil leaves, chili, garlic, bell pepper, onions, string beans Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Ka Prao Kai Khai Dao - $20: Grounded chicken, Thai basil leaves, chili, garlic, onions, Thai fried eggs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers
- Crispy Chicken Cashew - $18: Deep-fried chicken, onion, scallions, white wine, butter and cashews with sweet chili sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein
Frequently Asked Questions about Obao
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Deviled eggs are keto and gluten-free, while Duck Red Curry, Whole Lobster Pad Thai, and Lemongrass Short Ribs are gluten-free and dairy-free.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- The price range for Obao is moderate ($$), which indicates a mid-tier cost for the various Southeast Asian dishes offered.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- With a 4.7/5 rating, Obao offers moderately priced Thai cuisine praised for its flavorful broths, zen atmosphere, and attentive service.
- Where is this restaurant located?
- Obao is located in New York City, as indicated by its official website at https://www.obaony.com/.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features 15 highlighted dishes and accommodates 40 dietary tags, including vegan, keto, gluten-free, and halal options.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- Obao is unique for its Southeast Asian night market atmosphere, industrial-chic design, and elevated street food like Whole Lobster Pad Thai.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact Obao by visiting their official website at https://www.obaony.com/ to find additional information and contact details.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- With a 4.7/5 rating, customers love the flavorful pho broths, yellow curry noodles, Pad Thai, "zen" atmosphere, and attentive service.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for Obao does not include specific information regarding its hours of operation.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Obao accommodates mixed needs with over 40 diet tags, offering vegan pho, gluten-free Duck Red Curry, and keto-friendly Deviled Eggs.