What was once Pok Pok Wing, is now Pok Pok Phat Thai, Andy Ricker's ode to Thai noodles, and that ever so popular dish, Pad Thai. If you are going to specialize in one dish, in this case Thai noodles, Phat Thai, then it better be pretty darn good. Well, after a recent visit to Pok Pok Phat Thai, I will tell you that the noodles here are pretty darn good. They are great. The menu only has two noodle dishes, and a crepe. You can get the Phat Thai regular, with prawns, or ground pork, or both. I got my Phat Thai regular ($8); thin rice noodles cooked in rendered pork fat with tamarind, fish sauce, palm sugar, peanuts, dried tofu, dried shrimp, preserved radish, egg, garlic, chives, bean sprouts, and chili powder. It was perfection. The flavor and texture was spot on. Was it the best Phat (Pad) Thai I ever had? I don't know about that, but it was definitely great!

The other two dishes on the menu are awesome too, and I recommend you order them! Kuaytiaw Khua Kai ($10), fresh wide rice noodles stir-fried in rendered pork fat with chicken, cuttlefish, egg, and green onions, served on chopped lettuce. I loved this dish maybe even more than the Phat Thai. A true flavorbomb of deliciousness.

Hoi Thawt ($10), a crispy broken crepe with steamed fresh mussels, eggs, garlic chives and bean sprouts, served with Shark Sri Racha sauce, was sublime. Pure awesomeness.

Andy Ricker is a true wizard of Thai cuisine, and his Lower East Side joint is a true gem. If you are a fan of Thai noodles, stop by Pok Pok Phat Thai, because a magical and phantastic culinary adventure awaits.

Pok Pok Phat Thai
137 Rivington St. (bet. Norfolk and Suffolk)
New York NY 10002
212-477-1299
www.pokpokphatthai.com