Noodle decisions can get serious very quickly. Go sweet and savory with pad Thai, or let basil, chili, garlic, and flat rice noodles make the case for something with a little more kick?
This New Jersey Thai restaurant gives that debate plenty of fuel.
Drunken noodles share the menu with curries, fried rice, dumplings, satay, spring rolls, soups, and other familiar Thai favorites, creating the sort of lineup where ordering “the usual” requires impressive self-control.
There are plenty of bold flavors competing for attention. Chili brings the heat.
Coconut milk smooths things out. Fresh herbs and aromatic spices keep each plate from feeling ordinary.
Bring somebody willing to share and your odds improve considerably.
Because staring across the table at somebody else’s noodles and realizing you ordered wrong? That is a dinner tragedy nobody needs.
Pad Thai Worth Crossing Town For
Some dishes earn their fame, and I think Pad Thai at Proud Thai Cookery is one of them. The plate arrives with sautéed rice noodles tangled around bean sprouts, scallion, and soft ribbons of egg.
Crushed peanuts land on top for a little crunch in every bite.
You get to pick your protein, which makes it easy to please a whole table. Chicken, shrimp, or another meat choice all work well, and bean curd adds a mellow, soft texture that soaks up the sauce.
Vegetarians are covered too, since there is a version made with tofu and egg.
What makes Pad Thai so loved in Thailand is its balance. Sweet, salty, and tangy notes all show up at once, and nothing shouts over the rest.
It is the kind of dish that tastes familiar even on a first try.
Here is a handy tip. Pad Thai is offered as a lunch special, so a midday visit is a smart way to try it.
Squeeze a little lime over the top if you have some, then give everything a good toss before digging in.
Drunken Noodles With A Basil Kick
Fair warning, this plate has attitude. Drunken Noodles, also called Pad Kee Mao, are one of the most popular orders on the menu, and one bite explains why.
Wide, flat rice noodles get sautéed with egg, onion, garlic, and a hit of crushed chili. Fresh basil leaves wilt into the mix, bringing a sweet, peppery smell that rises off the plate before you even pick up your fork.
Green hot pepper and red bell pepper add color and a bit of crunch.
I love how the heat builds slowly instead of hitting all at once. The noodles are soft and chewy, and they grab onto the sauce in every fold.
You can choose your meat, and there is also a vegetarian version made with tofu and egg.
If you are sensitive to spice, keep a glass of water nearby and take your time. Rice on the side can help cool things down too.
Like Pad Thai, this dish shows up as a lunch special, so ordering both with a friend and sharing is a delicious plan.
Street Food Spirit On Springfield Avenue
Thai street food has a reputation for bold flavor served without fuss, and that spirit is exactly what Proud Thai Cookery aims for. The kitchen describes its cooking as authentic Thai street food, meant to remind you of a trip to Thailand.
That is a big goal for a spot on a busy suburban avenue.
In Thailand, street food is part of daily life. People grab noodles, grilled meats, and snacks from stalls and small shops at almost any hour.
The menu here borrows from that tradition, with noodles, grilled meats, soups, salads, and sweets all in one place.
The restaurant sits on Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights, a friendly New Jersey town with a relaxed pace. It is easy to picture a quick lunch here after running errands nearby.
Lunch runs until mid-afternoon, and dinner picks back up in the evening.
Not in the mood to sit down? Takeout and delivery are both available, so the flavors can travel to your couch.
Just a heads up, food this aromatic may make your whole house smell amazing. Nobody will complain.
Starters That Steal Attention
Honestly, the starters could be a meal on their own. The appetizer list is long and fun, and it is hard to pick just one or two.
Starting small is a great way to warm up your taste buds.
Vegetarian Spring Rolls come with a sweet chili dip that is sticky, tangy, and a little addictive. Bangkok Wings bring a satisfying crunch, while Taro Fritters offer something you may not see on every menu.
Taro is a starchy root with a gentle, nutty flavor, and frying it turns it golden and crisp.
Then there is Sleeping Bag Shrimp, a name that makes me smile every time. Chive Dumplings, Tofu Tod, Satay Chicken, and Golden Curry Puffs round out the lineup.
Satay, by the way, is grilled meat on skewers, a classic snack sold across Southeast Asia.
Can’t decide? The Proud Sampler is a combination platter that takes the pressure off, and it is a smart order for groups or anyone who likes a little taste of everything.
Share it at the center of the table and watch it disappear fast.
Soup Bowls For Every Mood
On a chilly evening, few things beat a steaming bowl of Thai soup. The soup section here covers both fiery and soothing moods, so there is a bowl for whatever kind of day you have had.
Tom Yum Koong is the famous one. Its hot and sour broth is packed with shrimp, mushrooms, lime, and lemongrass, and the smell alone can clear your head.
Each spoonful is sharp, bright, and warming all at once.
For something creamier, Tom Kha Gai is a gentle favorite of mine. Coconut milk forms the base, with chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, red onion, and galangal.
Galangal looks a bit like ginger, but it tastes more piney and citrusy, and it gives the soup its special fragrance.
The menu also lists Tofu Soup, Glass Noodle Soup, and Tom Zaab for anyone who wants to explore. Glass noodles are made from starch and turn clear when cooked, which is how they got their name.
A soup makes a great side for noodles, or a light meal by itself on a cozy night.
Curries In Four Personalities
Here is where I get a little emotional, because Thai curry is pure comfort in a bowl. Four styles appear on the menu at Proud Thai Cookery, and each has its own personality.
A crispy roasted duck version of Panang shows up too, but more on that later.
Green Curry is often the spiciest of the bunch in Thai cooking, with a fresh, herby heat. Red Curry runs a little deeper and richer.
Both usually come with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and basil leaves.
Massaman Curry is the mellow one, and it often includes onions and potatoes that soak up the sauce. Its flavors lean warm and slightly sweet, thanks to spices that traveled to Thailand from other lands long ago.
Panang Curry is thicker and silkier, often finished with thin slices of kaffir lime leaves that smell like citrus and flowers.
Not sure where to start? Massaman is a gentle entry point for spice beginners, while Green Curry suits anyone who wants a little fire.
Spoon any of them over steamed rice so none of that sauce goes to waste.
Fried Rice And Smoky Grill Plates
Rice lovers, this section is your playground. Fried rice comes in several styles, starting with Classic Thai Fried Rice for anyone who likes to keep things simple.
Pineapple Fried Rice brings a sweet, juicy twist that makes the dish feel almost tropical. Basil Fried Rice is more fragrant and peppery.
Crabmeat Fried Rice feels a little fancy, with tender seafood folded into every forkful.
Then comes the grill, and this is where things get smoky. Gai Yang is marinated lemongrass chicken, a dish you will find grilling on street corners all over Thailand.
Moo Yang features grilled marinated pork tenders, juicy and full of flavor.
The name that always gets my attention is Tiger Cried, a grilled marinated rib eye steak. Similar dishes in Thailand go by the name crying tiger, and folks still debate how that playful name came about.
Whatever the story, the steak is a solid pick for hearty appetites.
Grilled meats go great with a side of rice and a fresh salad. Build your own mini feast by mixing one fried rice with one grilled plate, and share everything family style.
Crispy Duck Deserves Your Attention
Duck fans, gather around. The roasted duck dishes might be the most underrated part of the whole menu.
Crispy roasted duck is the star here, with skin that crackles and meat that stays tender underneath. Duck Lard Prik pairs that crispy duck with a sweet chili sauce, sticky and bold.
The sauce clings to every piece, so each bite brings sweetness, heat, and crunch together.
Then there is Duck Panang Curry, which I think is one of the smartest combos on the menu. Rich, velvety Panang sauce meets the deep, savory flavor of roasted duck.
It is comfort food with a fancy twist.
Duck appears in plenty of Thai dishes, especially in cities where roast duck shops are common. Its richness stands up well to strong flavors like chili, coconut, and herbs, which is why it works so nicely in curries and spicy sauces.
If you usually order chicken, consider switching things up on your next visit. Pair a duck dish with plain rice to let the flavors shine.
Your taste buds will thank you.
Sweet Endings And Planning Your Visit
Save room, please. Dessert here keeps things simple and sweet, with classic Thai treats that feel like a warm hug after all that spice.
Sticky Rice with Mango is the famous one, pairing chewy sweet rice with ripe, juicy fruit. Coconut Pudding is smooth and gentle, while Taro Custard offers a soft, nutty flavor.
Sweet Sticky Rice is there too for anyone who loves that chewy texture on its own.
Sticky rice is a big deal in Thai food, especially in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. It is eaten with savory meals as well as desserts, so ending with it feels just right.
A little planning helps. The restaurant opens for lunch from 11 AM to 3 PM and for dinner from 4:30 PM to 9 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
On Sundays it stays open from noon until 9 PM, and it is closed on Mondays.
Ready for your own taste of Thailand? Head to Proud Thai Cookery at 645 Springfield Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, for Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and so much more.
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