My husband and I ate here last night, with a friend from out of town, and we all loved it. We had been "pre-covid", but not since. It is such a cute space, the people who work there are lovely, and the food is still great!! Some of it, of cousre, is very, very spicy - but they are accomodating in adjusting that IF possible, or in steering you towards dishes that are less hot. (Our friend can't tolerate heat - we love it - and we were all able to get what we wanted. Perfect). There is a very cute wine store next door, good selection of ready to go chilled whites, roses and sparkling wines that pair well with the Hug Esan's food. I highly, highly recommend. (they close at 9pm - be forwarned :-)
We have eaten here a number of times and the food was delicious. I am very disappointed to learn that the restaurant uses tilapia for the fried fish and the fish sauce use tilapia in those preparations. Tilapia is unsafe to eat. You can do a search if you don’t believe me. I would implore hug Esan to use other fish instead. Porgy could work and is okay to eat. I would love to try the fried fish but will not do so until they stop serving tilapia.
@Peter Gartland Did search and half agree. Tilapia is unsafe to eat if raised in poor conditions. Fine to consume bred in good conditions.
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This food looks terribly unhealthy. Why would anyone eat this deep fried food probably made in used oil. I cannot believe that people actually eat this stuff. Why do people choose to make themselves sick and their bodies with oil drenched food like this. How about a great salad and some broiled fish,no butter. Why eat duck and pork belly when you can eat salad and kale and feel great after.
@This just in
If you don’t like this food don’t proselytize about your dietary choices. I eat kale and salad and meat and fish (except tilapia) and dairy and dark chocolate. And I’m fine.
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Where I live, there used to be a Thai restaurant that served delicious grilled sea fish. The fish was placed on the table in a metallic cage that held it vertically in the backbone-belly direction. The clientele of visibly Caucasian, South-East Asian, and Far Eastern origins used only forks and knives for removal of the flesh from the bones. I thought this was a pity, as chopsticks would have been more elegant in picking out the morsels from the sides.
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@Tuvw Xyz Most Thai food is traditionally eaten with a spoon and fork (no knives). Chopsticks are only used for noodle dishes. There are many, many sources on the internet that explain the situation.
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@ PJ USA
Thank you for this info. Evidently the table manners of South-East Asia moved farther away from those of East Asia and Far East.
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Where can I find food like this in the SF Bay Area?
Thank you for the amazing recommendation. Really great spot, unique Thai experience.
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