JukGajee Thai Bloomfield NJ Restaurant Review - delicious Thai food paired with a delicious Oregon white wine

Become a Fan

We do not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this blog for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice. For further information contact peter@manoavino.com

There is a new and very exciting contender for best Thai restaurant in our neighborhood. JukGajee, which I am told means "tickle" in Thai, quitely opened a few months ago on Broad Street in downtown Bloomfield, NJ. Fans have been raving ever since. We dined there last night and I have to say Wow! JukGajee brings fun, excitement, and the most delicious cuisine this side of the Chao Phraya.

Their secret is an absolute commitment to authenticity and quality. They make all their dishes from scratch down to their own tamarind sauce. Place that in a groovy environment with engaging and interested staff and you have a restaurant that you've just got to try. Personally I can't wait to get back for more.

We started with vegetarian Spring Rolls and a the Yum Neua salad and of course a great bottle of wine, Evolution by one of our favorite wine makers Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser.

Evolution is "a unique blend of nine grapes" to make an "off-dry white with zippy acid, a tropical fruit bowl of flavors and a crisp, clean finish" Gayot it pairs perfectly with the spicy garlicky flavors of Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine. "One of the best priced organic white wines."

JukGajee calls it self "New Thai Jersey Cuisine" and the menu is a trip. Everything about this place is fun and creative which I love.

I really have to get a better camera, for really good pictures check out Bernadette Baum's work on Flicker Photos. But here are my shots and thoughts on the food.

The spring rolls were crisp and delicious and laced with a sweet chili sauce that is 1/2 a star. Stars are used to designate spiciness, you can order from 1 to 5. We got our Yum Neua at a 3 which was very lively. The delicious tender beef, cucumbers, lettuce, onions and lime stood up to the power of the spice but we decided to back down to a 2 for the rest of the meal.

We also ordered the Pad Thai and without a doubt it was one of the best I have ever enjoyed. The noodles were the perfect size and texture, not to skinny, not to thick, and not to firm or mushy. Believe it or not its evidently hard to get this right, which JuGajee does. The shrimp was fresh and perfectly cooked, the veggies crisp and tasty but the home made tamarind sauce really made this Pad Thai outstanding. Pad Thai one of the national dishes of Thailand is benchmark for judging Thai restaurants and on this test JukGajee clearly won.

We also had a Pan Nang Chicken dish that was amazing as well. It was done in coconut milk with spicey chill, 2 stars, with green beans and peppers. We had the dish with brown rice, but white rice, or sweet or french fried potatoes are available. You can also get sticky rice for a little more money.

French fries you ask? Well here is where we get into the "Jersey" part. In addition to a beautiful menu of Thai dishes JukGajee does their take on Burger and Fries, Thai style. We will be trying that when we go back with the kids next week.

They also have dumplings on the menu which I hear are amazing. The buzz on this place is all good. We loved JukGajee and suggest you give the place a try. By the way the prices are great.

Last but not least was a dessert of black sticky rice and exotic longan fruit. The rice is slow cooked for hours to a delicious chocolatey tasting soupy rice pudding. The contrast of the longan fruit makes a wonderful end of the meal.