Coco South East Asian Cuisine

Was eaten some authentic Shrimp Curry Laksa from an authentic Malaysian restaurant and this place not disappointed! On a cold, wintery day, the staff was so inviting, and the food came out quite quickly. The noodles and broths seriously hit the place for me, the flavors burst in my mouth and overall I could not stop smiling at eating. It was quite expensive as well as for what you got $14). I left the facility. My friend ordered the Dry Curry Beef, and that was also very delicious. Also the bathroom is absolutely beautiful. It was spacious and clean. Very satisfied with my experience.

A delicious dinner! I just wish we could try everything. Service was also great! Family-run restaurant with authentic pan Asian dishes including excellent Malaysian cuisine.

Great portions. Try the Roti Canai and grilled pig. They were both delicious. The noodles were ok, but it could use more umami taste.

My first NYC food review in what feels like four hundred eons! Today I went to Elmhurst, seeking something spicy and filling. I originally planned on going to local-favorite Vietnamese joint, Thai Son. But some hi-jinx led me to Elmhurst Avenue, where Coco, another place on my list, was mere meters away. I was the first customer of the day, having arrived right at opening time. The hole-in-the-wall had top forty radio blaring, with the quick banter of two young waitresses providing a rare escape from middling autotune. I ordered a red curry with chicken, because despite the restaurant’s proclamation of being both Thai and Malaysian, one of my friends had recommended the Thai section of the menu. Besides, who doesn’t love a nice, spicy red curry on a crisp spring day? Well, many people, surely, but I am not many people. After a week in California, I had missed spicy food. Finally, something with real warming flavors. I heard steaming and sizzling from the kitchen. An ever comforting smell. I sat at my dark-oak table, my hands pressed slightly on the thin layer of glass, listening carefully to the sound of searing meat. I sipped on my water, eating the ice-cubes as they came, a strange taste underlay the water, but I couldn’t place it. In retrospect, perhaps it was a faint infusion of rice. I’ve had rice water before, not for many years, but I have a vague recollection of it tasting similar to Coco’s water. Most of the interim time was consumed looking out the window. I looked past the posters obscuring the bottom half of Coco’s four front window, and cautiously observed the heads of passing people, constraining my curiosity as to avoid notice. Another man came in soon after me, I watched him watch the waiter who was watching him enter. Then, my curry arrived. I noticed four things in the curry: first, the warm but not overwhelming temperature, second the light but appreciated spice, apparent, but not overwhelming the chicken. I would’ve liked a little more punch spice-wise, but there was no scarcity of heat. Third, I noticed a wonderful injection of coconut, and a beautiful mix of juicy, warm, spicy chicken, and acidic, quick, abrasive pineapple. Like fantasy bridging the strange and the familiar, Coco bridged classic comfort food of old America with the refreshing, warm pallet typical of Thai cuisine. The fourth thing was salt. Salt. Oh the salt. Coco was too salty. Noticeably salty. I need two more glasses of water salty. Alright, not that bad, but still. The salt was a little too prevalent. Reduce the salt, and Coco’s red curry would’ve been in contention for best dish of my life. It was still excellent, just not top-tier. Compared to other Thai joints in Elmhurst and neighboring Jackson Heights, Coco had more coconut nodes, as the name implies. I appreciated the increased fruitiness and acidity. The curry was also wonderfully wet. Neither the fruit or the liquid were overdone. Balance. The curry was almost perfectly balanced, a little less salt and it would’ve been otherworldly. Still, Coco has wonderful food, fair prices, and easily warrants a second visit. Add in solid, quick service, and Coco becomes an enticing prospect for all enjoyers of Thai food. Will definitely check out something Malaysian next time. Rating: 8.5/10.

Small but nice place. It was surprisimg to see that not only could you fimd good food here, but they also sold jewelry. Gave me quite a chuckle.