Press Release: Raan Thai

209 Walt Whitman Road • Huntington Station
631-223-2904 • RaanThaiNY.com

For Raan Thai owner Yuna, entering the restaurant industry meant taking a leap of faith. Originally from Thailand, Yuna moved to the United States about five years ago in search of new opportunities and a better experience for her son. Before making the move, she sold everything in Thailand and purchased a restaurant without ever seeing the business in person.

Having never worked in the restaurant industry before, Yuna quickly discovered how demanding the business could be. The first six months were especially challenging, but she remained determined. As she became more comfortable with restaurant operations, the business began to grow, eventually leading to the opening of Raan Thai’s Huntington location.

At the heart of Raan Thai is a commitment to providing guests with an authentic Thai dining experience. Yuna works to preserve the flavors and traditions of the food she grew up enjoying while making thoughtful adjustments for the local community. Raan Thai’s chefs come from Thailand, helping the restaurant maintain a strong connection to Thai culture and culinary traditions.

Yuna and her husband have also worked to refine the restaurant’s recipes and establish consistency and quality throughout the menu. Raan Thai places particular emphasis on accommodating dietary needs, offering flexibility for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-conscious diners whenever possible.

The menu itself is deeply personal to Yuna. “I wanted to bring the flavors and food I loved in Thailand here to America,” she said. Alongside its main menu, Raan Thai introduces seasonal specials inspired by her favorite foods and the changing weather. Fall brought crispy pork belly to several dishes, while winter will feature curry-focused offerings suited for colder temperatures.

Customer favorites include Thai classics such as Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles. For guests looking to try something different, Yuna recommends pairing the Drunken Noodles with grilled sliced pork, one of her favorite combinations. What she believes sets Raan Thai apart is its dedication to preserving authentic Thai flavors rather than changing recipes to create an Americanized interpretation of the cuisine.

That philosophy has found a welcoming home in Huntington. Yuna credits the local community and social media groups with helping spread the word, particularly among diners with food allergies and dietary restrictions. For Yuna, though, the greatest reward is seeing familiar customers walk through the door.

“I enjoy seeing my customers smile,” she said. Over time, Raan Thai has become more than a restaurant to Yuna. Seeing guests talk, run into friends and enjoy meals together has created the feeling of a small community. With locations in both Huntington and
Smithtown, Yuna hopes to continue sharing the authentic flavors of Thailand with more of the Long Island community. For those who have yet to visit, her message is simple: come prepared to experience authentic Thai food and flavors that may be different from anything you’ve tried before.