Isaan Thai Star Restaurant Dazzles Diners in Hudson

Header image courtesy of Isaan Thai Star

For tip-top Thai in the riverside city of Hudson, stop by the new location of Isaan Thai Star, where you’ll find excellent bites, local beer, and live music.

The beginning of the pandemic was a difficult time for restaurants, as they struggled to keep up with the numerous regulations and limitations of operation in a post-virus world. Such was the case with Isaan Thai Star, a Hudson eatery offering authentic northeastern Thai cuisine as prepared by chefs from Thailand’s Isaan region.


After the restaurant was forced to close its dining room, Isaan Thai Star stayed afloat thanks to consistent online orders. To keep the expense of delivery in-house, the staff—including co-owner Andy McArdle—completed the deliveries themselves. “It really made a big difference for some customers in town to see the owner of the business or someone they know from the restaurant serving them once again,” says McArdle.

The team effort allowed Isaan Thai Star to thrive under these conditions, and now, the restaurant has expanded to a new location on Hudson’s North Seven Street. Formerly, this location housed Bagel Tyme and, before that, the youth center known as The Blue Anchor.

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The expansion is so significant, in fact, that the restaurant now boasts one of the largest outdoor dining areas in Hudson. Isaan Thai Star can accommodate over 120 patrons on the 1,825-sq-ft patio, and this says nothing of its indoor seating. Inside, patrons will find a chic 72-seat dining room and a 12-seat bar (constructed with materials from a barn silo that once stood in the Hudson Valley). The structure’s vaulted ceiling gives the dining area a spacious feel, with bi-fold doors opening to the patio.


McArdle partnered with local contractors to craft a state-of-the-art space at North Seven Street over the span of two years. The air circulation system, for example, kills up to 90 percent of airborne bacteria and viruses in the restaurant, protecting those who choose to dine indoors.

New Building, Same Bites

While the look of Isaan Thai Star has changed, customers can expect the same grub they know and love, including the fan-favorite “pick-and-mix”—brainchild of co-owner and head chef Nichapa “Cookie” Arjsing—which allows diners to choose from a base of stir-fry, fried rice, or noodles topped with proteins like organic tofu, pork, duck, crispy chicken, steak, or seafood.

Also not to be missed is the “Crying Tiger,” a New York strip steak served with tamarind spicy sauce, fresh mango, snow peas, cashews, and your choice of rice or shrimp. “The new space is making way for further creativity in the kitchen in regards to new offerings,” says McArdle. All dishes are made-to-order using fresh ingredients, so it’s no wonder this Thai joint shines as a culinary star of Columbia County.


Thirsty? For sips sans alcohol, McArdle recommends the Thai iced tea, which can be ordered with or without tapioca pearls. Isaan also offers a modest list of wine and beer, including the Juice Bomb IPA from Hudson Valley’s own Sloop Brewing Company.

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In addition to serving up superlative Thai cuisine, the restaurant hosts live music. Recent performers include the strings trio Stillhouse Junkies, pianist Sean McAlindin, singer-songwriter Phillip Roebuck, and the soul-folk fusion duo known as Clover & Sundream.

Next time you’re passing through Hudson, plan a pitstop to Isaan Thai Star. The restaurant is open for dine-in, take-out, and delivery every day (except Tuesday) from 3-10 p.m.

Related: Where to Get Delicious Thai Food in the Hudson Valley

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