The welcome mat is out at this cozy cafe where great taste meets great design. The Green Papaya opened in December of 2008 with the concept of creating wholesome, fresh, home-style food at a reasonable price from Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. For 15 years, Mary Chern, the owner, entertained people with authentic Chinese food at this location, formerly known as the China Tea House.
She then took a 10-year hiatus, but realized that she missed her friendly customers and the liveliness of the restaurant. Now she's back to rouse your taste buds with Asian fusion cuisine at the Green Papaya, and she's brought the same simplicity and style, quality and value, and individuality and hospitality that people came to know and love over the years.
She then took a 10-year hiatus, but realized that she missed her friendly customers and the liveliness of the restaurant. Now she's back to rouse your taste buds with Asian fusion cuisine at the Green Papaya, and she's brought the same simplicity and style, quality and value, and individuality and hospitality that people came to know and love over the years.
Services
These are sweet, chewy, balls made from tapioca or sago. They look like many other starches, and both tapioca and sago are produced commercially in the form of "bubbles, " "balls, " or "pearls." You will most commonly find these balls at the bottom of the Taiwanese drinks like bubble tea. Bubble teas are generally of two distinct types: fruit-flavored teas and frothy milk teas.
Reviews (27)
Sye
Jan 28, 2022
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This restaurant is a town staple. A must-go if you are passing through, are new to the area, or if you’ve always been curious whether the food here is good. It is the best Thai/Asian fusion restaurant for miles! Their menu is extensive and I’ve have almost everything on it without disappointment.
Although just about everything is mouth watering, I’ll LIST A FEW OF MY FAVORITES:
- Satay Chicken Appetizer (tender, juicy chicken on a skewer with a peanut sauce to dip).
- Roti Canai Appetizer (soft, melt in your mouth dough triangles with a potato curry dipping sauce).
- Tom Kha (coconut
Although just about everything is mouth watering, I’ll LIST A FEW OF MY FAVORITES:
- Satay Chicken Appetizer (tender, juicy chicken on a skewer with a peanut sauce to dip).
- Roti Canai Appetizer (soft, melt in your mouth dough triangles with a potato curry dipping sauce).
- Tom Kha (coconut
Marcus DeLeon
Jan 20, 2022
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Finally decided not to pass this restaurant for the millionth time and give it a try and I am super impressed, whether it is a soup, chicken / beef, rice or noodle dish the green papaya delivers. Food was amazing and I will definitely add this into my usual rotation living so close to the restaurant.
Lee C.
Jan 03, 2022
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Wow - my original review of the Green Papaya was in 2024. Crazy! Well, we've been coming back all along, and it's still one of our favorite places. We've tried most of the dishes on the menu, varied flavors, textures - never boring or disappointing. Curries are distinctive, vegetables are fresh and crisp, meats and seafood fresh and perfectly cooked.
And yes, the Crispy Fried Tofu is still the best anywhere. Anywhere.
Go!
And yes, the Crispy Fried Tofu is still the best anywhere. Anywhere.
Go!
Charles Knight
Jan 02, 2022
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Tony W.
Dec 28, 2021
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Amazing restaurant in general. We've been coming here 2 years ago just as covid started.The first time we came here it was amazing and the food was delicious. But when we ordered online the food just wasn't as good as in the restaurant. Especially the black pepper beef, it was way too spicy and the beef was very hard to chew. Obviously our family doesn't like spice that much but the beef wasn't good. The first time we came to Green Papya it was the best. Sizzling beef and all. Not sure if it was Covid's effect but it just wasn't as good. Though I still recommend
Jon R.
Dec 23, 2021
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Stepanny J.
Dec 22, 2021
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Wessam Kader
Dec 22, 2021
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Cindy Helfer
Nov 27, 2021
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Maurice M.
Oct 18, 2021
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Kendell B.
Oct 01, 2021
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Mitch B.
Sep 26, 2021
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Now this is a great place if you're craving Thai. The Pad Kee Mao with chicken is to die for! The chicken was thick and juicy, the sauce in the Roti Canai tastes great and the Pineapple Roll are on another level. Even the drinks are worth getting.
Usually it's a miss with ordering out. I've been disappointed before, but keep it up Green Papaya, you might be those one to three joints that are constantly my go-to.
Usually it's a miss with ordering out. I've been disappointed before, but keep it up Green Papaya, you might be those one to three joints that are constantly my go-to.
Pinky P.
Sep 23, 2021
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Unimited C.
Sep 19, 2021
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Peggy C.
Sep 12, 2021
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Honestly two stars is being generous, awarded because the people were very nice when I picked up my food and because prices are commensurate with portion sizes. The food, however, is certainly not Thai, or very good. The pad see ew was almost entirely noodles, with 1 or 2 pieces of beef, and a few measly pieces of Chinese broccoli. The flavor was basically all soy sauce. The veggie spring rolls are all wrapper with a couple tiny morsels of carrot and cabbage inside. And the "sambal" chicken..... is just sweet and sour chicken?! What a misnomer.
Natalia R.
Aug 17, 2021
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Jennifer B.
Aug 13, 2021
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I'm updating my review to 5 stars because it's been 8 years since I've left the Bergen County area but I still find every reason to come back and order at The Green Papaya.
Of course, I tell my parents I'm coming to visit them but really I just neeeeed GP's Malaysian Curry Noodle Soup ;) The broth is an explosion of flavor and spices, and their fried silken tofu is my favorite. I can't find anything like it elsewhere and I've tried!
The two women who handle front of house are super friendly and welcoming. I'll be continuing to support this business during
Of course, I tell my parents I'm coming to visit them but really I just neeeeed GP's Malaysian Curry Noodle Soup ;) The broth is an explosion of flavor and spices, and their fried silken tofu is my favorite. I can't find anything like it elsewhere and I've tried!
The two women who handle front of house are super friendly and welcoming. I'll be continuing to support this business during
Kyte L.
Jul 31, 2021
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Disgusting!!! I ordered the vegan chicken and I don't know what the heck the substance was so I ended up throwing it away. What a waste of $30. The best part of the meal was the tea and even that was way too sweet but after adding water it was tolerable. Just because people are vegan, doesn't mean you can slap the word vegan on a plate and serve them garbage. I've never seen vegan protein look like that in my life. This was truly a disappointment to be served an unknown substance!!!!
Giancarlo P.
Jun 25, 2021
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Jill Ian
Jun 01, 2021
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Often order from here to go, although they do currently have indoor dining. Food here is delicious but simple. For people who are sensitive to spice or new to Thai food, Green Papaya is a great start. Very reasonable prices for lunch and dinner portions. Featured is Papaya Salad and Thai String Bean with Tofu.
Jimmy W.
May 07, 2021
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Pauline S.
Dec 18, 2020
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I've been going here for years, but unfortunately I feel like the flavors of the dishes have become more inconsistent over time. When I first went here years ago, it was amazing and I loved it. Common orders have been the calamari, roti canai, crispy tofu, red curry with shrimp, coconut shrimp, Malaysian curry noodle soup with chicken, and bubble tea. I've noticed that the red curry and the Malaysian curry noodle soup have become more bland. The roti canai also used to come with a piece of chicken in the curry, but they've since removed it. The curry has also lost some flavor. I
Christopher C.
Nov 23, 2020
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Hillary B.
Nov 22, 2020
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Some of the most solid bubble tea in Bergen County. The tapioca is consistently on point (it's soft and sweet), though the milk tea is less so. You can order in advance to pickup their boba milk tea and it takes about 10 minutes
Covid adaptations: their covid protocols are not quite robust. If you want to sit inside, they'll maximize the spacing between you and other diners and they keep the main door open. There's no plexi glass and you will have to hand your credit card to the cashier to pay and exchange pens and paper (so maybe BYOP (bring your own pen). They have hand sanitizer
Covid adaptations: their covid protocols are not quite robust. If you want to sit inside, they'll maximize the spacing between you and other diners and they keep the main door open. There's no plexi glass and you will have to hand your credit card to the cashier to pay and exchange pens and paper (so maybe BYOP (bring your own pen). They have hand sanitizer
Anna Z.
Oct 16, 2020
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Not going to lie, I'm surprised this place doesn't have 5 stars or even 4.5 stars.
This was the first place that I've ever had any Thai style food of any kind (it's Asian fusion). I used to get the pad see ew and the tom yum noodle soup. Probably last ate here 8 years ago when I lived in River Edge. I was in the area with my fiancé and suggested we stop here after a long and busy day of running errands. I have great memories here of the food but again, because it was the first Thai style food I ever had, I wasn't sure if this place would be amazing or if it was just my
This was the first place that I've ever had any Thai style food of any kind (it's Asian fusion). I used to get the pad see ew and the tom yum noodle soup. Probably last ate here 8 years ago when I lived in River Edge. I was in the area with my fiancé and suggested we stop here after a long and busy day of running errands. I have great memories here of the food but again, because it was the first Thai style food I ever had, I wasn't sure if this place would be amazing or if it was just my
Martin Wang
Dec 02, 2019
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This is not authentic at all, the pineapple fried rice has no flavor, the ton yum soup is just soup base with water with some canned veggie thrown in. The green curry is so watery that I cant even tell it is green. I dont know why they have such high reviews, may be there is just no competition's around.
We were visiting a friend in the neighborhood and my daughter was hungry so we decided to stop by and try this highly rated joint out, but is very disappointing.
The owner (I assume she is the owner) is very nice, and so does the other waitress, but the guy looks like he doesnt want to work there
We were visiting a friend in the neighborhood and my daughter was hungry so we decided to stop by and try this highly rated joint out, but is very disappointing.
The owner (I assume she is the owner) is very nice, and so does the other waitress, but the guy looks like he doesnt want to work there
J. Hwang
Jul 14, 2019
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Never judge a book by its cover. The exterior of the restaurant looks very questionable. However, the food is actually quite good. Not authentic for sure.
Good portions at very reasonable prices. Plenty of chicken in each dish as well. A choice of brown or white rice.
The only bad dish was the calamari appetizer. It felt like chewing on rubber. Skip it.
Good portions at very reasonable prices. Plenty of chicken in each dish as well. A choice of brown or white rice.
The only bad dish was the calamari appetizer. It felt like chewing on rubber. Skip it.
