Another incredible night at Anajak Thai! We keep coming back and it never disappoints. The food is consistently outstanding, that sizzling steak is unreal every single time, but what makes this place extraordinary is the people. From the moment we walk in, Maddie made us feel right at home. She's the best, upbeat, and really seems to care that everyone's having a great experience. Great service can really make a meal memorable, and Maddie absolutely comes through every time. Between the amazing food and the heartfelt hospitality, it's easy to see why this is our favorite spot in the city. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and go: order the sizzling steak, branzino, some massaman say hi to Maddie, and thank us later. We're already counting down to our next visit! read more

Had such a great experience at Anajak Thai as per usual! The food always lives up to the hype, but what really stood out was how welcoming everyone was. Maddie, the hostess, was so friendly from the second we walked in and made us feel right at home. She was warm, upbeat, and genuinely seemed to care that everyone was having a great experience. Great service can really make a meal memorable, and Maddie definitely did that. Between the amazing food and the genuinely kind hospitality, it's easy to see why Anajak Thai is our fav spot in the city. Can't wait to come back! read more

We enjoyed a delicious meal, very pleasant ambiance, and a most excellent somalier! She was so informative about the many wines and a real standout as far as customer service :) read more

Service was efficient despite being so busy. Host and servers were friendly in conversation. We were running 10 min late but was within the 15 min grace period. Wish the tables were a little bigger to fit all our food. The wine menu is VAST the point 4 font surprised us. Music was all over the place but the ambiance itself was date night vibes. As for the food, the famous fried chicken was overhyped but not bad 7-8/10. What was surprisingly so delicious was the lamb MOO?!!! & crudo 10/10 the sauce with the crudo was given to us on the side after finishing to use as a dip which enhanced the fried chicken. The prawns and curry 9/10, pad siew was a nice carb filler 8/10. The papaya salad was a bit underwhelming compared to all the other dishes read more

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I had a reservation for dinner at 4:45 p.m. on a Sunday and was seated promptly. One of the biggest reasons I finally visited was because Anajak is part of the Chase Sapphire Reserve OpenTable dining program, so I was able to use my dining credit toward the bill. Standout dishes: - Kampachi Crudo: The hype is real. The sauce was so flavorful that I wanted to dip everything in it. Our server even saved the extra sauce in a separate dish for us to enjoy with the rest of the meal, which was such a thoughtful touch. - Pork Ribs: The pineapple glaze made the meat incredibly tender, and the char from the grill added so much flavor. - Spicy Drunken Noodles: The dish has an enjoyable moderate heat. It didn't necessarily stand out compared to other Thai spots I've been to, but it was still very tasty. We also ordered the Grilled Cabbage, Papaya Salad, Tom Yum Fumet, and Southern Thai Fried Chicken. I was expecting more from the fried chicken as it's very hyped online. It was juicy and the sauces paired were great, but I didn't think it justified the $49 price. Service was excellent. The staff was attentive, constantly cleared our table, and even packed up our leftovers for us. There's dedicated parking, but it's $10 valet. I'd probably try finding street parking nearby if I were to visit again. At the price point, I am not entirely sure if the food worth it, but it was nice experience but also questioning if I should pay this much if I'm going to be sitting in a plastic folding chair!! read more

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This place has been on my list for a while. I've seen mixed reviews so didn't have high expectations but enjoyed our meal. Service was great and all the dishes were delicious. We ordered the crudo, fried chicken, cabbage, crab fried rice, and branzino. As many of the reviews mention, the sauce on the crudo is outstanding--a perfect balance of salty, sweet, tangy, and a subtle kick of spice. The server transferred the extra sauce into a bowl so we could enjoy it with the other dishes. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor. It came with two different dipping sauces and a small side of sticky rice topped with fried shallots. The charred cabbage was loaded with garlic, which added a lot of flavor. The crab fried rice had a more delicate taste, making it a great dish on its own, but you can easily add some of the different sauces if you prefer bolder flavors. The branzino was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and served with a fresh, herby sauce. The only disappointment was that they were out of the mango sticky rice, so we'll have to come back to try it next time. read more

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Came here for dinner with my mom after hearing so much good about this place and left with mixed feelings. You almost certainly need a reservation at Anajak and their online booking system continuously had errors when I tried to book so I had to call and stay on hold for about 15 minutes before I could book a reservation. Our table with tiny and cramped in a corner inside the restaurant which was so loud it was near deafening as the overfilled room filled with customers shouted over each other to hear one another. There is limited outdoor seating and we would have both preferred this. Parking nearby in this section of Ventura is challenging, there's limited metered parking and a "valet" in the Chipotle/Cava parking lot nearby for $10 except the parking lot is self parking AND very cramped?? Crudo of Japanese Kampachi 4/5, nice sashimi but pricy for the portion size even as an appetizer, our waitress poured this sauce into a bowl for us to use later with rice Peruvian Scallops 4/5, served on a hot pan, this remains w a cool smokey flavor ! the sauce is delicious and great to pair w rice as well. Star knocked off for portion sizing. Pad see ew 3.5/5, tasted about as good as other pad see ew's I've had, truly nothing unique, but once again, portion sizing is off Overall, from the interior ambiance, parking situation, and value for overall portion sizing, I don't think this is as good as it's hyped up to be ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

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Has got to be one of my favorites. Elevated Thai food and don't dare skip out on the mango sticky rice! Staff was very friendly and helpful in finding the perfect bottle of wine to pair with our meal and groups preferred flavors! Amazing bite not to skip on if you don't want meat is panang curry, so yummy and has a little spice kick but nothing overbearing. If you're in a meat mood the Massaman braised beef is delicious melt in your mouth. We loved the fresh flavor with savory and lightly sweet pork ribs so much we grabbed a second order for our group. Branzino comes with an amazing sauce you'll want to drizzle on top some rice. And do not go without trying the mango sticky rice. It had me wanting more! Outside is quieter than inside but I love the energy and service of both! read more

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Pretty place indoor and outside, attentive and engaging service, and the food -- well, that was pretty good but not always memorable. The Crispy Garden Rolls, one of two appetizers we started with, were perfectly fine, if pretty ordinary. The accompanying sauces helped fill in the gaps in flavor, and I'd say the sauces for the rolls saved the dish from merely a shrug. The Southern-Thai Fried Chicken, another starter, was the best thing we tried at Anajak Thai. Not greasy, super crunchy without any threat of teeth or throat complaint. Great to share, with two sauces to enhance your experience. The meat was moist and the dollop of rice was a nice anchor to this appetizer. I'd definitely recommend this dish. We also split an entree, panang curry. The flavors were good, the dish is presently nicely in a larger bowl. A stew of sorts, with lots of classic flavors. I did like it and would probably try it again. Still, it belongs in a 'Hey that's good' category rather than 'Whoa - 'I have to eat this again tomorrow night!'. As it got busier, service began to diminish a bit. I thought the staff was very nice, and was pretty available even as the restaurant was filling up. Check the street for parking. read more

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My friend and I had a delicious dinner at Anajak. It's a great option for elevated Thai food. We ordered the Papaya Salad and the Kampachi Crudo appetizers. Both were delicious but WARNING - if you have no spice tolerance the papaya salad will get you! Our sweet server said it was "medium spicy" and we were like, "Eh, we got this!" We did not got this! My friend was chugging her Thai iced tea after a couple of bites! I had some of it with our main beef dish which helped cut the heat. For mains, we ordered the Massaman Beef which was so flavorful and tender, and the Pad Siew which was okay. If you're going during the summer months, don't miss the Mango Sticky Rice dessert! read more

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Finally surprised my husband with dinner here for Father's Day. I've been a huge fan for years, and he's been dying to go ever since President Obama visited last year. The food was amazing as usual. We ordered the Riesling, soft shell crab, papaya salad, fried chicken, drunken noodles with shrimp, and the crab fried rice which my husband absolutely loved. A huge shoutout to our waitress, Pam, and the sommelier; they were both fantastic. The ambiance was just as fabulous as I remembered, and sitting by the window with that city view and the music playing was perfect. Anajak Thai definitely has a new fan, but there is one thing that needs fixing. I booked this reservation weeks in advance, but when we arrived right at opening, there was already a line. Instead of prioritizing those of us with reservations, the hostess just started talking to walk-ins first. When I asked about our booking, she was honestly pretty rude. They really need to separate the line for walk-ins and the "VIP" line for those of us who put in the effort to book ahead. It left a bit of a bitter taste, especially since we're committed regulars. Other than that, we loved it and we'll be back! read more

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Been on my bookmarks for a while. We got seated right on our reservation time. Our waiter, Jasmine, was super nice. We ordered Crudo Kanpachi, Fried Chicken, Grilled Branzino, Crab Fried Rice, Padseew, & Mango Sticky Rice. Everything was great. The padseew is at the bottom, imo, not worth for the price. Save the sauce from the Crudo, it's great on everything. We were seated in the main dining room, which is loud. But the other areas seem to be ok. Overall, great experience. read more

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Note to the servers before I get into my review of the food and ambience of the spot: Please ask the customer if they are done before throwing trash in their food and taking it away! I ordered the scallops with chili jam and had finished my scallops but was keeping the sauce to eat with my rice. I told 2 staff-members who were coming to take my plate away that I was keeping it for the sauce. However, before I could react, my server dumped a used towelette in the plate of sauce then took it away. I understand there is a desire for efficiency but there is also room for consideration when one is out to enjoy an expensive meal. That scallop dish alone was $31, you bet I am going to want to eat the sauce too. Moving on to the food and vibes: The restaurant packs their tables in like sardines. It is hard to move around servers and other patrons when getting to your seat. However, the liveliness and clamor of conversation was quite lovely! Bay scallops with chili jam 8/10 - a bunch of tasty small scallops with a deliciously flavorful thai basil and chili jam. Definitely order it with rice so you can spoon the sauce over it. On its own, the dish is not filling enough. Pineapple glazed pork ribs 9/10 - perfectly cooked and marinated pork ribs. I loved this dish. I only wish there had been more! It was also a small amount. Pad Gaprao Beef and Fried Egg Rice 10/10 - perfect amount of food, amazing flavors and spices, perfectly fried egg. Highly recommend this dish. read more

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Finally tried the infamous Anajak Thai! Reading the mixed reviews made me a little stressed, but I'm still so glad we were able to get reservations. Came here on a Sunday, our reservations were at 5:45PM and the place was already packed with people outside waiting. I did some "research" aka just read a bunch of yelp reviews to see what was worth it and I'm so glad I did. Kanpachi Crudo - MUST ORDER. The sauce is divine and you're going to want to ask for it to be transferred to a bowl so you can dip everything else you order in it. Fish was fresh. Ribs - They honestly taste like bbq ribs, but I don't know why they were just so good and tender, also dipping it in the crudo sauce was a game changer. Add a bowl of jasmine rice and you have the perfect meal. Charred Cabbage - I was skeptical about this one, it was just cabbage and it was honestly a lil pricey for cabbage, but I really enjoyed how it was cooked through. The charred pieces were my favorite parts. And you have to make sure the garlic + chili oil sauce on top are incorporated into every bite. I also dipped this into the crudo sauce. Pad See Ew - I read that the noodle dishes were a bit mid here, but how can you mess up pad see ew? We got it with shrimp and honestly I enjoyed it! The noodles had a nice chewy bite to them. The sauce was good. The shrimps were huge. Mango Sticky Rice - so simple, yet so delicious. This was definitely overpriced at I think... $18?? But man was it yummy. It's served on a small plate with two rows of mango on top of the silkiest (yet chewy) sticky rice. Not too sweet and the perfect ending to the meal. Definitely would return! Also they have a valet parking lot I believe, but we were able to find street parking. read more

Sad to say it doesn't live up to the hype. The best dish was the Peruvian Scallops, which were super fresh and tasty but everything else fell flat. Kratong Tong: the blue fin itself was fantastic but the pastry cup and the flavoring with the peas and corn overwhelmed the quality fish. The dish as a whole falls flat Southern Thai Fried Chicken: Nothing special. I was surprised that the chicken itself didn't have a Thai flavoring to it. The chicken was cooked great but the dish didn't stand out. The sauces were good, but nothing spectacular. Dungeness Fried Rice: okay flavoring, nothing to write home about. They tell you that the sauce it comes with is quite salty and a little goes a long way, and wow it's like tasting the sea. The sauce adds a nice flavor to it, but you put one tiny drop too much and it's borderline inedible. Dessert: the Thai coffee ice cream was very light on the coffee flavor, which is super disappointing. read more

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This review is based on a visit in late April. We had a reservation for 6:15 p.m. on a Thursday but were not seated until around 6:48. The restaurant was extremely busy, packed, and considerably loud. I was curious, so I checked the Noise app on my Apple Watch a few times during dinner, and it was consistently reading around 85 dB. The crowded and tightly packed dining room made it a little difficult to have a conversation. Once we were seated, the timing of the service was acceptable. The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful when explaining the dishes. We started with the cucumber radish salad, which was fresh, crunchy, and refreshing. The vegetables were dressed with lemon, garlic, ginger, cilantro, and a few other flavors that worked well together. It was slightly oversaturated with dressing, but overall it was still a refreshing way to start the meal. The gai yang wings were grilled with crispy skin and had great flavor, tasting like they had come straight off the grill. The seasoning was mild but still flavorful. They came with plum sauce, but I preferred eating them without it because the grilled flavor stood out more on its own. The Southern Thai fried chicken also had delicious crispy skin and was not overly oily considering it was fried. The meat was mostly tender, although there were a few pockets that felt a little dry or overcooked. It came with a sweet chili sauce and a much spicier vinegar sauce. The sticky rice on the side was bland and didn't have much flavor on its own. The panang curry was easily my favorite dish of the evening. The sauce was creamy, rich, and thick without being watery. The coconut cream, curry, and kaffir lime leaf flavors were all front and center with every bite. The eggplant and other vegetables were cooked well and stayed tender throughout. The drunken noodles were good and had all the classic flavors you would expect with basil, vegetables, serrano peppers, and savory noodles. The chicken was soft and tender, but nothing about the dish really stood out for a restaurant with this reputation. It tasted like something you could also get at a good neighborhood Thai place, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it made the premium pricing feel harder to justify. Overall, I thought the food was good and the panang curry was excellent. That said, I was expecting something a little more memorable given the restaurant's reputation and the higher prices. Aside from the curry, most of the dishes felt well executed but not especially unique. Between the long wait despite having a reservation, the crowded dining room, and the premium prices, I'm not sure the overall experience quite lived up to the hype. I'd still come back for the panang curry, although probably not during the dinner rush. There are other Thai restaurants I'd be just as happy visiting. read more

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I'd been wanting to try this place for a while now, but with Chase Reserve card, it really pushed us to make the reservation. I was a little unsure at first because there's a lot of mixed reviews with people saying it's too pricey for what it is. But we went and tried all the highest recommendations such as the fried chicken, branzino, crudo, and crab fried rice. I can attest that everything was so delicious! Thanks to other reviewers, we ordered the kampachi crudo and OMG that was probably the highlight of the dinner! The sauce was soooo good and refreshing. I have to find out how to make it at home! Haha. We ordered 4 items and the table for 2 was pretty small, so everytime they brought the next dish, we had to kind of clear out the table. It was nice that the waiter automatically transferred the crudo sauce to a smaller bowl for us to enjoy it with the fried chicken. Now the fried chicken was crispy, and nothing to complain about. It went so well with the crudo sauce, as expected. Other than that, it's nothing special though. I knew it based on other reviews, but decided to try it myself. The next recommendation was the branzino which was pretty pricey, but we glad we tried! It's just as good as expected and we finished it pretty fast. The skin was crispy and sauce was really good. It was limey, but the crudo sauce is still the winner. I don't think the fish would taste as good had we taken it home, so definitely finish it right away. Last dish was the crab fried rice. I had a lower expectation of this dish based on the pictures online, but man this was sooo good! It didn't look like it had a lot of crab meat in it but it sure did! This was probably my 2nd favorite dish of the night after the crudo. Services were really good too. I was skeptical due to some reviews, but everyone was very nice. It was pretty packed inside and tables are very close to each other, but it's not a big deal. Definitely will go back and try other dishes next time. read more

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Anajak Thai on Ventura is one of those places that's literally always busy, and after finally trying it I get why. There's valet parking in the back plus metered parking along Ventura Blvd, but definitely expect it to be packed. We went on a Tuesday for their TTT (Thai Taco Tuesday) and honestly the tacos were one of the highlights. We got the carnitas tacos which come 2 per order on mini tortillas, but they're packed with filling. The flavors were sooo good..very Thai and Mexican fusion in the best way. Tender meat, cilantro, fresh toppings, and somehow everything worked perfectly together. We also got the shrimp coconut curry tostada which was essentially one crispy tostada topped with shrimp and sauce. SO good. That sauce alone was delicious and I'd definitely recommend trying it. Another standout was the Kauai prawns..4 prawns cooked in this spicy/sweet/savory sauce that was honestly incredible. Absolute favorite and would 100% order again. The drunken noodles were also sooo good and flavorful. The only thing that underwhelmed us a little was their famous Southern Thai fried chicken. Maybe our expectations were too high because it's one of their popular dishes, but it honestly just tasted like regular fried chicken. Not bad at all, just nothing super special to us. It came with crispy rice and dipping sauce on the side. I also really wanted to try the mango sticky rice, but apparently only the chef's mom makes it and if she's not there they don't have it so sadly we missed out. Overall though, we really enjoyed the experience. One thing I thought was cool was the open kitchen..you can see everyone cooking, talking, and having a good time while preparing the food, which added a fun energy to the whole place. read more

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Obsessed with the crudo's chili lime sauce! The perfect punch of flavor blending sweet, spicy, and tangy in a rich, refreshing taste! Their fried chicken was probably the juiciest I've ever had--literally glistening and driipping in juice. The batter was so light and crispy, paired so well with the extra sauce from the crudo as our server has reco'd! The pad see ew was solid and made well, not as impactful as the other. The Massaman Curry Braised beef was really good as well, rich and cozy with tender soft beef (could be a tad less sweet). Then for dessert, we got their Thai coffee ice cream bar with fish sauce caramel! So fun and executed amazingly blending sweet and savory flavors for a perfect balance. Special shout to their somms and their crazy long wine list! We got Stein 'Blauscheifer' which was a bright & crisp, dry riesling that "transport you to Germany" as our Somm described haha read more

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Just okay. Tried this place to see what the hype was about & Chase card had a dining offer. We arrived on time for our reservation on a Friday night & were seated in under 10 minutes. The kratong tong appetizer stood out the most, but would not be enough to get me to return. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but the other dishes were definitely not justified by their price tag (panang curry, massaman braised beef, Peruvian scallops). Papaya salad was also extremely spicy so would not recommend if you are sensitive to spice. I typically enjoy mild spice. Nice bathroom available & street parking was manageable (& free on a Friday night). read more

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Anajak's next generation keeps leading the restaurant to new heights. They have leveled up with a newly renovated space, a tasting menu, and the extremely popular Thai Taco Tuesday. If you can score a reservation for ttt, you will be rewarded with some imaginative creations. Fried Soft Shell Crab: The small Maryland crab has a light crispy batter and the soft shell provides a nice snap. Dunk it in the excellent Pad Pet sauce, a sweet and sour mix of red curry and lime leaves. Striped Bass Fish Tacos: The flaky slab of bass slaps with its firm and juicy flesh and crispy edges. The red cabbage is fresh and crunchy and the blue tortillas are thick. The green chili lime is sweet and tangy, yet the great fish flavor still shines through. Laab Tots: This northeastern Thai minced pork dish has been fashioned into meatballs. The herbs and lemongrass add wonderful texture and flavor. Like a plate of meatballs in a red sauce, the jaew sauce perfectly complements the tots. In fact, this is the best sauce of the night with its roasted tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and chilies. Southern Thai Fried Chicken: The plate contains crispy and juicy pieces from half a chicken. The sweet dipping sauce gives a good contrast to the savory and tender meat. The sticky rice is firm and chewy with crispy fried shallots. Actually, without all the sauce, the skin is nicely seasoned with turmeric and other spices. Dungeness Crab Fried Rice: Dungeness crab and fried rice is always a crowd pleaser. The sweetness of the crab, scrambled eggs, and firm rice are all you need. Mango Sticky Rice: The mango is cut into perfectly even slices. The sweet and juicy fruit always satisfies when accompanied by warm, smooth sticky rice and sweet and salty coconut milk. Reservations: You need to book your reservation a week in advance. You also need to make a reservation for TTT since it is no longer walk in. Parking: There's metered street parking in front. read more

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I was quite disappointed. There was so much hype and talk about this restaurant that maybe I expected way too much. We sat outside where they had tons of tables probably to help accommodate a popularity of this restaurant. The food was just OK in my opinion. The presentation was beautiful, but the flavors are special and the portion size was really small. Service was friendly but very slow to fill up our waters unfortunately it was especially hot that day read more

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Came here for an early dinner date with my fiancé, and we even brought our fur babies, Pickles & Mushroom! We loved that they offered indoor/outdoor seating, making it easy to enjoy dinner with our pups. They brought water for all four of us Inside, you can see the open kitchen, which adds to the experience, and the restaurant is spotless. They also have an impressive wine selection if you're looking to pair your meal with a great bottle. Our server, Jose, was fantastic. He walked us through the menu, answered all of our questions, and made some excellent recommendations. The fried chicken is absolutely to die for--perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor. We even drizzled a little of the kampachi crudo sauce over it... wow. Mouthwatering doesn't even begin to describe it! We also ordered the live Dungeness crab, which was incredibly fresh and delicious, along with the bay scallops with basil and chili jam. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of bold, balanced flavors. The music created such a fun, laid-back vibe, making it the perfect spot for a date night. Parking was super convenient too--there's a lot right next door for just $10. From the food and service to the atmosphere, everything was on point. We'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. Highly recommend! read more

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My husband and I were lucky enough to snag reservations at Anajak. We didn't realize how difficult it would be to get a table, but we wanted to take advantage of our dining credit and finally experience it for ourselves. Before going, we read through the reviews and had some hesitation since opinions were pretty mixed. We went in with no expectations, and honestly, we ended up having a great experience. We were seated near the open kitchen, which was a fun bonus because we got to watch all the action behind the scenes. We started with a bottle of their Riesling, a collaboration with a German winery. It was light, refreshing, and the perfect pairing for the meal. Here's what we ordered: Kampachi Sashimi -- 10/10 One of our favorites of the night. The sauce paired beautifully with the fish, and we loved it so much that we asked to keep the extra sauce to dip with the other proteins. Pineapple Pork Ribs -- 10/10 Absolutely incredible. The ribs were juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Not chewy at all -- just perfectly cooked. Southern Fried Chicken -- 8/10 I was skeptical at first, but the chicken was cooked perfectly and seasoned really well. It didn't even need the extra sauces because the flavor stood on its own. BBQ Pork Collar -- 9/10 The seasoning and cooking were spot on. I personally love fatty cuts of meat, but my husband isn't a fan, so there were a few pieces he wouldn't eat. If you enjoy richer cuts, this one is worth ordering. Spicy Drunken Noodles with Shrimp -- 7/10 Good, but not the standout dish for us. I've had better versions at lower price points. Nothing was wrong with it, but it didn't feel especially unique and the portion was on the smaller side. Spicy Fried Rice -- 5/10 This was probably our least favorite dish. The portion was small, and the flavor wasn't as bold as we expected. It's something we'd probably skip next time since you can find similar dishes elsewhere for less. Mango Sticky Rice -- 10/10 One of the best mango sticky rice desserts we've had. The portion was very small, but the mango was incredible and the sticky rice was made by a mom, which made it feel extra authentic and special. Overall, the service was excellent. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. Despite the mixed reviews we saw beforehand, we really enjoyed our visit and would definitely recommend giving Anajak a try! read more

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We finally made here after all these years! We sat on the patio/side of the restaurant. Nothing special but it was a nice night, they had music, and they tried to spruce up the table with white linens. So not as bad as it sounded when booking. The southern Thai fried chicken was probably my favorite although the papaya salad was also good and usually I don't love that dish, even when in Thailand. I would slip the Noodles Supreme, it was a good dish but I enjoy more bold flavors and spice. Wine only, which is fine, but be ready to pay a premium. Would I be back, probably not, but glad I tried it after all these years. read more

Anajak Thai - Thai Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

I was excited to try Anajak Thai as I had frequently heard and seen how popular it is due to its unique menu items and quality ingredients. We were lucky enough to secure a reservation for a Friday evening just a couple of days prior-- checking in and being seated for our reservation was very smooth and the service from the staff was friendly and attentive throughout our dining experience! I especially appreciated how our server went through the menu with us as first timers at Anajak! Also, I was a little worried about being seated outdoors due to the chilly weather, but I can confirm that there are plenty of outdoor heaters set up throughout their outdoor space that I honestly forgot it was even cold outside to begin with! As for the menu items, I really appreciated the uniqueness of the platters-- for example, the Grilled Cabbage with chutney was something I had never seen or tried before and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! My favorite dish had to be Panang Curry and the Laab Moo, which I would recommend to anyone who likes a little kick of spice in their dishes! Again, overall you can distinguish the quality of the ingredients in all of the dishes and I think it is worth dining here not only to get a taste of the distinguished menu, but also for the excellent customer service and the trendy ambiance! read more

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This place is hype... and falls short of expectations. Was able to make a reservation 2 weeks in advance, for a 8:30 seating on a Thursday (they close at 11 despite what google/yelp indicates). We were told by the hostess that they were running 10 minutes late, and that our table was getting set up. We ended up having to wait 20-25 minutes. Food was quality, but lackluster in flavor profile depth, with the exception of key features. - Radish & Cucumber Salad, ginger scallion dressing ($17): refreshing, good palette cleanser. i really liked the crispy garlic(?) bits and the dressing they used! - Grilled Cabbage, garlic chutney ($28): unique, crunchy, cooked through cabbage, with a fair amount of flavorful garlic chutney. simple, yet I'm glad I tried it! - Grilled Branzino, nam jim seafood ($59): citrusy, tasty seafood sauce to complement a deboned, moist, lightly crisped fish. i can confidently recommend this, though i wish the fish absorbed the sauce more - Southern Thai Fried chicken ($39): i liked how crispy the thick batter was, but this was just fried chicken with thai chili sauce and plum sauce on the side. it was alright. - Massaman Braised Beef, Japanese sweet potato ($47): very tender and sizable chunks of beef, a peanutty, coconutty curry. japanese sweet potato is always good. altogether, it was missing an oompth.. maybe spice? - Live Maine Lobster, pong gari curry ($95): curry was mild, and while lobster was cooked nicely, the flavor fell flat. would not get again - Spicy Drunken Noodles, chicken ($24): the noodles had a nice chew, moist chicken, but overall sad looking presention, and was basic. - Anajak x August Ice Cream Bar, thai coffee/dark chocolate/peanuts ($14): waiter told us there was fish sauce caramel to provide that saltiness - it's like a flavor reminiscent of sea salt coffee caramel. nice flavors, but meh By the the time for dessert, they were out of mango sticky rice (~10pmish) which we were looking forward to ); As someone that LOVES Thai food, this wasn't it. Despite the unique dishes, the price point and the wow factor in most dishes weren't there for me (and for my friends) Service was friendly and relatively quick though at the beginning, it took a bit for us to be acknowledged. Ambiance was intimate and simple. All of us gave this place a 6/10. read more

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Finally made it to Anajak Thai and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The ambiance really stood out--perfect for something intimate, whether you're on a solo date or with a small, close-knit group. It strikes that balance of feeling special without being over the top. Started with a glass of red wine before diving into the papaya salad, which had a real kick to it but was incredibly flavorful. Then came the Southern Thai Fried Chicken--the star of the show and 100% worth the buzz. Super crispy, perfectly seasoned, and just done right. Wrapped things up with the Spicy Drunken Noodles, which brought everything together with bold flavor. Overall, a fantastic experience and definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Just a heads up--it books up fast (usually a week or two out), so plan ahead. Highly recommend. read more

Anajak Thai - Southern-Thai Fried Chicken - Thai Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

Been meaning to go to Anajak Thai since seeing Chef Justin (he's a hoot) at Food Bowl a few years ago, but kept dragging my feet. I was a bit worried because Anajak seems to have very mixed reviews, with lots of people saying it's overhyped. Our dinner here was fantastic. The food was all hits no misses and the service was exceptional (thanks Jose and Carlos!), friendly, incredibly attentive. They constantly changed plates, cleared the table, and paced dishes perfectly throughout the meal. Other people have said the inside is quite loud and it really is. I also didn't realize some of the portions were... quite big lol (fried chicken and fish), so I def got too much food. We've got drunken noodles and crab for lunch! We ordered: - Kanpachi crudo ($25)--the sauce was for sure the highlight of the meal, I think it's a nam jim sauce(?). The fish was delicious and I loved the cucamelons a lot. They save the extra sauce in a small bowl so you can put it on just about everything else - Pork ribs ($26)--coated in a pineapple glaze similar to BBQ sauce. The ribs were tender with just a slight chew, the perfect doneness for me - Southern Thai fried chicken ($39)--this was a whole half of a giant bird lol, I was expecting 3-4 small chunks. Every piece was cooked perfectly, including the breast, which was very juicy and tender. The crust looked thick but wasn't greasy at all. Served with sticky rice, nam jim gai (my favorite), and a sweeter chili sauce (my husband's favorite) - Grilled branzino ($59)--came with nam jim seafood sauce, cilantro, and scallions. The fish was huge, nicely cooked, with crispy skin and a great smoky flavor. That said, it wasn't the most tender branzino I've ever had, dunno if due to the cook on it or the large size - Live Dungeness crab in pong gari curry ($95)--I loved how they served the crab head with rice!! Dump some crab meat inside, add a little sauce, and it's basically a meal on its own. The curry itself is on the sweeter side and went great with the crab, although I feel like it'd be better when they serve it with live lobster - Spicy drunken noodles with shrimp ($29)--not bad, but I'm unqualified to rate this because I don't really like rice noodles in general :D - August ice cream bar ($14)--Thai coffee, dark chocolate, peanuts, and fish sauce caramel. Not overly sweet, and I really wish they had the mango sticky rice (unavailable for a while) I expected an average meal and left with a new favorite Thai spot. Already scheming another visit hehe read more

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Came here on a Sunday (Easter Sunday) and had a reservation at 7:15 pm and we were seated outside. The service was just enough. The staff were attentive but not overly attentive. Our server was Manny and he was very helpful during our first experience here! As for food, wow. We started with the crudo (best starter) and it was amazing. The sauce it comes with is crack sauce. The server put the rest of the sauce in a bowl for us to use for the other dishes. 9/10 only because I wish it came with more fish. Next we got the pork ribs with pineapple glaze. This was an 8/10. The meat was nice and juicy and the glaze was perfectly sweet but not too sweet. It was a 10/10 with the crudo sauce tho! After we got the fried chicken and this was a 6/10. It was good but nothing to write home about tbh. Even with the sauces it came with, it was still okay in my opinion. With the crack sauce I would say it was a 7/10. There was not much flavor with the chicken itself but still good. Our last main was the pad Thai and it was good! Very similar to the ones I've had in Thailand. It was an 8/10 and yes we put the crack sauce on it and it was still an 8/10. We finished everything with the mango sticky rice. The owner's mother is the only person that makes the mango sticky rice, no one else is allowed to touch it. Because of that, it does take a while to come out. Very delicious tho, 9/10. read more

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I've heard so much about this place and so many people have highly recommended it. It is really good. My only 2 notes are that the papaya salad is not made of the sweet fruit papaya but "green papaya" so you have been warned. Our server also said it was 8/10 on the spicy scale. Incorrect. It is in fact a fire 10. Where your tongue will literally be LIT on fire from the spice. It HURTS. My husband and I could not continue to eat this dish and enjoy our meal. We sent it back and they were kind enough to take it off our bill. My other note is that the hyped up Thai fried chicken is a little ... dry. The crispy flavor of the skin is delicious but once you get inside... it's not to my standard of juicy chicken. And I ate a thigh. The hamachi was good, loved the sauce. So much flavor. The pad Thai was exquisite probably one of the best pad Thai's I've ever had and the portion is decent without being overwhelming. The drunken noodle is also delicious I just wish they were able to add the same egg they added to the pad Thai. That would have made my night! But alas they said no. The tom yum also is super creamy and really good. It comes with a fish collarbone as well. All in all, we came at 9pm on a Friday night and they close at 9pm but they still let us in with our reservation. It's booked and BUSY inside and so loud. But it's a vibe and def good thai food. My husband and I wanted to try all the dishes and glad that we did! Next time we gotta come back for Ma's mango sticky rice but she was in Thailand when we visited. read more

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Sooooo Anajak Thai does somewhat live up to the hype but it ain't the best Thai food in LA. The service was incredible though. Everyone was so kind and attentive - it felt like being at a family members house even though it was busy as hell. So let's get to food. Cabbage was just okay and actually my least favorite dish. The radish and cucumber salad was just okay too. I'd give them both a 6.7/10. Now the fried chicken, massaman braised beef, and pad siew were all 10/10! I enjoyed the food and had a good experience but if we talking best Thai food in LA? Cobi's reigns supreme. read more

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What a wonderful experience! Every single dish we tried was amazing. I am still thinking about the seafood tostada and the cabbage! The staff was extremely kind and knowledgeable, making the experience even more incredible. I loved the decor and the vibe as well. So happy I was finally able to try Anajak, I will be back! read more

This review is specifically for the TTT (Thai Taco Tuesday) Seated within 10 minutes of our reservation. Service was attentive & friendly. The outdoor seating is in an alley filled with plastic tables. They make it look nice i with tablecloths & heat lamps everywhere. The food was absolutely delicious. We split 5 dishes between 4 people & it was enough food. The pad Thai is the best pad Thai I have ever had. Plenty of street parking midweek on Ventura or surrounding streets plus a couple parking garages nearby. I'm knocking 1 star off because I found it to be overpriced. read more

From the moment we walked in, the whole place just felt warm and welcoming. The people working there were genuinely kind and attentive. Our waitress was such a sweetheart, and the sommelier took the time to let us taste a few different wines so we could find something we loved. They have great options, but we ended up choosing the champagne. The restaurant itself is cute and cozy with small tables, which made the evening feel intimate and special. Peruvian Scallops with lemongrass nam jim - these were incredibly fresh and delicate. Every bite had this beautiful brightness with a subtle touch of mint that made the dish feel so light and refreshing. Carabinero Prawns with shrimp oil, makrut, and garlic confit, absolutely delicious. The prawns were so tender and packed with flavor. You can really taste the care that goes into the dish. Southern Thai Fried Chicken - truly amazing. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It comes with two sauces that are both wonderful, one sweet and one spicy and they complement the chicken so well. Panang Curry with Chinese eggplant, nardellos, and maitake - this dish was comforting and full of flavor. The coconut comes through beautifully with a gentle sweetness and a hint of spice. The vegetables were delicious, especially the eggplant. I definitely recommend ordering a side of rice so you can pour the curry over it. Drunken Noodles - fragrant, flavorful, and nicely spicy. You can smell the lemongrass right away. We added shrimp, which made the dish even more satisfying. Dessert - they had run out of the mango sticky rice, which we originally planned to order, so we tried the chocolate bar instead... and I'm so glad we did. It was incredible. Honestly, I would come back just for this dessert. The flavors of caramel, sea salt, coffee, chocolate, and pecans all came together so beautifully. It was rich, balanced, and the perfect ending to the meal. This was truly some of the best Thai food I've ever had. You can feel the love and thought that goes into the food and the hospitality. Even having been to Thailand, this meal really stood out. I would absolutely recommend visiting. read more

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So good!! I was hesitant on getting the Crudo at a Thai restaurant but it was the BEST think we had- Sweet, citrusy, spicy and refreshing. Pad Thai has some of the thinnest noodles but I think that helped keep the sweet flavors. The fried chicken was super crispy and a very large portion. The sauces that came with it were soooooo good and gave it the Thai twist I was hopping for. John insisted on the cabbage and it was good! Apparently it's one of the most popular items. Would definitely come back. On the pricey side but good for special occasions. Street meter parking. read more

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Great atmosphere outside, even in early January! Many heaters so very comfortable and no idea you're in an alleyway. Beautiful lighting and walls separating you from the street and noise. Serve was adequate. Nothing special. Hostesses were a little inattentive (chatting amongst themselves before acknowledging guests). Food was very good but not great, as I remember from past meals of several years ago. carne asada tacos (my friend ordered) shrimp taco - excellent, Thai/Mexican fusion fried chicken - was good but not uber special drunken noodles - portion size overall dish just mediocre Prices, including wines by the glass, are HIGH. That being said, I expected the food to feel a little more unique and special. Much competition here in LA for Thai food as Thai town is just a few miles away. Would I return? Still thinking ... read more

Anajak Thai - shrimp taco - Thai Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

So much praise on tik tok thought I would give it a try ! Got there at 8 no reservation waited an hour to be seated . Plenty things to do while waiting by the way cvs, billiards , bars all near by !! My kids not a fan of Thai or shrimp she picked around the noodles and gave it praise it was by far my fave I even took one to go ! Staff is friendly even some guest raved about the fried chicken !! read more

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Finally got a chance to try out Anajak with some friends and had a lovely time sitting on their patio, which had decent music. The food was good, though I wasn't wowed, especially at the price point. I do wish they served some Thai beer to go with the food; they have an extensive, and pricey wine list. For food, we ordered: Papaya Salad ($15), which had good heat, but was a small serving Pork Ribs ($26) very tender and flavorful Laab Moo ($19) decent flavor, but similar to your local Thai take-out Southern Thai Fried Chicken ($39), good flavor and a pretty substantial side. Wish they gave more of the sauce and sticky rice Noodles Supreme with shrimp ($29, plus an extra $10 to give us 4 shrimp). This dish was highly recommended by the server, stating it was the chef's favorite. It was just ok, to be honest. We ordered a bottle of a very tasty Piemonte Sparkling at $110, though we did get a 10% discount on it since they lost some liquid when they opened it in the back. I do wish they would have opened it in front of us, which is usually standard practice. Glad we finally got to go, but I'm completely happy sticking with Lum-Ka-Naad for my Thai needs. read more

he biggest question most people will ask themselves after eating here is was it worth the hype? Was it worth the wait for the reservation? Was it worth the price? For me the answer is yes to all three, and Anajak Thai easily became one of my favorite go-to restaurants in the valley. I've now been a handful of times and yes, you do have to plan ahead since reservations book out in advance and parking can sometimes be a pain, but it has always been worth it. Our go-to dish every time has to be the Fried Chicken -- it's phenomenal, the crispiness and the excellent flavors of the sauces that come with it are hard to beat. Other items we have enjoyed include the Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Massaman Braised Beef, Panang Curry, and the Crudo (note that the menu does vary based on the season or if they have a special menu going on). I have also tried the Thai Taco Tuesday, and while it's not my favorite menu they offer, it was definitely worth a try. The service has always been great and they make us feel like family, which fits the story of this restaurant. We come here so often now that they recognize us and our baby. I think this place is definitely worth all the awards and accolades it has received. I don't think it's for everyone, but I do think everyone should try it if they get the chance. I will definitely be coming back! read more