Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lao Esan Kitchen

    4.7 (140 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Laotian, Desserts
    Open 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Lao Esan Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Lao Esan Kitchen Photos

    LAO ESAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    More like Lao Esan Kitchen

    Recommended Reviews - Lao Esan Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    pad thai
    Rob B.

    So I've been afraid to try this place... Why? The last place that was here, was a Thai and Chinese fusion type of spot and I just heard bad things about their practices. Stuff like they cleaned or rinsed the mop in the same sink they prepared the food in. Just unsanitary things and I was concerned that this was perhaps the same business, just rebranded-still not entirely sure. Plus, the appearance kinda gave me fast food vibes-typically whenever a plus has that 'look-up menu' (a menu you have to look up at), it's the unhealthy, cheap fast food variety unseen at most every Thai restaurant. But, for some reason, I decided to give them a chance. And I'm glad I did. They may have my favorite pad thai in the area.I enjoyed it so much, I had to run it back again the next day. I'd also ordered the mango sticky rice. It was satisfying, just a little more syrupy than I care for. I forgot to get a picture of it. I only ordered delivery but I wouldn't mind stopping by in person and seeing how they do a number of my other favorite Thai dishes.

    43 - Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles)
    Ricardo M.

    Went to the little hole in wall. Wanted to try this spot on the way to the lake. We ordered a cashew nut chicken and rice, pad kee mao, and a chicken satay. The food was delicious. The cashew nut chicken and Pad kee mao were my favorite. I didn't care for the chicken satay. We ordered everything at a medium spice level thinking it was going to be spicy. I would recommend just ordering it spicy if you love spicy food because medium level was not it. The atmosphere is nice for a small place and its super clean. Definitely a cool spot to have lunch at. The lady was super nice and kind. She provided great service.

    Lao sausage
    Cryetti C.

    Food:4 Service: 3.5 Ambiance: 3.5 I've never had Lao cuisine before, so I was really excited to try Lao Esan Kitchen for the first time. We came on a weeknight about an hour before closing and while they were friendly, you could definitely tell they were ready to close right on the dot. Because of that, I would recommend giving yourself more time and not coming right before closing if you want to relax, talk, and enjoy your meal. When we walked in, the ambiance was actually really fun. It is located in a random strip mall, which might throw you off a bit, but once inside it is light, bright, colorful, and full of nice ethnic decor. I really liked the vibe. We were hungry and ended up ordering quite a bit including the Lao sausage, nam khao todd , catfish, and pad see ew. Everything was actually very tasty and I would order it all again. The standout for me was the nam khao todd. It was crispy, fresh, flavorful, and just a whole bunch of goodness. I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. I also really enjoyed the Lao sausage and the steamed catfish. The pad see ew was good as well, but nothing that really stood out compared to the other dishes. Service was just right. Friendly enough but not overly attentive, and they were there when we needed things like water refills. Overall, I would recommend this place if you are craving Lao or Thai food. I would definitely return. Four stars all the way.

    47 - Pad Thai w/ Chicken
    Antonius B.

    Friendly quick service in a quaint family run restaurant. One of the best Pad Thai plates I've ever had. Sauce was amazing, chicken was tender and the plate had tons of flavor. Tried a bite of the Drunken noodles with beef and it was equally amazing. Best Thai food in the Valley for sure.

    Joseph C.

    Came to the Murietta area to visit family and was feeling adventurous to try some new cuisine. If you've never had Lao food before, Lao Esan Kitchen is an awesome place to try! The staff were some of the warmest and most welcoming people I've encountered. As someone unfamiliar with Lao cuisine, I appreciated how thoughtfully they explained the menu. Super genuine in hospitality. You can tell they care about sharing their food and culture. The ambiance gives cozy, home-style sit-down vibes. The kind of place where you can bring friends or family and order a spread. It feels comfortable and communal. Goong Gra Borg (4/5) Crispy shrimp rolls to start off our meal! The exterior had that light, golden crunch that doesn't feel greasy, and inside was tender, well-seasoned shrimp with a subtle sweetness. Dipped into the sweet and sour sauce, it balanced crispy, tangy, and savory in a way that made it more than "just a starter." It set the tone for the meal without trying too hard. Lao Sausage (5/5) Fragrant with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, each bite was savory, citrusy, slightly spicy, and incredibly juicy. It didn't feel heavy like most sausages do. Instead, it had this bright, herbaceous lift that kept me going back for more. It was bold without being overwhelming. This dish stood out to me the most. The Boat Noodle Soup (4/5) The broth had layers: rich and savory up front, then slightly sweet, followed by a gentle herbal warmth that lingered. It tasted like something that had been simmering all day, full of complexity and depth. Every spoonful felt comforting. Spicy Basil Crispy Pork (5/5) This one hit home for me. The crispy pork immediately reminded me of lechon kawali from my culture. It that same satisfying crunch giving way to juicy, flavorful meat. The garlic and basil didn't just sit on top; they infused the dish with fragrance and heat, making every bite aromatic and bold. It was savory, slightly spicy, and honestly addictive. Please please give this place a try, you won't regret it!

    Mango Sticky Rice
    Ray Tito A.

    Place is clean service good. Wife got laab gai salad, ground chicken with herbs like mint and a citrus dressing very refreshing give it a 10. Lao sausage also a 10 nice toasty skin herbs and meat taste yummy plus red sauce give it a kick of spicy. Mee khati coconut curry peanut noodles give it 8 not a lot of meat lots of noodles. Flavor is amazing wont get it again though. Last mango sticky rice give 8 still good wife says a lil off. Over all 5 stars good experience eating lao food. Lao sausage my favorite. Have a nice day!

    43 - Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles)
    Lora B.

    This is absolutely the best Thai food I've ever had. Barely finished eating and I can't wait to come back already with more dishes I want to try than I can possibly eat in one seating. Noodles were saucy, spicy, and bursting with flavor. I got beef with drunken noodles and the beef was so tender too! The pad Thai was the best I've ever tried also. Place got pretty busy after we came in but our server made her rounds with everyone pretty well and the food came out much faster than I expected and was steaming hot. The location feels a little sketch, but inside is adorable with good music, vibes, and instagram worth decor. This is totally worth the trip and I'll be back very soon!

    Kareen-Grace T.

    I had been wanting to try this place since I found out it existed. There are few Asian restaurants in Lake Elsinore, so I was happy to come and support them. Husband and I finally had the opportunity to dine-in on Sunday for lunch. Others have described the atmosphere as warm and cozy. I will agree with that observation, and I'd go further by saying that it feels like I'm visiting a family member's home. Vibes are relaxed and informal giving me a sense of aunties and grandmas cooking in the kitchen. Service was friendly and ordering was easy. We ordered the calamari and Lao sausage for appetizers. Our entree dishes were the steamed pork, crispy pork with Chinese broccoli, and shrimp fried rice. A Lao style tomato dipping sauce came with the sausage and steamed pork dishes. It was tangy, sweet, and spicy. The way the lemongrass was mixed into the pork dishes took me back to flavor profiles of my childhood. This place fully deserves 5 stars for their food, service, and atmosphere. Hubby and I are already planning on coming back. I definitely recommend to give them a try.

    Thai Iced Tea
    Raquel H.

    The food here is delicious and so full of flavor. The Thai tea was the only think that was lacking, it had too much milk and it overpowered the actual tea. The restaurant is very clean and so are the restrooms. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The dining area is spacious and could accommodate a large party. There is lots of parking. The soup was my favorite m, the lemon flavors mixed with the coconut were perfect. The chow mien was also a favorite. I wasn't a huge fan of the fried rice. It was good but it was lacking something. Overall it was a great dinning experience.

    Bonnie Y.

    I didn't have time to dine in but everything looks great on the picture. It looks like a clean and a decent size restaurant. I ordered drunken noodles with pork to go. I asked for medium spicy level and it's spicy but good. I can't wait to go back go try more dishes.

    22 - Tom Ka (Spicy Coconut Milk Soup) 14 - Yum Woon Sen

    Today we decided to come to our favorite Thai place in the IE. Their food is authentic and delicious. I used to live in Los Angeles and would go to little Thailand to eat so I know what's authentic Thai food. Our favorites are the Pad Thai, Tom Ka soup and Yum Woon Sen salad. Service is good. Place is always clean!

    45 - Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles)
    Grace A.

    We've been coming to this restaurant for a year and have ordered the same dish many times. Because my son has a milk, seafood and peanut allergy, I always double-check that the dish I order for him contains nothing he's allergic to and every visit we were assured it was safe. On our most recent visit, the dish unexpectedly came with peanuts. This was extremely upsetting and could have been dangerous. I messaged the owner afterward to share what happened, hoping for an explanation or at least an acknowledgment -- but I never received any response. At this point, I'm really disappointed. This wasn't just a small mistake; it was a serious safety issue, and the lack of communication afterward makes it worse. For families dealing with allergies, consistency and clear communication are essential. After this experience and no response from the owner, our family will no longer come here. I hope they take allergy concerns more seriously moving forward.

    Esan sausages

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Britney M.
    1287
    3147
    13834

    1 month ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 4
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 4
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara H.
    77
    43
    13

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie S.
    484
    20
    4

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ari O.
    91
    51
    25

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace A.
    102
    39
    455

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J E.
    0
    97
    8

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wendy B.
    1974
    2494
    10364

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 5
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 5
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miranda R.
    170
    70
    112

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miri P.
    0
    14
    11

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Me and my friend went to eat here and it was absolutely delicious. Always my go-to spot in Lake Elsinore

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sao L.

    Sao L.

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M G.
    1
    26
    32

    5 months ago

    The food is excellent, and the people are friendly. It's tucked away in the little shopping plaza, but it's worth looking for.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Don't be fooled by the location and casual vibe. Their food is flavorful and good prices. You won't be disappointed.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Lao Esan Kitchen

    Did you change owners?

    Yes, they are the new owner.

    So they deliver for lunch catering to Riverside?

    Hi Dojo, if you order a minimum of $500, we will deliver. If you have any further questions, you can email us at laoesankitchen1@yahoo.com

    View All 4 Questions

    @ Thai BBQ

    @ Thai BBQ

    4.4
    (904 reviews)
    9.5 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    I normally try to visit a restaurant in person before reviewing or at least try their foods at…read moreleast twice via food delivery, before I leave any reviews. However this place just gave me the wow factor even through food delivery on GrubHub! I just had to jump on here right away to share! As mentioned I've never dined in and today was my 1st day getting takeout from here. Not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical I'm not sure why. So glad I pulled the plug! Ok the wow factor came how they were so brilliant and mindful during packaging takeout orders! Wow they definitely thought outside the box of how to take care of their customers and I'm assuming how they'd want their food delivered. So I ordered 3 salads basically; squid, papaya, and beef. All contains liquids. They put the papaya in a big closable container with a lid. Smart; you'd think everyone would do that. You'd be surprised who just dumps papaya in a styrofoam container! Anyway the squid and beef salads came separately from their salads. They made sure to pack the dry salads in a takeout box and put the mixed proteins in their marinades in another soup containers which was perfect and made it so easy to add on top when ready. I really love that idea! Not only that but the food was good. I really enjoyed the squid salad it had a nice sour balance. The papaya salad I requested Lao style to be the spiciest level 10 but it actually wasn't too spicy. Other restaurants definitely need to take notes because I really just had a bad experience with another Thai restaurant being so careless and my papaya salad sauce spilling not only in the bag but dripped all over my floors. You guys have a repeat customer in the area!

    This was probably the blandest Thai food I've ever had. I asked for 8/10 spicy but there wasn't a…read morehint of it. They also adjusted my order to charge an extra $17 on grubhub with no reason given. Thankfully I was able to get that reversed. Will not return.

    Photos
    Fresh spring roll with shrimp
    Fresh spring roll with shrimp
    Chicken Curry
    Chicken Curry
    Pineapple Curry with Shrimp

    See all

    Pineapple Curry with Shrimp
    Pho Ngon

    Pho Ngon

    4.6
    (348 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    I had to travel one hour to pick up something at this Target and was hungry for lunch. This…read morerestaurant didn't have anything that was vegan, but Alex was nice enough to talk to the cooks to cook me up some steamed tofu, rice and veggies. It's interesting how they have a little robot to assist in bringing the food to the table, but I can see why. Because the bowls of soup are filled to the brim, it helps ensure no spillage and the heat to the hands in carrying it is eliminated. So smart! Nevertheless, Alex was the only wait staff and he was shuffling around helping the whole restaurant like a pro!!! He lended me his wifi so I could transfer money from accounts to pay on Apple Pay and told me it's a small family owned business. It is located right next to Target (between the optometrist & fish tacos) in Lake Elsinore, it's not much to look at from the outside, but full of heart on the inside! Thank you Alex for accommodating me!

    They charged me for make your own and when I ordered the steak. Which I guess I just saw they ring…read moreit up so just heads up on that. Lots of noodles not glass but tons of noodles good meat without a bunch of fat. Broth was a seven out of 10 but not bad at all. I would come back again. The highlight though was the Vietnamese coffee was fantastically tasty! So I'm glad I have another place for that that's within the area. So all in all I spent like 30 bucks for a large and a Vietnamese coffee. Kind of pricey but probably about the normal right now.

    Photos
    The fish tank and some really adorable plates on the wall from Asia
    The fish tank and some really adorable plates on the wall from Asia
    Spring Roll
    Spring Roll
    The Server!

    See all

    The Server!
    Melody Thai Cuisine

    Melody Thai Cuisine

    4.0
    (265 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    This establishment is our sole preference for Thai cuisine. We have a deep affection for this…read morelocation. Upon every visit, we're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The exceptional service provided is consistently impressive, with all staff members displaying kindness and courtesy. Every dish served is expertly prepared, showcasing remarkable flavor profiles. The attention to food allergies is commendable, allowing all patrons to partake in the delightful experience. *This location is behind Stater Brothers. When I first looked for it, directions sent me to the retirement center across the way. *

    The online ordering system is great, no problems there. The actual place was a little hard to find…read moreas GPS had me going around in circles for a while. It would be good to have some clear directions on the website regarding the location. Inside the restaurant was clean and pleasant. I was immediately greeted when I entered and the order was ready so there was no wait. The 2-star rating is due to the food and the price of the food, as well as the plating of the food. We ordered an order of yellow curry with white rice and the spicy Thai basil chicken with white rice. Both were ordered as entrees and were $17 each. The curry was delicious and portion was as expected. The Thai basil chicken dish left a lot to be desired. Not only was it plated together (like a lunch portion option), but for what was provided, we expected to get more for the price. They combined the Thai basil chicken and the rice in the same dish along with a few cucumbers and there just wasn't much in the container. In addition, because they plated the rice with the chicken, all of the sauce from the chicken was soaked up by the rice, which in turn made the chicken seem extremely dry. We have ordered this same dish from various places from San Diego to Riverside and have never had the rice automaticalllu combined with the chicken. Based on what was provided, the cost should have been around $10 or similar to a lunch special since that is basically what was provided. Pic shows the combined bowl minus the two cucumber slices that were there as a filler. And the rice moved around to look for any extra juice.

    Photos
    Melody Thai Cuisine
    Dinner Orange
    Dinner Orange
    Dinner Prik King

    See all

    Dinner Prik King

    Lao Esan Kitchen - thai - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...