This was my birthday treat from my daughter. Since I do not care for the sugar content present in the Thai food I've had in the past, I thought my daughter was being insensitive to my tastes. Whoa! All of the superlatives apply. The tastes, textures, combinations, service, oh! and not being rushed, made the experience a celebration. We lunched for two and a half hours. They took the plate before I could lick it... Dee Joseph read more

I ordered the duck noodle soup and pomelo salad for takeout. They were presented well in the takeout containers. The pomelo salad was refreshing - cold with a nice balance of sweet and sour and crunch from the peanuts. The duck noodle soup tasted authentic. I believe the soup is mushroom broth. If you dislike mushroom, you probably wouldn't enjoy this entree. The portion of the duck noodle soup entree is on the smaller side, and the reason why one star is taken out. Nonetheless, this restaurant worth patronizing again. read more

This was such a nice surprise, amazing food and fabulous service! The serving sizes are perfect, not ginormous like most places. The food was well balanced and full of flavor. We will definitely go here again! read more

Great Thai place in Evanston. Lots of unique dishes that you don't see elsewhere. The coconut curry chicken is excellent. Super service. Lively vibe with a jazz pianist playing. Make a reservation . . . it was crowded the night we went. read more

I went here for a date night. Everything from the service to the food was excellence. Even dowm to the details of explaing the food to the service of dessert. Perfect service. Great experience. Good job. read more

This review is for the lunch menu, and I would give 3.5 stars if I could. We ordered the taro chicken and the watermelon to share. The taro chicken was really good, and the watermelon with salmon toppings was a weird combination. I didn't like the salmon to be that sweet, given the watermelon was already sweet. Then we each ordered different entrees. The presentation of food was really beautiful! Mine was the Braised Chicken Breast with Thin Rice Noodle. The broth and the noodle tasted very good, but the chicken breast was dry and tasteless. I didn't try my friends' Coconut-Tamarind Sauce Sautéed Rice Noodle and Grilled Amish Chicken. The portions were all on the smaller side. It is a beautiful restaurant with very nice ambience, but the food is just a bit underwhelming. read more

They are trying to be too creative with Thai food. They should just stick to the basics and forgo the fusion vibe

Ideal restaurant- delicate and delightful, creative but authentic. Loved it! The food are just beautiful and delicious read more

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Complex and unique flavors. Not the typical dishes you find at other Thai restaurants. Well worth the visit.

We went here for a friends night out and we had all been wanting to try this restaurant. The service was phenomenal and everyone was so welcoming. My friend dropped her napkin and before she could pick it up a clean one was brought to her. The owners are very present. We were encouraged to try the tapioca pearl cracker appetizer, and it was amazing! It was our favorite out of the three we tried. The cocktails were so delicious that we splurged for a second round. The Santa Spritzer was super refreshing and seasonally satisfying. I had the chicken coconut curry which was tasty and plentiful, although I am excited try the wedge salad next time. read more

The service was great, which explains the 3 stars. However, my order of their version of drunk man noodles was not what I anticipated. The beef tasted like ground beef and, unfortunately, it was full of fatty gristle. The sauce was underwhelming, with very little flavor (which is why I had to add soy sauce). read more

With the abundance of pan-Asian restaurants popping up left and right in this part of Evanston, this neighborhood should probably be reclassified as Chinatown North. We're still missing a Dim Sum place, sadly... We came on a cool October evening a few months ago during their soft open, and were seated right away without a reservation. First impressions: I felt like I teleported to West Loop. The ambiance inside is beautiful and classy with a cozy vibe. Our dinner here was outstanding by all accounts. You can feel how much love and care the owners are pouring into each dish and each ingredient. Each bite produced a wonderful kaleidoscope of flavors, delicious both individually and in harmony. The sea bass and amish chicken were standouts. Now for the real piece de resistance, owing to my sweet-toothed dining companions, we ordered dessert. With a very limited number of choices, we somehow ended up with the Coconut Cream Pie Parfait (???). I was three notches below unexcited to try this poorly-named concoction, but our server recommended it. Shortly after it appeared on our table, I hastily ate my words (as well as a significant portion of that parfait). I can't get past that name, but easily one of the best desserts I've ever had in my life. Allow me to offer a new naming suggestion: "The Sixth Star", because that is how I'll forever remember it. Being it was their soft open, there were a few mistakes, but we are easy-going patrons and the staff and owners went above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service. I'm sure they've ironed those kinks out over the past few months and I'm looking forward to coming back. read more

I was very excited with the opening of this restaurant. It sounded like a fine dining fusion experience around the corner from home. We went a few days after their soft opening and could make a reservation without any problems. At that moment, service was a bit clumsy, but understandable as they were still getting trained and learning. The owners have done a great job decorating it. It had a nice atmosphere with Asian touches, low lights and intimate. Menu was fairly small as it was only their soft opening. We were planning on ordered beef tenderloin rolls for appetizers, Chilean sea bass, and roasted chicken. However, they didn't have sea bass, so we decided to get fried fish. The beef tenderloin rolls were beautifully plated. However, it was lacking in flavor. In fact, the beef was not as juicy as hoped. The sauce could not compensate for the dryness of the beef plus there was some sort of powder that made it even drier. Not a very good start, but we were still excited for the rest of the meal. Next dish was the roasted chicken, which was sub par as well. In my opinion, it felt like chicken was reheated in the microwave and again was pretty dry. At this point, our expectation for the final fried fish dish was very low. This dish was relatively the best, but nothing to remember. As other yelp reviewers, I feel that food is somewhat overpriced: around 76$ for just three dishes (with tax and tip). To be fair, the fish dish was a whole fish which is expensive in general and contributed most to the bill so I can understand. However, for the unsatisfactory experience, it felt even pricier. This was only the soft opening so perhaps they have improved since then. Plus the menu probably has grown larger, so the other dishes could be better. I hope this is the case, as the concept is interesting and would like to update the review if I visit in the future. read more

No soups on menu. Very little is Thai about this restaurant, and I should know because I have eaten in many Thai restaurants both in the U.S. and Thailand. It seems that the "fusion" part has removed almost all traces of what makes Thai food so unique. Service was ok, though I don't understand how six empty glasses of water could stay empty for so long before I asked for a refill. As others have commented, price point may be a problem. Does running away from the Thai influence justify the high prices? The food, such as it is, is good quality and tasty. That is the only aspect that gets the fourth star, but if I could give a quarter star, this would be a solid 3.25. read more

NaKorn is an excellent addition to the Evanston dining scene, and fits in rather well with the other offerings nearby. Upon entry, my first impression of NaKorn is that it maintains the upscale and fashionable trend that the restaurants in the area have been heading toward. It boasts smooth lines, lots of wooden fixtures, and a contemporary atmosphere. NaKorn also has a full bar offering traditional mixed drinks that compliment the menu, so be sure to give one of them a try. If your drink preferences lean more toward tea, be certain to try the hot jasmine, as I also tried it and am happy to report it was perfect. NaKorn's menu has been built around what I would describe as very authentic Thai and Southeastern influences. I'm happy to see this trend continue, as other establishments in the area have also gone this direction. Being a picky carnivore, I tried the following dishes: The eggplant tomato salad arrived with a gigantic and hearty tomato as the base for an excellent mix of fresh eggplant and greens, with a wonderful and original dressing. (Everything at NaKorn is made on site, and it shows!) The hot tofu steak mixed well with the fresh sprouts and pea-pods in a very delicate sauce, and if you're a fan of tofu, I recommend this dish. The third salad ordered was my favorite: the mushroom cabbage rolls, covered in fresh mushrooms and a very thick flavorful hot mushroom sauce. The main entree - the sea bass, was a very thick cut, cooked perfectly, and the server made sure it arrived with plenty of Au Jus for the extra, (and quite wild and wonderful), brown rice I ordered on the side. If you're looking for something authentic and new, and you enjoy Thai that doesn't carry as many of the American trappings as you are likely used to, give NaKorn a try! Cheers! read more

Ok 5 star. They are aiming for the Michelin star I guess, based on how they run the place and how their dishes are like. Still there is Thai feeling but just not your everyday catering place. Great to have them in Evanston. read more

My wife and I had a wonderful dinning experience. The great food, romantic atmosphere and spot on service. I understand this establishment can be pretty busy on weekends. Last night was perfect with a lighter set of diners. NaKorn deserves my 5 star rating. You will not be disappointed! read more

Tried Nakorn for lunch with 4 of my coworkers since it just opened across the street from our office building. We all agreed that the decor and ambiance was very nice. Our server was great too, very helpful and friendly. 4 of us ordered the Amish chicken ($15) and 1 of us ordered the roasted curry chicken ($14). We all enjoyed our food and the different flavors of each, but agreed that the portions felt small for the price. We were all hungry again by 2:00, which is a shame when you spend $19 on lunch. read more

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Great food! There are only limited number of dishes on the menu, but every single dish was very creative. The pork was AMAZING! The portion was not small but we almost licked the plate. The chicken was well-flavored and juicy, and the restauraserve sauce in small jars. It was really cute! Although the chicken leg's taste was a bit off. A slow, intimate, dark, and artsy atmosphere. The waiter was friendly and very helpful when asked for recommendations. They also brought us an additional crepe for the dessert, when we had four girls on our table but the regular portion only had three. Overall it was a great experience! The restaurant is on the pricy side for a regular dinner, but is a wonderful place to for a small gathering. read more

Excellent food. And the service was very good. We took our kids (3 and 18 months). When we arrived we thought it might be too fancy for the kids but they loved it. Waiter brought us kids menus and set up a high chair. Everything we tried was delicious. Can't wait to go back! read more

Pleasantly surprised by Nakorn. Unique menu with none of the usual Thai stand-bys. I had the half chicken plate and my wife had the short ribs. Both were cooked perfectly and had a lot of flavor. The ambience is very pleasant as well. Nice lighting with just the right amount of ambience. This place seems like a great spot for a large-ish group. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to try something different, inspired and flavorful. read more

We were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary, and were lucky to try this place. The ambiance was perfect, nice in colors, and sound. The owner was nice and so are the servers, both attentive and patiant, and very helpful with guiding us through the different options. The food was exquisite, a perfect balance of colors and flavors. After 12 years in California, we become 'snobs' when it come to Thai food... Each course was better the former. We had the shredded brisket for an appetizer, a perfect balance of the sweetness of the sticky rice with a flavor rich brisket. For main we had the Sea Bass and the Sirloin, both well prepared with amazing home made chili - peanuts - coconut paste The dessert was as good. We enjoyed the place and recommend it. We will come again read more

Amazing amazing amazing!!! If you like Thai food this place is a must. We live in NYC and have lived in Bangkok this place is exceptional. The tapioca chips appetizer is delicious. We really enjoyed all the dishes we tried and the kids menu is great. It made dining out easy with two little ones. The #1 one must have item was the panna cotta. We also loved the Thai Tea crème brûlée. The presentation of the food was devine. read more

NaKorn - Thai Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Can't believe I didn't know this restaurant until today!! Food is delicate and flavor is excellent. The decoration is very romantic and the service is perfect. We tried chicken, crabmeat and pork tenderloin, and all of them are really good choices! Can't believe Thai food could be so fancy. read more

NaKorn - Crabmeat with noodles, half chicken with beautiful brown rice - Thai Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I've eaten at and had take out from NaKorn too many times without providing a Yelp review so here we go. I simply cannot say enough good things about their food and personalized service. My whole life, I thought I was eating Thai food and then I discovered NaKorn. If you're looking for Americanized Pad Thai, you'll need to look elsewhere. We've simply stopped going to or ordering from traditional Thai restaurants. There is no comparison. Flavors, combinations, presentation. All excellent. Our favorites include Monika's Popcorn Chicken and Seafood Fritto Misto for appetizers and Tiger Prawn and Thin Rice Noodle, Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken, Kale and Tofu and Braised Angus Beef with Bah Mi Noodle for dinners. All are outstanding. For delivery/carry-out, you'll find that their approach to presentation is as good as I've seen. Dishes come hot and are almost "plated" within their containers. Crisp ingredients are sent separately. Very thoughtful. Also, tip of the hat to NaKorn for using environmentally packaging for their delivery/carry-out. Keep up the great work! read more

This restaurant is so different from many Thai restaurants in US. No Tom Yum Soup, no Pad Thai. It provides different set of traditional home-style Thai cuisines with modern twist. We ordered Pan Seared Sea Scallop, Mina's Braised Short Ribs, and Jumbo Lump Blue Crabmeat. They were all very good. Furthermore, the service was really excellent. So was the ambiance. Truly enjoyed the experience. read more

My wife took me here for dinner to celebrate my birthday. We were both craving Thai but this is not your average neighborhood spot with Pad Thai or Pad See Ew on the menu. It was a pleasant surprise in Evanston and rather quaint. The hostess was not as warm upon arrival, however the wait staff was super welcoming and took time to explain the menu. We opted for the New York Strip Steak and Jumbo Lump Blue Crabmeat. Both had solid reviews on Yelp and neither disappointed. The steak was carefully prepared and the crabmeat Over bed of noodles was quite flavorful and not so heavy. We also ordered cocktails - the Screaming Spaniard to toast to a childfree date night. I could have had a pitcher of this tequila cocktail it was that good! All in all, this place is good for a date spot or a cozy night out with friends. read more

Not a typical Thai place at all! I had the cauliflower steak which is a must - so delicious with bits of tofu and tomatoes. Amazing! I also had their Fawlty Towers non alcoholic beverage which rocked. My husband had the New York steak and loved it. I also had rose tea which was fragrant and delicious. The only reason for four stars is that sometimes the wait staff forgot to check up on us so we waited 20 minutes to order dessert. Aside from that, everyone was kind. read more

Impeccable service. Solid wine selection. Shrimp pad thai was amazing. And I've had it in Bangkok!

I am so glad I gave this place a try. Normally I only only authentic Thai food, but this place manages to balance Thai fusion so well. They use Thai ingredients to bring out the Thai flavors and aroma and add a modern twist to their food, especially with their presentations. If you want to Thai modern twist on Thai food, this is definitely the place to go. Great food and great service. I would definitely come back for more ! read more

Went for lunch and was blown away at the service, taste and ambiance. It wasn't packed at all (we went later, around 1:30pm) and the food came out fast and tasting terrific. Can't wait to come back and try the other items. Very reasonably priced too for lunch options. read more

Fantastic. Came here on a whim as I was staying at the nearby Hilton. Absolutely fantastic food, delicate interesting blend of flavors, Thai, but so much more!! Loved everything to be honest (had the Taro chicken, one of the "greens" dishes, and the blue crab with curry sauce. Every discharge was absolutely superb. Can't go wrong with this one :))) would come back in a heartbeat - might be able to tomorrow if things work out!! read more

The food & drinks are superb, the decor is fresh and beautiful, and the staff is friendly. They just need a moment to get their service timing right -- understandable for a new place. Truly stand-out dishes: Tapioca Crackers with Chicken & Shrimp Relish, Crabmeat in Rice Noodles, Coconut Cream Pie Parfait. I can't wait to go back to try more. My favorite drink was One of the Five. It's really hard to get an excellent cocktail in Evanston. Yay! Glad you're here, NaKorn. read more

Yes you need to 60+1,000,000,000 leave this is happening bank I can mourn at Cunningham-Bahai they're not even

Really happy that I tried this place! The dishes all packed a flavor punch and the service was great. It's a little pricier for an Evanston lunch but you do get to try a lot of unique flavors. The interior is so cute. read more

Very different from what you would typically expect from this kind of cuisine. But the food was was still great! Very quiet and chill ambiance when I visited and outside of the city of Chicago (Evanston). read more

For the food, we give this 6 out of 5 stars! When was the last time you went to a Thai restaurant (or any restaurant) and stopped talking because you wanted to concentrate on every bite? We're foodies from Santa Barbara, CA (past Evanston resident) and thought we knew what standard Thai was about, but I guess we never had Thai cuisine like families cook really well in their homes. While not overly extensive (or expensive for the quality..) each item on the menu seems to have won a contest for "best in class." Fresh, gorgeously presented, expertly prepared. Honestly, this food could pass for very snooty haute cuisine if the cool, friendly, down-to-earth owners wanted to go that route. Don't miss this if you ever get near Evanston, IL. read more

Lovely new Thai restaurant served family-style with delish plates and darling décor details. Service was friendly and prompt. We tried almost everything on the menu and loved every bite. This includes my parents who aren't very good adventurous. read more

NaKorn - Thai Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This was a fabulous Thai experience. Gracious owners, and very helpful passionate waiter. Casual and comfortable atmosphere. I had read reviews of the entrees prior to my visit and chose the lump crab entree and the crab cake appetizer. The app had excellent texture, flavors and presentation. The entree was even better. The curry broth was poured over the rice noodles, crab meat and vegetables at the table which make this a fun presentation. Flavors were outstanding with just enough spiciness. I really enjoyed the experience, appreciate the owner and waiter passion, and I highly recommend that you try this restaurant. read more

I tried Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken. The chicken was dry. It's almost like the coconut curry and the chicken were two different things. There were crispy sweet potatoes, fingerling potatoes and pearl onions. Not sure why they existed. They didn't add anything to the main dish. It almost felt like they were put in there to make the dish look fancier and justify the price. At the end of the day, I felt I could have had better Thai food at cheaper price at some of the other places I know. read more