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Great place if you're looking for an ambient lighting and aesthetic dining. Like some of the other comments mentioned they only have few vegetarian meal options like the curries. But their noodles dishes do have oyster/fish sauce, which is pescatarian friendly but not vegetarian (if you are a strict vegetarian) friendly. However, the server did explain this to us after asking for my party's dietary restrictions. So I am happy that they did voice this before we ordered, unlike some other restaurants that just say they can't guarantee everything is vegetarian. Other than that, I loved their cocktail options and the roti + curry was flavorful! Would probably not come back again due to my own dietary restrictions but great for those who aren't strict vegetarians.
It's my first time here and came here for my early birthday celebration and i like the ambiance of the place and sharing for three people is more than enough, a little overpriced for chicken satay but still tasted great. I love the taste of the yellow curry and the pad krapao as well. Service was really quick too !!
Overall, this place was okay. Love the location in Orchard Hills but this plaza definitely needs more stores. It's almost like a ghost town past the Pavilions store. When walking inside, this place was beautiful. Love the dark themed vibe and tall ceilings. I have to say, it's pleasantly clean and the service was very good. We ordered the thai sausages and papaya salad for appetizers. The sausages were really flavorful. I just wished that they were cut better and provided more garlic. The salad had great seasoning, though I don't get the presentation with the wooden stick inside. Also, I never had it with raw green beans, which gave off a weird raw veggie flavor. For mains, we ordered the panang curry with chicken and the pad thai with shrimp. The curry was nice and aromatic, flavor was great. However, nothing mind-blowing. The pad thai however, was probably one of the better ones I've had. The noodles were very chewy and the flavor was fantastic. The shrimp was nice and plump, absolutely nailed. We ended with the mango sticky rice, which was delicious. I would want to give this a higher rating but my issue was the price and this is on top of the 4% surcharge they include. It's probably one of the higher price spots in the area for humble thai food. Also, it's a little weird that they have to act like a fine dining spot. There was absolutely nothing different other than serving the food in fancy bowls and plates. I do like the no children for dinner policy... probably should post it on the door though rather than just the website haha.
Pros: the ambiance gives an intimate vibe with dim lights and there were a lot of empty tables so the wait time was pleasantly short. Cons: service was slow but it could be because there was only one server working. Having more servers would be a big help for the one server working. After we were seated, we were told we would be charged $25 for bringing cupcakes into the restaurant. Yes, we were celebrating 2 birthdays, however, we were NOT planning on eating cupcakes inside this restaurant. These cupcakes were for later OUTSIDE of this restaurant. We just didn't want to leave the cupcakes in our car. I don't understand why we would be charged $25 just for bringing cupcakes inside. The server said we brought in a cake but it was not even a cake, it was 12 small cupcakes in a box. There's no sign in the restaurant and no indication on the menu or website that there will a $25 charge for bringing cakes or cupcakes inside. We ended up leaving our cupcakes in the car to avoid getting charged $25. The food was okay. There are better Thai restaurants such as Siam Station, Manao, Hanam. Moving forward in my review. I have included a picture of the receipt as well as some of the dishes we ordered. I also labeled the prices of these dishes corresponding with the receipt. One of the dishes we were surprised about was the Yellow Curry with Beef as it turned out to be $41.00. When the server asked us about the protein we wanted with the yellow curry, we asked the waiter what are the options as we do not know what the choices are. We were told there is chicken, beef, tofu, and other protein options. For context, the reason we did not know what the protein options were was because the menu for protein options is a little hard to read and we simply did not see it. The lighting was dim and the print for protein options was in a small yellow font on yellow-ish paper. We only found out about the price for beef protein with yellow curry once the bill came (as shown in the picture of the receipt). I would recommend using a different color and a bigger font on the menu for listing protein options. The pot stickers is 4 pieces for $17 and the mango avocado salad was $24. Nothing stood out with these two dishes. I don't really eat salad but I will say the salad was my favorite dish out of everything we ordered. For those who are unaware, a party of 5 or more will have a 20% large party fee. There is also a 4% service gratuity added to all checks. We were not informed about it by the staff. It's stated on their menu but if you did not happen to read it then you wouldn't know about it. It's something I'd like to point out because where it is printed can be easily missed. I think there is also a sign in the front but again it can be easily missed or overlooked. I'd recommend the staff to verbally disclose it to customers before seating them. For customers: I would recommend reading other reviews because there seems to be a pattern
The best Thai food we have had, it was so worth the hour drive! It will now become our go to spot! The shrimp rolls were absolutely delicious , and the pad Thai amazing !
The Tom Yum soup was absolutely delicious! The broth had the perfect balance of spicy, sour, and savory flavors without being overwhelming. You could really taste the lemongrass, lime, and herbs, and everything tasted fresh. It was comforting but still packed with flavor. Definitely one of the better Tom Yum soups I've had, and I'd order it again!
Nara Thai does an amazing job with both flavor and presentation. The Som Tum was beautifully plated, colorful, and fresh, making it just as enjoyable to look at as it was to eat. The Lobster Red Curry was another standout, presented elegantly with generous pieces of lobster and a rich, vibrant curry that made the dish feel truly special. Overall, a beautiful dining experience where the presentation complements the food perfectly.
Nara Thai is an upscale Thai restaurant in Irvine that opened in 2023. It has an elevated and high-end atmosphere with an intimate ambiance. When we walked in I really liked the dim lighting and the candles everywhere. We made reservations online ahead of time and were seated immediately for a party of two. THAI ESARN SAUSAGE ($14) - this was flavorful and I loved the char. I also liked the varying accompaniments like garlic, lime, and chilis for added flavors. This was my favorite dish. 4.5/5 THAI STYLE FRIED CHICKEN ($17) - this was crispy and I liked the sweet chili dipping sauce. There were only four pieces and I wish there were more given the price. 4/5 CRYING TIGER FILET ($40) - we ordered medium rare and it was slightly undercooked and chewy but the flavor was decent. It was also super spicy (for us) and addicting because of the nam jim jaew. I thought it was the star of the dish but I would've preferred they put the sauce on the side instead of drizzling it all over the meat so I could control the spiciness. 3.5/5 DRUNKEN NOODLES ($23) - we ordered it mild and were told it was a 2-3/10 on the spice level. There was a decent spice and I thought this dish was just okay. 3.5/5 For cocktails the yuzu offering ($18) and butterfly bloom ($18) were light and refreshing. The green aura ($16) was one-dimensional and just okay. I noticed that some of their cocktails were either soju-based (no hard liquor) or were non-alcoholic (although not explicitly mentioned) so beware when you read the ingredients. We also ordered the thai iced tea ($8) which was more tea-forward than others I've had. It was not as sweet and had hints of sweetened condensed milk instead of the typical heavy cream. It was one of the better ones I've had at restaurants. We finished with Nara's mango sticky rice ($17) which looked cool and was decent. Some of the dishes were flavorful while some were more disappointing. The cocktails were just okay. The prices were on the high side and some of the portions didn't match those prices. The interior was really cool and is a great spot for a nice night out.
Amazing food! I got the namtok filet mignon and I loved it! Great flavors that comes with either a jasmine rice or sticky rice with coconut flavor. The service is great and super friendly. Nice ambience as well.
The food was absolutely delicious! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Highly recommend this restaurant!
I came here for a date and it was so amazing! My boyfriend and I loved the ambiance and the food was delicious. We also really enjoyed the service that our server Angelita provided, she was very attentive and kind!
The ambiance and food were great, along with friendly service have made our dining experience memorable.
2 years ago
Been going to Nara Thai in the Orchard Hills plaza as it has great quality Thai cuisine + service, and the interior is gorgeously arranged with dim but warm lighting, a very chic and an ambient mood for a dinner. Their dishes are all very flavorful with varying levels of spice, and they can be pricey as it is more on the upscale end of Thai restaurants in OC. My family always loves their Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodle, Som Tum/Papaya Salad but also liked their Beef Short Rib Massaman Curry - it was on the sweeter side with fragrant spices, and the beef was a little tough but could be cooked a little less next time. In regards to the price, the portion is a bit small so probably will check out their other entrees as well on our next visit! read more
2 years ago
The food was tasty but the price doesn't match the portion... I only ordered 3 sides but the portions I received are ridiculously small. I'm not sure if it's a $$ restaurant. It might be $$$$$$$... I am feeling a deceived by the online ordering. Edit: The owner replied that the inflated prices are through third party services but I actually placed the order directly through their website. read more
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Michael A.
As you might not know, online orders are controlled via a 3rd party;…
7 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
We’re sorry you feel that way we use high-quality products Angus beef…
2 years ago
I experienced Nara Thai with a friend in June 2024. Nara Thai is located in Irvine off Portola in the Orchard Hills Shopping Center. The vibe is like a modern, upscale Thai spot. Super cute for a first date, lunch meeting or if you're just craving Thai food. We ordered pad Thai and curry. Both 5/5 I've been to Thailand a few times, so I feel like I can say I know what good Thai food is :) The dishes here are flavorful and you can tell they really focus on the presentation. The prices are a bit on the higher end for Thai food. Otherwise, service is attentive and professional. read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
I'll start with the good: this place has the coziest decor that was so nice to just catch up and chat with a friend in. The food was also served with care taken towards presentation. On the flip side: I don't really understand restaurants that add a hidden fee to the bill. The surcharge wasn't big (maybe like 3%) but it just doesn't feel very good faith to spring it on customers without it being obvious from the start, either from just tacking it to the menu prices or letting me know (in a more obvious way, in case it actually was somewhere and I missed it). Not that the menu prices start cheap anyway. I'd say you're paying on the pricier side for thai food, and I'd also say that the cost goes towards presentation and not taste or quantity. I got a tom kha and the sourness overpowered most other tastes. Yes I know that it's supposed to have acid, but like, usually it's not by that much. And there was SO much more mushroom than chicken in the soup. For dessert we got the fried roti. We waited for so long before they let us know they were out of the coconut ice cream so we switched to mango sorbet. This was a new dessert to me and tasted exactly the way it looks - a fried bread, what i thought was condensed milk but really just tasted like a sugar glaze, with a sorbet. I expected the roti to be more aromatic or fluffy, but it was all crisp and more than anything really just served as a vehicle for the sorbet. read more
The restaurant has a very nice ambiance and a cozy atmosphere. It is a relatively small restaurant which is perfect if you are trying to have a conversation. The parking is plentiful as it is in a large shopping plaza. I ordered the pork jerky to start and Pad Thai with chicken for my entree. The pork jerky was slightly misleading as I expected jerky based on the description. It ended up being pieces of pork stir fried for a long time so there meat ended up being pretty tough to chew. The flavor was very good though. The pad Thai was disappointing as the noodles were on the chewy side, the chicken tasted like it was boiled in water and added on top, and portions were very small. The presentation was nice though. Overall, I wouldn't come here for the food but would come for the atmosphere and presentation of the food. read more
1 year ago
We had an amazing experience here! Tofu green and chk red curry were absolutely delicious perfectly balanced flavors and just the right amount of spice. Everything else we ordered was also fantastic. We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and the staff made it feel extra special. Dessert was yummy. Highly recommend! read more
3 months ago
8 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to…
10 months ago
Booked a reservation for a Saturday dinner and from the moment we stepped in, AMAZING. The decor, the atmosphere, the ambience was amazing. I don't think the lady who was our waitress ever told her name but she was I believe Thai? She was awesome! Always came to check on us and was there whenever we needed anything. The food was also so delicious--from the appetizer, main entrees and the dessert! Shoutout the chef and cooks back there because everything we ordered, including our drinks, were so good. Nothing bad to say at all. The experience, food, everything was amazing! read more
2 years ago
Nara is the owner of this restaurant. She interacted with all her customers. The atmosphere and service were excellent. The restaurant is beautiful and modern. There's nothing to complain. Now let's talk about the food. The menu isn't extensive like typical Thai restaurants. Each dish is carefully thought out. Take our papaya salad. It's served differently compared to other Thai places. You have to grind it in order to bring out more flavor. According to Nara, the flavor here is from eastern Thailand where she grew up. I had Northern, Southern and central Thailand food, but I never had eastern Thai food so I have no idea how to rate it, except...I like it a lot. Is it the best Thai food I have ever eaten? No. But it's very good, especially in Irvine. Because of its location, be prepared to pay a bit more than usual for the ambience, service, cuisine and location. read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Love hearing your first visit was a 10/10. Our team works hard to…
7 months ago
7 months ago
Note: they add a 3% inflation fee to the bill as a separate line item. At least their suggested tip amounts are pre-tax (and pre-inflation fee), and they say so on the receipt. Although the prices are on the higher side and portions on the smaller side... the food we ordered was really delicious made with high quality ingredients. The two waitresses we had were also really sweet and attentive. We ordered: - Tom Yum soup with shrimp ($14) - Nam Tok with pork ($22) - Crab fried rice ($28) Everything was just enough for two, but when the Tom Yum soup came out I was caught off guard by how small it was. About half the size of other Thai restaurants. The crab fried rice was probably the best value because it had chunks of fresh crab meat and also a Thai omelette topping the fried rice. The nam tok was refreshing with tender pork and delicately sliced red onions. It does have a kick though due to bits of Thai peppers. *** I reviewed based on our personal dining experience here, but did want to make mention of the below for awareness *** Found out after we ate here that they don't have kid friendly policies and they have a dress code, so be mindful if you want to dine here. The policies and responses to the one star yelp reviews are also off-putting, and doesn't make me want to come back. It's really unnecessary to have a strict no child policy. Usually parents are aware which places aren't kid-friendly and will self-elect not to dine at certain places with their kids unless for a special occasion based on vibe and ambiance. Even Michelin star restaurants don't blatantly have no child policies. Or for more local examples - places like Chaak Kitchen, Kin, etc. A restaurant like this is better served in downtown lively places, not in a suburban neighborhood plaza surrounded by families with kids. read more
5 months ago
10 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we appreciate you…
1 year ago
4 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
This made our day. So glad you loved the food and that the portions…
8 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
if you look, we actually do have a phone number. if you tried calling…
4 months ago
9 months ago
11 months ago
4 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Insanely good to hear the food and vibe hit a 10 for you. Love that…
Nara Thai is upscale, beautiful, and high quality. The interior design is worth the visit itself. Their drink menu is ample in options from Thai tea to speciality cocktails. Their food menu is also classic, with pad Thai, fried rice, papaya salad, and pad see ew. The Service was good, however for a nearly full house they only had 2 floor staff, which was disheartening to see them run around so much. Thankfully, our servers were kind and patient. Please also note they charge 3% on top of your total to account for inflation. Which is not tip. Overall, food and drinks were great, and the view of the resultant made it worth while! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
Can't call to make an order, they charge a "surcharge fee" and now walking in to place an order for takeout and told "we are too busy for takeout." Great food, great staff, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP. read more
Business owner information
Michael A.
Thank you for your feedback. We understand that surcharges can be…
5 months ago
5 months ago
6 months ago
4 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Love hearing you’ve been with us since the early days. Great service,…
2 years ago
Omg the food here is sooooo good. But comes with a hefty hefty price. Most expensive Thai food I've had. Definitely not an "everyday" place to go but if you're looking for a cute date night or birthday dinner, Nari is so good and the aesthetic inside is gorgeous! read more
9 months ago
Super good！ I highly recommend lychee soda，fried chiken， and pai thai！！good environment and enjoy the night. read more
1 year ago
This isn't my first time here, but they definitely deserve a review! I absolutely loved this place! Everything we ordered was incredible--Pad See Ew, short rib curry, fried chicken, and mango sticky rice. The flavors were so good we honestly couldn't pick a favorite. On top of that, the ambiance is beautiful--probably one of the best interiors I've seen in a Thai restaurant. The staff was amazing, and the manager (I think he was the manager?) was super friendly and made us feel really welcome. Already planning my next visit! read more
4 months ago
Business owner information
Michael A.
Thank you for your feedback.…
More info about Nara Thai Kitchen
3931 Portola Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92602
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(949) 822-8799
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https://www.narathaikitchen.com
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