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    Ruen Pair

    4.0 (2.3k reviews)
    ModerateThai
    Open 2:00 pm - 10:45 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Ruen Pair Takeout or Delivery

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    RUEN PAIR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Ruen Pair

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    Pad Thai
    Nadine C.

    Thai cuisine in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California... I came here for lunch with Chel many years ago! Did you know that there's a high population of Thai people in Hollywood? The area is called Thai Town! Parking was a bit of a challenge. I parked nearby... because I didn't want to pay to park in the lot... haha! Pad Thai and Pork Satay were yummy!

    Judy N.

    The Parking here is nonexistent and when I say nonexistent I mean there are people forcing you to pay to park in a public parking lot. Which is ridiculous to me but LA will do anything to make some money. Nonetheless we stopped here to pick up take out since they were all booked and we didn't feel like waiting, the food was tasty but the portions and the prices aren't justified in my opinion.

    Tintin B.

    Clearly a winner in my Michelin book for their truly Authentic Thai cuisine dishes and mouthwatering sour soups with a touch of sweetness just like in Bangkok Thailand. My favorite dish is the bbq pork because grilled hot off the grill and smells amazing with a taste that keeps you wanting more and more. Then you add the eggplant dish with is stir fried with special sauce and ground pork. Enjoy your delicious dinner with white rice and a hot cup of sweet and sour soup that is boiling hot at your table. Add Thailand beer for good measure and memorable moments in Thailand. However they ran out of mango sticky rice dessert at 09:30 pm tonight. Enjoy later at the ice cream shop next door. No worries my friend. A beautiful evening full of hungry happy people and wonderful memories for everyone to remember that you are at Hollywood Los Angeles best kept secret for over 20 years. I remember this Amazing restaurant back in the day when I was a lot younger and we loved coming here at midnight for that special occasion. Now they closed by 11:00 pm. People still be waiting in line. Parking is valet for $8 and you can check out the other businesses next door too. No rush because it's really a lovely chilly night here. Then head to your nearest venue afterwards for a great comedy show in Hollywood at the Laugh Factory close by here. Enjoy the night with this big beautiful full moon.

    Tiffany C.

    After one meal, this is already one of the best Thai spots I've tried in LA! Came with friends and ordered a bunch of dishes, and every single plate was ridiculously delicious. The Pad Thai was the best I've had outside of Thailand. Extremely well balanced, not too sweet, not too tangy, not drowning in sauce, just perfectly done with great noodle texture and loaded with shrimp. The Pad Kee Mao was so flavorful. Smoky, spicy, full of flavor, and had that proper "wok hei" char that makes noodles addictive. The Pad See Ew was equally rich and savory, and deeply satisfying. We also got the turnip omelette (Kai Jeow with preserved radish) and it blew my mind, honestly. It is so simple, but packed with flavor. Somehow one of the best egg dishes I've ever had. The morning glory with pork was another standout, super fresh, garlicky, and cooked perfectly. Everything came out hot, portions were generous, and the whole table went silent because the food is too good to talk through lol. On top of that, the servers were super nice, friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better despite how busy it was :) Packed restaurant, amazing energy, AMAZING food. This place just ruined average Thai food for me. Already thinking about when I'm going back!!!

    BBQ Pork Over Rice
    Gloria C.

    I really wish I can love this place but it's really disappointing. What once was known as the best Thai food in LA, is no longer the case. We got the raw shrimp salad, spicy catfish and bbq pork over rice. The raw shrimp "salad" is probably the best thing we've ate, but the chili sauce was over powering and couldn't really taste the freshness of the shrimp. And I feel like there could've been saw garlic to go along with it, but nope, just decorative cabbages that is not edible. As for the bbq pork over rice, the sausage was good and the crispy pork too. But the BBQ pork itself was HORRIBLE I literally spit it out. It tasted like old refrigerated dry meat, barely edible. And then the spicy catfish, the portion was so small, it looked like someone ate half of it. The pieces very tiny and it was so dry it tasted like it was refried. The spicy sauce didn't help much. And I overheard the table next to us waited around 30 mins for their dishes. Overall, I'll not be coming back here. There are much better Thai spots than this. Not to mention the parking is horrible as it was valet only on a Saturday.

    Seafood Soup, Rahd Nah
    Cassidy F.

    Came here on a Sunday night with a friend. I've been to Thaitown a couple of times and have always wanted to try Ruen Pair but there's just so many options nearby that I just hadn't gotten around to it. But I loved it once I tried it! To start, parking was easy. Valet was $5 and no issues there. You can try to park on the street but it will definitely be limited. The wait was about 45 minutes for 2. I would just make sure to wait outside. They called a lot of names while we were waiting. 2 parties of 2 in front of us were not present at the time they called their names so we ended up getting seated sooner than our waiting list number! Once we sat down, we ordered a radh na, seafood soup, and raw crab papaya salad. Everything was so good! I wasn't too impressed by the radh na as it tasted like every other place I've been to, but the soup and the papaya salad were so good! We got both of them medium spicy and the heat was perfect! The salad was very fresh and we didn't get sick from the raw crab, so that's always great! Food also came super fast. Overall, had an amazing experience and can't wait to come back!

    Half BBQ chicken
    Michael P.

    Always a great option for Thai; the lot is valet and relatively easy. The waits can be long but it goes by quickly. Favorites are tom yum soup, the papaya salad, and any of the curries. Also, the fried whole fish is delish; that dipping sauce is awesome.

    Shrimp Cake
    Anna H.

    Service was very slow but the menu had very diverse offerings. It's a good place to go to share items. A party of 4 is perfect to be able to try multiple things! Shrimp cake and bbq pork were standouts, with a very crispy texture that was also very juicy and perfectly glazed sticky meat, respectively. The papaya salad is VERY spicy and completely caught our table (and the next one over) off guard, so I would pass; otherwise the portion was huge. The pad see ew had longer noodles and less oyster sauce than I am used to. Save space for dessert a few doors down at their sister dessert location -- probably the best dessert in LA! Parking is $3 valet!

    Chinese broccoli with Crispy Pork. I asked for spicy. It wasn't spicy enough.
    Arev L.

    Service was quick but not really friendly. 4 person running but only 1 lady that's smiling at customers. The Mr. Hannibal is quite unhappy. Food still taste great but something is different. I remembered that they used to put green peppercorn on the cat fish. Not anymore? And the clam dish, the clam are still looking pale, not coated with sauce evenly. I have not been here for a while so maybe things has changed. I'll come back soon to try again. Hopefully it will be better.

    Pork jerky with spicy dip
    David G.

    We haven't visited this restaurant since we move to Sherman Oaks 19 years ago. We love this food. All three dishes, pork jerky, pad noodles with beef, and Penang curry with shrimp were excellent. Service is very good, loved seeing this place again after all these years. Hate the parking, you park yourself and pay $5. So glad we came back here, and we'll make this trek much more often. We got there at around 5:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, and you were lots of tables available. The three of us left about an hour and 15 minutes later and there was a line out the door, which we expected.

    Beef Jerky
    Chantel M.

    I've been coming here for decades with my family and they never disappoint! The restaurant is just as good as I remember. As a SoCal native, who now lives in the Bay Area, there's nothing that can beat the food here. The beef jerky is crisp and fried to perfection! The Tom Yum Goong, had large pieces of seafood in it and was flavorful. The Pad Thai, my go to order (always) is one of the best ones I've eaten. Typically, it's either too sweet or too fish sauce heavy, but this was is the perfect balance to me. The Pad Kee Mao, we ordered mild, but oh boy was it spicy and delicious. I don't know how they get that wok flavor why keeping the noodles flavored and not dry or soggy. The green curry was super satisfying in the cold weather at night. The coconut milk shines through, without overpowering the whole dish. All in all, I'll be coming to this place over and over again like I have for decades to come! Although some of the staff has changed over the years, I do recognize a few that are still there. The service was good overall too. The food came out pretty quickly and was hot and fresh.

    Anhvy T.

    Super solid place for Thai food. I been here twice and they are consistent. Food came out super quick as well. 4 stars because i tjink the food is not as memorable and is missing this certain factor. Valet is $3 for the first 90 minutes.

    Crab rolls
    Cheryl S.

    When eating authentic Thai food in Thai Town, Ruen Pair is one of the go to places that I think of going to and taking friends with me after a night of going out & before heading home. I'm not sure why or when they changed their hours to an earlier closing time on the weekend, if it's due to the financial & political climate at the moment but I was sad to see it closed with the lights off after midnight on a Saturday night. I coulda sworn it was one of those dependable spots that you could enjoy after a night of partying with quality authentic Thai food and was sad that it wasn't open when we entered the plaza. Nevertheless, it's worth trying if you're ever in Thai Town. Ruen Pair never disappoints.

    Papaya Salad - wished there was a bit more tomatoes and crushed peanuts.

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    Page 1 of 57

    Ruen Pair Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ruen Pair

    Are they open on Thanksgiving?

    Hi there, We will actually be closed on Thanksgiving day, thank you for asking!

    Can I bring my own wine here?

    Yes you can. The corkage fee is $10 per bottle.

    What are the best Vegan dishes to order here?

    They can do most of the dishes vegan style. You can ask the staff for suggestion. Personally, I like morning glory vegan style. ( no fish sauce)

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Yes, they do. You may ask them staffs for suggestions. As I know so far papaya salad, tom yum soup, tom kha soup and curries are gluten free.

    Does the fish sauce you use contain shellfish?

    Hi Kelsey, our fish sauce at the restaurant has no shellfish in it all, just fish only. Thanks for your question!

    Do you accept reservations?

    Hi Vincent, unfortunately we do not accept reservations, it is a first come first serve basis with a waitlist if there is a line. Thank you for your question!

    Did your hours change? If so, what are your current hours? Thanks!

    Hi Rikki, our hours are currently Mon-Fri 4 pm - 11 pm and Sat-Sun 2 pm - 11 pm qith the kitchen closing at 10:45 pm. Thank you for your question!

    Is outdoor seating still available these days?

    Hi Lily, we are no longer doing outdoor seating, it is all indoors for us. Thank you for your question!

    Are they open on Christmas Day?

    Yes, they are :)

    How long is a typical wait on a Friday evening these days, around 6pm?

    Hi Brittany, The wait usually isn't long at around 6 pm. We do start getting a rush of customers… Read more

    Is indoor dining available?

    Yes it is! :)

    Are they open for outdoor dining on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26?

    Hello, yes we are open on holidays including Thanksgiving. You may follow our social media on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like for updates from us.

    Could you deliver to K town?

    Hello, here are current updates as to what we have now at the restaurant. We do offer delivery and it is now online, you may order thru our website ruenpairthai.com or find us on DoorDash. Thank you!

    I was wondering if you guys are open?

    Yes, they have just reopened. :) Their hours are 11am - Midnight daily.

    Are there any vegan options?

    Yes, you can veganize the major rice noodle dishes like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Pad Khee Mao by asking for mixed vegetables, no egg, and no fish sauce. They'll happily comply. Also, you can order vegetable fried rice no egg, which is really good too.

    I'm driving to this place all the way from Santa Monica for their Tom Yum Soup, is this worth the 45 min drive?

    It's good and they are very authentic, but Thai places in Thaitown are known for their individual great dishes. The green papaya salad is the claim to fame for Ruen Pair. I enjoy the noodles here too. But always get green papaya salad. Cash only.… Read more

    Do they serve mango & sticky rice?

    Yes

    Anyone have an idea how they make their papaya salad? I've been trying to mimic their recipe but nothing comes close. Maybe they brine the papaya or add vinegar?

    Try getting a job there and learn how to make it or look online for a recipe.

    How much is valet parking?

    Valet parking from Monday thru Friday starts at 5 pm and is usually $2-3 for 1.5 hrs. On Saturday and Sunday it is valet all day.

    Are they open on Christmas Day?

    Yes

    View All 27 Questions

    Sticky Rice

    Sticky Rice

    3.8
    (1.3k reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Another lovely spot tucked within the Grand Central Market! Reasonably priced for the portion size…read morein my opinion, as I had leftovers! I tried the Pad See Ew with beef, and it was delicious! Slightly sweet, with tender broccoli stems and wide rice noodles that absorbed the myriad of flavors. I will return to try more as the menu has a solid list of items, but for now, the Pad See Ew serves as a solid baseline to the quality of this establishment.

    It was our first time trying Sticky Rice at Grand Central Market. We ordered the following:…read more Moo Ping Sticky Rice ($17) Pad Thai with choice of pork +$2 ($17) Pineapple Fried Rice (Choice of chicken +$1) $17 Pad Siew (Choice of beef $2) $17 Since it was peak weekend hours, it was super busy, and we had to wait a bit for our food, but it was honestly so worth it. The plates looked kind of small at first glance, but the portions actually turned out to be really solid and filling. Moo Ping is Thai grilled pork skewers paired with warm, sticky rice is a classic street food combination. The grilled pork skewers had that perfect char and a super flavorful, sweet-savory marinade. Eating it with a little pinch of the warm sticky rice was amazing, but the meat is so good that you can honestly eat it by itself. Highly recommended for the grilled pork skewers. The Pad Thai, Pineapple Fried Rice, and Pad Siew were all really tasty and had those authentic street-food vibes. If you're going to GCM and craving Thai food, this spot definitely doesn't disappoint. We're already planning to go back next time.

    Photos
    Coconut
    Coconut
    Gai Yang - Bbq Chicken
    Gai Yang - Bbq Chicken
    Khao Soi pre.mixed

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    Khao Soi pre.mixed
    White Elephant

    White Elephant

    4.4
    (272 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    Service was fantastic - thank you Plernpit for taking such great care of us…read more The restaurant is very clean and beautifully decorated. Steak Pad See Ew Level 3 Spice, spice level was accurate. Broccoli was fantastic, soft exterior but super crunchy Noodles were very flavorful, but broke apart fairly easily. Not a problem if you dont mind spooning up the bits like me. Shrimp Wonton off Happy Hour Menu Super crunchy, the sweet and spicy sauce was delicious

    Came for a weekday group lunch. When we sat down they only offered us the regular menu. We had to…read moreask for the lunch menu. SMH. The regular menu is quite expensive with the cheapest at $17 for appetizer and salad options and most expensive at a whooping $80. The lunch menu was more affordable but still on the pricey side $21-$32 with add on options. The waitress was taking our orders and what surprised me was with my co-worker ordered the pad see ew and the waitress asked her how spicy she wants it. I was aw shocked. I'm not a Thai food expert but I do know pad see ew is a noodles dish that's offers a sweet soy sauce flavor. Never served spicy. I didn't get to try the dish but when I asked my co worker how it taste she said it was spicy and not sweet at all. I'm not sure that was an authentic pad see ew. I ordered from the lunch menu and got the tumeric chicken, with steamed vegetables and paid extra $7 to substitute for a papaya salad. I asked for #2 spice level but it was not spicy at all. Other co workers said they asked for medium but it was way too spicy. So it looks like their spicy levels are inconsistent. I'm not sure how this restaurant can justify the prices with the quality they are serving. Probably won't be back. Service was mediocre. Didn't offer to refill our waters. Parking is metered parking or paid lot.

    Photos
    Dumplings
    Dumplings
    Basil Chicken Wings
    Basil Chicken Wings
    Inside

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    Inside
    Thai Food Express

    Thai Food Express

    4.1
    (166 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $

    Ambience: I came a Friday after work and it was not busy at all. I enjoyed it. The elderly woman…read morerunning the front (Tang) was sweet, inviting and welcoming in a genuine way. I felt like I came to eat and my mom's house. They take Debit Card and Apple Pay WITH a pin only. I forgot my wallet and paid with Apple Pay. It did not have a place for tip which made me feel awful. At the end I apologized and she was like "it's ok, next time." And she was genuinely fine with it. She reassured me not to worry about it. So I'm determined to come back to tip her because if anybody deserved a tip it was her. I ordered Pad Thai with tofu- I like to order peanut sauce on the side and the woman found it interesting and struck a non judgmental conversion about it. I could really tell she was genuinely curious. This was my favorite dish. It was good. I also ordered spicy fried rice with tofu and spicy panang curry with vegetables. I chose 4 out of a 6 for spicy and it was not spicy at all for me. The rice was fine, nothing extraordinary and nothing bad. The panang curry was yummy. I don't know if it's regional but it was very light in taste and light in thickness. BUT I enjoyed it for what it was. Felt like I had gotten home made chicken soup or something like that comforting and not overly processed. Maybe it's because I ordered it with no protein and just vegetables. I ordered a lot of food so I explained to her that I was going to eat some and take the rest to go. When she brought the food she brought it nicely packed without a bag. She also brought me a real plate and utensils to eat here. She let me know that when I was ready she'd bring a bag which I thought was thoughtful. She also made sure to say "take your time, no need to rush. We close at 8" and it was 5pm. Again, it felt genuinely nurturing, she wanted to make sure I felt taken care of and welcomed. It meant a lot because I was frazzled from forgetting my wallet and from having a hard day at work. This was my first time here and it won't be my last. There is a small lot on site. Prices were very reasonable.

    We love this place. Pad Seeuw, Pad Thai and Orange Shrimp with Steamed Rice will definitely keep…read moreyou going back ag as in and again. 100,000 stars!

    Photos
    The view from my seat. The kitchen and counter for ordering and paying are in front of me.
    The view from my seat. The kitchen and counter for ordering and paying are in front of me.
    Pad Thai with tofu. It was yummy. I ordered it without egg.
    Pad Thai with tofu. It was yummy. I ordered it without egg.
    Inside on a Saturday evening

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    Inside on a Saturday evening
    Hoy-Ka Thai Restaurant

    Hoy-Ka Thai Restaurant

    4.3
    (2.5k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Service was great! Eating early on a Saturday night with my kid made the experience smoother-- easy…read moreseating, quieter, easy free street parking. Moo ping (sweet pork skewers street style) was good but not the best in LA (I like the one at Rosemead/Pas President Thai). Khao soi with chicken drumstick is delicious and filling. Hoy Ka noodles (dry, pork) is nice and a sweet balance to the spicier options I got. Cat fish with chili paste also good but note it is spicy. I love that it comes with generous portion of flash fried basil. You have to order a side of white rice since it only comes à la carte and I wouldn't recommend eating it alone!

    This place is by far my favorite Thai restaurant and that's why it's so disheartening to write this…read morereview. I have written at least 2 glowing reviews of the restaurant in the past and wish this could be one of them, but it's not. Over the last 4-5 days I have tried no less than 2 dozen times to call the restaurant during proper business hours to order food for pick-up as I often do. The phone rang and rang to no avail. I live too far from the restaurant to just pop up and place an order so I rely on calling ahead. I have been a customer of this restaurant for at least the last 9 years and have almost never had the aforementioned experience. Though I do recall not being able to get a call through several times on one or two occasions in the relatively distant past. Today I was finally able to get a call through and began placing my order which includes shrimp. I ALWAYS request the tail (with shells) to be removed from the shrimp as I find it quite difficult to enjoy my meal if I'm constantly having to pick off shells with my hands. It's unsanitary and messy. Removing the tails from 15-20 shrimp prior to adding to an entree or soup should take no more than 60 seconds and that's if one is moving at a glacial pace. However, today I was told that the kitchen was too busy to honor my request. I assured the lady taking my order than I was a loyal customer and make this request will every order I place and it is always honored. She repeated her claim that the kitchen was too busy and refused to do it. I cancelled my order and ended the call. Now I usually order food from the restaurant 4-5 times a month and usually spend about $65 each time not including tip. That is approximately $325 per month of my hard earned money that I give to this restaurant in exchange for great food and service. I am appalled and quite upset that having been a loyal customer for almost a decade and spending as much money there as I do per month that they could at least honor my patronage by simply taking an additional 60 seconds in the kitchen to make my meal more enjoyable. Her refusal to do such a minuscule task has deeply soured my experience with Hoy-Ka not to mention the fact that I could not reach the restaurant for almost a week by phone for no apparent reason. I will not be going back to this restaurant until they rectify this situation.

    Photos
    Free Valet parking in rush hour between 5PM - 9PM. Valet will be in the front of restaurant on Sunset Blvd.
    Free Valet parking in rush hour between 5PM - 9PM. Valet will be in the front of restaurant on Sunset Blvd.
    Spicy seafood noodle.
    Spicy seafood noodle.
    Salmon Panang curry, healthy yummy!!!!

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    Salmon Panang curry, healthy yummy!!!!
    Au Lac

    Au Lac

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    10 years in business

    Twelve years ago, I fell in love with Au Lac and wrote a glowing review. Living on LA's Westside, I…read morerarely make it to Downtown, so today was my first visit back since then. I can't believe it's been 12 years--and I'm so happy to say it was every bit as incredible as I remembered. My friend and I came for lunch. I ordered the vegetable pho, and she had the curry rice. Both dishes were absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, comforting, and beautifully prepared. Honestly, I wish we had more time because we had another appointment downtown. I would have loved to try more dishes and definitely dessert! Our server was wonderful--friendly, attentive, and incredibly professional. He checked on us at just the right moments without ever feeling intrusive. The service was as impressive as the food. The restaurant has such a warm, relaxing atmosphere. I especially loved the beautiful ceramic water cups with bird designs--they were so unique and charming. Even the water tasted wonderful! I'm thrilled that Au Lac is still thriving after all these years. If anything, the food tasted even better than I remembered. I certainly won't wait another 12 years before coming back. In fact, I was so impressed that I convinced my husband to come with me next Saturday for dinner! I've tried many vegan restaurants over the years, and Au Lac remains my absolute favorite. My favorite on the Westside is Variable Café, but if you're willing to drive a little farther, Au Lac is on another level. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Whether you're vegan or not, this place is truly outstanding. Five stars without hesitation!

    I came to Au Lac again to celebrate my bday with a friend before a show at the Music Center. Au Lac…read moredoesn't take reservations. My friend had the tofu, house salad. She said the house salad was better the last time she came bc the lettuce was different. She recalled it was Romaine lettuce last time. This time it was a green salad. I had the lemongrass fish which was made of soybean. It was a little too dry and rubbery for me. I kept putting it in my soup with rice to make it taste better, but ran out of soup. I won't be ordering this dish again. I took half home, cut up the soybean fish and added it to a stew. I didn't mention to my server that it was my bday, but was disappointed that he didn't even offer like regular servers do, "Would you like to see the dessert menu?" I didn't tell him it was my bday nor did I ask for the dessert menu bc I wasn't the one paying the bill. Not that I needed dessert, but it would've been nice to have been asked. When I mentioned this to another server who came by to clear our table that our server didn't even ask if we wanted dessert and that the restaurant doesn't seem to want to push its desserts, he quickly brought us a dessert menu, but my friend was already paying our bill - too late! It would've been nice to be asked earlier. I even had candles in my bag just in case we got dessert. Anyway, this server said he'll tell our server about not offering dessert. The next day I came back with another friend after a Music Center event. My server from the day before recognized me. This time he asked us at the start before we ordered or after we had just ordered whether we'd like to see the dessert menu. Huh? Ask at the END not start of a meal! Instead of embarrassing him, I told him, "No, thanks. My bday was yesterday." On this second day, my friend and I shared a Chinoise salad (delicious and refreshing!) and paella (not like a paella, a little too wet and granular for our taste, but healthy - a living food dish). We had mint and lemon water for both meals. $12 parking in the adjacent structure. Free parking passes at the Music Center if you're a season ticket holder or good luck with finding street parking. I'd still continue to occasionally patronize this restaurant when I have Music Center events bc I want to support veganism, the restaurant; however, I was disappointed with some of the food and waitstaff this weekend. I'd suggest that the waitstaff go thru customer training on when/what/how to talk to customers. Incentive from the website: join the rewards plan - 300 points for 30% off the bill and 100 points for a free dessert! I'm aiming for the free dessert!!

    Photos
    Octopus
    Octopus
    Laab Salad
    Laab Salad
    Salt & Peppered Shrimp

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    Salt & Peppered Shrimp
    Sticky Rice Echo Park

    Sticky Rice Echo Park

    4.0
    (924 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    i love mangos. i love rice. and i love spiking my blood sugar. this is why thai food is my favorite…read morecuisine. yet i've got my whole panang curry, pad see ew, and tom yum obsessions WITHOUT EVER TRYING MANGO STICKY RICH. granted, i'm always WAY TOO FULL to order dessert. they do NOT skimp on portions at thai restaurants the hospitality is unreal. but this is unacceptable some mango is my fav fruit. i got an ube mango sticky rice at a food festival one time, but it was cold and pretty standard... that was my only impression of it. NOW FLASH BACK TO HERE. i to echo park only seeking dessert and my friend SHOVED ME over to this tiny cute little establishment. little did i know my upcoming flavor explosion. the sticky rice was WARM, coconutty, sweet and absolutely melted in your mouth while still holding firm, not necessarily mushy. i almost shed a tear. it was STEAMING. and the condensed milk drizzled on top went above and beyond... it was definitely coconut that added just another level of tropical warmth ugh. and those MANGOS??? GIRL ITS APRIL, NOT SUMMER??? yet they were the sweetest, softest, most decadent mangos on planet earth. with that bit of mint, every bite had me in ecstasy... and a food coma. THIS is mango sticky rice. and i WILL be back. also, tell me why i just sat down next to Ian from Smosh. that man's been loving thai food since youtube's inception... and obviously he has impeccable taste *fangirls*

    Disclaimer: I come from a very heavily Asian populated area so I am used to distinct and pungent…read moreflavors. That tastes and feels the most authentic to my palate. Came here for a quick bite before a walk around the lake with a friend I haven't seen in a couple years. I loved our server and overall experience here I appreciated. In terms of food, the panang curry was more watery than I had expected. It had a lot of nice vegetables and a big serving of rice on the side. I thought the flavors were there but it could have definitely been turned up a little more, but wasn't bad for something quick. My friend got the satay and this was more my style. I love a good char and meat on a stick and this satisfied my craving.

    Photos
    Bar area.
    Bar area.
    Sticky Rice Echo Park
    Exterior

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    Exterior
    Holy Basil

    Holy Basil

    4.2
    (270 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$

    We also visited the Atwater Village location, and somehow it just keeps getting better the more you…read moreorder. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and you can taste how fresh everything is. They were out of their homemade curry paste, so a few dishes weren't initially available--but we ended up staying, chatting, and before we knew it, more ingredients arrived and they happily made everything we wanted. That kind of experience says a lot. Not. One. Thing. Has ever disappointed here. The fresh scallops on the half shell were unbelievably sweet and tender, with a sauce that hits you with the perfect punch. The crispy rice salad is unlike anything else--beautifully balanced, like a tightrope walk of flavors on your tongue. They also sell their proprietary fish sauce--get it. We ordered the Gra Pow Moo, Dungeness crab fried rice, Pad See Ew, Gra Pow Wagyu beef, and Koi Soi--every single dish was outstanding. Great sake, beer, and wine selection too. Absolutely delicious.

    The location is very walkable if you live in the neighborhood. If not, parking can be a pain. When…read morewe have driven, we will circle to find street parking. The restaurant is small, so there can be a wait. But there re tables inside and outside, with some bar seating. The dishes run about $25-$35 a plate. The menu does change and is updated frequently. Two drinks, two appetizers, three entrees was about $200. The panang curry was sooo tasty, but the pork jowl was chewy. Maybe needed a bit more pressure cooking, but the sauce was so tasty. Pad kee mao was very tasty. This was the group's favorite entree. The added cost for the beef makes sense; it did make it about a $30 dish. The flavor and heat of the noodles were lovely. The beef was very tasty and tender. The snack/appetizers were both tasty. Very true to name, with bite size. The sauces were so well done with sour, salty, sweet combination.

    Photos
    Open kitchen - friendly cooks
    Open kitchen - friendly cooks
    Grandma's fish and rice
    Grandma's fish and rice
    (Leo) Thai Premium Lager

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    (Leo) Thai Premium Lager

    Ruen Pair - thai - Updated July 2026

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