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Anajak Thai
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Anajak Thai
9.3
James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Pichetrungsi transformed his family's 44-year-old neighborhood bistro into LA's most acclaimed Thai restaurant. Southern Thai fried chicken with exceptional crunch anchors a menu that pairs bold Bangkok flavors with an award-winning natural wine program featuring rare vintages from the Mosel, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern Thai Fried Chicken, Dry-Aged Whole Fish with Nam Jim, BBQ Pork Collar with Coriander-Soy Molasses
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.5
Food Quality: 9.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.8
What makes it special: LA Times Restaurant of the Year with James Beard recognition and Michelin Bib Gourmand
Who should go: Serious foodies seeking innovative Thai with world-class wine pairings
When to visit: Thai Taco Tuesday or reserve weeks ahead for dinner
What to order: Fried chicken, dry-aged fish, BBQ ribs
Insider tip: Sign up for reservation notifications—cancellations happen frequently
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on Sherman Way and side streets, typically available. Small lot behind restaurant fills quickly during prime hours.
Dress code: Elevated casual - dark jeans and a nice top work perfectly. This is a James Beard-recognized spot, so skip the gym clothes.
Noise level: Lively but conversational - you can easily talk across the table. Gets louder after 8pm on weekends.
Weekend wait: Reservation essential - walk-ins rarely accommodated. Book 2-3 weeks out or check cancellations day-of.
Weekday lunch: No reservations needed - arrive by 12:30pm for best selection, minimal wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including papaya salad, vegetable curries, and tofu dishes. Chef accommodates modifications.
Vegan options: Limited but doable - 3-4 items can be prepared vegan. Call ahead for best experience, especially for tasting menu.
Gluten-free options: Challenging - many sauces contain soy sauce. Staff knowledgeable about modifications but selection narrows significantly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - romantic lighting, sophisticated vibe, and the natural wine program gives you conversation starters. The noise level allows actual conversation. Reserve the earlier 6pm slot for a more intimate atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Extremely difficult for dinner - your best shot is Tuesday (Thai Taco night) arriving right at 5pm opening, or bar seats for 1-2 people. Sign up for Resy notifications for last-minute cancellations. Lunch is walk-in friendly.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children - no kids menu, sophisticated atmosphere, and spice-forward dishes. Teenagers who appreciate good food will love it. Consider earlier reservations (6pm) if bringing family.
How spicy is the food really? Chef respects authentic Thai heat levels but will adjust on request. Start with medium if unsure - you can always ask for extra chili. The fried chicken isn't spicy, making it a safe anchor order.
Is the wine program worth the hype? Absolutely - one of LA's best natural wine lists with rare bottles you won't find elsewhere. Sommeliers excel at Thai food pairings. Even wine skeptics should try at least one glass with the fried chicken.
Best For
Better for: Award-winning Southern Thai that balances authenticity with refinement. The wine pairing expertise and ambiance outclass other Thai spots. Choose this over Night + Market or Jitlada when you want a complete fine-casual experience, not just great food.
Skip if: You want quick/casual Thai, can't plan ahead for reservations, or prefer traditional Thai restaurant ambiance. Night + Market is better for spontaneous group hangs, Jitlada for pure spice intensity, Luv2Eat for family-style Northern Thai.
Anajak Thai
9.3
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Pichetrungsi runs this family-owned Thai institution, now in its fifth decade and LA's highest-rated restaurant by The Infatuation. The Southern Thai fried chicken and natural wine program have earned Michelin recognition and LA Times Restaurant of the Year honors, with Tuesday night Thai Tacos drawing lines around the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern Thai Fried Chicken, BBQ Pork Collar with Coriander-Soy Molasses, Mango Sticky Rice
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 9.5
Food Quality: 9.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.6
What makes it special: LA's highest-rated restaurant combining family recipes with natural wine curation
Who should go: Foodies seeking innovative Thai with world-class wine pairings
When to visit: Tuesday for Thai Tacos, Wednesday-Sunday for tasting menu
What to order: Southern fried chicken, BBQ pork collar, anything chef recommends
Insider tip: Book weeks ahead or sign up for cancellation notifications
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small lot behind restaurant (first-come), street parking challenging after 6pm. Arrive 10min early or use nearby public lots on Ventura Blvd
Dress code: Elevated casual - no shorts/flip-flops. Think nice jeans with button-up or chic dress. Fits the upscale vibe without being stuffy
Noise level: Moderate to lively - intimate conversations work but not quiet. Energy picks up during peak service, especially Tuesday taco nights
Weekend wait: Impossible without reservation - book 3-4 weeks ahead. Cancellations rare but check Resy obsessively
Weekday lunch: No lunch service - dinner only Wednesday-Sunday, Thai Tacos Tuesday 5-9pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - several strong options including vegetable curries and tofu dishes. Chef accommodates with advance notice for tasting menu
Vegan options: Limited but doable - 3-4 dishes can be modified. Call ahead for tasting menu to ensure kitchen can prepare dedicated courses
Gluten-free options: Moderate options - naturally GF curries available, but fried chicken (signature dish) contains gluten. Communicate clearly with server
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent for 2nd-3rd dates where you want to impress, but might be too intimate/trendy for a first meeting. The tasting menu format encourages conversation, wine list signals sophistication, and you'll look like you know LA's dining scene. Skip if your date prefers low-key.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Essentially no. Bar seats sometimes available for walk-ins Tuesday taco nights (arrive by 4:45pm), but dining room requires reservations that book out weeks ahead. Sign up for Resy notifications and be ready to grab cancellations within 60 seconds.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children - no kids menu, sophisticated flavors, intimate setting, and $$$$ price point. Teens who appreciate adventurous food could work for special occasions. For family Thai with kids under 12, try their original daytime menu style elsewhere.
How much should I budget per person? $80-150 per person depending on wine. Tasting menu ~$85, natural wine pairings add $60-75, or bottles $50-200+. Tuesday tacos are the steal at $25-40 per person with drinks. Budget $200+ for two people with wine.
Is the hype justified? Yes, if you value chef-driven Thai that breaks stereotypes. This isn't pad thai and spring rolls - it's regional Southern Thai with Michelin technique and natural wine innovation. The fried chicken alone justifies the trip. Skip if you want traditional/Americanized Thai comfort food.
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven modern Thai with wine sophistication that rivals Jitlada's boldness but adds natural wine curation. Best Southern Thai fried chicken in LA, period. More special-occasion polish than Night + Market while staying family-owned authentic. The Tuesday taco nights offer insider access impossible elsewhere.
Skip if: You want quick/casual Thai, can't book weeks ahead, prefer traditional sweet pad thai style, need extensive vegan options, or dining with young kids. Choose Hoy Ka or Jitlada for intense traditional flavors without the reservations battle. Try Night + Market for fun/casual Thai hangout vibes.
Anajak Thai
9.3
James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Pichetrungsi transforms his family's 44-year-old Thai bistro into LA's most acclaimed restaurant through bold Southern Thai flavors paired with natural wines. The renovated space buzzes with energy as wood-fired dishes and seasonal seafood emerge from the open kitchen.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern-Thai Fried Chicken, Crudo of Kampachi, BBQ Pork Collar
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.4
Food Quality: 9.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 9.7
What makes it special: LA Times Restaurant of the Year with Michelin recognition and James Beard Award
Who should go: Food enthusiasts seeking acclaimed modern Thai with wine pairings
When to visit: Weekday dinner reservations weeks ahead or walk-in Thai Taco Tuesday
What to order: Southern-Thai fried chicken, kampachi crudo, any seasonal special
Insider tip: Tuesday's Thai Taco series features guest chef collaborations and creative fusion
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available, gets competitive after 6pm - arrive 10 mins early or use nearby lot on Ventura Blvd
Dress code: Elevated casual - dark jeans and nice top work, but most guests dress up for the occasion
Noise level: Lively but conversational - open kitchen adds energy without drowning out your table
Weekend wait: Reservations required 3-4 weeks out, walk-ins rarely accommodated Friday-Saturday
Weekday lunch: Closed for lunch - dinner only Tuesday-Sunday
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - Chef creates vegetable-forward Southern Thai dishes, but menu changes seasonally so call ahead
Vegan options: Limited - 1-2 options nightly, best to notify when booking for custom preparation
Gluten-free options: Accommodating - most curries and grilled items work, staff knowledgeable about modifications
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect for impressive second or third dates - romantic lighting and shareable format encourage conversation, but high demand means reschedule stress if you're running late
Can I get a table without a reservation? Nearly impossible Thursday-Saturday. Best shot: Tuesday Thai Taco night (walk-in only) or arrive right at 5pm Tuesday-Wednesday for bar seating
Is it kid-friendly? Atmosphere leans adult (date night crowd, natural wine focus) but families with well-behaved tweens+ welcome at early seating - no kids menu, spice levels negotiable
How spicy is the food really? Chef respects traditional Southern Thai heat but calibrates to request - specify 'Thai spicy' if you want authentic fire, default is flavorful with kick not pain
Is the wine pairing worth it? Absolutely - Justin's natural wine selection is as acclaimed as the food, pairings elevate unfamiliar flavor profiles, skip if you prefer beer or cocktails
Best For
Better for: Wine-paired fine dining Thai experience with seasonal creativity and critical acclaim - this is LA's premiere modern Thai destination for special occasions
Skip if: You want traditional family-style Thai, quick casual meal, or aren't interested in natural wines - hit Night + Market or Jitlada for different vibes
Anajak Thai
9.3
Second-generation Chef Justin Pichetrungsi helms this 44-year-old family institution where traditional Thai recipes meet bold creativity through wok-fired dishes, barbecue pork collar with coriander-soy molasses, and massaman braised beef. The restaurant offers three distinct experiences: Wednesday-Sunday à la carte dinners, walk-in Thai Taco Tuesday in the alleyway, and coveted weekend omakase tastings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern-Thai Fried Chicken, BBQ Pork Collar, Massaman Braised Beef
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 9.4
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9.8
What makes it special: LA Times 2022 Restaurant of the Year with James Beard Award-winning chef and acclaimed natural wine program
Who should go: Food enthusiasts seeking elevated Thai cuisine worth advance planning
When to visit: Thai Taco Tuesday for walk-ins, weeknight dinners need reservations
What to order: Southern fried chicken, BBQ pork collar, laab tot, any seasonal fish
Insider tip: Book omakase Thursday-Saturday for 14-course regional Thai tasting experience