Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Arawan Thai Cuisine
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Arawan Thai Cuisine
Review Highlights
33 reviews in English
-
Review from Dorene S.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
A great lunch place, though there does not seem to be many people. Tom yum starter soup that came free with the meal was unexpectedly delicious and authentic. A unique item not in most other Thai restaurant was the pineapple noodles noodles with chicken so I had to have that. Even though this was the only thing I tried in this restaurant, I may come back just to have this again. The noodles are flat, wide rice noodles that are first quickly stir-fried in very high heat), then slathered with a thick sauce of pineapples, chicken, carrots, baby corns, onions, bell peppers and cashew nuts. Just amazing!
KPI (Key Performance Indicators) ratings (1-5, 5 - best):
Quality: 4
Delivery/Service: 3
Cost: 3 -
Review from Big S.
Camas, WA
5/19/2012
I've eaten here four times over the years since it open always hoping that they would be better eventually. I was wrong. The last experience was at lunch. I always order 4 out of 5 stars for heat because I love the heat and spice but don't want sweat on my brow or coughing attacks from too much spice. I eat Thai food about 20 times a year so I know what level 4 spice level should be. The food that was brought out to me was a spice level 6. Burning acid on my tongue and lips. I never saw the server again for the whole meal so I was couldn't send it back. I tackled it like it was a food challenge thinking I was on Candid Camera and eventually someone was going to come out from the kitchen and congratulate me on my feat. I had to go up to the bar and ask for more water two times.
I'll wait another year or two and give it another try. -
Review from Alex B.
Vancouver, WA
1/7/2012
Well, there is no doubt that for the average eater, the Tom Yum Soup would be good because it is. Frankly, I have cooked Tom Yum Soup of the same caliber. But come on!!! $$15.00 for soup???
The other foods on the menu are just as pricey. The taste is just okay. It seems that they have one common sauce for everything. All their curries taste the same. Okay, maybe a slight difference in taste.
They also place just too much curry (or sauce) on the dish that it looks like soup. I thought I ordered a dish to go with the rice, not another soup. -
Review from Greg G.
Updated - 3/9/2012 14 Check-ins Here
4 stars today. Practically perfect Pow Ki Mao which has become a mainstay for me at Arawan and other Thai restaurants who make this dish. It is really a lot more exciting than Pad Thai yet also very different. While Pad Thai can be spicy, this dish is automatically spicy. I ordered it with Beef and it was excl lent. I stopped in today for a quick lunch and this dish came with a bowl of hot and sour soup which is a nice starter. This place is excellent for lunch and has some good specials as well.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
3/2/2012
This place does not disappoint. We added the green curry(Gang Keow Won) to our culinary acumen… Read more »
-
-
Review from Emily N.
Vancouver, WA
3/15/2012
Is place is amazing! Everyone that works here is so so super friendly and sweet! :) every time me and my fiancé go they know us right away.. Well we always almost order the same stuff lol. But man they have the best mixed drinks there especially the blue paradise yum!! ^_^ you def have to check this place out!!! Best Thai food place in the Vancouver Area !!!
-
Review from Ronald B.
Vancouver, WA
2/14/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Very nice restaurant with OK to good food. The lettuce wraps were tasty and I loved that you can add your own condiments. The Tom Kha Gai soup was excellent. We ordered two entrees from the wok menu, one with chicken and cashews, another with beef and black pepper sauce. We enjoyed both. The service was both timely and friendly. We will definitely be back.
-
Review from Amiee H.
10/20/2011
Food:
Pad Ki Mow: I don't know if I was just STARVING or if this food was really good or maybe it's a combo of both, but this dish was YUMMY!!! I loved the consistency of the flat rice noodle! I liked the flavoring and I really liked the beef! The thin slices of beef really made the dish sing! Not too soft and not too chewy! Perfect!!
Service:
Really friendly waiter! Good at striking up a convo and giving good recommendations!
Price:
Food came to $12 (tax and tip included) so it's pretty typical or even a little cheaper than normal for Thai food.
Ambiance:
Trendy, modern place! Everything looked really new and Americanize but I didn't mind, because it was decorated pretty nicely!
Overall:
I would totally come again! Rock the Thai food! -
Review from Prima B.
Vancouver, WA
1/4/2012
Garden curry and Tom Yum soup are my favorite. Pretty consistent. The tofu salad roll with peanut sauce is the best. I definitely recommend this place.
-
Review from John E.
6/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Wife and I had free time while The Grandma had The Tax Deduction for the night (get all that?). These are great opportunities to go out and be more adventurous than we normally would be with the Tax Deduction in tow. I had a craving for Thai food and since normally that craving gets handled at lunch near work (which is nowhere near Vancouver) we had to do a little homework. We decided on Arawan Thai. It was close by, it has good reviews and it just sounds cool.
I've really only been introduced to Thai about a year ago, so I am still timidly just dipping my toe in the waters to see if it's okay for me. Mostly I stick with Pad Thai, it really tastes great, and I have found out that I am not a huge fan of strong curry tastes. My loss I guess. So, being I was here for the first time I went with the tried and true, although I did see a lot of things on the menu that I want to try in the future. The Wife ordered the Cashew Nut Chicken.
As we waited for the food to arrive I really started to relax, the décor induced a relaxing feeling in me. Water noise in the background from an elephant adorned fountain, cool and relaxing colors and comfortable booths all made for a warm feeling. "That's good for a star." I thought to myself as The Wife and talked about this and that.
The food arrived and it was especially visually pleasing. Really as I looked at my Pad Thai I thought to myself (I do that a lot) that it looked like a pretty meager serving size. The Wife's Cashew Nut Chicken looked vibrant and smelled wonderful with the garlic sauce and the red peppers aroma wafting up around the table. Visually, she won. As married couples do we shared each other's dishes and both were really excellent. The food is a win here. And yes, it was filling; looks can be deceiving.
The service was very good and we did not feel rushed at all. Refills were offered in a timely manner on our drinks and it seemed like our server avoided asking us questions while we had a mouth full of food. Would that ever eatery trained their staff to do this.
So Arawan gets a place in our eating out rotation. Prior attempts of coming here with the Tax Deduction have proven disastrous, so this gem will have to remain a childless treat. For now.Listed in: Let's Explore the Wonders of…, Thai one on
-
Review from David B.
5/29/2011
This is my family's go to spot for Thai food in Vancouver: close to home; good food; quick, friendly service; hardly ever a long wait. I think they also do take out, but we always eat in.
Originally I went here with a friend a while back on his suggestion, and walked away impressed. Suggested Arawan to my parents and it's become part of the restaurant rotation when I'm back in town.
Good place - we'll back. -
Review from Andrew Y.
Vancouver, WA
1/15/2012
I agree with the comments in several other Arawan reviews -- that is, the curries tend to be pretty good (though not very spicy at all) and the noodle dishes best avoided. The Pad Thai is dry and overly sweet. The Pad Kee Mao is bland, and the noodles are overcooked, smashed and gummy. Oh, and light on the broccoli. Who cheaps out on broccoli? Sheesh.
That said, I really do enjoy the curries and the Tom Yum soup is delicious. I just have to remind myself to stick with the curries, no matter how badly I feel like noodles. -
Review from Trumary S.
Vancouver, WA
4/1/2011
I went here for a birthday party over a year ago and was not impressed. They were over-priced with okay portion sizes. The staff seemed snooty and the bathrooms were dirty.
Thinking it was a fluke, I did go back for lunch and again, the service was slow and I just didn't enjoy it. The staff really didn't seem to care. I'd rather save my money for a place that treats me better and wants to know if I enjoyed myself. Not even a "thank you" or "come again".
Other people in our party thought it was fantastic...all I can say is "Different strokes for different folks." -
Review from Len M.
Vancouver, WA
Updated - 11/17/2011 26 Check-ins Here
Terrific Thai food - speedy, friendly service! Tom Yum soup is awesome but my fav has to be Khao Pad Ga Prau (with fried egg)... fried rice dish with chili and basil in Thai sauce (inc any meat or tofu)... Amazing!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/17/2011
Always great food, great prices and very friendly surroundings. Terrific for lunch ( fast!) and… Read more »
-
-
Review from Kenya C.
Vancouver, WA
11/28/2010
Great little Thai spot in Vancouver! I haven't tried their noodles yet, but I can vouch for their curries. I'm a fan of the red, yellow and green curries. My favorite, however, is the garden curry- basically a vegetarian version of red curry, loaded with fresh veggies. They also have a lot of interesting grilled offerings, and a full bar.
They also have great appetizers. I love the pick three for around 7 bucks. Last time we got the fresh spring rolls, the chicken wontons and the chicken satay- all were delicious. Their peanut sauce is to die for here.
The decor is pretty, the staff is so friendly here, and the food is always delicious and hot. Prices are very reasonable. My only complaint is you really, really have to beg them to make the food spicy enough. Even when I ask for 5 stars....it tastes like a 2 to me.
I eat here at least once a week, and I'm never disappointed! Love this place! -
Review from Daniel P.
Portland, OR
9/23/2008
I have been here threee times for work lunches for the last year and have been disappointed very time.
The food is unimaginative, comes in portions that are too big, relies heavily on sugar and salt and seems more bad chinese than anything Thai.
my $0.02. -
Review from Rachel A.
Portland, OR
7/16/2007
This place is amazing. The food is great, the service incredible, and the bar to die for.
We went on a Thursday night and there was no wait at all. I don't know what the weekends are like, but the dining room is pretty big, so having to wait very long at all would surprise me. -
Review from Eve P.
Rexburg, ID
8/8/2011
We went here with my in-laws and my mother-in-law nearly left the service was so bad. In fact, I can't think of a single restaurant where I've had worse servers. There were a couple more tables filled but it somehow took the server an extraordinary amount of time to come back after giving us our menus, the food came 45+ minutes later, and I'm pretty sure our water glasses weren't filled once. Upside, however, was that I did enjoy my food, but I don't know if that's going to be enough to get my back.
-
Review from Veronica J.
Richmond, VA
5/26/2008
My parents live in the 'Couve, so I go here almost weekly when I visit the parental units.
I am somewhat of a salad roll connoisseur, and I honestly have never found a better salad roll in Portland. These have the perfect texture, are well wrapped so that the ingredients rarely fall out, and I always order them with peanut sauce (because I am a glutton for their peanut sauce too) and tofu. Just a bit of cilantro and basil, vermicelli, carrot and cucumber. I can't stand restaurants that serve salad rolls with nothing but lettuce, vermicelli and tofu. These have the right balance of all the ingredients. YUM!
I won't recommend the pad thai, its a little too sweet and dry for me. However, the tofu khao pha ram is divine (perfectly fried tofu nuggets, veggies and rice drowned in peanut sauce), as is the pad sie-iew and the curries (massaman is my fav).
Great service, convenient location (to the parents' house, anyway), nice atmosphere...I love you Arawan!Listed in: Top Restaurants
-
Review from Katie S.
Vancouver, WA
10/10/2011
My favorite Thai restaurant by far! Good prices and great food. My favorite dish is the pan fried noodles.
-
Review from Dish M.
Middletown, RI
5/6/2008 1 Check-in Here
If I could create a Jetson's style speedy land travel device that would spit me from California to Vancouver in 30 mins or less... you better believe this is the first place I'd go. (Sorry, Mom.)
I love Arawan. They make THE BEST sweet and sour tofu. I have been to countless Thai restaurants in Portland, San Diego, Orlando, Monterey... a lot of places... but I've never ever had such a good version of this dish. If you're a veggie (like me) order the sweet and sour tofu! Most places make it way too soggy and salty... Arawan has the perfect mix of sweet and sour (just like the name), fresh veggies, and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside tofu! YUM.
Their salad rolls (not the proper name, I'm sure) with the sweet sauce are amazing too... my mouth is watering... I'm so jealous of anyone who gets to eat here!
You must realize that while I am giving this place a great mouth watering review, I have not had any actual food here in over 2 years. They are just that good. I miss them, I can't find a replacement for them, I wish I was rich and could somehow hire the restaurant as my personal chef crew and travel with me.
Every single time I go to a Thai restaurant and order the Sweet and Sour Tofu, I know it wont be as good as Arawan.
EAT HERE. BRING ME LEFTOVERS. -
Review from Kevin Y.
Manhattan Beach, CA
1/3/2009
Went here for dinner when I was home visiting family. I'm pretty sure this is the only decent Thai restaurant in eastern Vancouver. The interior decor is pretty swanky, I guess this would be a nice destination for a dinner date or something.
That being said, the food wasn't anything special, my brother and I had the Pad-see-ew and some stir-fried red curry and beef dish. It seems like they use quality ingredients, but the flavors were a little on the bland side. -
Review from Lisa H.
Vancouver, WA
1/8/2011
This is my favorite Thai restaurant in Vancouver. The food is always fresh and the flavors are great. My husband and I enjoy the tom yum tofu soup (amazing lemon grass flavors!), pad thai, and cashew nut chicken. They also make a very nice sweet & sour halibut. Their lunch menu is very reasonable and we always enjoy talking with the friendly servers.
-
Review from Brianna H.
Portland, OR
6/1/2011
I ate here a few times before moving to Portland. The food was excellent and prepared perfectly. The service was quick and polite, our server even opened the door for my boyfriend and I when we left. The restaurant was slow on my last visit. We were sitting at the bar and I was being nosy and looking in the kitchen, I am such a diva when it comes to critiquing restaurants. The chef was in there cleaning (not just lounging around) and everything just looked spotless and well maintained. The dishwasher wasn't slamming things around and the whole operation seemed very inviting and relaxing. I was really impressed by this place!!! Definitely my favorite Thai place so far.
-
Review from DR K.
Vancouver, WA
11/29/2010
Bland food and unfriendly service.
I ordered the cashew chicken and asked for extra spicy. The dish was very bland. Just a stir fry of chicken, frozen peas and carrots, water chestnuts and cashews. No hint of flavor let alone any spicy thai heat.
The waitress was really unfriendly. No smile. No greetings of Hello or Good-bye and Thank You.
I'll stick to the other Thai establishments in Vancouver. Their food has taste and the people are happy to see you. -
Review from Jason W.
Vancouver, WA
6/27/2009
I almost always get the Red Curry Duck when I go here, and it has never failed to be great. Alternatively, I get the Crispy Spicy Fish, which is yummy if a bit monochromatic. I really should start eating my veggies, but I know what I like.
Ive taken friends and family here since the place opened, and it is a pleasant dining experience. -
Review from Lindsey G.
Washougal, WA
9/15/2011
Great food and great service! Curry is fabulous! Glass Noodle salad and crab won tons are favorites. In the summer, be sure to make room for mango sticky rice for dessert.
-
Review from Gabe C.
Portland, OR
10/16/2007
So I decided to take the advice of previous Yelpers on Arawan Thai....and oh man am I glad I did. Those spices fuse together so beautifully...I am actively looking forward to burping later...as I have no leftovers except a bit of fried rice. Oh Arawan, how I love thee...let me recount the ways...
THE GOOD - "the good"????!?!?! scratch that...
THE AWESOME - (we are just going to forget the whole spaghetti western thing temporarily). Had some fried wings with a chili sauce for an appetizer. Oh. Oh. For my main course(s) I had the Drunkard Pad Thai (cuz after all, I am The LOADED Tower) and a similarly prepared version of Fried Rice which name escapes me at the moment. It was a perfect blend of peppers, tomato, mushrooms, onions...and spices...AND SPICY. I requested a 5 out of 5 on their spicy scale. They really know how to do spicy, RIGHT. I definitely broke a sweat, but wasn't so focused on the heat that I couldn't taste anything else. Oh...the basil and...mmmmm. I'm convinced the chef took one look out at me and said, "No, HE cannot handle a 5....here is a 3 and tell him it's a 5". I don't care though...lie to me...if it tastes like this, it could be .2 for all I care. Perfect. Oh yeah, the service was great. I sat at the bar, of course, and received good old fashioned personable cool service. I really like places that just forgo all that cheery rah rah crap and act like real human beings. Wish I remembered the name of the waiter/bartender...cool dude...I suck with names...I wear a name tag to help remember my own. The place was clean...spotless in fact. Thai owners...Thai cooks. Easy on lighting...not so dark you can't read the menu...no spotlights in your eyes...like a perfect bowl of porridge...just right.
THE BAD - I dunno...
THE UGLY - HAH!
IN SUMMARY - Why did I wait so long to try this place...so close to home and so perfect. I am kicking myself for not going sooner. Reasonably priced, top notch taste, and FAST...I dig it...and will be going back very soon.Listed in: Vancouver - It Could Suck…
-
Review from Darth V.
San Diego, CA
11/4/2010
Not seasoned the best, curry is slightly boring. Rice cooked perfectly and the portions on my carryout were more than I could eat. I tried a red curry with bell peppers, basil, shoots and chicken. Total was $10.60 for a dinner. Will eat again and try some other dishes in the future.
-
Review from Christina B.
Vancouver, WA
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first Thai Food experience and it was very yummy! I will definently go again. The service was a little slow considering we were the only people in there and since we had to sit at the table for about 5 minutes before they brought us our menu we missed the lunch menu by about 5 minutes!! Food was a 4 star servIce about a 2 so it gets a 3 star review
-
Review from Randy A.
Portland, OR
7/22/2007
This place simply has some of the best Thai cuisine I've had in a long, long time. Great food, great service, great everything. Plus they have a pretty neat fountain when you walk in.
-
Review from spacer e.
Vancouver, WA
6/13/2010
This is an absolutely great restaurant.
Vancouver has great Thai food. Just try Arawan. Their curries are outstanding, even their Chinese entrees are the best. I would rather have the Chinese food here than anywhere else in Vancouver.
Try the Arawan fried rice, or their chow mein....or any curry dish.
While it is still in season, their mango & sticky rice dish is out of this world good. Very friendly and efficient staff make this a real enjoyment. -
Review from Jason K.
Vancouver, WA
5/7/2009
Quick and easy Thai food. Tastes good. Extremely clean and friendly restaurant. Good cocktails.
-
Review from Carrie L.
Wilsonville, OR
1/15/2010
This restaurant is AMAZING. Best thai food. I don't like overly-sweet peanut sauces, and this place has it perfect~ The spice is adjustable, so you can add more and my spice-hating parents also enjoyed it. Service is awesome--I'm not one to go to the same restaurant all the time, but this has become a regular haunt~! Oh, and the hot tea is to die for!
