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Yai Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Thai Thai [Edit]
5757 Hollywood BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90028
Neighborhood: Hollywood
(323) 462-0292
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Lauren M. said: "From the parking lot, the view is quite deceiving. But once inside, it's neatly decorated and inviting. I remember the food being good and some fabulous happy hour deals, but I am writing this review nearly two years later. So...once I…" read more »
229 reviews for Yai Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Catfish salad and crab fried rice was awesome."
(in 15 reviews)
"the crispy pork with chinese broccoli was good."
(in 7 reviews)
"The duck curry is truly sublime, and a bargain at that."
(in 15 reviews)
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229 reviews in English
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Review from Brian R.
Encino, CA
2/5/2012
The unadorned interior, comical language barrier, and the haggard parking lot on which this restaurant is located are all valid deterrents to coming here, but Yai is undeniably my favorite Los Angeles Thai spot. While I don't normally subscribe to adages like "the ghettoer, the better," Yai provides strong validation for the underlying truth behind these generalizations.
Yes, my authority on "real" Thai cuisine is minimal (I own a couple bottles of fish sauce; I haven't been to Thailand; I can do a mediocre Thai impression), but there are definitive clues that point to Yai's authenticity: spicy means spicy, fish sauce is served as a condiment, 90% of the patrons are Thai, 90% of the wall-décor is made up of "cash only" signs, the daily mise-en-place is prepared at the table next to you - the list goes on.
So far I've only tried a handful of Yai's specialties, including the Pad Thai, the Pad See Ew, the Garlic Chicken, and the Beef Nam Tok. They're all winners. And while the food may be on the greasy side, I personally welcome the subsequent waist and thigh "enrichment." The price is cheap and the ambiance is what you should expect. -
Review from Beilios C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/31/2012
Yai's is my go-to Thai restaurant in Los Angeles. Consistent quality, super flavorful and fresh ingredients, and huge portions. Their Penang curry in particular blows my mind. The staff is always super friendly and have also been very good at answering my questions about ingredients for vegetarians and/or food-allergy folks. I can't think of a Thai restaurant in L.A. that I enjoy as much as Yai.
The only drawback is when I would I call in orders for pick-up, the time they quote bears little resemblance to the actual cooking time, and I end up sitting around waiting for 15 minutes or more. In the case of Yai, however, it's worth the wait. -
Review from Eric L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
First, I'd like to thank the good folks at Natalie Peruvian next door for being closed on Monday. Otherwise, I would never have stumbled into this scrappy little hole with the unreadable sign.
This isn't your average late-nite tom yum, sliced chicken with basil & mint, plain ol' pad thai kinda place (though you can get it here, only slightly better). No, this feels like the kind of Thai comfort food they serve you to sop up the booze on a soaking-wet Songkran in Ko Samui.
For seafood, get the crispy catfish salad and the chef's special shrimps cooked in chili paste. For meats, go with the garlic pork with Chinese broccoli, BBQ beef jerky and the duck curry. The fried rice isn't particularly impressive, and I would never endorse any dish that didn't have parents.
Oh, and I swear to Buddha, DO NOT ask for anything spicy. The waitress literally looked afraid, and I soon found out why. After two bites, my mouth was burning worse than a Pattaya prostitute's poonany two days after shore leave.
P.S. Just like the bar girls in Bangkok, it's cash only -- and dollars are always preferred over baht. -
Review from Andrew N.
Burbank, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been looking for a place to replace Jitlada, my former to go place in LA, and it has been found. Thank you Yai restaurant.
Here is the break down why it won me over
- they have a hard to find dish, crispy catfish salad.
- their portions are generous for the price.
- prices lower than Jitlada and the food taste and quality is better.
- we took the food to go, and they did a great job packing. They didn't mix the crispy food with the wet food.
Some cons, not too much for me, but maybe for others
- not well decorated, so if you're looking for a nice ambiance you won't find it here.
- parking lot is not well lit
- no place to stroll after dinner
- cash only
If you want some good thai food, this is the spot.Listed in: MUST EATS when close by
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Review from Storm C.
Alhambra, CA
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Favorite Thai place. We love the steamed seafood here, which is served wrapped in foil. The beef jerky is a must. The Catfish salad is really good here , must try! Yai is one of the few places that serves this "salad".The catfish is shredded and deep fried, so there is a "crunch", and placed on top of green mangoes (sometimes they use green apple) , onions and cilantro, with citrus dressing. This dish is light and refreshing. . We also ordered the whole deep fried trout with sauce (spicy)... so good!
Well priced, service is good. Parking... terrible :( -
Review from Natalie K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/20/2012
I have had Thai food in almost every part of the globe, including Bangkok and I have to say that no one can compete with the tofu/chicken panang that you will find at Yai!
My roommate found this little hole-in-the-wall about 2 summers ago when she was working across the street, and I can honestly say I have yet to find a better panang dish. I have also tried there Pad See Ew, catfish, garlic spinach, and pad thai to name a few dishes and the flavors are simply divine.
If you are a spicy-food-lover this is the place to go.
Yai Secret: the chef that works there on Wednesday nights is the BEST!!!!
And you can't beat there prices. I dish is usually enough to satisfy two people and if you sprout an urge for dessert, I suggest you wash the food down with a sweet Thai Iced Tea (who doesn't love those?) -
Review from Josh G.
Santa Ana, CA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Im generally not a huge fan of Thai but was coerced by the family to go for it. This place is tucked away in a small strip sharing the same parking lot as the 7/11. We ordered up Cashew Chicken, Fried Pork with Veggies, Catfish salad and some tofu concoction.
They brought out the food within 10 minutes which I consider fast.
I dont know if it was because I was starving or not but the Cashew Chicken was absolutely awesome! The fried pork and veggies was also as good. The catfish salad I didnt try but it looked very interesting. It had sliced apples in a type of vinegar covered by the crispy crumbled catfish.
Good quality service and food for a good price! -
Review from Joyce C.
Long Island City, NY
1/24/2012
This no frills place makes really good flavorful food at excellent prices. Best if eaten family-style so you can try a little of everything.
What the group of 4 ordered;
-Tom Yum Goong Soup (GIANT bowl of soup, with probably 1lb. of whole large shrimp- no joke. I kept finding more at the bottom)
-Green papaya Salad
-Pad See-ew with shrimp
-Beef with chili & garlic sauce
We asked for 2 bowls of rice to start (note they don't have brown rice- TOO western people!), they gave us this other giant covered bowl of rice, with at least 3-4 cups in it.
The place is small but somehow homey enough for our "server" if you can call him that (a young guy in jeans and he decided to wear his large warm coat- the place was a little drafty) who was able to call across from a few tables over asking how our food was(where him and another worker were either on their cell phone, doing homework, or refilling sauce bottles), He was also within earshot and quick to refill our water. I wasn't offended, he was keeping it REAL. lol -
Review from Maggie C.
I kinda like this place. Yay for Yai!! Thanks Winnie H!
First visit:
I asked for the specialties @ this place and the waitress recommended: crispy catfish, crispy pork with broccoli, rad na and any of the curry dishes.
I got crispy pork with chinese broccoli, crispy catfish and thai iced tea.
Roasted pork with chinese broccoli: The menu says roasted pork but the waitress refers to it as crispy pork. The pork was not crispy but it was meaty and fresh. 3.5 stars!!
Crispy catfish ($8.95): deep fried catfish with sweetened red curry sauce. The fish slices were perfectly fried; crispy and not greasy. I ordered mild and it was spicy!! Good thing I asked for chili sauce on the side. 4.5 stars!!
Thai iced tea ($2): not too sweet and served with limpy straw. 3 stars!!
I went back within the same week to try other stuff. I ordered pad prik king with chicken, bbq duck curry and beef pad see ew.
Pad prik king chicken: crunchy string beans with chicken in chili sauce. 3.5 stars.
Bbq duck curry: delicious tender duck swimming happily in sweet curry sauce. Mild spiciness was perfect. It had pieces of tomato and pineapple. 4.5 stars!!
Beef pad see ew: kinda too greasy for my liking. 3 stars!!
The place is clean compared to other thai restaurant in Hollywood. Not too many decorations @ the wall; very simple design. The food is not overseasoned but the taste is definitely there. Clean tasting food. Street and lot parking available.
3.75 stars. I will be back for its crispy catfish and duck curry.
Yai restaurant is yummylicious!!Listed in: Thai Food, Welcome to Hollywood, Thai Crispy Pork, Duck me 1
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Review from Paul M.
Redondo Beach, CA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love it. By far the best Thai food in LA.
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Review from Jen Y.
Los Angeles, CA
12/8/2011
Nearly everything I've eaten here has been deliciously addictive! I can't stop ordering the crispy pork with broccoli - the pork meat is succulent and the cracklin' is just that. I'm not exactly sure what authentic Thai food is supposed to taste like but I have a sneaking suspicion that Yai is serving it up. I'm so glad to find a Thai restaurant that has more than Tom Yum, Pad Thai, BBQ Chicken and the other usual suspects on the menu. In my humble opinion, everything I've had here tastes way better than the food at Jitlada at a fraction of the price.
Advice: Broccoli with Salted Fish is an acquired taste. Try to avoid sitting by the door due to draft in the winter. -
Review from James M.
Garden Grove, CA
1/18/2012
My go to Thai restaurant when I'm craving authentic, delicious Thai food. most items i tried are either excellent or very good. especially luv their combination fried rice, chinese brocolli wit fried pork, pad see u & fried trout wit apple sauce. parking is hard to get unless u go early. service is ok.
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Review from greg l.
San Diego, CA
this place was great, i trust the reviews on Yelp, and were right on.
when we got there nobody was there, so service was good, the check was a little slow i had to go up and get it, but it started to get busy.
overall the Thai food was really good (did not order the Chinese crispy pork with broccoli, that is so Chinese) the beef salad is Delicious.
no coconut ice cream :( -
Review from Bryan T.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/7/2011
We were on our way to the Pantages and this is a place that is very close to the theatre.
Looking for the address and finding it in the 7-Eleven parking lot, I laughed out loud because we were recently at Natalie Peruvian which is right next door on the same strip mall.
The parking lot was full and so I deposited coins in the parking meter (at least I don't have to pay $5 bux to the valet - I thought). :-)
Upon opening the door, we arrived at what appeared to be peak time (7pm on a Saturday). Looking at the interior, you can tell that Yai spared no expense on the interior. I keep reminding myself that it's all about the food and "you can't eat the decor".
After sitting on the freeway for 1.5 hours, I had to use the restroom. I kept checking the door and it was locked. After about 15 minutes, I wondered if someone had died in there. Finally, someone told me that you need a key to enter....
We ordered the pan fried flat noodles with shrimp and chinese broccoli and the mixed vegetables with red curry sauce.
Both dishes were very good. The flat noodles had a smokey flavor to them which was a unique experience for us. The broccoli was VERY green and very fresh. The Panang curry was pretty hot - we had 2 Singhas each to cool our jets.
Food was VERY good and we'll come back again. If you come here, don't set yourself up for a supreme dining experience. It's all about the food. :-)
BTW, cash only. -
Review from Julie L.
Irvine, CA
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I know I give a lot of 5 star reviews. I choose to remember the great places and try to erase the bad ones from my memory. This place deserves every one of their 5 star reviews!
I've been going to this hole in a wall next to 7 eleven for years for some of the most authentic Thai food in LA. My favorite dish there is their Crispy Roast Pork and Chinese Broccoli over rice. I make an exception to my rule of not eating visible fat for this dish. I would drive 40 miles from OC for every bite of this heavenly, garlicky, morsel of goodness!
You can't go wrong with anything here, especially with their curries, crab fried rice, tom kah, and tom yum soups. Their fish dishes are also great, especially their fried fish with apple side.
Spicy means spicy here, so proceed with caution! Service, what service? You're here for the food. Don't forget the fish sauce and thai chili on the side. -
Review from Kene N.
Houston, TX
12/13/2011
Do not let the 7-Eleven in the background fool you! The Thai cuisine in this location is amazing. The staff is very courteous and fast. The food is authentic Thai cuisine with no dumb down spice. If you want it Thai spicy they will give it to you, and it only accents the main dish, it doesn't dominate it. We had the fired tofu, egg rolls, Pad Thai with chicken, BBQ duck with red curry, red curry with shrimp, and Tom Yam. We were very surprised with the rich flavors and quantities. The reviews you see are not exagerated. Check this place out if you happen to come out to Hollywood.
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Review from Pheel W.
Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2011
so disappointing. i was out of the country for six months and was so looking forward to having their authentic Thai dish again.
this place used to be my favorite Thai restaurant for Ladna Mu (dry flat noodle with pork), Kau Ka Mu (pork leg over rice) and crispy pork with broccoli. i never got tired of having the same dishes from pi yai cause they were just simply good. sometimes i went there three times a week!
so finally i went back to get my beloved kau ka mu, the pork leg. sadly, the pork was overly cooked, very dry, losing its tenderness. and even though it was overly cooked, the meat tasted flavorless but sweet only...
i know some of their cooks left. but another reason is the restaurant tries to cater to more westerners so they add more sugar. losing its authentic and flavorful taste...
this dish ruined my day. not bc i tasted something bad, but because i lost another restaurant that i used to love....very much... -
Review from David a.
Los Angeles, CA
I know I keep plugging this place, but I've got three words for you all: spicy pad thai!!! This is the absolute best version of this dish I have ever tasted. Along with the som tum, this is a would class lunch for about $15.00. This place is like a little slice of nirvana in a strip mall. I asked if I could bring my own fish so the chef could cook it his way but they said forget about it.
Listed in: My very very favorites in LA, Thai Specialities
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/27/2011
The jungle curry with shrimp that I ate for lunch today was one of the hottest, spiciest dishes that… Read more »
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Review from Jim W.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately Yai did not live up to the hype for me. We decided on Yai after a quick search on the phone yielded Yai on both @Yelp and Google.
The prices were good, the portions on the entrees were good, it was the food that was...good.
I guess after all the raves online I was expecting great.
There was a sign stating they had recently changed ownership...I hope good instead of great is not the new Thai around here. -
Review from Grace K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/14/2011
FOOD: 4 STARS
-I've never had spicy pad thai, and it was great!
-The curry fried rice was delicoius!
-I took off one star because i loooove thai curry and the green curry here was good.. but not the best. It had a strange aftertaste. maybe that's what authentic green curry is supposed to taste like?
AMBIANCE: 2.5 STARS
It's a hole in the wall, what do you expect. You come to hole in the walls for the food and service, not the ambiance.
SERVICE: 4 STARS
Not out-of-their-way friendly, but they were nice, prompt, and refilled our waters.
PRICE: 5 STARS
The best thing about thai food is that the cheaper places tend to serve the tastier dishes! Definitely getting great tasting thai food for your money's worth! -
Review from Tim L.
Saratoga, CA
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I read some reviews that this place has some great, authentic Thai food. I don't know exactly how authentic Thai food tastes, but this place is GOOD.
I figured one way to judge if this was a good place was to try the pad thai. It did not disappoint. It had a lot more flavor than any of the other places I've tried. The noodles were perfect. Chewy and slightly soft at the same time. The shrimp was also fresh and tender.
I also ordered the shrimp curry fried rice togo for lunch and that was REALLY good too. It's not covered in thick curry, only a light, subtle hint of curry. But it GETS THE JOB DONE. the subtleness is enough to give it a lot of flavor and once again is topped with many fresh ingredients and shrimp. I also recommend adding a fried egg on top for 1 dollar.
Overall, this place offers delicious Thai food. It is relatively cheap and great service. Parking can definitely be tough however, but then again, that's all of LA. So if you're in the area, and you're craving Thai food, you know where to go! -
Review from David L.
PORTER RANCH, CA
11/14/2011
Yai is such a dive in appearance...small shop in a rundown looking strip mall. The food is so good here and fairly priced.
Don't let the stryfoam fool ya! -
Review from Sherri S.
Canyon Country, CA
12/1/2011
Stopped here with the kids and MIL for lunch before seeing a show at the Pantages. I looked at a lot of reviews for places by the theater and this one seemed promising. My kids never had Thai, so they were eager to try it.
Sure, the place doesn't look like much from the outside. But I've been to nice looking restaurants where the food was awful, so I wasn't going to let decor sway me. The people who work there were really nice, very efficient, and our order came out quickly. We had the Pork Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Shrimp, and Pan Fried Noodles with Chicken and Egg (I saw the underground menu, but decided to go mainstream). Even though the Pan Fried Noodles w/ Chicken and Egg didn't look all that great, it was the tastiest dish I've had in a while. The Pork Lo Mein was flavorful and the what I loved about the Sweet and Sour Shrimp was that the sauce wasn't overwhelming sweet.
Overall, everyone enjoyed the food. We didn't need it to be spicy hot, so we were fine with the heat level. The portions were very generous and there wasn't one aspect of the food we didn't like. Even my daughters (and one is VERY picky) kept asking for more. We had to stop ourselves from overeating because sitting in a theater for a few hours digesting is not comfortable at all, so it was with regret that we had to leave our leftovers behind. But I wouldn't hesitate going back. -
Review from John Y.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
food was okay and the service was ok. not bad but nothing special
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Review from Omar P.
Brea, CA
8/22/2011
P Yai Restaurant is a hidden gem in LA. It located next to a 7 11 in a little plaza if you can even call it that. The place has a Thai charm that cannot be put in to words.
The food is amazing. Flavors are right on the money, the portions are good, and the price is as good as it gets.
Try:
Rad Nah
Papaya Salad
Thai Boat Noodle
Crispy Catfish in Chili Sauce
I remember a few years ago I was eating here when a bum came in and started singing Britney Spears' "Hit me baby one more time." A waitress gave him a coke and he left. The funniest part of the whole incident is that she gave him a straw too...I guess force of habit.
Anyways this place on list whenever I'm in the area.
Yummy- Make sure to bring cash as restaurant is Cash Only. -
Review from Alice Y.
Hacienda Heights, CA
1/4/2012
I pretty much like this place overall! This is the place for pretty good Thai food.The waiters and waitresses are very very nice and i emphasize on the nice. I just went after i went to watch Wicked at Pantages Theater and i really needed to use the restroom but the lines over there were LONG. There was one dude there that was really nice...he noticed that i really needed to go but the door was lock ( you need a key) but the key wasn't there so he went to check. He looked for the key and found it in the restroom and then he told me that i could go so i send thanks and went. VERY nice man. The kind of hospitality you probably can't get anywhere else. I love their food except for their fried catfish and some type of noodles. I usually eat really small but this place made me gain like 5 pounds of eating SOO much. I love their shrimp and red curry...FABULOUS! Good for groups but not too big of groups.
IF your in LA and need a good Thai restaurant then this is the place! -
Review from Araceli A.
Arcadia, CA
6/4/2011
This place is goooood!
Came in a group of 5. I had never been here before my a couple of my friends swear by it. I just told them that they can order then since they would know what's good here.
The Food. I didn't even look at the menu. We ordered Green papaya salad, beef jerkey appetizer, shrimp pad see ew, fried fish with apple dressing, chicken green curry. Everything was excellent. The chicken green curry is so creamy and coconutty gooness, this was my favorite dish.
Just go. You won't regret it. CASH ONLY. -
Review from Antonela M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/3/2011
So another thai place, but this time a quick review. . . pros. . . reasonable prices. . . good food normally, , , not too noisy. . . .
cons. . . sometimes main meal arrives before apps, the food is a bit greasy sometimes and that's about it I guess. I think they make the best combo fried rice on the planet. -
Review from Maricel Jane M.
Eagle Rock, CA
3/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
My family has been going here since the 1980's, even way before i was born! This place is really good, the servers are very friendly, since we've been going there for a long time, they know us very well, that they even memorize our usual orders! The food is amazing, i've tried about everything on the menu, trust me it's awesome! Try the shrimp fried rice, it's very good and very tasteful. If your more into pork, you must try the Garlic Pork. If you're into beef, you must try the BBQ BEEF it's an appetizer, but the portion is too much for one person, it's very tasty! Tastier than bbq you would make at home.
TO ALL VIEWERS, Yai on Hollywood blvd. Is currently being remodeled,
Instead head to their 2nd Yai Restaurant location, less than 2 miles from the Yai on Hollywood BLVD. Their 2nd restaurant is in a plaza on Vermont and Hollywood Blvd, when you see Rite Aid and Jons, it's in that plaza! Same owners same menu, same quality! -
Review from William S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/29/2011
Like most devotees to exceptional Thai food, I have been going here since college. We would drive from Westwood right after class and my friend from Thailand and I do the Pavlov LOL. Sometimes Ive gone with 10 friends and shared the experience. This is the only restaurant I know that draws every culture living in LA into it. It's fun to watch. To me eating in this restaurant makes me feel spoiled that a cuisine so authentic is available from thousands of miles away. We are blessed! The menu represents everything lusciously good in Thai food-- cooked with soul! You can get any entree they have on the menu over rice and you save a couple of greens. A la carte is best to share with friends. My fave dish? I get the chicken with chili garlic (ask for it ground, not sliced chicken), ask for it spicy if you dare. My friend would get the same dish, LOL. Then I pile a few tablespoons of it on rice put a fried egg on top ( I order it on the side), some prik nam pla to add to the spicy, salty, garlicky, minty concoction and I go to heaven and back. How Thai basil fools your tastebuds into tasting mint, I dont know. For years my friends called this dish, mint chicken. Its spicy, its got fish sauce, lots of garlic, minced chilis and thai basil. Sometimes you sweat b/c its sooo hot, your mouth and throat hurt..... so good. Sometimes I get it mild depending on my mood. When I leave the restaurant, endorphins from the heat of this chicken dish, make me smiley smiley and feeling cool for the rest of the afternoon. Finally, not a huge fan of the grilled BBQ beef salad or the BBQ chicken but everything else rocks!!! MMmm I think Ill go have the crispy pork with chinese broccoli (Roast Pork with Chinese Broccoli) now, my second favorite dish there LOL! Anything with garlic and crispy pork belly, Im in like flint baby!!!
Note: Cash only but the 7-11 next door has an ATM machine.
Also I know there are Thai restaurants that pride themselves in serving the hottest dishes in pork and beef . I've had the dishes and have been to the restaurant to try. My verdict? It's chile bravado, it really doesn't work with the food, the meats are tough and chewy and they add the chiles and heat for the drama. it's theatre. It's creating advertisement to get into the Food Network. Its a little insulting to Thai food actually.
Just yelpin' for my yelpers! -
Review from Nichole N.
Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2011
seafood lahd na , that is all .
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Review from Dru Y.
Los Angeles, CA
9/1/2011
I decided to try this place because I read some great reviews. Indeed the food was very tasty. I tried the duck curry. I liked it so much I had my brother try it. He was enjoying a delicious panang curry. When we got home we both ran to the toilet and felt terrible for two days. It could have just been that isolated day as other reviews don't have similar stories. It's probably safe to eat there but I doubt I will risk it again or if I do, I'll avoid the duck curry.
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Review from Aris L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2011
Good thai restaurant.. i like their crispy pork with chinese brocolli...then the black egg i forget what it called..
CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED -
Review from Pathu S.
2/22/2011
I remember coming to P'Yai as a wee child growing up in NoHo. Since then, I've frequented this restaurant for their lard na--they make it the best here.
I took my bf here guaranteeing superb Thai cuisine comparable to other winners in Thai Town. He got his favorite, Pad Kee Mao, something they didn't have on the menu. Unfortunately, it looked like they just threw ingredients together. I've never seen lettuce in a pad kee mao until that point. He was less than satisfied.
I got their shrimp fried rice for a change and I thought it was waaay too oily. Maybe the quality of food has gone down? Maybe I came on an off night? Maybe I should just stick to my usuals.
I'm still going to return to P'Yai and have faith that they can do Thai food right but will most likely stick to my favorites next time: lard na, sticky rice + crying tiger
The service here is excellent. They are very friendly and accommodating (i.e. making the pad kee mao that wasn't on the menu). And they are CASH ONLY! You've been warned! But there's an atm machine at the 7-eleven so don't fret.Listed in: THAIIIIGHT!
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Review from Dominique J.
Los Angeles, CA
4/19/2011
Beware of THE BEST SHRIMP FRIED RICE YOU WILL EVER TASTE! Yai has been one of my favorite Thai food restaurants since I was a little girl! They have really great food, shrimp fried rice being my favorite! A couple other recommendations is their fried fishes, Pad See Ew, and bbq beef!
I am telling you this place might not look like they have great food to offer, because from the outside it looks somewhat run down. But, Hey.. don't they say to never judge a book by its cover!
Don't park at 7/11 they will tow you! If you're coming in at a late time park at pier one imports! -
Review from Russ V.
11/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been receiving photos weekly for the past couple months of their food on my phone, from my friend who religiously dines here at least once a week! So finally I got the chance to find out what this place is all about..
Since I call my friend the Veteran and I'm not that picky with food, I had him order his regular picked dishes:
Crispy Pork with Chinese Broccoli: Crispy pork as the name says, paired with also crisp veggies, little pieces of garlic spread throughout and very flavorful sauce. My favorite dish that night!!
Chili Garlic Mint Leaves with Chicken: a bit spicy, tender slices of chicken with a nice herby/minty flavor. So Goooood!
Chili Garlic Mint Leaves with Ground Chicken and Flat noodles: Same flavors as the dish mentioned above but I loved the ground chicken (not that typical) and flat noodles (pad see ew type noodles)!
Num Tok (spicy beef salad) with no rice powder: Slices of beef over greens. Meat was kinda chewy and had a pretty good flavor.
Very Reasonable Prices, Some of the Most Flavorful Thai Food I've Had and Good Service!! Now I know why dining here regularly is a good idea! -
Review from heejin l.
Los Angeles, CA
8/12/2011
the crispy pork with chinese broccoli was good.
the pork pieces are fat and crispy.
the crab fried rice was nothing special.
and the garlic shrimp was good. it wasn't spicy even though we had ordered spicy.
the duck over rice was not bad. they give pretty decent portions.
CASH ONLY.
and their thai ice coffee tastes like coffee milk. yum. -
Review from Wakka W.
Los Angeles, CA
1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE THIS PLACE, I LOVE THIS PLACE, I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!
THE CURRIED FRIED RICE IS SO GOOD! THE PEOPLE ARE SO NICE AND FRIENDLY, AND THEY REMEMBER YOU
its like experiencing the show "Cheers" but with thai people
its a great hole in the wall, it's not pretentious, and its so good.
you will not regret it -
Review from Lynn P.
8/26/2011
This is the only Thai restaurant that the Thai people I know will return to time and time again, so I don't think it gets better than this! They really put a lot of effort into preparing the more labor-intensive dishes - all fairly priced. The "hor mok" (curried fish custard) and "pla dook foo" (catfish salad - the process by which the catfish flesh is scrambled and fried to resemble a bird's nest is amazing by the way) are unforgettably flavorful! The (always fresh) crab fried rice is also awesome. The "choo chee pla" (fish curry) has great flavor but is a bit on the bony side. However, I won't complain too much since this is another dish that we have to travel all the way to L.A. to get.
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Review from Robby L.
New York, NY
9/24/2011
Great Thai food without breaking your budget. The Tom Yum Goong soup, the Grilled Pork Salad, The Crab Fried Rice with Egg and Roasted Pork with Chinese Broccoli are favorites. And the portions are very generous! Most soups/dishes can feed up to three people. The waitresses are pleasant and very helpful. My third day in LA and I've already been here twice. Need I say more?
