Esan Restaurant

Jared Cohee

THAILAND 🇹🇭 / LAOS 🇱🇦 Excerpt from Eat the World Los Angeles: The restaurant connected to the Thai Laos Market in Anaheim is the type of place that will be circulated as hidden or some sort of secret, but the name is right there in the front window. The only people it hides from are the folks that do not read Thai language. That being said, the old script on the old strip mall facade of the market itself is more than enough for the curious passerby to wander in and check out what is happening inside. While there are many delicious options for both Thai and Lao dishes available à la carte, it is that steam table that should take your focus on a weekday lunch. The "lunch/dinner combo express" is available all day and includes jasmine rice and either two options for $6.50 or three for $7.50. Extra items on top of this are only $2. This way of eating, or type of establishment is often referred to as khao rad kang, literally meaning "curry over rice" but signifying here that you get rice as well as some other choices. Some plate combinations here would never be found in Thailand because they include dishes from Laos and southern Thailand that would not be cooked by the same folks. But they do it all here, and so far to pretty good effect.

Marnie Lux

So authentic and delicious. Great people. Family run business. Must try. Love the curries here. Very affordable. Bring cash.

Jasmine T (Jasmine)

This place is the best Thai place in OC/LA. It's extremely authentic and I feel so at home at this place. I absolutely love this place for everything I love, from the noodle dishes to the authentic fried fish and pork. Sooooo good. I love the fact that they get their ingredients next door, a Thai and Laos market. They're family always and the food is magic. You've never had Thai food unless you've been here !!

Stego Aurus

Absolutely authentic Thai food, Had the Seafood Noodle, Fantastic! Tasty and Filling!!

Danny Chan

Nice market with southeast Asian products and ingredients. Very nice staff. Love their very list cost 2 item combos.

Jay. Gee.

This crispy fried rice salad is amazing! So many textures and flavors.

My family and I used to come here with my parents when we were kids. This place has been around for years. They have never disappointed us with their food. Also convenient to have a store next to it when you're looking for the right ingredients for thai food. My sister and I had their boat noodle and it was so good. We have not found a place that makes it as good as they do. Hands down, this is the place for it in orange county. Their menu items are all good but we enjoy the thai boat noodle.

The stir fried dishes here are amazing!!!!!!! I get all dishes spicy and if stir fried, extra charrrrrr (big big fire): Green seafood curry Drunken noodles seafood Crispy pork fried rice (they use sticky rice) Tom yum seafood Cash only Few seats inside Hole in the wall Connected to a Thai grocery Lunch specials served from buffet line

A small restaurant but their Thai food is GOOD! There is a lil market next door. Love their pad see ew and their mango sticky rice. Every time I come here I try something different, they have like buffet style if you as me exploring new dishes this is an amazing place for it. The only bad thing, they only accept cash.

Brought my sister, who traveled from the East coast, here as I been coming here for years. Great Thai-Laos dishes and we enjoyed lunch specials. During a super busy packed time, superb lady behind the counter allowed her to taste test many lunch special items and gave us large portions of food. Really took care of her and I 200%. We gave them a large tip - so well deserved. My sister was delighted by the Thai-Laos food, their serving hospitality and kindness, and for generous portions. My favorite restaurant in OC took care of my traveling sister. Great owners and great grocery store attached too. A++++

Best Thai Food Deal in Orange County. Good portion of rice and a selection of 3 entrees for $11 you can’t get a better meal at McDonalds. Highly recommend

Wish it's closer to me! Delicious food!

Delicious food! We've been coming here for years and have seen no fluctuation in quality. People in my family come here for their birthday, and while the price is nor low, it's worth it. Try the Pad Thai, crispy crispy meat salad, and Pad See Ew. Great as takeout too!

Helena Vega

A small restaurant but their Thai food is GOOD! There is a lil market next door. Love their pad see ew and their mango sticky rice. Every time I come here I try something different, they have like buffet style if you as me exploring new dishes this is an amazing place for it. The only bad thing, they only accept cash.

James Russell

Best Thai Food Deal in Orange County. Good portion of rice and a selection of 3 entrees for $11 you can’t get a better meal at McDonalds. Highly recommend

R K

Brought my sister, who traveled from the East coast, here as I been coming here for years. Great Thai-Laos dishes and we enjoyed lunch specials. During a super busy packed time, superb lady behind the counter allowed her to taste test many lunch special items and gave us large portions of food. Really took care of her and I 200%. We gave them a large tip - so well deserved. My sister was delighted by the Thai-Laos food, their serving hospitality and kindness, and for generous portions. My favorite restaurant in OC took care of my traveling sister. Great owners and great grocery store attached too. A++++

jenny chen

Little hole in the wall with great Laos food. I loved the khao piak noodles. Everything was delish and home made. The ladies gave excellent service.

Bruno Rodriguez Diaz

Delicious food! We've been coming here for years and have seen no fluctuation in quality. People in my family come here for their birthday, and while the price is nor low, it's worth it. Try the Pad Thai, crispy crispy meat salad, and Pad See Ew. Great as takeout too!

M V

My family and I used to come here with my parents when we were kids. This place has been around for years. They have never disappointed us with their food. Also convenient to have a store next to it when you're looking for the right ingredients for thai food. My sister and I had their boat noodle and it was so good. We have not found a place that makes it as good as they do. Hands down, this is the place for it in orange county. Their menu items are all good but we enjoy the thai boat noodle.

Hello I Got Thai Boat noodles I requested without tripe Payment in advance Cash only Upon employees noticing me removing all the tripe they said they can give me another bowl without tripe now After already removing the tripe and it consumed some of the food I declined, then the same Employee said, future please give reminder when ordering if don't want a item when they tell the kitchen in that back in Thai The time from what I ordered I paid and they told the back was less 1 minute I was the only customer in the store When I paid and made my order the atmosphere did remind me of some small stalls and restaurants when I travel in Thailand The food itself cooked by the cooks was great seasons right with accurate proportions Cash payment only they have ATM inside $2 fee I will try this location again if in the area or buying stuff from the store attached to the side Minus this issue communications between the server are taking the food order needs to be worked on The cannot remember by word of mouth Should probably write it down

justin Primpry

Hello I Got Thai Boat noodles I requested without tripe Payment in advance Cash only Upon employees noticing me removing all the tripe they said they can give me another bowl without tripe now After already removing the tripe and it consumed some of the food I declined, then the same Employee said, future please give reminder when ordering if don't want a item when they tell the kitchen in that back in Thai The time from what I ordered I paid and they told the back was less 1 minute I was the only customer in the store When I paid and made my order the atmosphere did remind me of some small stalls and restaurants when I travel in Thailand The food itself cooked by the cooks was great seasons right with accurate proportions Cash payment only they have ATM inside $2 fee I will try this location again if in the area or buying stuff from the store attached to the side Minus this issue communications between the server are taking the food order needs to be worked on The cannot remember by word of mouth Should probably write it down

This place is family owned. They have a tiny grocery store that is connected to the restaurant. The food is good, the service is nice, the restaurant is bare bones but it doesn't take away from the food. The only thing that bothers me is why they close so early. They are literally close by 6pm. I work down the street and literally almost never make it for dinner. Lunch yes, dinner no. That's the one down side to the restaurant. Other than that the food is authentic and it's awesome. My fave would be the boat noodles, papaya salad, seafood salad, larb, their handmade noodles for the chicken noodle soup. It's one of my absolute fave. It's simple but oh so good.

Shellee Nguyen

This place is family owned. They have a tiny grocery store that is connected to the restaurant. The food is good, the service is nice, the restaurant is bare bones but it doesn't take away from the food. The only thing that bothers me is why they close so early. They are literally close by 6pm. I work down the street and literally almost never make it for dinner. Lunch yes, dinner no. That's the one down side to the restaurant. Other than that the food is authentic and it's awesome. My fave would be the boat noodles, papaya salad, seafood salad, larb, their handmade noodles for the chicken noodle soup. It's one of my absolute fave. It's simple but oh so good.

Okay spot. Decided to try this place as we were craving Thai food at lunch time and this was open. They have ready to eat food displayed on the counter. You can also order food to be freshly cooked. Customer service is non existent. They served the person behind us first since she was getting food from what were displayed in the counter. The lady didn't acknowledge us what so ever until I told her we have been waiting for a good 8 minutes. That's when she just acknowledged us. Don't think I'm coming back to this place. BTW, there yellow curry was so watery.

With no English sign, one can easily pass over this hole in the wall Thai-Laotian restaurant connected to a mini-market. I passed by it the first time and had to double check the number to locate it. There are about 10 tables available for all diners, whether you ordered from the express deli or off the menu. There's a steady stream of diners coming and going, so food should be good here. Express Deli: 2 item combo was only $5.95 and 3 item cob $6.95. Sounds like a great deal with a variety of goodies to try! However, I found the food at express bar too salty for me, not sure if I ordered the wrong thing (tom ka kai and chicken larb) or it's just been sitting there too long that the sodium prevailed. The menu has pretty standard Thai items with reasonable pricing, there are also special items not on the menu that you can order if you know the secret menu. Need to try this next time. TIP: Cash Only and there's an ATM by the register if you forgot to bring cash.

Brad Betts

Tried this place on a whim while in the area. Honestly not sure how I feel about it. Service: Nonexistent, if not just plain terrible. Stood waiting to be helped for close to 10 minutes. Slightly okay, we needed time to figure out what we wanted. But we were ready, we stood had to wait. The lady taking orders at the counter then decided to help a woman who just walked in instead of us. Lastly, after walking out the door, the lady chases us down in the parking lot to say she gave us the wrong order, and needs to switch an item.. Food: Not the best Thai food I've had. We tried the Tofu Yellow Curry and Pad Kee Mao. The curry was very watery, almost no coconut cream in it. Tofu was softer than would have liked. Asked for it to be no spice at all, was more like mild. But it is a curry, its gonna have some level of spicy. The noodles for the Pad Kee Mao were overcooked and too soft. Chicken portions were good, as well as everything else. Order it mild, but it was way spicier than that. Did she still give me the wrong dish? If not, the spice levels are likely higher more Americanized Thai places and more in line with traditional and authentic Thai food. That's not a bad thing.

Joanna

Okay spot. Decided to try this place as we were craving Thai food at lunch time and this was open. They have ready to eat food displayed on the counter. You can also order food to be freshly cooked. Customer service is non existent. They served the person behind us first since she was getting food from what were displayed in the counter. The lady didn't acknowledge us what so ever until I told her we have been waiting for a good 8 minutes. That's when she just acknowledged us. Don't think I'm coming back to this place. BTW, there yellow curry was so watery.

Maggie Chen

With no English sign, one can easily pass over this hole in the wall Thai-Laotian restaurant connected to a mini-market. I passed by it the first time and had to double check the number to locate it. There are about 10 tables available for all diners, whether you ordered from the express deli or off the menu. There's a steady stream of diners coming and going, so food should be good here. Express Deli: 2 item combo was only $5.95 and 3 item cob $6.95. Sounds like a great deal with a variety of goodies to try! However, I found the food at express bar too salty for me, not sure if I ordered the wrong thing (tom ka kai and chicken larb) or it's just been sitting there too long that the sodium prevailed. The menu has pretty standard Thai items with reasonable pricing, there are also special items not on the menu that you can order if you know the secret menu. Need to try this next time. TIP: Cash Only and there's an ATM by the register if you forgot to bring cash.

The pad Thai was drenched in tamarind sauce and it was way too sour. The customer service is non existent. The tables were dirty and sticky.

Juleng

The pad Thai was drenched in tamarind sauce and it was way too sour. The customer service is non existent. The tables were dirty and sticky.