Anybody know of a Thai place that serves Pad Thai like they do in Thailand?

[jayspun]

When I was in Thailand a few years ago, I was in noodle heaven with the ubiquitous pad thai street vendors. Unlike virtually all pad thai I have had in the States, in Thailand you find it with green onion, sprouts, peanuts, tofu, and meat of your choice. The seasoning is mild with fish and soy sauce and you add sugar and chili flakes and squeeze fresh lime on your own. For some reason the pad thai here is overly-sweetened with something akin to a sweet and sour glaze. Any help hounders would be greatly appreciated; preferably something near the Valley.

[jayspun]

This is the pad thai I'm talking about:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7518...

See my blog for pictures.

[Ginger9]

I'll chime in with ipsedixit. You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes, including the pad thai at Jitlada. The place is amazing!

[sushigirlie]

I'll mildly dissent. Jitlada is one of my very favorite restaurants, but I've been disappointed by their pad thai the two times I ordered it. I think it's mushy and lacking in flavor other than sweet and sour (mostly sweet).

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[ns1]

can any hounds more knowledgeable than I comment on krua thai pad thai?

[Moomin]

Weird, I thought I posted this earlier...

Pad Thai Krua Thai is pad thai on steroids. It has the authentic flavor profile of traditional pad thai, but instead of letting you season to your own taste, they throw everything but the kitchen sink in for you. If you like strongly flavored pad thai, it's phenomenal, if you want to adjust your own, there isn't much room for that. I personally love it.

-----
Krua Thai Restaurant
13130 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605

[ns1]

thanks. I agree it is a very, very strong flavor. And sweet isn't one of them.

[mucho gordo]

Have you tried the Pad Thai at Sri Siam or Sanamluang? If so, how do they compare to Krua Thai?

-----
Krua Thai Restaurant
13130 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605

[ns1]

I'm trying to take a break from pad thai cuz it's so gringo these days :laugh:

[mucho gordo]

I know, ns1. It's been a while since I've ordered Pad Thai. I usually get the more complex dishes. I love Thai pork belly, duck, larb, etc.

[ns1]

Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOOOOOVE pad thai, but that hound in me hates myself everytime I buy it.

So I usually wait until I go with a party and then mooch off theirs.

I'll have to try Krua's KTPT again one of these days to see if I change my mind.

[sushigirlie]

Try Ord Noodles on Hollywood Boulevard.

-----
Ord Noodles
5401 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[raizans]

it's been a long time since i've ordered pad thai, but siam i am in redondo beach makes a decent non-greasy version. order it with low sugar, no tomato sauce and paprika, and extra everything. you can get it as spicy as you want.

[sushigirlie]

There's a brief but enlightening discussion of the two main variations of pad thai here:

http://www.thailand-travelonline.com/...

I personally like the variation that is sweet and sour with syrupy palm sugar and tamarind.

[jayspun]

Very interesting, thanks for the link. I suppose having the classic pad thai in Thailand before trying the modern western version has ruined my chances of enjoying the non-classico. The variation you speak of is what I enjoy. For some reason paprika and/or tomato sauce has made it's way into the dish and I really don't feel as though they make it better. There is a happy simplicity when the balance of sweet and spicy mingle with herbaceous green onion and lime juice. Kup Kun Kup (thanks).

[ipsedixit]

You might help us a bit by telling us where you've tried Pad Thai thus far in the States.

In any event, might try the Pad Thai at Renu Nakorn if you haven't already. Also, I know that Jitlada has Pad Thai but I've never tried it myself. Couldn't imagine it wouldn't be good at Jitlada.

Also, Wat Thai may have it once in a while amongst its many food stalls. www.watthaiusa.org

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Renu Nakorn Restaurant
13019 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650

[terwilliger]

I thought the Wat Thai food stalls were long gone. Am I wrong about that? I hope I am.

[ChowHi]

I believe they're long gone.

[ipsedixit]

I heard it was back on, but not in full force.

And according to recent Yelp reports, it seems to be the case. http://www.yelp.com/biz/wat-thai-of-l...

[terwilliger]

Just checked out the Yelp link. Sounds like it is back on, to some extent. Great news.