Kim Thai Food

Reviews

• Mai T.

  star star star star star 21 July 2026

  I am always in search of authentic Thai & Lao food. This place did not disappoint. I wanted to continue eating even after I was full. I had the Lao style papaya salad, curry fish custard and Lao bamboo soup. All were very well flavored and as I remember from my trip to Laos earlier this year. I will be returning in the future for other items on the menu!
  
  P.S. The location is odd for Thai/ Lao food, but I ain't mad. It was kind of fun to explore the different stores in the swap meet building.

• Wings E.

  star star star star star 19 July 2026

  Mok Pla was the best I ever have in LA.
  The only other place with this great Mok Pla was some where in Bay area.
  
  I love the food, the quality, the service, and the price I got. Definitely recommended.

• JessicaH C.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 19 July 2026

  I see all the ratings raving how good the papaya here is.  I tried the Lao style papaya salad and it was not good at all... I was super disappointed.  
  
  Will not be coming back..

• Gabriel H.

  star star star star star_border 16 July 2026

  The food here is EXCELLENT. Absolutely one of the best and more unique Thai meals you can have in Los Angeles. And the prices are quite affordable too. I would suggest:
  
  DUCK LAAB (Laab pet): Their specialty. It's $15 for one plate and completely and totally worth it. The Laab is flavored so strongly and with such skill - there's lemongrass, chili, galangal, and a whole bunch of other herbs and spices that I can't quite place. It's not your typical Bangkok-style Pork or Chicken Laab that you can find everywhere. This is Isaan-style Laab which is more complex and exciting. It tastes fucking amazing with sticky rice.
  
  FRIED PORK (muu daat diew) This is deep fried marinated pork. The pork is marinated in fish sauce so it's salty. Love the chili-lime dipping sauce that comes with it.
  
  THAI PAPAYA SALAD (som tum Thai): If you like unfiltered fermented fish sauce, you should order the papaya salad Laotian style. I'm not accustomed to it so I got the Thai papaya salad, which is adjusted for people from Bangkok who gravitate towards sweeter and more sour flavors. This was perfectly salty, sweet and sour.
  
  PORK RIB SOUP (Tom sapp kraduuk muu) This is a hot and sour soup with pork ribs. Again, perfectly seasoned.
  
  I loved everything I ordered. The only thing about this place is the location. It's in a strip mall that's dirty. The tables had sticky stains and they didn't provide any napkins to clean the place. That makes it a less comfortable environment to eat in.
  
  Bring your adventurous friends who care more about food than ambiance here and you'll be satisfied.

• Elena I.

  star star star star star 10 July 2026

  I was so glad to finally get to eat here. I ordered the bamboo shoot salad which was a little more intense than it is in other restaurants-- the fermented sauce was thicker, darker, and a lot spicier. But it was so good! I couldn't believe the size of the portion. There was enough for two meals. My friend had the beef soup which had a broth that tasted of star anise. It was good, too. I'm  going to try the meatless Laotian mushroom and bamboo shoot soup next time.
  
  Some of the reviews complain about the location and make fun of the indoor swap meet. That is entirely unfair. The La Fiesta swap meet is clean, and there are plenty of things to buy, from traditional Asian and Latin American herbal medicines to trendy T-shirts, soccer memorabilia, and baby clothes. You can buy gold and silver jewelry, get a tattoo, have your nose pierced or get a gel manicure. There's even a curandera  and a couple of botanicas that deal in votive candles and "spiritual cleaning." Maybe inside the botanical, those with bad attitudes about Van Nuys and the valley can be cured of their snobbery
  
  Come enjoy the Thai and Laotian food and top it all off with a smoothie or some ice cream.