The Best Thai Food in OC — Hands Down!

Had been looking forward to trying this place for ages and finally made it happen! Followed the recommendations from a Chiang Mai Michelin chef — every dish instantly transported me back to vacation days in Thailand! No ranking here — just order these and thank me later 😋 🥘 Khao Soi Noodle + Soft Shell Crab Rich and creamy yellow curry with soft, chewy noodles, crispy whole soft-shell crab, and crunchy fried egg noodles on top. A perfect combo — just imagine it and then go try it now! 🦐 Creamy Tom Yum Shrimp Specially recommended by the Michelin chef — “more Thai than Thailand” 😂. My younger brother found the curry noodles a bit spicy but totally manageable. Tangy, sweet, and impossible to stop eating! 🥗 Papaya Salad Even without added meat, it’s absolutely perfect as a refreshing starter. Also helps balance the spiciness — bright, tangy, and crisp! 🐷 Manaao Pork Jowl Crispy on the outside, tender and bouncy inside with a bit of fat on each piece — wow, just wow. Must-order! The accompanying salad is tangy-sweet but different from the papaya salad — delicious in its own way 😂. 🐚 Clams with Spicy Holy Basil Sauce Tastes just like the kao cai nian gao (Shanghai-style stir-fried rice cakes with greens) — clams cooked in that nostalgic savory-sweet flavor, complete with greens that resemble kao cai. A hit with my Shanghainese aunt! 🍨 Rice Balls in Coconut Cream + Coconut Ice Cream A must-order if you love taro desserts — even better than! Ultra-creamy, chewy, and not overly sweet in the American style 😂😂😂. ⚠️ Tips: We ordered two salads, but if you’re only two people, I’d suggest just the pork jowl salad, because the papaya salad portion is huge! Or if you really love papaya salad, try the papaya salad with crispy pork belly — heard it’s amazing too (next time for us!). ⏳ Arrive 30 minutes before peak dining hours, or you could wait 1–2 hours. Also, service is super friendly but a bit short-staffed — they kept bringing the wrong dishes, so double-check your order when it arrives! 📍 Manaao - Thai Comfort Food 13842 Newport Ave Unit F, Tustin, CA 92780 #ThaiFood #OCEats #IrvineFood #MichelinInspired #BestThaiInOC #KhaoSoi #TomYum