Green Papaya Thai Sushi &Bar(Orange park) — Restaurant in Jacksonville

This place was horrible, from the food to the customer service. Me and my boyfriend went to this establishment for dinner for Valentines day weekend, and it was an absolutely horrid experience. We sat down and were immediately rushed to order. The server came back 3 times in less than 4 minutes after being sat to rush us to order. When I explained to the serve I wasn't ready after the third time IN 4 MINUTES, she caught an attitude and asked me “Is there something I wasn’t understanding about the menu?” I replied “no, I just need time please and thank you” and she walked away. After 5 minutes she came back and my boyfriend and I were ready to order. So skip forward we ordered 3 different sushis and the basil lamb entree, the food come out and we enjoy the sushi. However, we go to split the lamb and I was appalled. The lamb looked nothing and tased nothing like lamb chops, it was a complete disgusted. Even so, I wasn't going to complain because I was already upset and wanted to leave but when going to take a bite I saw that THERE WAS HAIR IN MY FOOD. Completely enraged, I notified my server and instead of helping me fix the situation she proceeded to go back and forth with me telling me its not hair but indeed a clothes fiber. I DID’NT CARE THAT IT WAS A HAIR OR A CLOTHES FIBER IT WAS IN MY FOOD AND IT DIDNT COME FROM ME. She went to the back and got another server to come to my face and tell me “oh its not a hair, its a clothes fiber”. Enraged i told them to go get their manager so we can solve rectify the issue of some foreign something in my food. Shortly after, the manager came and instead of fixing the situation he went back and forth with my boyfriend telling me its a clothes fiber, and the most they can do is give a free appetizer. Now, I understood my boyfriend ate 1 and half piece of the 5 lamb chops, as well as 2-3 scoops of the rice being that I work in the restaurant business i asked for no more than a half percent discount on THE LAMB BASIL DISH ONLY, which would have been $15, because if im paying $30 for a dish I expect it to be right. After arguing with my boyfriend he put a discount on, FOR $5. WHICH BARELY EVEN COVERED THE TAX OF THE MEAL. I was furious, and asked for the manager back. He was very unprofessional and passive aggressive and kept cutting me off. It took me to start snapping back at him (respecfully) for him to listen to me. Him still cutting me off twlling me theres nothing more that he can do other than a $5 discount because his boss wont let him. After 5 whole minutes of me completely being enraged for him to finally fix HIS RESTAURANT MISTAKE and give me my partial refund, after he quote on quote said he couldn't. To be honest I wholeheartedly felt like we were treated with prejudice because of our age (us both being 17 with no adult” and because we both were African American Teenagers. The first time I was here was very enjoyable and tipped the waiter $25, however this time was completely Unacceptable. I 100% would not recommend this...

Green Papaya: A Burst of Flavor in Orange Park

Nestled in the heart of Orange Park, Green Papaya Thai Restaurant is a hidden gem that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance and friendly staff who make you feel instantly welcome. But the real star of the show is the food, and it's nothing short of a culinary explosion.

A Taste of Thailand in Every Bite:

The menu is a delightful tapestry of Thai classics and innovative sushi creations. We started with the Tom Yum soup, a fragrant broth brimming with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and perfectly cooked shrimp. It was a symphony of flavors that instantly awakened our taste buds. For the main course, we opted for the Pad See Ew, a stir-fried noodle dish with chicken, vegetables, and a rich peanut sauce. The noodles were cooked to perfection, the vegetables vibrant, and the sauce was a creamy dream that coated everything in deliciousness. My dining partner went for the Spicy Tuna Roll, and let me tell you, it wasn't just spicy, it was a party in your mouth! The tuna was fresh and melt-in-your-mouth, the spicy mayo added a delightful kick, and the avocado provided a cool and creamy counterpoint.

Sushi that Impresses:

We couldn't resist trying some of the sushi, and Green Papaya did not disappoint. The Rainbow Roll was a visual and gustatory masterpiece, a kaleidoscope of colors and textures with each bite offering a new explosion of flavor. The Salmon Nigiri was pure perfection, the fish melting like butter on the tongue and the rice perfectly seasoned.

Beyond the Food:

Green Papaya isn't just about the food, though that's definitely the star. The service is warm and attentive, always there to answer questions and make recommendations. The atmosphere is inviting and relaxed, perfect for a casual lunch with friends or a romantic dinner for two.

Final Verdict:

If you're looking for an authentic Thai and sushi experience in Orange Park, Green Papaya is the place to be. It's a hidden gem that offers delicious food, friendly service, and a warm ambiance. We'll definitely be back to explore more of their menu, and we highly recommend you do the same!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

P.S. Don't forget to try their Mango Sticky Rice for dessert! It's the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal.

I hope this review gives you a good taste of what Green Papaya...

I cant fault people for liking this place — taste is subjective. But I also know a disproportionate amount of Americans haven’t a clue what real Thai food is, and can’t tell the difference between a Thai establishment and a Chinese one. Afterall, all Asians look the same, right? Wrong. I am Asian, and frankly it is insulting to be put into one box — when we’re very different. My dear reader — I think you know where I’m going with this.

So, “green papaya” I assume, was derived from a popular street dish in Thailand, called “Som-Tam”. Som-Tam is shredded raw papaya mixed with a sweet-sour soupy-sauce, Thai chilis, and dried shrimp. The real deal is a very ‘clean’ salad, where the papaya is the star of the show. You let me know if that’s the “papaya” salad they have here.

While we’re at it, those of you who have actually been to Thailand, raise your hand. Because I’d like to ask you if ANYthing on the menu is Thai.

This is Ruby Thai 2.0.

Again, you be the judge of the food. If you think it’s great — that’s cool. That also means you’ll be blown away by what truly authentic Thai food is like. In fact, Southeast Asia has a huge variety of dishes across all Asian countries. I’m not talking about nuances — these are totally different dishes altogether. To call it a nuance is like saying there’s simply a nuance between American breakfast and Italian cuisine.

I am a huge proponent of showcasing Asia’s diversity. So, when a Chinese establishment dresses itself up as Thai, and its patrons establish a poor palate of actual Thai food — that is robbing Thailand of its identity. Food diplomacy is real — and it seems China is encroaching on the food space as well it does border disputes with its Asian neighbors.

I’m tired. I’ve seen way too many Chinese establishments around Jacksonville dressing themselves up as Japanese, Thai and Korean restaurants. I don’t mind this at all — if only they respected and served actual dishes from those countries. As an Asian myself, it is insulting to have my country used to sell food that isn’t nearly close to the...