Rice Up Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in Lake Stevens

One of the only good places in Lake Stevens. (This is a location based review, meaning I’m reviewing This restaurant in comparison to the other food I’ve eaten in the general area. Simply because the review would be really skewed if I went off all the Thai food I’ve ever had- but I will include that opinion at the end if interested. )

I love this place and eat from here a lot. My personal favorite is the Yellow Curry but I have also tried the Green Curry, Panang Curry, and Sweet and Sour Tofu. I was told that all of their curries are vegan as long as you choose tofu or veggie as the “protein” option of course. The spice levels are pretty accurate as well. I normally order a 4, maybe a 3 sometimes.

The curries are delicious and cozy options. My only nitpick is that the portion sizes are small for the price and they don’t give you a lot of tofu. I’ve noticed it’s more filler items like onion than tofu. You can order extra tofu but in my opinion they do not give enough at a baseline. I also opt to order the soft tofu rather than leaving it as the default fried, both because I am unsure if it is GF and because I don’t like the texture. I actually prefer the soft tofu.

The Sweet and Sour Tofu runs into the same problem where it’s not enough tofu for the price and I find myself left with more filler than anything else. The flavor of the sweet and sour itself though is good. 4/5.

For comparison, Bai Tong Thai in Issaquah is a 5/5 for me. So I place this at a 4 for the reasons listed above. (One of the only good options around me, good vegan options, and consistent!)

If i were to compare it to other places out of state I’d drop it to a 3. However, I do love this place and order a lot!! And will continue to. I love the extensive vegan options. I just wish the portion sizes were bigger or that it was cheaper so I could eat...

I'm basing this review off three separate take-out experiences here, so I'm sure this isn't just one bad experience but a systematic failure of the management. Two of those three times my order was incorrect when I arrived for pickup. I'd ordered online, and both times an entire dish listed on the receipt taped to the bag was missing. In the latest case I asked to check over my order as it was being packaged and a lady (who had previously been introduced as the manager) looked annoyed and told me she'd already checked it and was sure it was correct and tied off the bag, so I opened it back up and sure enough, a dish was missing. She then grabbed the item that was missing from what I am quite sure was someone else's order, as it was spiced differently than requested in the order. She then told me "this happens when we're busy". I've had other bad services experiences here as well, but this gives you the idea. 33% order accuracy is not acceptable, checking your order is viewed as annoying behaviour, and it happens enough that the manager casually shrugs it off.

Now, ONWARD TO THE FOOD ITSELF! Spice levels here are stupidly, insanely, unbelievably inconsistent. I've ordered 3-star dishes with no spice, 3 star dishes correctly spiced and seen dishes from here ordered at 3 or 4 stars come so loaded with spices as to be inedible. In this last order we included a Mama Pad and the noodles had almost no flavor and were obviously dried ramen noodles. When properly spiced and not made with noodles from Costco, the food here actually can be really good. But you're playing the lottery with your seasonings and your own...

Great thai food.Rice Up Thai is undoubtedly the ultimate destination for Thai cuisine enthusiasts. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance transports you to the heart of Thailand. The menu is a delightful journey through the rich and diverse flavors of Thai cuisine, with options to please every palate.

The dishes at Rice Up Thai are a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, sour, and savory. Whether you're a fan of classic Pad Thai, fiery Tom Yum soup, or exotic Green Curry, their chefs excel in capturing the authenticity of Thai flavors. The use of fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs is evident in every bite.

The service is impeccable, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff eager to assist you in choosing the perfect dish or adjusting the spice level to your preference. The portions are generous, making it great for sharing with friends or family.

Don't miss the opportunity to explore their diverse range of appetizers and desserts. The Mango Sticky Rice and Coconut Ice Cream are particularly delightful endings to a Thai culinary adventure.

Rice Up Thai has become my go-to place for Thai food, and I can't recommend it enough. Whether you're a Thai cuisine novice or a connoisseur, this restaurant will leave you craving for more. Visit Rice Up Thai and let your taste buds embark on a flavorful journey that will keep you coming...