Warin Thai (ร้านวารินทร์ไทย) — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Who would’ve thought that some of the best Thai food in the U.S. is hiding in Harbor City? I really wish I’d discovered Warin Thai Restaurant sooner—I'd be a regular by now! Instead, I kept going back to what I thought was the best Thai spot in L.A., all while unknowingly driving right past Warin Thai every time. Now that I’ve found it, I have to say, this place is a hidden gem.

To be honest, the restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside. But that’s pretty much the case with most places around here. Warin Thai is located in an old, modest strip mall, but let’s be real—you’re not here for the ambiance. You’re here for the incredible food, and trust me, it’s well worth it.

The menu at Warin Thai isn’t as huge as some other Thai restaurants, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s more than enough amazing options, from soups (which you can get by the bowl or pot), to appetizers like crispy chicken wings, fresh Thai salads, stir-fries, noodles, curries, and even dessert like mango sticky rice. Prices are pretty reasonable, too—about $8-14 for soups, starters, salads, and desserts, and $13-19 for the mains. And believe me, every bite is fantastic.

Here’s what we had for dinner:

Pad Thai ($13.95) – Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, bean sprouts, cilantro, lime, and a tasty sauce. Pad See Ew ($13.95) – Stir-fried flat rice noodles with eggs and Chinese broccoli. Garlic Salmon ($17.95) – Grilled salmon served with spinach and mashed potatoes, topped with garlic sauce. Green Curry ($13.95) – Homemade green curry paste sautéed with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, and eggplant. Panang Curry ($13.95) – Thai basil, bell peppers, and kaffir lime leaves in a rich Panang coconut curry. Glass Noodle Salad ($13.95) – A refreshing mix of ground chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, onions, roasted peanuts, and cilantro, tossed in a spicy lime juice dressing. Thai Fried Rice ($13.95) – Classic fried rice with egg, onions, and tomatoes.

Every dish was phenomenal. As someone with a Thai background who’s been to Thailand countless times, I’ve got to say I was seriously impressed. Thai people usually aren’t easily wowed by Thai food in the U.S., but this place totally nailed it.

It’s hard to pick a favorite because everything was just that good, but if I had to choose one, the Glass Noodle Salad really stood out. It was honestly one of the best salads I’ve ever had—juicy, sweet, spicy, and packed with flavor. It’s a must-order for sure.

Overall, the food here is consistently amazing. If you’re craving Thai food, don’t hesitate—Warin Thai is where you want to go. You won’t be...

I ordered the crying tiger, yellow curry, and cheese puffs. The cheese puffs work good. The yellow Curry was okay but the crying tiger was salty, overcooked, and very thin. It did not look like a rib eye steak at all. The sauce it came with was also salty. The waitress was nice, but she did not come check on us and when I mentioned the crying tiger was not good, she just said okay and walked away. She seemed more occupied with her boyfriend or friend. When he came over to clear our dishe, I also mentioned that the crying tiger was unpleasant. Nobody offered to let me order something else or rectify the situation. The place was clean, the service was mediocre, and the food was not tasty. Almost like it was old...

I eat there once only and given soup before the lunch menu. Later the next day in early morning hours I experienced nausea, constipation, body pains and appetite loss. Later came diarrhea and vomiting. Possibly caught Norovirus. Sick for a month, went to Emergency room and next week CT scan. Have not eaten or slept properly for a month. Prior to that had another bad experience with Thai food in Hollywood causing uncontrollable diarrhea and stomach pains but recovered overnight unlike this time. I did not contact the owner as too...