Ahan — Restaurant in Madison

We first came across this place when my girlfriend and I were in the area to pick up our packet for the Madison Marathon. It was a little while later that we saw this place was highlighted on the local news perking our eyes and ears up to try. We looked up the menu online and everything looked delicious. We knew it was downtown and that parking wasn't going to be readily available, but we found a spot around the neighborhood and walked our way to the restaurant. Upon entering, it was notably busy, as expected during dinner hours. We put our name and phone number down for the waitlist and was expecting a 45 minute wait time. In the meantime, we enjoyed a few spirits at the bar area. Some time had passed and I checked in to see where we were on the wait list. We were seated shortly after I checked in again. Unfortunately, it was when we were seated that our experience really went downhill. We looked over the menu. Did not get any water. Waited to get "waited" on. The time in between was pretty significant. Even then when we ordered and received our food, three waiters/waitresses tried to put a mule drink on us. The first one asked and we said we did not order it, especially while we had beerlao on hand. Then a second asian waiter came asking us again as if we didn't understand the question the first time and we clearly stated that we did not order it. Then the manager on duty came back shortly asking us again to triple check as if we didn't understand yet again. All while through this experience, we noticed that the manager wasn't in the best of mood. We were seated near the entry way and what she said very expressive. I originally thought that she was yelling at the employee/waiter near her but only to realize that she was directing that towards a customer that had recently left for whatever reason (let it be that it was a busy time or the customer was unhappy). This was all experienced while never once asked to see how we were doing, hearing the manager ask the table behind us and others how the food was, no refill on water to only be tried to be forced into a mule that we didn't order, and to feel like foreigners amongst food that we gave a change to be authentically good. The food was great, however, the service was way less than that. Unfortunately, we cannot return and cannot...

Update 11/29/2023

I visited Ahan in their new space on Willy St. Prior to this, I had always done take-out or delivery. They have a very unique set-up - you are seated with menus. You then get up and order at a podium and are given a number for your table. Your food then comes like normal via one of the staff. It might be a little confusing for some folx. I am not sure what the savings are for this kind of hybrid service, but it must be working for them. The prices seemed higher than I remember. 1 appetizer, 2 drinks, 2 entrees with a 20% tip and I was $93 lighter. The food is still amazingly good - so if you're fine with the hybrid service and the prices then charge on!

I just put down my plate and started typing. For the first time I am wanting a 6th and perhaps 7th star for a restaurant. How did I not know about this until now. The background - my Sunday supper - from Ahan I ordered:

Vegetable Egg Rolls (2pc) Butter Curry Chicken Hot Basil Pork Add Fresh Chili Khao Tod

Listen peeps - I am going on a half decade of Yelp elite. I love Asian food - all kinds. I have been everywhere. That's why I was so surprised to find Ahan. How did I miss this?

First of all - delivery was 15 minutes EARLY. I am already excited. I try one of the Egg Rolls and one of the Khao Tod and realize I am experiencing something different. Once I move on to the main dishes - I realize I may be experiencing the "Rapture" - although I am not religious - this is how it feels.

The spices, the balance, the nuance, the overall taste. How the hell am I going to eat anywhere else at this point?

This is singularly the best Asian food I have had in Madison in the 25 years I have been here. My only wish was that I had fasted for 3 days prior so I could devour all of this at once in all it's freshness. But no worries - I have several days of leftovers that I have no doubt will be just as satisfying.

Put down any other menus you have and order here now. I beg you. We need to keep this place alive and thriving. If not I will struggle to go back to the other staples. I'm contemplating applying for any job they may have open for the employee discount.

Ahan has upped the bar. In such a good way I can't...

5 out of 5. Chef's kiss.

Host is warm and kind and professional. Server was a wizard, nice, freaky fast, efficient (I like when my server isn't too flowery fake)

Regular menu stops at 9 btw, and late night 9 to 10.

We left to go out late, got there at 8.. probably 10 people waiting out in the hallway, was worried. Server said "yea no biggie we can probably get you in just in time" and they sure did, walked down to Wisco down the street and walked back at 845, got the call right as we were walking back in to Ahana the table was ready and got seated in a nice comfy booth. We felt bad showing up at later end of spectrum but had picked out what we wanted at the bar to be ready lol. Neither the server nor host showed any annoyance at us getting there later before dinner menu closed. And food came out FAST and PIPING hot. LOVE the new table service, and the AMBIANCE. dark teal, flowers, wooden accents, gold, neon, amazing art, everywhere I look is a triumph. Music is warm electronic (think MGMT and Little Dragon, upbeat enough but warm and lilting, and not too loud! It only added to the feel of da place) The cocktails, my bf and I both had a smoky mezcal cucumber melon with a yoghurty swirl, fancy ice cube, what wuttt. So. Good.

Lastly the food of course. Had been there over a year ago at their old location, now (Feb 2025) finally returned.

Summer rolls, even though my bf doesn't love them, I convinced him to get them here at Ahan and he's a summer rolls convert! Had their fried chicken for the first time, it was otherworldly CHEVRE on a chicken sandwich, cucumber? Too insane to even describe. Chevre wontons, best iteration of "fried Rangoon" you'll ever get (this is the only thing I feel I think portions a wee bit small)

The red curry udon, perfectly absorbed the sauce, perfectly al dente, and we didn't even have room to finish our kung Pao because servings were so big. So we took it home for a generous portions of leftovers.

((Quick breakdown of what we we spent, for two fancy cocktails, two appetizers, 3 mains for two people, $107 before tip, and we were stuffed!))

Hands down favorite place in...