Khu Larb — Restaurant in Port Townsend

During a previous day trip to Port Townsend, we discovered Khu Larb Thai Restaurant, but at that time we had already eaten lunch and couldn’t try it. On August 2nd, we made a point to return and finally experience what the restaurant had to offer.

Upon entering Khu Larb Thai Restaurant, the decor immediately stands out, featuring a variety of art pieces on the walls and woodwork with intricate carvings. The tables are attractively arranged, with flower petals placed beneath the glass tops, contributing to the overall aesthetic. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, creating a comfortable dining environment. While the restaurant does not have a formal dress code, the elegant setting suggests that casual but neat attire is most appropriate for dining here.

One observation I had was that the carpets were quite stained and noticeable. While this didn’t detract from the beauty of the restaurant or the outstanding food, it did make me wonder why the carpeting hadn’t been replaced, still I am willing to give this restaurant five stars.

The menu at Khu Larb Thai Restaurant offered a wide variety of dishes, including both classic Thai options we recognized and some unique items that were new to us. With so many appealing choices available, making a decision was challenging, but our hunger helped us make a quick decision.

I ordered the “Street Noodles”, hubby ordered the “Katiem.”

My dish arrived with glossy, wide rice noodles, each strand perfectly cooked and tossed with fluffy scrambled egg, tender slices of chicken (my protein of choice), and a generous amount of fragrant Thai seasoning. The noodles rested on a vibrant bed of fresh spinach, which I had chosen instead of the usual lettuce. The meal looked simple, but as soon as I took a bite, the flavors exploded, savory, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

My hubby’s lunch was a feast for the senses: tender chicken smothered in a rich garlic and black pepper sauce, garnished with bright green onions, fresh cilantro, and a crown of crispy fried garlic. The colorful medley was served atop a bed of spinach (though lettuce is the standard), accompanied by crisp-tender broccoli, carrots, snow peas, and a side of rice. Both dishes were so delicious that we couldn’t choose a favorite—we shared each plate, savoring each and every bite.

We truly appreciated our server, Adeline, who was warm and personable—she struck the perfect balance with her friendly conversation, never being intrusive. Her attentive service meant we always felt cared for, without ever feeling overwhelmed. We’re genuinely grateful for her kindness and professionalism; she made our dining experience even more special!

In conclusion, Khu Larb Thai Restaurant is a place that I highly recommend trying, and we definitely plan to return.

The restaurant is located at 225 Adams Street, Port Townsend, WA, just off Water Street. It is within walking distance of many attractions. Street parking is available, although it can be challenging to find during the busy season.

Please remember "Be kind to ALL living...

On a beautiful summer afternoon we stopped for an early dinner at Khu Larb Thai.

We had spent the day hiking at Ft. Townsend State Park and then poking around the little shops. By the time we made it to Khu Larb Thai we were HUNGRY and ready for a great meal.

The restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived at about 4:30. It is nicely decorated and the place settings were pretty. We were shown right to our table and provided with big glasses of water.

We decided to start with a pair of appetizers to share. We chose the Chili Wings and the Chili Ribs which were on special. We ate them because we were hungry but felt that the portion was very small for the price and that the quality was severely lacking. For $9.50 each we expected more than 3 small ribs and 4 chicken wing sections. The meat was dry and tough on both.

For mains my husband ordered the pineapple fried rice with beef (3stars) and I had the chicken pad Thai (4stars). My husband thought that the portion size was good, that there was a fair amount of meat in and that the spice level was about right for a 3. His overall opinion was that it was good, but not fantastic.

I had much better luck. This was perhaps the best pad Thai I've ever had. It was quite spicy but not uncomfortably so. Even with the heavier spice the nutty flavor came through. The balance of meat to veg is correct. At first I thought there was tofu in my dish! The bean cake looks and tastes like tofu but I am assured it is something different. This sent me home to google and I think they are using a Thai mung bean cake. It was lovely and I have no complaints but would have liked to know more about this ingredient and what sets it apart from tofu.

The service was very basic. We were seated promptly. Our waitress was nice, The young man in the batman T-shirt did a great job of keeping the water coming. What didn't happen was any follow up after the food was delivered. No one came to ask how our meal was. I did decide to tell them about the quality issue on the appetizers but my feedback was rather mildly received, It seemed clear they did not really care. I didn't comment asking for any discounts and I did not complain about the price, I just wanted them to be aware that the meat was dry and tough. It bothers me that they did not seem to care about this.

Would we go again? Yes. Would we avoid ordering appetizers?...

Dined at Khu Larb for the first time just at the start of COVID. We found the surroundings very attractive, particularly the flower petals on each table, many arranged in pretty designs. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. The food was good but could be improved upon. My companion ordered one of the fried rice dishes and enjoyed it. I had a bowl of Tom Ka noodle soup with prawns. The flavors of the soup were spot on with that delightful combination of sweet/ sour/ spicy that is my favorite characteristic of Thai food. However, the prawns tasted as if they were cooked separately and dropped in the soup just before bringing it to the table. They were a smidge overcooked and had no flavor of the soup at all. I'm sure this is due to the fact that nearly the entire menu is composed of dishes where you can choose which protein to add. While I appreciate the flexibility, the flavor profile is a bit lacking as a result. I also got a side of peanut sauce, which was a bit on the sweet side Despite these quibbles, I would return to Khu Larb again and try a couple of other dishes on their...