>
I’ve never been to this location before it burned down. My only experience with Thai Nakorn was at the Stanton location and frankly, I wasn’t impressed by them at all. When they rebuilt this location my friends told me that it was really quite good so I thought best to judge for myself. So with a lunching pal in tow we came for lunch and I ordered a bunch of things I love — much more than I should’ve — so I can try them all out. One of my favorite dishes, nam sod with crunchy rice was on the menu and this was the best I’ve had in a very long time. The rice is perfectly crunchy and the ginger didn’t overwhelm the entire dish. Pad kee mow had nice seared flavors, the beef was nicely cooked and they were generous with the amount given. Spicy clams were also very succulent and fresh, each clam was plump and large and tasted lovely with the slightly sweet basil sauce. My only thing was they didn’t ask you how spicy you like the dishes which at other Thai restaurants, they allow you to choose. Here they just bring it to you as is….. so I had to have nam prik pla (chili with fish sauce) on the table to add at whim. The nam prik pla here is also much tastier than the regular stuff you get because they actually pound the chilis instead of cutting it to release the flavors better. My friend picked coconut fish which were fillets of fried fish served with a coconut sauce. I thought it was just okay, I’m not a huge fan of dessicated coconut even though I didn’t taste coconut on the fish at all — my friend said it was in the sauce, but I didn’t taste the sauce as it looked very sweet. Lunch specials come with steamed rice and a bowl of really good tom yum ga (pictured). I have a new found love for Thai Nakorn and would definitely come back again to this location!
Thai Nakorn, 12532 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843. Tel: 714-583-8938
Leave a Reply