Emporium Thai

We came to Emporium Thai for their Dine LA set recently with a reservation for three people. Despite having made a reservation, we were sat at a table for two, and even when other tables were available for 3-4 people, we were not allowed to be moved (before our food had even been served). Having ordered one set per person with different dishes, there were 3 appetizers and 3 entrees so it was rather uncomfortable to have so little space for all the dishes. Even when bringing out the dishes, service was slow with some requests like extra bowls or chopsticks being forgotten about. Our poor experience with the service could be excused if the food was at least better than the service we got, but the food was at best mediocre. Despite having ordered medium spicy for the dishes, not a single dish (not even the papaya salad!!) had even a note of spice. All of the dishes were excessively sweet and lacked depth of flavor, missing key flavor notes usually expected in an authentic Thai dish. The papaya salad was bland, overly sweet and lacked any note of fish sauce, the tom yum soup was extremely sweet, tasting like sweet and sour sauce, and the pad thai was also very sweet. The crispy pork and boat noodles were on the better side, but still disappointing considering the popularity and reputation of the store (shown in-store by the plethora of photos with celebrities and celebrity chefs across the walls). Overall, the service was disappointing but the food was surprisingly more disappointing and inauthentic. 2/5

Outstanding Thai food. The Phuket wings are a must-try! Really great atmosphere too, which is great for anything ranging from casual lunches to romantic dinners. They have a cool wall showing all of the celebrities that have dined here. I’ve always had super friendly and attentive servers, which really puts this place over the top.

Delicious food, classy environment. The staff are very kind and responsive. My Drunken Noodles were delicious, but overall the prices are a bit expensive. There is a bathroom in the back and very little wait time to get seated.

I’m still thinking about the food hours later, that’s how you know it was GOOD. Walked into Emporium Thai on a whim and left in a full-on food coma. The flavors here? Next level. We started with the viral Black Pink Lisa Balls (yes, I was influenced) and they were crispy, creamy, and ridiculously addicting. You have to try them. The drunken noodles had the perfect amount of heat, and the vegan green curry with tofu was rich and full of depth - even meat lovers would be impressed. Also tried the Peking duck and soft shell crab (YOLO), and both were perfection. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, not greasy at all. The staff was super friendly and made great recs. Ambiance is casual but cute! great for a weeknight dinner or even a casual date. FI’ve eaten a LOT of Thai food in LA, but this might be my new favorite spot. It legit made me feel like I was back in Thailand. 10/10.

I was craving Thai food after having a very long day and I happened to come across this restaurant. I called wanting to place an order but the automated person kept saying place the order online. I wanted to talk to an actual person because I wanted my pad see ew spicy or to see if they’re able to make it spicy. But the call wouldn’t connect me to anyone so I placed my order online. On my notes I wrote 3 stars please hoping that it was some hint of spice. Nope there’s nothing not a hint of chili flakes. For almost $30 and after a long day, I was pretty upset.

Emporium Thai is a gem worth visiting, especially if you’re in the UCLA area. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by walls adorned with photos of celebrities, setting the tone for an acclaimed dining experience. It’s clear that this restaurant, an award-winning institution since 2000, has earned its reputation. My first experience with their food was a takeout order, which impressed me so much that I had to visit in person. Yesterday, I finally enjoyed a sit-down meal at the restaurant, and it exceeded my already high expectations. The menu is extensive, but we settled on noodles, curry, and green beans with garlic. Every dish was bursting with flavor, with well-developed spices that truly set this place apart. Lots of vegetarian and gluten free options! Speaking of spice, their heat levels are no joke! Even level 3 packed a punch, so I can only imagine the fire of a level 10. If you’re a spice enthusiast, Emporium Thai offers an adventurous culinary challenge. The service was quick, and the staff was friendly. It’s easy to see why this restaurant has a loyal following and why celebrities are drawn to it. For the perfect ending to your meal, I recommend heading to Saffron & Rose for some unique Persian ice cream to cool down your palate after the spice. Emporium Thai is truly a must-visit, combining fantastic food, excellent service, and a touch of Hollywood charm.

Amazing thai food spot with amazing service! My food came out a bit too spicy and I was able to get it fixed with no hassle. First time here and I will be coming back :)

I am so thankful that Emporium Thai is open pretty late on weekdays. It is a struggle to locate spots whose last call for food is normally 9pm, but this is a go to spot for those that work late night shifts that need to find quality food to eat. This spot is cozy, clean, offering exceptional service with a beautiful and authentic Thai touch. The people that work here are so friendly and attentive - not once did I have to seek them out for refills, add ons, and the check.