Loak Toung Thai

Absolutely outstanding! Loak Toung Thai delivers on every level — excellent, friendly, and attentive service; a warm and welcoming ambiance; and truly delicious, flavorful dishes. Every plate was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The portions were generous, and the prices refreshingly reasonable. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. We’ll definitely be back!

Just really sweet and awesome people in this place. Me and my friend both agree that it is peak customer service hehe. There was no other person who could be more considerate than Kawika, who was just straight a pro in getting people’s hearts <3. And the foodd ooooo i think this place is just there to impress. If you want to be impressed come come come come and enjoy some of the best environment music and food!!!! :)

This may be the best Thai food I have ever had, anywhere. Don't come here for a quick meal - the chef, Maam Ray, takes no shortcuts. Her care and expertise shine through in every bite, and the ingredients are excellent., We shared two lunch specials - Garlic Chicken and Red Curry. The flavors were intense and perfectly balanced, the heat level was exactly as ordered, and the portions were amazing. The complimentary Khanom Tan (sponge cake) was a perfect ending to our meal. Our server was a delight - attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. I encourage you to come here - but please, don't tell Guy Fieri about it! This is a true Mom & Pop place - Jeremy Ray manages the front of house. In a 2023 SeattleMet article, he noted that Loak Toung means something like “salt of the earth”. An apt name for a place that serves rural-style Thai food. Andrew Skeehan

ENJOY! My only go-to restaurant if they’re open when I’m in Tacoma. The only Thai establishment to which I was confident in taking my dining-out-savvy-friend out for lunch. Brandon, his Thai wife and their son own and run the place. It’s legitimately great Thai food, with same-day fresh quality ingredients (I asked ) and very well prepared. Prices remain affordable. Portion size (PhadThai) perfectly satisfied my dine-in restaurant lunch and the next two nights for at-home dinners. Money well spent! September’25 the 5 star 🌶️ system failed me. I ordered 4⭐️ and it was too tame. Maybe ask about the spiciness when you order. Note: my experience is that their website is not necessarily kept current regarding adjustments to dates closed- and that may also be true for open hours. Suggest a quick call before driving to verify website’s accuracy. 2nd note: if your first visit, definitely don’t be put off by exterior presentation/location. Loak Toung Thai is a more or less hidden hole-in-the-wall gem of a restaurant. The interior is clean, comfortable, humble, family created and unique. You won’t find bright-white cold LED lighting. It’s more of a dimly, twinkling lit 🧚‍♀️✨ atmosphere. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s from so many reviewers is high praise ♥️ well earned.

Amazing! Wasnt sure bc of the location but walk in and be taken back to the coziest little space. Service was great the moment you walk in. Food was so so good! Pad Thai, basil chicken delicious! Will be back for sure

Loved the ambiance. It really felt like eating in another place. The food was fantastic, with huge portions, and low prices. Most of all the lady who was our waitress was wonderful and made us feel valued and paid extra attention to us. We will absolutely be back for other dishes.

Probably my favorite Thai food in Tacoma - SO good!! Pad Thai is amazing, Tom Kha was great, garlic chicken was tasty. Spicy wings were a little dry/needed more sauce basted but were good too. Very romantic atmosphere/beautiful ambiance. Can’t wait to go back!

Since I have been back in the States, I haven't been able to find a good Thai restaurant. Until now. It might not look like much on the outside, but the true treasure is hidden within. The prices were more than reasonable, as the dinner entrees are huge! And the food was delicious. We ordered the Garlic Beef, Phad Woon Sen, and an order of fried spring rolls. The total was under $50 and enough food to have at least two large meals. Jeremy, the owner, is friendly and his wife does the cooking. It is truly a family business and worth checking out. Loak Toung Thai will be my go-to place for Thai food in the future.

This may be the best Thai food I have ever had, anywhere. Don't come here for a quick meal - the chef, Maam Ray, takes no shortcuts. Her care and expertise shine through in every bite, and the ingredients are excellent., We shared two lunch specials - Garlic Chicken and Red Curry. The flavors were intense and perfectly balanced, the heat level was exactly as ordered, and the portions were amazing. The complimentary Khanom Tan (sponge cake) was a perfect ending to our meal. Our server was a delight - attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. I encourage you to come here - but please, don't tell Guy Fieri about it! This is a true Mom & Pop place - Jeremy Ray manages the front of house. In a 2023 SeattleMet article, he noted that Loak Toung means something like "salt of the earth". An apt name for a place that serves rural-style Thai food.

We had dinner last Saturday, it was a special 20th birthday dinner. I have not been back in a few years so the back room was a nice surprise! The front room is perfect for people coming in for pick up. Dinner was delicious, as always. The lady chefs do not disappoint! We had the Red Thai Curry, Panang Curry, Pad Thai with Fried Tofu, Papaya Salad, Thai Style (my favorite), and Pineapple Fried Rice with Prawns. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, it still had a slight crunchiness...the prawns were perfect...everything was amazing. I can't recommend this tiny restaurant! Food is fresh and flavorful. Don't forget to try the Ginger Delight, a beverage they serve. Their staff came out to sing Happy Birthday to my daughter, we all joined in. It was a very special and memorable evening. They brought a special steamed cake for us and birthday candle too. Our host took extreme care, not just us, but every single party - he took time to share stories and have conversations with everyone. I will not forget this dinner! Thank you so much!!

Blink and you will drive past, tucked in the corner of the "strip mall". The pictures pretty much the same inside, using warehouse shelves as tables and work station. The place is too dark for my taste and there was a steady clientele coming in. The food came out and each dish can feed 2-3 ppl each. The Pineapple fried rice was good, could not taste the pineapple unless you bit into a piece. The large cuts of chicken and cabbage could have been smaller. The Phad Thai was good, different from my normal but still good. The Penang Curry was the best part. Their menu is now online https://www.loaktoungthai.com/menu

Hands down one of the best Thai restaurants in Tacoma! It's hidden in a corner next to a deli and small convenience store. Pretty full menu covering a wide span of Thai food and really kind service. We ordered the panang curry, pad see ew and pad Thai. The price to portion ratio is really great! The dining space is intimate, dim and cozy. I highly recommend you try this place out the next time you're craving Thai!

The best Kuay Tiew Rua (Boat Noodles) I've had outside of Thailand. This is not a standard menu item. Must follow their social media platforms to know when they'll offer this epicurean dish. Staff is very attentive and exude Thai hospitality. It's difficult to find authentic Boat Noodles here stateside. Feel free to thank me when you try this dish at Loak Toung Thai. Traditional Thai food at its best!!

Really good service. Food was authentic and fantastic. Portions were large. Definitely check them out

Good food, could use more heat. Huge portions, great service, and intimate ambiance. It was not as spicy as what we had expected.

My husband and I stopped by to get some delish Thai food. Their food is delicious! We waited about an hour to get our food served but it was worth the wait. They sold out of red curry and panang. Loved how they decorated inside and made it feel so homey.

I went here for a Saturday lunch and was seated promptly at a 5-top table even though we were a party of 2. Later we realized it's because the portions are huge! We thought the prices of the dishes were pricey but then, each dish can serve 2-3 people. We got the red curry lunch special with fresh spring roll, garlic chicken lunch special with fried egg roll, and Tom kha. I opted chicken for red curry lunch special level 3 spice so it is a bit spicy. The curry could have a bit more flavor - it was filled with lots of ingredients so it is more of a chicken dish than a curry dish. No complaints on portions and value, just the flavor profile. The fresh spring roll is kind of like a chicken wrap. The garlic chicken lunch special is much larger portions than the red curry. I feel like it is at least a pound of chicken there. This dish alone could serve 3 people! The chicken is a bit dry and could be a bit more flavorful, but again great value. Tom kha is a bit tangy but is very flavorful. I wish the red curry had as much flavor! I recommend this even though it is not a lunch special. We got tofu with this one but I think a chicken or pork would be a better option. I wished the server cautioned us it is a lot of food like the other tables as we grossly overordered and had leftovers for way too many meals and we prefer trying different places for the variety for food adventures. Otherwise, food is okay but value is great as it is large portions. Quantity over quality

We chose this spot based on its Yelp reviews, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We came for a weekday lunch, expecting a decent crowd, but we had the place to ourselves. The restaurant is family-run: the husband manages the front of the house, while his wife runs the kitchen alongside their daughter. The wife is a trained chef from Thailand and has experience working in other restaurants. When you walk in, you'll see a takeout counter right in front, but if you head to the right into a slightly dimmer room, there's a cozy sit-down dining area. We had to try the classic Pad Thai, Pad See-Ewe, and the Basil Pork lunch special. The portions here are massive--easily enough for three people! The service was fast, and the owner was friendly, sharing some interesting info about the restaurant. The food was hearty and a great value for the price. We'll definitely be coming back!

Two great things: (1) HUGE PORTIONS (2) lovely lovely ambience; it's an escape from the world. We loved walking in and the host was super friendly! They had quite the lunch crowd....however, the quality of food was not impressive. I was with my sister who actually lived in Thailand for a year...and she was disappointed.

Loved the ambiance. It really felt like eating in another place. The food was fantastic, with huge portions, and low prices. Most of all the lady who was our waitress was wonderful and made us feel valued and paid extra attention to us. We will absolutely be back for other dishes.

I've had Thai food all over the world and even worked with Thai chefs, so I had high hopes for this place considering the ratings--but it just didn't hit the mark for me. Ambiance: It's a cute little spot, but the smell threw me off right away. It had this old-building/restroom kind of smell, and then I noticed a drain right by our table. That definitely took away from the experience since the smell lingered the whole time. Food: We ordered the Thai tea, crispy cauliflower, garlic chicken with shrimp, and Tom Kha. - Thai Tea (2/10): Way too sweet. It was loaded with sugar and condensed milk, so I could barely taste the tea. Took two sips and couldn't finish it. - Crispy Cauliflower (4/10): The texture was great--nice and crispy--but it was pretty bland. The only real flavor came from the dipping sauce, which was disappointing. - Garlic Chicken (5/10): The seasoning was spot on, but the dish felt thrown together. The chicken was just piled on top of a ton of veggies, which ended up getting soggy. Would've been better served separately. - Tom Kha (4/10): I was most excited for this, but it was a letdown. Right away, I bit into huge pieces of ginger, which wasn't a great start. The lighting was dim, and the ginger and chicken looked identical, so it was hard to tell them apart. Plus, the soup was super thick, overloaded with coconut milk, and missing key ingredients like mushrooms. The balance just wasn't there. Service: 10/10. The staff was awesome--super friendly and attentive. But unfortunately, great service couldn't make up for the food. The portions were big, but overall, I wouldn't come back.

I had driven by this place many time and never knew it existed. It's hidden in the back and doesn't look like much from the outside but the food was great. Everyone was friendly. I will definitely go back

Great portion size that taste amazing. Ambience is nice and service is great. I have bad eyes so the theme was a bit dark for me but otherwise I love this place

Nice portions of green curry. My daughter's noodle dish wasn't great. No caramelization or char so it seemed underdone.

The workers were very kind and friendly so Ill give a star for that. However, everything was a disappointment. This place received very high reviews so we had high expectations It was EXTREMELY dark in the restaurant - almost thought all the lights were turned off it was pitch black with very few dim lit lanterns almost (if you like a dark ambiance, you might enjoy this) We wanted to order the spicy chicken wings and they said they were out - we came in around 5pm and they open at 4:30pm That was unfortunate and a little strange to run out of chicken wings 30 min upon opening We waited almost half an hour to get our food Pad thai was a bit salty and didn't have a smokey taste and fresh tamarand and peanut flavor Noodles were a little melted but were chewy Basil fried rice was very bland and the eggs tasted similar to premade scrambled eggs The rice was a little tpo moist in my opinion as well Pros: Portion sizes are BIG - two entrees could feed 5 people

A group of us were going to a Rainiers game and decided we wanted to eat beforehand. Our planner found this little place just down from the Cheney Stadium. Really nothing to look at from the outside, but you are transformed to truly Thai ambiance once you walk through the doors. So very nice inside. We split some of the dishes, one was the garlic chicken and some yellow curry. Both dishes were so good !! The yellow curry was the best I have ever had. Most of the food we got, we had to bring home, which is fine with me. The place is run by a really nice couple, he waits tables and his wife cooks. It is truly a fantastic place. Coming back for sure !!

Delicious, family owned Thai restaurant. Loak Tuong is really hidden in a small plaza right off Union and Center- known as Oakland area of Tacoma. Outside is very unassuming, somewhat sketchy. Inside is warm, inviting, and cozy. We were greeted and sat right away. The food is made fresh, with huge portions. Three of us shared two dishes. We tried the Phad Thai and Red Curry. The red curry stole the show- so good! Highly recommend!

Delicious food, beautiful ambiance, wonderful and thoughtful service; this restaurant has it all. I absolutely loved coming here with my partner for lunch, and boy was I surprised to see how beautiful the interior was. The owners did a wonderful job at capturing the essence of Thailand in such a limited space. The food just the cherry on top, with portions hearty enough to fill you up for the day, full of spice and definitely made with love. The service was wonderful and welcoming. Come here with the entire family or for an intimate date night, I promise you it's worth your while!

Probably my favorite Thai food in Tacoma - SO good!! Pad Thai is amazing, Tom Kha was great, garlic chicken was tasty. Spicy wings were a little dry/needed more sauce basted but were good too. Very romantic atmosphere/beautiful ambiance. Can't wait to go back!

Ambiance A+ Food A+ Service A+ Prices A+ This is literally what someone means when they say the best food comes from the most "hole in the wall" spots. Outside is "hole in the wall", but inside you enter an oasis of culture, comfort, and kindness. You will be pleased by all of it, and the quality of food they serve is higher than any other Thai joint in T Town. Call and ask for a reservation because you will likely not dine in if you don't. They seat till 6:30p and close at 8:00p. The owners are lovely people.

LOVED IT HERE! Food was so good and portions were gigantic!! Service was great, and server was very sweet. highly recommend this place!

Looks can be deceiving, from the outside it doesn't look too great, but it's worth going inside. The servers were great and super friendly. Be careful - they are not greedy with their portions! I feel like my pad Thai could have fed 3-4 people. These are definitely shareable plates. We also had the fried cauliflower which was absolutely amazing - a definite must try. I recommend this place to anyone who wants good Thai food. Won't be spending a lot when coming here either, the prices are great for the amount of food you get.

We haven't been here in a few years. It used to be very small with maybe five or six tables. Boy have things changed! They acquired the space next door and now have a legit dining area. We had the Pad See Ew (sp?) and garlic chicken. We also had spring rolls. Both main dishes were EXCELLENT. And the portions were large. The quality and flavor were definitely a step up from most of the local Thai restaurants. Service was prompt and courteous. Our only complaint was with the fried spring rolls. They tasted as if they were dipped in salt water. Meaning the inside was not salty, but the wrapper was inedible. My guess is someone just made a mistake with the wrappers. (I'm unsure if they make the rolls in-house or outsource them). That said, I don't feel this is probably the norm. We will definitely be returning on a more frequent basis..

LOVE this place! Food is 10/10 service is even better! Would recommend if you are looking for a lowkey Thai restaurant that will blow your socks off!

The food was delicious. We thought it might be closed at first because of the lighting and large OSB covered window. Once you pass the lobby you are transported into a beautiful cozy space! The food was amazing. We were lucky to come on a night with the pork rib curry special. We ordered 3 main dishes for 2 people and the fish cake appetizer. We had enough food for at least 6 people but will be enjoying the leftovers for days. Staff were very friendly! We will 100% be back!

My favorite Thai restaurant in Tacoma. The owners are so welcoming and personable. Love the crispy tofu and the tom yum soup, everything tastes very fresh.

Food is top tier and the lil pineapple candy's they have are really good too. Customers service is really good too.

This place is great. Such a hole in the wall authentic Thai restaurant. Even though it was busy the service was great and the food was amazing!

Hidden gem in Tacoma for Thai food lovers. Outside area seems okay but the inside ambiance is totally different and the vibes are so cool. It feels like you are in different place. Never thought I would find such a restaurant here. Service and food was another plus plus.

I have never had a bad dish here. They are accommodating with gluten free items, steering me away from things that can't be made gluten free or wouldn't be very tasty if made gluten free. The owners work very hard to make everyone feel welcomed.

Just so amazing. Great family owned restaurant. Great service and the dining area is so serene. There furniture is well loved but don't let that deter you from the epic food experience that awaits you. The food is AMAZING! we visited from out of town a couple years back and my husband had been looking for another restaurant to do the Three Flavor Fish... no one comes close. He's been dreaming of it since. So our recent visit we had to come back! So good! Enjoyed the fried spring rolls and crispy cauliflower appetizer- perfection! I had the Moo Tod (fried pork strips). The dipping sauce is so good!!! Can't wait to come back again!

Love the staff. No eat in options for a while. Tried the papaya salad... the cashier asked "are you SURE it's very stinky." She was correct. I would have asked for lighter on the fish sauce/fermented fish paste. DELICIOUS!

Best pad woon sen I have ever tried and I've had a lot! I called for takeout and the woman who helped me was so kind. My whole order was ready when I got there with the food nice and hot and the drink staying cool in the fridge. Fairly priced respective to similar places today. Highly recommend and will be coming back! P.S. the spice level is 1-5, I ordered 3 and it was more than spicy enough for me!

Unusual location but very quality dining inside! Food is always on point, moody Asian atmosphere, nice enough for a special occasion and great family staff. Never disappoints!

I tried to go to Loak Toung Thai a couple of years ago which was right during the pandemic and saw that their business hours were extremely limited. I think they were like that for a while and I didn't reattempt to go and kind of forgot about the restaurant. But eventually I did and when I did it seemed like what was probably once their normal business hours were restored and I am so very glad we did! Steve saw a menu online about Thai sausages as an appetizer. We couldn't find it on the menu there but they still made it when we asked for it. They were so good! These round sausages which were on skewers came with wonderful dipping sauces! We then moved on to the main dishes. Steve ordered a chicken and rice dish. I cannot praise enough how well done they cooked the broccoli in this dish. It was sheer perfection. I then got my favorite which I almost always get at Thai restaurants, Phad Kee Mao. I like getting chicken with this noodle dish so I did. The basil and all the other spices made a seamless and abundantly flavored dish. We both got three stars on the spice level which was perfect. Portions were huge! It is true our appetites aren't as big in the summer time but we took a lot of leftovers home and those leftovers stretched into two extra meals. And of course even as leftovers it was still out of this world. Would love to come back and try more dishes and to delve into their dessert menu as well. Very likely this Thai restaurant is the best in Tacoma.

Updating my review since it's been a hot minute! Came in cuz I'm hungry, it's unseasonably hot here in Washington state and I didn't wanna cook! Loak toung Thai never disappoints! I ordered pad se ew tonight, spicy number 4 And a Thai iced tea to cool down the fire! Now ima go home and eat!

If you're looking for delicious, balanced, spicy, goodness this is the place to go. I ordered the pineapple fried rice, papaya salad (lao style extra spicy), spicy chicken wings, and moo Tod (pork strips with 3 savory and sweet dipping sauces).

Phad see ew and phad kee mao do not disappoint and the portions are great, especially when so many restaurants portions keep getting smaller and more expensive. I wish they would have garlic green beans back on their menu, it was my favorite.

Truly, a hole in the wall, but I must agree that the food was exceptional. Service was spot on as well.

I wanted to try a new place to eat for lunch and I found this place on google. After looking at the website i called in my order for pad kee mao. I've never had it before but it looked delicious. Went to pick it up and let's just say the outside is a little hidden but once inside it was very welcoming and you can tell the place is ran by love and family. The company from the staff was very appreciated as well. As for the food goes, 10 out of 10 stars!!! The portion on this dish is huge! The veggies are fresh and crunchy, there's a perfect amount of sauce. Overall my experience here was great and would absolutely recommend giving this place a try!

Have ordered panang curry, red curry, chicken wings, pad Thai, and fried pork to go. All are ok but the panang curry is our favorite and hits every time! Always friendly staff when we call to order and pick up.

This is one of those restaurants that you don't judge until you've been inside and tasted their food. Based on their location and the storefront, it doesn't seem like there is a restaurant, but a friend of a friend recommended it so we had to try it out. I met my girlfriends there for a mommy night out without the kids. The inside of restaurant is so cute and intimate. I think the lack of windows makes it intimate. We decided to sit on an elevated floor without chairs, just a pillow and loved the ambiance. We ordered their special, pork belly with Chinese broccoli and it was delicious. We also ordered Phad Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice, which we all enjoyed. The service was great and not once did we have to ask for water. They were patient with us as we took time to enjoy the food and each other's company.

One of the best Thai foods in Tacoma, I'm from California and the Thai food there is wonderful but when I came to this place and tried the food I was very happy

The food was amazing some of the best I've had anywhere! Great quiet spot. Pad se Iw was amazing. Got 4 star could have gotten 5. Perfect flavors.

I can't believe I have never eaten here. The inside is decorated with Thai themed decor. I chose to sit in the section that has a cover and clothed drapes around so you feel a bit enclosed in your own space. This section requires your shoes to be taken off and you step onto the platform and are seated on a cushion. I think there's only 2 or maybe 3 people that work here and I think its ran by husband and wife, its so cute and they were super friendly. I ordered the lao style papaya salad at a 4 star. Not too spicy, but just enough heat. Amd I love the fermented sauce they use. The stinkier the better in my opinion, cause there's more flavor. Also their lao papaya salad comes with chopped up raw crab. I also tried their special of the day which is their Thai style sour sticky ribs. It was garlicky and actually not very sour in my opinion, but still got good flavor. A little bit sweet and savory and a nice char on the edge. They come with 2 different dipping chili sauces. And I got a side of jasmine sticky rice to compliment both of the dishes. Might I also add, the portions are quite generous. Now I have a closer option to go to when I crave papaya salad.

Don't let the location or the entrance take out area fool you...great food and dining area feels like Thailand. Best Thai food I've had in a long time and best in the south end area!!!

This is a good Thai Food Restaurant. The food was good, but what I was impressed with the most was the incredible service, friendliness and atmosphere. I ordered the Drunken Noodles (Phad Kee Mao proper name and listed on the menu) and the Panang Curry, both meals were good and came in very large portions. I would visit this restaurant again.