Samsara Southeast Asian Cuisine

Absolutely delicious. Staff was very friendly and courteous. Ordered Koms Chicken hot. If you can handle the heat it's worth it. They use real Thai chili.

Today I ordered the restaurant’s special — the Tom Yum Ramen Noodle — and I was really disappointed. It was just the smallest pack of instant noodles you can buy at the supermarket, with three pieces of beef and three shrimp, and they charged $14 for it. I honestly don’t think it was worth the price at all. I often eat instant noodles at home, and Thai food has always been one of my top choices, but this time I felt like I was deceived. I could have easily made this ramen noodle dish myself at home.

We’ve looked high and low for a genuine Thai restaurant since we moved up north, and finally we’ve found it! The food is superb. Everything starts out mild and they can add spice if you want it (always easier to add it - can’t take it away!) The fresh rolls were exactly that. The peanut sauce was mildly spicy, a little thin. The fried tofu was the best we’ve ever had. You can add whatever protein you want to your main dish. The Pad Thai was fantastic. I’ve never had a better Pad Thai sauce. It’s a family owned and operated restaurant. The waitress was also the owner, along with her husband, who was cooking in back. They make truly authentic food using recipes from both of their mothers! The staff was accommodating and informative. The dine-in area was small but comfortable. They do a brisk take-out business - clearly all the locals know about this place! I love that it wasn’t downtown (where all the tourists are…) Parking was easy. We will definitely be back every time we come to town!

The best hidden gem in Traverse City no debate. If youre local and haven't stopped by you need to make this place a priority. This place is addicting. The pad thai is the best I've ever had, bursting with flavor and color it's to die for. Would give 10 stars if I could. Thank you Samsara!

Our family’s new favorite restaurant 😋 We are so happy we found Southeast Asian food near us! You can’t find this flavor anywhere else in TC. My husband (he’s Cambodian) said it tastes just like his mom’s food. Not only was the food delicious, but the customer service was amazing!!! I came in with my daughter (who is almost 2) to pick up our food and they were wonderful with her. They even brought the food out to my car. I can’t wait to come in again soon ☺️

I’ve been coming here for the last two years and their food is absolutely excellent. The food can be spicy if you’re not used to it, but they will always give you a fair warning. They are one of my favorite restaurants in TC and the owners are so nice and passionate about the food they deliver. My husband and I have tried virtually everything on the menu at this point and there is no wrong choice when deciding what to pick! ❤️

I'm very cautious about eating at new places because I don't trust just anyone to handle my food and I don't like wasting money if the place isn't any good. After reading the reviews for Samsara I decided to try it out and the food was WONDERFUL! I ordered the Chicken Pad Thai, it was Fresh, Tasteful, Savory, and overall just an incredible experience with the restaurant! I don't live near Traverses City but will definitely make a trip out just to eat there again, Thank you!

So glad we found Samsara! The food we had was excellent and the prices were very reasonable. It’s an unassuming location but I usually take that as a good sign. 5/5 highly recommended. Just be careful with the chili oil!

A little hard to find but well worth the hunt!!! This is the sort of place I'd expect to find in London! They have a few tables... nothing fancy. But the food is AMAZING! CAUTION: The drunken noodles and rolls are addicting! It runs on the Spicy side (which we consider a positive) even the "mild" has a bite so don't get crazy. Mild plus has heat. Medium puts you into the running nose part of the heat spectrum. This is a must for those looking for delicious take away that's more cuisine and adventure than take away.

The best kept secret in the area! The food is super fresh, affordable and most importantly amazingly delicious! The owners are very nice and always friendly and accommodating. You certainly get the most bang for your buck here especially when compared to the often overpriced mediocre restaurants in the Traverse area. This place is truly a gem that is worth a visit!

Really solid Pad Thai. Be careful if you ask for Thai spicy, heat here is no joke! Value was good as portions were good sized so we ended up with multiple meals.

I really want to like this place, but each time I enter, the service has been very very dismal (albeit chipper & friendly!) Food is ***inedibly spicy. (In general I LOVE spice but ordered everything 'mild '. Ridiculous, honestly. And just disappointing.)

Best Thai food I have ever had. I highly recommend for take-out. They do have inside seating but not much atmosphere

Really great food, super friendly owners, relaxing ambience and well worth the money. The fresh spring rolls, curries and Thai coffee and Thai tea are especially yummy.

My favorite Asian restaurant in the Traverse City area! I've now had their food a few times so I can attest their food is delicious. On my last visit I finally got a chance to eat inside versus getting a carry out. They were just doing carry out for the longest time due to Covid factors. It's a small family owned business, (super nice people), and I was fortunate and had Sam (daughter, hence the name), the last couple of times there that helped guide me thru their menu. I'm a huge Vietnamese food fan so everything looked good! Wanted almost everything on the menu. Their menu is definitely focuses on southeast Asian food including some Thai dishes. They, I believe, are from Laos and Cambodia so the food has a little different taste, but in a delicious way! On my last visit, (finally able to eat inside), I had their vermicelli bowl, (similar to a Vietnamese bun), and that was fresh and super tasty! Sam suggested as an appetizer that I should try their crispy roll bites, which I didn't love as I'm not a carrot fan. In the past I've had their fresh rolls and laab which was fantastic! If you are a fan of spicy food, they definitely can accommodate you. On a previous visit I had ordered a couple different curry dishes and they were both mouth watering good. There is limited seating and they do a lot of carry out business it looked like. They are tucked away off of Chums Village Drive, at Chums Corner, off of M37, which is nice if you don't want to deal with the bustle of downtown TC.

Awesome food, cheerful attentive service. Good Asian food, I am definitely coming back!

Really great Pad Thai! Their spice level is no Joke. Medium spice will make your nose run and lips burn. The building is in rough shape but the food and staff are great. 4 stars because i only have tried one thing!

A newer asian establishment in the area with food that is a must try. Off the main drag, with a small town feel.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!! It's the best East Asian food I've had outside East Asia. We eat here about once or twice a month. Everything we've had has been wonderful, but we especially love the pad thai. The owners are a friendly Cambodian and Lao couple that make their family recipes.

Good prices, food quality is consistently high, great service, and a decent number of vegan options. Must try: Green/Red/Yellow Curries Peanut Curry Noodles

Food very good. Small restaurant inside but I picked up carry out. It was ready on time, packed properly. Very good Thai food.

I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal here and I've been going since they first opened. The service is always with a smile. Everyone has an off day but they'll never let you know. I do wish they had a bigger restaurant for more patrons but it is nice and clean when I go.

Easy four or more. Heat level's no joke so be forewarned. I'm usually redlining whatever spicy heat hot you've got but medium here was well more than enough for me. So be aware of that. Wonderfully complex tom yum that really makes a good argument against spicy foods killing flavor. Loved it. Rangoons were good enough. And the ghang phet or red curry for the most of us here was really very good. Thoroughly enjoyed it, actually. Usually adding extra veggies elsewhere but not here. Solid proper mix of veggies and plenty of them too. Timing and minor hospitality weaknesses didn't go unnoticed. The kid working here should get some customer service/hospitality training or the boot. Thanks for hitting the spot too. Was seriously craving something just like this having been so long from home where I live within walking distance to more than two dozen Pan-Asian restaurants. Happy, happy, happy.

So, as the years go on, my favorites in Traverse City have been changing. There still is my go-to tried and trues but when I had a craving for asian and I happened upon this no name newbie (at the time) I was quite blown away. Seriously, a diamond in the rough. Located in Chums Village (where the hell is that ?!). Basically, if you blink you'll miss it. Actually, I miss the entrance every single time. This last time I literally saw the sign and thought, "That looks familiar." And then... I passed it... Anyway, the food seems like it would be pretty standard. Well, wait, maybe not. If you don't eat different asian foods often then maybe you wouldn't think that. Samsara is a mix of Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese and there is a creep of Cantonese on the menu. There are so many posts about the amazing soups, etc but let me tell you their menu showstopper - the Gang Gahree. Spelling I'm sure is completely off. The first time I had this dish it completely blew my mind. So different than anything I've ever tasted. This is not a dish you're going to get back home. I'm in the metro Detroit area and maybe I'm biased but we have killer restaurants here and I have never had a dish this good. I 'think' it's a standard Cambodian dish but it's a different kind of curry. It's savory and there's a sweetness to it. The turmeric tops it and rounds out its flavor profile. Basically.... fawwwwking dish. I'll be eating this dish for as long as they are open. Go there just to get this. OK. But I have to tell you... because this place is legit their heat range is real. If you do not like spicy hot food DO NOT ask for it in any way. Mild for you my friend. For those that like spicy/hot, don't be a hero. Stay safe and say mild/medium or medium. I like spicy hot and their medium + lit me on fire. My tongue was numb and it was tough to get through it but I did like a champ. These guys/gals don't mess around. You ask for it, they give it. Ok, sum up. Get the showstopper. Ask for a conservative heat (you can always add spice). Message with questions. Looooooove this place. I hope they do well because I need them to stay around. Samsara, if you're reading this... and you decide to close up shop... I need that recipe. ;) This place is not downtown. It's on the outskirts and bonus! You'll totally find parking, RIGHT IN FRONT of the restaurant... because it's in a plaza. Woot!

Great food!! I found this place while searching through Yelp for restaurants in Traverse City... hoping to find a hidden gem. It's true, there are many amazing restaurants with incredible food - you need to add this to your list. The ambience may be humble, but you're there for the food. We ate inside, and during our meal, people flowed in to pick up their to-go orders. The owners are wonderful... I'll be back, again & again.

So this place truly is a hidden gem! Tasty Thai food - we had chicken pad Thai and Shrimp Vermicelli - the spring rolls were tasty too!

The tom kha soup is superb!!! And the dine-in service is excellent - very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended.

Good flavors and locally owned. Asian food in the area is slim Pickens so thank you for your great food!

The flavors on the soups and the noodles were wonderful. Be warned, when these guys say it's hot, it's really and truly hot. All the flavors are there but it'll blow your head off. It's great. The fried tofu was over cooked and the wings were under, but there you go.

Lived in the area for 20+ years and can't believe I just now tried this for the first time! I travel for work and love asain cuisine and this was hands down one of the best asain meals I've had. It's all owned and run by a very very nice family too so if you want to support a phenomenal local business, definitely try Samsara!!!

Great Thai food. Really a gem right here in TC. Only carry out for now. I'm so glad they survived the past 2 1/2 years because their food is so tasty and extremely fairly priced.

What an amazing gem! The food was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend. Most people ordered to go.

I decided to stop by as I was traveling and all the yelp reviews were positive. I also love Asian food because I'm Asian. Service was slow but good considering only one female hostess, cashier, etc. Pad Thai was interestingly okay, not really your typical pad Thai but more of a wet spicy noodle dish that was orange. I probably won't get it again. Pho was disgusting. It tastes like boiled beef broth with no salt, spices or anything added in. Do not get it! Jasamine rice up to par. Bathroom was clean. Prices good considering it's a tourist town.

Been waiting for this place to open since I read about it. Small friendly place in a strip mall. Good knowledgable service. Items from various South East Asian countries. I enjoyed the Vermicelli Bowl and Th-Om Kha soup ( watch the spice levels, hotter than I usually get).

I don't know how this place get 4.5 stars. I can see though Americans in general like sweet Asian food for some reasons. The dishes were way too sweet and not enough flavors. We asked for soy sauce to balance the taste a bit but it seems to be forgotten. The so-called Thai Iced Tea was weak in tea flavor and only a little coconut milk on top, it tastes more like sugar water. I had to send it back, the waitress said it was how they make it in Cambodia. Well then they should call it Cambodia Ice Tea! What's even worst was in the middle of our meal while we were still chewing our food, the waiter hand us the check and asked if he can clear the table...what?!

Surprise gem. We stayed at a hotel nearby and grabbed dinner at this place at 6pm. It closes at 7pm. We ordered a few Pad Thai dishes and one pho to go through the phone. The person was very pleasant and patient with our order. The place is in a small strip mall and looks very unassuming. The interior didn't look that great either and they only service pickup orders at this time due to COVID. I thought perhaps I made a mistake going there but the person at the counter was very attentive. I have to say that the food was excellent and on par with what we get in big cities. The flavor was just right and my kids wished they could have it the next day even though we moved on to the next town. The Pad Thai was slightly spicy and not overly sweet. The beef and chicken was slightly tough but flavorful. The Tom Pho was delicious with all the onions inside. I would go there again in the future if I stop by Traverse City!

My daughter was craving Asian food while at music camp so we picked up some pad see ew from Samsara for her. It was really good with well sauced and perfectly cooked noodles and a generous amount of vegetables and beef. The only improvement would be in the takeout container. The box was wet and flimsy from the moisture from the hot food; it made it difficult to eat out of.

Was unsure at first driving to the side of a building , but what a great find. Delicious, fresh and fabulous. What else do I need to say except go there, and I'll see you there.

The food is just okay. Nothing special. The atmosphere does not inspire you to dine in. We have gotten take out a handful of times and I'm always underwhelmed.

We have the Veggie Pad See Ew and also the Tofu Pad See Ew and both are so good. Not too salty but slightly sweet and savory. Highly recommend Samsara!

My wife and I came in on a whim. The food was great and reasonably priced. The customer service was top notch, the best we've ever had in this town.

Abosulely the best, most authentic southeast Asian food in Michigan. We lived in Thailand for quite awhile and are always searching for good Thai food to fill our hankering. Finally found it. The place is small but quaint. The owners are charming. The spice is perfect but be careful if you are not used to Thai hot. You will enjoy it more if you under do the spice. You can always go back for more! Prices are very reasonable. No alcohol but you won't mind once you taste the food.

This place was amazing! Was in the mood for some Thai and was not disappointed, it's a small place on the side of the road but it's perfect for lunch and dinner. The waitress was respectful and very attentive!

I have traveled extensively in Asia for the past 15 years. Samsara is not the typical western representation of Asian food. Great examples of ingredients and dish options you will find throughout Asia, all I had was top quality and fre! Service was helpful to answer questions. Choose your spice level. Clean, and reasonable prices. I will be back to try several menu options! Highly recommended! Update! I brought two clients here from SE Asia. They had been in TC for two weeks. One has traveled in the US extensively for the past 10 years. He said it was the best Asian food he had ever had in the US. SAMSARA just keeps getting better!

Best most-authentic Asian food around! We eat a lot of Asian food and this place has the best quality and taste! The owners are new and young and care about the quality of the food and it shows! They even have a separate fryer that is gluten free and are very conscious of allergies and diet restrictions. They were able to modify their food to fit our gluten free and vegan diets and it was still absolutely delicious! If you haven't taken the time to visit this hidden gem you are seriously missing out! Traverse City is one lucky city to have these guys! Five stars and beyond!

The food has really went downhill now that it's takeout only. Also so many things not available on the menu.

Awesome new spot for your Southeast Asia Cuisine fix. The crab Ragoons are to die for and I even offered our server 20 grand for the recipe for their sweet n sour sauce. They are still in their soft opening stage. The food is stunning and a must try! Located right by wuerfel park.

This place is awesome! Great flavors! Egg rolls where hot, fresh and crispy. Kwah pak was fresh, flavorful and spicy per my request. Ghang phet curry was fresh and delicious. Tofu cooked just right. We have a winner! Very few tables, but food is amazing! A must try!

Just moved to town and this was our first stop! I loved the peanut curry noodles. Can't wait to try more.

This place is amazing. The food is super authentic southeast Asian cuisine and the staff are really helpful and friendly. The egg rolls we're delicious and the specials are unique and tasty. Highly recommend!

My absolute favorite restaurant for years. I go here every year for my birthday and my family does the same. Incredible food with fresh ingredients and a wide range of mild to spicy, giving anyone an opportunity to enjoy. Excellent service, fun interior and brilliant food. My first recommendation to people visiting traverse city.

Ordered four items, crispy egg rolls, large shrimp Th-om yum soup, chicken Kwah Pak, chicken peanut curry. All dishes were ordered with a medium spice level. While picking up the food, the place looks worse than a truck stop restroom, dirty floors, messy counters and lack of flow, but that's besides the point. They also shut down the place 40 minutes early and despite the place looking a mess when we asked if we could quickly eat there, "No, we closed and it's dirty here". The egg rolls had no taste and we're not crispy at all, they were slimy and disgusting. The soup was a large and came with two pieces of shrimp and was uneatable, spice level was extreme. The Pak was missing chicken and the container was less then half full with an abundance of baby corn. The spice level was extreme and uneatable. The peanut curry noodles were not cooked completely and the spice level was extreme. I would not recommend this place after the experience we had.

My wife and I tried out this local spot recently and were really impressed. We are always open for giving a new place a try, especially if the food is Asian - there are very few of these in our winter wonderland! We tried the tofu appetizer and loved it - crispy and creamy at the same time, with a nice dipping sauce that brought a little heat. Excellent start. We tried a soup, the Pad Thai, excellent, and the Vermicelli bowl. They were all exceptional and the service was really on the ball as well. When the service is good you can really relax and enjoy the food, and that's the experience you want. The owner told us that the place is only 6 months old, but I thinks it's going to have good run. Enjoy!

I've heard nothing but good things and they were all true! I love spicy and their mild is everyone else's hot, so be careful on the heat level you order. The location reminds me of ethnic restaurants in big cities If you expect hipster decor or ultra clean interior you might be disappointed. With that said it is definitely some of the best food in traverse city

This place is a relatively new hidden gem. Small and unassuming but with great food. A warning that they grow their own chilies so unless you really spicy-hit, ask them to go extra mild. Also do take-out.

The food at Samsara is excellent! Everything I've had here has an authentic, complex flavor. If you don't know what to order, the Samsara chicken is a guaranteed win. The dining room is very small and doesn't offer much in terms of atmosphere so I usually order takeout.

I had a great experience here! Nice atmosphere and wonderful selection of food. Everything was hit and fresh. Will be back!

A hidden gem! Samsara is tucked behind a Crystal Lake Health Clinic off of US 31 on the road to the Baseball Stadium. We had the Peanut Curry which was plentiful and delicious. We also had the Soup with chicken and tofu and two fresh rolls, which are Rice The rolls were crispy and fresh noodle wraps around veggies and pork. Lastly, our server was gracious and attentive. We live an hour away, but will definitely be back. And: the parking was plentiful!