Tuk Tuk Thai is a cozy gem on Sawtelle serving vibrant noodles, curries, and signature cocktails, all with a side of friendly service.
"This former Pico Boulevard staple has been reborn after 23 years, landing a new (and very updated) location on Sawtelle. Sisters Katy Noochlaor and Amanda Kuntee — who grew up in one of LA’s oldest Thai restaurants, Chao Krung — are running the show, turning out vibrant Thai dishes across a broad spectrum. Expect everything from noodles and papaya salad to a portion of the menu devoted entirely to pork belly." - Kat Thompson
"A go-to for Thai food in Sawtelle Japantown, favored by Nicole Adlman." - Eater Staff
"For $25, Tuk Tuk Thai is serving a three-course lunch for DineLA. Appetizers include shrimp balls and moo kluk foon (fried pork jerky), while beef stew noodles, khao soi chicken, and pad see ew moo krob are available for a main. For dessert, choose between tapioca pudding or Thai tea." - Rebecca Roland
"West LA’s queen of Thai street food, Tuk Tuk Thai, has a very approachable $45 dinner with a choice of barbecue pork skewers, grilled squid, and grilled chicken wings to start. Entrees include grilled salmon, marinated wagyu, or wild prawns before two dessert options of mango sticky rice or roti pastry with condensed milk." - Matthew Kang
"Tuk Tuk Thai is fine in a pinch, but there's no reason to make a special trip to this neighborhood spot on Sawtelle. Tuk Tuk is run by the same people as Ban Ban Burger next door, and serves a massive, takeout-friendly menu of Thai staples in a pepto-pink dining room. You can get some serviceable pork belly pad thai or beef curry fried rice at your preferred spice level, but most of the small plates, curries, and noodle dishes here could use more oomph. If you spend a lot of time in West LA, Tuk Tuk could work for a quick lunch or casual sit-down dinner. But for a more memorable meal, pop next door to their sister restaurant for a grapow burger and pandan milkshake." - Nikko Duren