White Elephant

Thai restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles

White Elephant

Thai restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles

1

541 S Spring St Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Highlights

Modern Thai fare & vegetarian options, flavorful & generous portions  

Featured in The Infatuation
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541 S Spring St Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

welephant.com
@whiteelephant_thai

$$ · Menu

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541 S Spring St Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

+1 213 395 0018
welephant.com
@whiteelephant_thai

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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View Postcard for White Elephant

Robin White

Google
The food was good except the rice noodles were dry and flavorless. The pork belly had good flavor and were tender. The truffle fries were unexpectedly large in size (not like regular fries) and tasty.

Grace

Google
Amazing food! A group of us ordered just about every appetizer they had and we were not disappointed. Every dish is packed with flavor- probably the best food I've ever had. My only ick was watching our server make our drinks- he took a sip from the shaker and then proceeded to make another drink in said shaker. Always watch how your drink is being made! Otherwise, no complaints.

Lea Reis

Google
The menu includes the typical Thai dishe with a variety of spice levels from 1-5 you could choose. I attended the restaurant from the Time Left app suggestion. (Time Left is a dinner app that sets you up with 5 strangers. It's not some end of life thing) we had pad see yew, drunken noodles, fries rice, yellow curry and the mango sweet rice. It was very good. I had a lovely night.

David S

Google
One of the more overpriced and under-delivered Thai places. 18 gratuity is automatically added. How about you guys pay your staff more instead and raise your prices if you need to. Tom Yum wasn't good. Had to peel the shrimp.

J J

Google
This place deserves a Michelin star. The best Thai food I ever had. The taste is truly outstanding. 10/10. Everything was absolutely mindblowing. I will definitely be back, I recommend anyone in the LA area to try this place out.

Ms. E

Google
gosh this place is soooooo good! the flavors are out of this world! I ordered Salmon to compliment the sides i got from georgias kitchen right across the way. I will definitely be back to try the whole menu and the guy who served me was really nice

Amina Seydi

Google
I usually order from here delivery. However I went there to dine. Unfortunately I thought it was slightly over priced for what we got. We had Basil fried rice and the chicken fried rice, salad and wings. Total including their own added gratuity 100.78. The food is good but overpriced in all honesty. I thought that was slightly a bit much. Would I done in again absolutely not. The chairs were super uncomfortable. If you have back issues you might wanna pass dining in. Food was prepared nicely.

Crystal Kamada

Google
Our family took a little day trip to downtown LA so we stopped by to try White Elephant in the Spring Arcade building. Parking was a little crazy that day because there was a cycling event going on, but we were able to find a spot a few blocks down and enjoy a stroll. We were greeted and seated right away, and the staff were so attentive in answering our questions about the menu and making recommendations. We love how they take traditional Thai flavors and add a modern twist, creating unique and beautiful dishes that delight the palate. We tried: Truffle Ong Potato Confit Enoki Mushroom Crisps Papaya Salad Panang Curry w/ Pork Belly Drunken Noodles w/ Seafood Coconut Fried Chicken w/ Crispy Kale Fried Ice Cream Longan Juice Ube Thai Coffee Sweet Cream Green Tea We absolutely loved everything we tried! We got it all at a medium level spice, and we were very happy with the flavor explosion in each dish. My favorite was the non-spicy coconut fried chicken - the crunch and flavor of the batter, combined with the modern twist of the kale with goat cheese salad...🤤 I would definitely go back for this. And you don't wanna pass up the Ong Potato Confit either- you won't find this anywhere else!
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Mary S.

Yelp
Went with co-workers and shard appetizers. The wings tasted great - a little sweet, a little spicy, outside was crunchy. The truffle fries were huge- not too salty and perfectly soft on the inside too. I had pad Thai with the biggest shrimp I've ever had but you do have to peel the shell off If you get a plate with shrimp, be ready for some giant shrimp!
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Rushie B.

Yelp
I kept seeing food video reviews of White Elephant all over Instagram, and the dishes looked enticing, so I decided to check it out for a Saturday afternoon lunch date while exploring DTLA. Located inside the Spring Street Arcade Building, which houses a variety of restaurants including: Guisados, Blu Jam... White Elephant offers a charming patio seating area. However, given LA's unpredictable weather (the temperature dropped 10 degrees from the previous day), we opted for indoor seating. The interior had a sleek yet cozy feel, featuring bright white tones and elegant floral arrangements on each marble table. Our host was welcoming, quickly seated us, and provided menus. Throughout the meal, both the host and our server consistently refilled our water. Our server was friendly, attentive, and soft-spoken, making for a pleasant dining experience. We decided to try some of the most hyped items from social media: the fried mushrooms, wings, crudo, drunken noodles, and papaya salad, along with their Thai tea and green tea. Food Ratings & Breakdown: Drunken Noodles (4/5) I opted for steak as my protein, and it was cooked perfectly, tender, well-seasoned, and flavorful. The spice level was medium, which added just the right amount of heat without being overwhelming. The noodles were nicely coated in sauce, delivering that signature bold, savory kick that makes drunken noodles such a classic. Wings (4.5/5) These wings were a standout! They had a delicious glaze that was slightly sweet and savory, complemented by crispy basil on top, which added an herby crunch. The wings had a light crisp on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside, definitely a must-try if you visit. Papaya Salad with Shrimp (4/5) This was an absolute flavor bomb! The sauce had the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and umami flavors, making every bite refreshing yet bold. The shrimp was a great protein choice, adding a light, fresh touch to the salad. The spice level was medium, giving it enough heat to enhance the flavors without overpowering them. Enoki Fried Mushrooms (2.5/5) As a mushroom lover, I really wanted to enjoy these, but unfortunately, they missed the mark for me. While the batter was light and crisp, it overpowered the natural flavor of the enoki mushrooms. Given the delicate nature of enoki, the batter ended up taking center stage, leaving the mushrooms lost in the mix. If you love a crispy texture, you might enjoy them, but if you're looking for that earthy mushroom flavor to shine through, these may not be for you. King Crudo (3/5) I was really hoping this dish would be a hit since crudo is one of my go-to orders at restaurants, but this one didn't quite deliver. The fish didn't taste as fresh as I expected, and the sauce was missing something, maybe a bit more acidity or a brighter flavor to elevate the dish. I wouldn't order this again. Drinks: Thai Tea (4.5/5) - Rich, creamy, and well-balanced in sweetness. Green Tea (4/5) - Had a hint of jasmine on the back end, which I personally didn't care for, but still a solid option. Service: Excellent - very attentive and friendly. Cleanliness: Great. Ambiance: Casual and cozy with a chic touch. Parking: There's a lot directly across the street ($13), but you'll need to pay at a machine since there's no attendant. (Visited on a Saturday afternoon.) Please note that there's an automatic 18% gratuity for 1 or more, added to your check. White Elephant is definitely worth a try, and the food is solid, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for it, especially since I've had better Thai food in my own neighborhood. That said, it's a great spot for a DTLA day date, especially if you're planning to explore nearby spots like The Last Bookstore or a local bar afterward.
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Svetlana S.

Yelp
We stopped by after skating at the holiday rink at the Pershing square. We were happy and cold and craved some Thai. This place looks very nice and has a great vibe - well lit, stylish and spacious. The crowd was super eclectic. The service was attentive and fast, and the menu is concise with no frills. We had yellow basil fried rice and drunken noodles, and we liked the first dish better - more deep and flavorful. A friend had white fried rice with steak, which was pretty decent as well. We did not go for any drinks or desserts as the main dishes were quite filling (and a bit pricey given the added tag for DTLA location). Overall, it was quite tasty and pleasant. For more authentic Thai experience (with more things to try), I'd go further into SGV, but this was a great end to our night.
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Stephanie L.

Yelp
I did not like the PAD THAI too much, it was a bit too stiff. I loved the GLAZED TOFU ! I also loved sharing the fried baked vanilla ice cream w my loved one!!! The restaurant seems nice on pics but it is bit small & crowded tables set up. GREAT SERVICE THO
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Michele C.

Yelp
I can't wait to go back and try more dishes!!! The food is so favorable, yet delightfully light. I was fully satisfied without feeling heavy. The servers were so helpful in helping me choose dishes. I also had a Summer Blissful cocktail So good!!!
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Rosie P.

Yelp
This place was everything I wanted and more! From incredible drinks and eats to amazing customer service, I cannot wait to come back to White Elephant. The pad Thai was really tasty but the Chinese broccoli was definitely my favorite! The fried rice wasn't bad but it wasn't a standout choice and I probably would opt to try something different next time. The place was also really cute and the service was quick and friendly. The only downside is that there is no restroom in the restaurant and you have to exit to the main corridor and show your receipt to a security guard who will let you into the locked area where the restrooms are.
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Claudia C.

Yelp
Came after DTLA Art Night and it's right on the route (Spring St Arcade). Amazing basil chicken wings and pad see ew, beef was cooked perfectly! Only gripe is that chicken wings were a little too salty and rich for me but I had a great time here and would come back. I like that tip is included. Wish they were open later. The restroom is across the street and not in the restaurant.
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Joe S.

Yelp
It's a trifecta! Nice space! Great service! Excellent Thai food! It doesn't get any better than that. We stumbled upon this space one night before heading to Clifton's Seven Seas. While we were a bit hesitant seeing that there weren't many customers, we still decided to give them a chance. Since we were in a hurry, we ordered the Tom Kha soup with chicken and the Pad Thai with pork belly. The soup was outstanding, bursting with every flavor you'd expect from a traditional Tom Kha soup. And the Pad Thai was quite good, though I'd prefer a different protein next time. About 2 weeks later, we decided to come back. On this visit, we ordered the Tom Kha soup again (because it was SO good the last time), Enoki Mushroom Crisps, Papaya Salad with Tiger Prawns and Pad See Ew with chicken. Once again, the soup was incredible. I could eat that every day. And the Enoki Crisps was also quite special with a spicy mayo for dipping. The Papaya Salad was everything you'd hope for, a little sweet, a little sour, a little spicy, a little funky, and those prawns were cooked to perfection. Rounding out the meal was their Pad See Ew, which had a fantastic char flavor and just enough sauce to lightly cling to the noodles. We were so pleased with both our meals that we can't recommend this place enough. We also can't wait to come back!!
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Alexa C.

Yelp
Also, the spice scale goes up to like 8 or something. My cousin can handle a moderate amount of spice, but 3 was really spicy for her just fyi!
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Maritza S.

Yelp
The food and service were extraordinary. I was in LA for a comedy show and I totally forgot about it for a moment. It felt like I was just there to enjoy this delicious meal. Everything we tried made me happy. We had a Panang curry and it was the best one I've ever tried. I am not a salad person but the Bluefin & Khao Tod might've converted me. I could eat that salad every day. The dressing was amazing, and the addition of tart apples, crispy rice, and tuna was unexpected. Located inside an unassuming building in which you can also find other restaurants. I don't recall there being a big sign so you may miss it if you're not paying attention. Walking through downtown LA will break your heart. It's hard to ignore all the suffering of the homeless and mentally ill people who are everywhere. Be safe, and most of all be kind.
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Sandar S.

Yelp
I ordered take out. The service was quick and efficient. Drunken noodles with chicken which was prepared perfectly. The noodles took the flavors and spices. Basil fried rice with shrimp: 5 pieces of jumbo shrimps where were nice and fresh. Decorations are nice and cozy as you could see in the pictures. We forgot to take photos of our orders as the smells were amazing
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Darrel K.

Yelp
As far as Thai food goes, they're IMO the best in DTLA, and I hope they maintain the high level of cleanliness and tidiness there since a lot of places seem to be slipping in quality lately. I have eaten here once and ordered take-out a couple of times, and the taste and texture have always been the same as long as it hasn't been left over for several days. There are two dishes that I enjoy the most: spicy basil fried rice and the pad see ew with chicken. There is no doubt that if you enjoy Thai food then this is one of the top restaurants in the area to go to!
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Bin H.

Yelp
Attentive service with large portions and nice, modern ambiance! Glad we found a Thai restaurant in DTLA, tucked away in the Spring Arcade building. My friend and I dined here for a weeknight dinner, and it was pleasant. We shared the basil puffy tofu (I really enjoyed what tasted like miso tofu cream as a base), and I got the Drunken Noodles with chicken (level 2 spice - just perfect for my non-spicy palate) and my friend ordered the pork belly Pad Thai (level 0 for her) with a side of soda (OMG, we were both so excited that they served nugget ice). Our dishes came out quickly and service was very attentive. However, the restaurant itself was really warm and we had several gnats flying around our dishes, which was a little annoying. We'll definitely return to try other dishes, as we had a great experience overall.
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Robyn S.

Yelp
A really cute little Thai restaurant nestled in a little plaza in downtown! We had a friend visiting from out of town and decided to try this spot after another friend mentioned seeing someone online recommend this place! The interior is really cute and modern! It's very bright and airy and there was a lot of lovely natural lighting during the day time. As a heads up, there is no bathroom inside the restaurant and you will have to walk across and up the stairs. The security guard will ask for a receipt or ask where you're dining. Truthfully, the bathroom was a little scary! LOL! Parking can be a challenge so you may have to drive around for parking or settle for one of those lots with the flat rates. We found a place a block over for $10/day. It can be a little sketchy at times so always be mindful! I ordered the hibiscus sunset which was pretty refreshing and had a nice amount of sweetness. I didn't taste too much tequila so it's perfect for those who don't prefer boozier drinks. I also tried some of my partner's ube coffee but found it was a little too sweet for my personal preference. Amongst five people, we decided to split three entrees and share. We ordered the pad thai, coconut fried chicken with papaya salad, and the panang curry. I found the curry and pad thai to be very flavorful with a good amount of heat. The papaya salad was very light and had a good crunchy texture. I thought the coconut fried chicken was good but I think I would have liked a more distinct coconut flavor. I thought the dishes were pretty solid and wouldn't mind coming back to try their other entrees. Service was quick, efficient, and our waters were refilled promptly. It was great lunch with good portions that didn't make me feel overly stuffed. I do think it is more of a splurge type of restaurant so please keep that in mind as the prices will be higher than what you'd normally expect to pay at other thai restaurants! All in all, I will definitely return again!
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Lourdes R.

Yelp
I've been to this location twice now. The first time was during lunch and the second time was dinner. This is such a cute restaurant, small but felt spacious. The servers are friendly and attentive. I thought the food was decent, nothing spectacular. For the price, I wasn't disappointed. My friend and I wanted to try the mango sticky rice and despite it being on the menu, they informed us it was sold out. For lunch? Really? Fast forward for dinner. There was 5 of us and we opted to sit outside to enjoy the cooler weather. The place was not busy, but we had to flag our server for water and to place our food order. The food is aesthetically pleasing! So artistic! For dinner, we ordered the puff tofu, the chicken wings and the crispy mushrooms. Delish!! All these dishes were fabulous! The entrees though, not so much. The crispy branzino was alright and the sea bass was a bit bland. The fried rice and crying tiger steak was decent and couldn't complain about it much. I didn't have a table knife to cut the steak with but luckily it was tender enough to cut with a spoon. When it came time to order dessert, guess what??? They were out of mangoes! Really??!!??!! Was terribly disappointing. Not sure if I'm going to come back here. Maybe to order appetizers and definitely skip the entrees!
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CiCi C.

Yelp
Location: In downtown LA, on a restaurant walk street. Slightly sketchy neighborhood. Ate here because it's just around the corner from concert venue. Do not recommend driving and parking around here at night. Just Uber. Service/Ambience: Got seated right away and decor was casual but lovely. Food: Traditional Thai food. The appetizers are HUGE in portions and a great value. Everything was very tasty and you can order level of spiciness. Toilets: no toilets inside restaurant, have to use mall bathrooms across the way and upstairs (security guard posted in front of bathroom entry door). If I'm in the area again, will definitely be back. But just be aware of your surroundings walking around the neighborhood at night.
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Lauren S.

Yelp
This is a hidden gem of a place in DTLA! Parking can be a bit tricky but there's lots of paid lots for under $10/12 you can park at! We ordered several appetizers and each a main dish and also tried their cocktails. If you don't drink they have a lot of mocktails as well which I loved! The sparkling pink milk was my favorite. All the drinks are so pretty as well and you could tell the bartender really paid attention to detail. The star of the show was by far the blue mango sticky rice! It was so fresh and enough for my friend and I to split. I will definitely be returning at some point to try more dishes!
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Karen T.

Yelp
Honestly, I was already pretty full when we came here for dinner but I still enjoyed it. The location was interesting as it was in sort of a food hall and you wouldn't be able to see it from the street. The place is much more upscale looking than initially expected and not too busy on a Friday night. Restrooms were shared with the other stores and restaurants and a bit confusing. I ordered the yellow curry which was pretty good though I wish the vegetables had been cut a little smaller. Also, I was originally trying to order another dish on the menu but was told it wasn't available yet which is confusing because they already put it on the menu... Their dishes do seem to tilt towards the sweeter side which one of my friends appreciated.
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Antonius B.

Yelp
Awesome spot in the middle of a food district in Downtown LA. Restaurant looked amazing, open concept style with nice decor. The menu has most of your typical Thai dishes, but some additional fusion style items are present as well. Food came out extremely fast and was hot and fresh. We started with Bulgogi dumplings, they were exceptional. Fried and lightly coated in a sweet chili sauce. Both the Pad Thai and Pad See Ew were amazing, great flavor and portion size. They had an amazing chili oil in their spice tray, I describe it as a roasted garlic chili oil. Didn't add the most spice, but added amazing flavor. Overall, highly recommended and would return.
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Quay S.

Yelp
I came here for a quick Monday lunch and the service was in fact quick. It took under 20 minutes from placing my order for the food to be in my hand. I ordered the shrimp pad Thai which was good, more on the standard pad Thai flavor that I've had across the country. The do use medium sized shrimps and it was at least 6 in the dish. I forgot to say no peanuts but none were included anyways. The rice noodles did stick together quickly by the time i walked back home and opened my box. I paid about $19 for this dish before tax. The Enoki crisp were disappointing which sucks because it is a big portion. They were too oily, more than enough batter and some parts were too crispy to really taste the mushrooms. I think these require way less batter as they are already very thing mushrooms so too much batter and oil really overpower the delicate mushroom. I think they should reconsider how they make these and they could become more enjoyable dish. I paid about $18 for those i believe and not worth it at all.
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Yuni F.

Yelp
We got a nice big table for the five of us, which was perfect for our small holiday lunch and "white elephant" gift exchange. (LOL) The food was REALLY delicious and then we had the best mango with sticky rice. I already want to go back and order the wings.
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Stephen R.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem in DTLA. The food is delicious. I can understand the high marks for this restaurant in the reviews. I ordered the Pad See Ew with angus steak (meat was cooked perfectly) and Panang Curry with chicken. Both dishes were excellent. I want to go back to try other items on their menu, esp the Charred Octopus. The staff is kind and attentive. The dining area has a great vibe. Highly recommend!
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Audrey S.

Yelp
Salmon Tartare was fantastic. I would recommend this dish over and over again. The portions on the soups was a little small. The overall flavor of all the dishes were not bad. This restaurant is located in a food hall area with bathroom access. Parking is difficult but there is a valet garage right next door. It was a little pricey. Came out to be around 50 dollars a person and wasnt super filling. Good place for a date with nice decor. Worth a try.
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Lupita M.

Yelp
The food was delicious, very elegant and tasty. The tai tea was algo good and I tried their mango sticky rice, let me tell you it's the best one I've ever had! I was pretty happy. The service was also nice, I would definitely come back again. The only bad thing is that there's not restrooms, so there's nowhere to wash your hands first, you have to go across the hall outside of the restaurant to a public one.
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Melissa M.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick lunch with my partners. Our server was very prompt and attentive so we were in and out quickly. It was a nice warming meal during a rainy winter day even though the space itself is full of cool tile and marble-topped tables. We shared an order of basil chicken wings which were deliciously sweet and savory. I had an order of the tom yum with shrimp which had good heat to it. My boyfriend got the panang curry and it was delicious. Our other partner got the basil chicken rice and it was so bountiful they were able to take about half of it as leftovers.
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Kevin S.

Yelp
The Thai food here is absolutely delicious. I could drink their panag curry. Came here with a friend for lunch and we were both very impressed. I think the enoki mushroom crisps are good but very heavy and not ideal for two people but good for a large group. I would pass on the chawanmushi because it's oily and not like the Japanese version. Stick to the Thai food here and you won't go wrong. The waiter did ask what we thought about all the dishes though and I did appreciate them asking for feedback.
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Vanessa M.

Yelp
Been here twice before two different shows down the street at the Orpheum (walking distance) and this is definitely now my first choice for pre-show eats. The quality is SOOOO good here! So much flavor. Last visit, I got the panang curry and the cloud matcha, both HEAVEN in every bite / sip! The service was very kind and great every visit. Already introduced a couple of people here and will continue to come. Also love that it's located in the middle of a building / walkway, so it's easy to miss, but also away from the street.

Esteban C.

Yelp
Bizarre online ordering experience! I ordered 3 items (over $75 by the way) and was called that a certain item was unavailable. It turned out that their online ordering system let me order a lunch special that was not valid during dinner. What is upsetting is that the menu made NO MENTION that what I ordered was a lunch special. Someone from the restaurant called me, but did not explain that I had ordered a lunch item. I assumed that the item I ordered was simply unavailable. I switched to a different item, expecting the same rice and salad offering. I arrived and found an à la carte item with no rice even. That item was cheaper than what I had initially ordered. There was no effort to refund me the difference of $3. I asked for at least rice, the cashier mentioned that there was a one dollar difference! Are you kidding me??!! The basil chicken wings and orange chicken were good, to be fair. But the drunken noodle was overcooked and mushy. Overall, not great and awkward online order experience.
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Cris I.

Yelp
I had lunch here with two friends who I haven't seen for awhile. Since they both work in DTLA and both of them are craving Thai food, we decided on this place which is located in Spring Arcade next to Blu Jam. Both friends are foodies just like me so we decided to splurge. Here's what we got: Drinks: Peachy Sunrise, Sparkling Pink Milk, and Ube Thai Coffee. Each one of us liked our drinks of choice. We all agreed that the drinks have the perfect sweetness. Appetizers: Potstickers (chicken and vegetable dumpling) and enoki mushroom. We finished both but we liked the potstickers better. Traditional Thai: Pad See Ew (Flat rice noodle, egg, chinese broccoli) It's delicious and perfect noodle choice. Main entrees which comes with a side and greens. Crying Tiger Steak (8oz NY strip marinated and seared, spicy tamarind sauce) with papaya salad and sticky rice Garlic Sesame Salmon (8oz Norway Atlantic Salmon marinated, crispy skin, garlic sesame drizzle) with power greens (spring mix, walnut, blue cheese, maple citrus vinaigrette) and rice noodle Tangy Orange Chicken (sweet citrus glaze, sesame seed) with steamed veggies and arugula bae (arugula, almond, Parmesan cheese, sesame ginger vinaigrette) We were very surprised how big the servings were. I honestly won't be able to finish one entree by myself. I'm glad I had all these food shared with two other people. Everything was so delicious but my favorites were the steak, salmon, and papaya salad. We were so full already but you don't ever leave a Thai restaurant without having the Mango Blue Sticky Rice for dessert which we all shared. The mango was fresh and sweet sticky rice was butterfly pea infused so it looked prettier and more appetizing. This is a must have when you visit. How's service? Our server, Natasha was very friendly and attentive. She's always filling our water glasses without asking. An older, friendly lady named Jenny also approached us and we found out she's the mother of the owner. Everyone here was so nice. We came past 1pm which was past lunch so there was only two other tables occupied. It's a tiny place with indoor and outdoor seating. It's ideal for intimate and group dining. I highly recommend this place.
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Vanessa H.

Yelp
Was staying in DTLA and found this little spot. Was only 10 minute walk from my airbnb! The place was very clean and when we arrived around 4pm ish, there was only another table in the restaurant. We were quick to get seated and the waiter was very attentive to our needs. We ordered the Thai tea, pad Thai and Coconut Chicken. The Thai tea itself was very refreshing with strong tea flavour. Definitely satisfied my cravings! Pad Thai flavour was nothing too special, however I was blown away by the size of the shrimp. There were 5 shrimps in the dish and each were bigger than my finger (see photo)! My friend got the coconut chicken which was really tasty too, chicken was not dry. We opted for the rice noodle but think it would be best if you get it with rice to avoid a clump of noodles on your plate haha. Otherwise, good eat! A little on the pricey side but still nonetheless, a good try.
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Kat T.

Yelp
One of the absolute BEST Thai restaurants in LA. The Panang Curry is soooo delish! Aromatic and potent kaffir lime leaf that too many Thai restaurants miss. So divine! The Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) with pork belly and Jidori fried chicken are also a must! Super lovely decor inside and the service is polite and accommodating.
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Sudheshna M.

Yelp
Parking: Parked at a garage on the same street across from the museum. The sign said five dollars that it was $12 and it was that type of valet when you just have to do it yourself Ambience: Love the music and the decoration, although there was literal human shit outside Food: Very big portions, I would stay away from the fried enoki mushrooms, all I tasted was oil and batter and very little mushroom taste. And for $17 it wasn't worth it. We also tried the vegan chunk steak with the pad see ew and it was definitely worth it. Drinks: Were also good. Although the thai sweet cream tea it was quite strong and the special pineapple drink was very good. Tip: There was an automatic gratuity added, did not say anywhere except on the ipad. I do appreciate the waitress for pointing it out but I don't know what percent it was and then the iPad even ask for more gratuity after
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Ben M.

Yelp
The Rundown: Flavorful, modern atmosphere, with friendly service and a reasonably varied menu. The Review: Seeking a late night bite, we saw this location to be still open and gave it a go. It was the only place open in this strip. We were immediately greeted by friendly staff and the menu showed a nice variety featuring classics and inspired recipes. The menu layout confused me a bit at first, some sections being a "choose your own" that for some reason I has trouble interpreting but after it was explained I was good to go. Prices overall were reasonable too. I went with drunken noodles and appreciated that whichever option you chose you were able to control the spice level. The food arrived in a pretty fast time frame, was a good size portion, and fantastic! If you are open to Asian inspired items I definitely recommend.
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Nanci-Nanciele M.

Yelp
I was in the mood for Thai food so we checked this place out. The inside is very cute and has a nice candlelight ambiance to it. My friend needed to use the restroom... it is located outside the restaurant and across the walkway. There is a security guard who stands next to the door and opens it with a key. You then have to walk up two flights of stairs. It has graffiti on the mirror as soon as you walk in. It is most definitely not ADA approved. This gross outdoor restroom had me knock off one star. Food was good. The orange chicken was delicious 10/10 and I highly recommend it. Worth every penny. The potstickers were soggy, and room temperature when served to us. 3/10 I don't recommend them. The wonton soup was interesting. The wontons each had one shrimp in them and wrapped in a noodle casing. I liked the wonton itself. The veggies in the soup seemed like they were frozen veggies. They were the exact same veggies that were served with my tiger steak. The broth was very salty. 6/10. The tiger steak was overcooked and dry. It was ok considering that it was overcooked. The salad was very good that is served as a side of "greens" with your meal. The food looked nice (well plated). Check out my photos
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Robert H.

Yelp
Food- I had the papaya salad and curry with tofu. The food was quite tasty and the portions were very generous. Service- The server was attentive without being obtrusive. There was only one other table dining at the time. Ambiance- The ambiance was quiet and comfortable. Definitely could hear your companions. Definitely a solid 4.5. The surrounding area is urban LA if that's an issue for some.
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Kay Y.

Yelp
Okay I'm so glad this place made adjustments to their menu! There's really no local spot for Thai stir fried noodles so I'm glad they placed that in their menu! I got the egg rolls which were a mushy veggie filling I personally wouldn't get them again The papaya salad for level 5 could have been spicier but hey papaya salad in DTLA? I'll take it!! :D Loved their drunken noodles aka Pad Ke Mao. The spicy level at 5 was pretty spicy and flavorful had a good kick. Def also try their hibiscus sparkling house drink if you haven't! It's very different and unique (: Ambiance is also nice for a first date or what not it's really cute and modern. Price was a bit steep, but they do give a good hearty amount that can easily equal 2-3 meals should you have a smaller tummy. Now $18 per plate anything below the portions they give now would be bad. But as of right now I think it's okay since I'm able to have leftovers. Staff was very prompt and friendly def check this spot out if you are local and is craving Thai food!
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Jane L.

Yelp
I really wanted to like White Elephant because it was in a super cute spot and I was looking for a good Thai place in DTLA, but I was very disappointed by the food. I came on a Sunday evening and was expecting to wait a little, but there was no wait and the restaurant was pretty empty. The restaurant itself is super cute and the the service was very prompt. I looked through the menu and decided on a few things. There is wine, beer and soju. I wanted to get a certain brand of soju, but they only had the flavored one so I opted out. The food was a little slow coming out but that was OK since my friend and I were catching up. For the food, I tried: 1. Drunken noodles - This was very bland. I ended up asking for soy sauce and the chicken was also kind of gamey. I would definitely not order this again. 2. Salmon belly tartare - I thought I would like this more, but salmon was super fishy and did not taste fresh. I actually ended up not eating most of it. 3. Puffy tofu - Probably my favorite of the night. The tofu was cooked perfectly, but sides that came with it, the papaya salad and rice was just not very good. Overall, very disappointed by the food. I had high hopes for this place, but think I will go elsewhere for Thai food in DTLA.
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Risa Y.

Yelp
My daughter and I were thrilled to check out White Elephant for some Thai cuisine. We started with matcha latte for Clara and a cocktail for myself. The salmon tartar with crunchy fried rice paper was a standout for us! We also enjoyed their basil chicken wings and coconut milk fried chicken paired with papaya salad. The Shrimp Tom Yum soup and Drunken Noodle were perfect choices too. And of course, we couldn't leave without trying their delicious mango sticky rice dessert! Such a pretty restaurant with nice ambiance and great service!
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Avril S.

Yelp
Absolutely not. Came here for an early dinner and ordered papaya salad, tom kha soup, pad thai, and thai fried rice. Only the papaya salad and fried rice were passably ok. The rice was somewhat bland, but was actually a nice reprieve from the assault of flavor from the pad thai and tom kha. The papaya salad was also ok. The flavor profile was off--too salty and sweet, when it should really be more sour and spicy, but the ingredients were fresh--the papaya was crunchy, and the tomato was ripe. Now.....The pad thai was inedible basically. Extremely strong flavor, and sickeningly sweet. Like, sweeter than a dessert should be. No balance at all whatsoever. We actually left 80% of this dish untouched. Every time I ate a bite, I had to follow it up with two bites of the bland fried rice. The tom kha was also way too spiced up. I had to pick out the lemongrass from every other spoonful that I ate. The vegetables were overwhelmingly and disgustingly lemongrass-flavored. I love tom kha and lemongrass, but this was horrific. Lastly, the prices were quite high. $13 for a small bowl of tom kha with vegetables or chicken, with prices increasing with more premium protein options. The pad thai was $18 with chicken or tofu, also increasing prices with pricier protein choices. I was actually looking forward to trying the blue mango sticky rice, but after the apps and entrees, I was significantly turned off that there was not a chance in hell I was ever ordering anything else from this place ever again. The ambiance was fine in the actual building (slightly higher-end food hall than Grand Central Market) and their restaurant. However, immediately stepping out of the food hall, you're greeted by the choice smell of human excrement on the street.
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Bill S.

Yelp
The family and I had dinner at White Elephant last night before seeing Peter Pan Went Wrong at the Ahmenson. We arrived around 6:30 and were in a bit of a hurry. The Mrs. emphasized that to our server several times which I think annoyed him, but he was very patient with us. We ordered three dishes. One was the Bulgogi Dumplings. I have to say if you just want a light appetizer the Bulgogi Dumplings will do the trick. We also ordered the Pad Thai with chicken and a spice level of three, which was plenty spicy. It was really good. The absolute star of the show was the Panang Curry with Pork Belly. THE BEST Panang Curry the Mrs. and I have ever had. It was rich and creamy with the right amount of heat which was a level three. White Elephant gives you options as far as the type of protein you want in any dish and the level of heat you can tolerate. If you order your dish too spicy there are no refunds. So make sure you know your heat tolerance.
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Monique D.

Yelp
So far white elephant never ceases to amaze me, their spin on traditional favorites had me at the first dish. The basil friend rice is a must, pad see ew also a must, crudo was tasty but had a slight fishy taste, bottomless mimosas and sangria for $30! Made the perfect lunch date. overall we love coming to white elephant. Service was great, inside decor is very modern yet casual.
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Eric J.

Yelp
This review is based solely on the end of dinner when we had a bug walking around on our fork. I brought it to the host attention so she could see the bug walking on it, she rushed to clean it off and give us a new fork. She blamed it on us sitting by the door on a rainy and windy day. After that for the next 15 mins the 3 workers on duty would walk by our table without addressing us as if they didn't know what to say or do after taking our plates. Even though i saw them bring checks to two other tables. I finally had to ask for the bill and what they would be doing to resolve the situation. The waiter said the host nor any other workers ever told him what happened. He offered to void only that specific entree and i paid for the rest
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Maruko X.

Yelp
Ambiance: spacious dining indoor and outside patio Service: super friendly and patient with specific requests, though a bit slow and it took a while to get food Food & Drink: classic Thai food options and fusion style dishes as well, you can choose protein and spicy levels to customize the order COCONUT MILK FRIED CHICKEN - ***** Chicken thigh, Thai herbs blend, sweet tangy sauce, very crunchy outside and juicy inside, highly recommend POWER GREENS - *** Spring mix, walnut, blue cheese, maple citrus vinaigrette, average RICE NOODLE - *** crunchy garlic UBE THAI COFFEE - **** refreshing taste, balanced flavor, recommend Price: generous portions and reasonable prices, about $25~$30 per person for a fulfilling meal
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Eriko M.

Yelp
3.5 stars. Ordered delivery with ubereats. Got the Tom Kha soup. It was very good. Very flavorful and the mild spicy was perfect for me. But portion was very small and the fibrous lemongrass made it really hard to eat. It wasn't big enough to easily pick out but wasn't small enough to easily chew and swallow. The enoki crisps were unique and tasty but a bit oily. The pad see ew was good in that it came with lots of protein. But it was kind of bland.
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Amiel Jandy A.

Yelp
If you are looking for a worth-spending delicious Thai food spot in DTLA, this is the one. We ordered the pad thai, salmon with sticky rice, and thai fried rice. Everything was balanced with the right amount of umami without being overwhelming. You gotta try the green sauce they put with the salmon. Pad Thai is significantly better than most run of the mill pad thai you see around because it is saucy and the seafood are fresh and plump. My only criticism, if I am nitpicking, is that the octopus in the pad thai is still tough to my liking. Regardless, these selections are must-try's. The thai fried rice hit the spot - greasy, smoky from the wok, and flavorful. The addition of tomatoes cuts down the grease; every single bite, perfect. The service is good; felt like fine dining. The waitresses are always refilling our water and constantly checking on us and they were pleasant. The ambience was a shock. From the string of restaurants here in Spring Arcade, White Elephant stands out with its fine dining quality ambience and design. The interior of this place looks very modern, clean, but not staying away from your traditional thai restaurant feel. The restaurant felt inspired and you can feel the homey vibe without losing its intent to have an upscale thai restaurant. Overall, my experience here is superior and I'd definitely come back.
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Rob C.

Yelp
Sure did get my grub on here, they have some nice fusion items that you might appreciate . I've never had Bulgogi dumplings before. These were really good. We also ordered the drunken noodles and the crying tiger that all hit the spot. Another item that I've never had was the salmon tartare. For me I'm a salmon lover so I jumped at the chance to try it and it was very good. The staff here was very nice and attentive suggesting some of the items to try. I always try to listen good recommendations. Please note they are located in perhaps one of the most busiest areas of downtown Los Angeles and perhaps one of the most congested areas in the Historic Core district. They are located in the spring arcade building which is either on Spring Street or Broadway. They do not validate parking here. Your best bet is to find a parking lot that's nearby and walk over. Spring street has a parking lot directly in front of the spring arcade building. Street parking is if you see it then get it very quickly since there's very few spaces on Spring St., Broadway or even sixth street.
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Betty Z.

Yelp
White elephant is a lovely new addition to Spring Arcade next to the Blu Jam cafe. I don't remember what restaurant used to be here but I'm glad that White Elephant has stepped in to bring authentic Thai food to downtown La! (This is the same white elephant that is also in Anaheim Packing House). It's a pretty small restaurant inside but they do have a sectioned patio outside the storefront in the hallway (with heat lamps and string lights) so you can definitely have a small gathering with friends here. The service is amazing. I went here for lunch with friends and our waitress Natasha was very sweet and patient with us since it was all of our first time here and we didn't know what to get. Jenny also came by our table to check in with us and ensure that the food was good. We always had our water filled without asking too (always a good sign that the waiter is paying attention). My group and I each ordered a drink. I had the ube Thai coffee and my friends had the sparkling pink milk and peachy sunrise I believe. I loved my ube thai coffee! It was just the right amount of creaminess and sweetness with a subtle ube flavor. For food, we went with the enoki mushroom crisps and bulgogi dumplings as starters. The enoki crisps were nice and light, like a tempura batter, with a savory spicy mayo to dip them in. The bulgogi dumplings were so pretty and plump, with a nice crunchy skin on the outside. For our entrees, we went with the crying Tiger steak, garlic sesame salmon, tangy orange chicken, and the drunken noodles. We didn't realize that each of the entrees comes with a salad and a side too! For the salads and sides, we tried the sticky rice, rice noodles, steamed veggies, papaya salad, arugula bae and power greens. I especially like the papaya salad (although this is an extra $8 supplement for this salad), arugula salad and the rice noodles. For the steak and salmon, you can choose the temperature that you want your protein to be cooked to. The crying Tiger was a nice medium rare as requested. The salmon was a nice medium well as requested. All of the food was very flavorful and delicious! My favorite would be the drunken noodles, salmon and crying Tiger. I like that they provide the garlic sauce for the salmon on the side. It was so much food and we were stuffed so come hungry! Of course we couldn't leave without trying dessert so we had to get the mango sticky rice. It's a classic Thai dessert but they make the sticky rice with butterfly pea leaves here so the rice has a beautiful blue color to contrast the sweet ripe mangos. The rice also has a drizzle of sweet coconut cream. This was definitely the best part of the meal and I highly recommend coming even if it's just for the mango sticky rice. Overall, I had a wonderful experience at White Elephant and I can't wait to come back. The only nuance is that the parking in DTLA is terrible (expensive street meters or paid lots only), White Elephant is worth it!
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Lypheng K.

Yelp
As a preface, I ordered out for lunch. I cannot comment on the location. I ordered the seafood pad see ew. Normally, I would opt for beef or chicken, but wanted to try something slightly different. Since this is my first time ordering from here, I didn't have a lot of expectation regarding quality/flavor/taste. In terms of noodle to seafood ratio - I think it was perfect. It was not overwhelmingly unbalanced. For flavor, it was well seasoned and the noodles were not melted into one another indicating that it wasn't overcooked. The seafood one had scallop, muscles, shrimp, and maybe squid or octopus (not too sure on the last one since it was cut up. Additionally, the shrimp was a decent size so they did not skimp out on the meat. In terms of spice level, I went with level 2 since some Thai places have level 2 as pretty spicy. If you can handle a little bit of kick, I would totally do level 3 or 4. For the price point it was on the pricier side but for a seafood pad see ew, it was worth it. With regards to ordering this, they accepted my order relatively quickly and was delivered within 25-30 minutes.
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Jay A.

Yelp
We wanted Thai food today. We wanted to try something near us where we never ate before. White Elephant came up as 5 stars on Yelp. Figured it would be amazing. Place is in a mall on Spring with other restaurants. Nice clean decor. Arrived at 115 PM. We were the only diners in the place. Joe, our waiter, was polite, took order and brought us the bill. Basic service. Tom Kha w/Pork Belly $15.00 Numerous problems with this dish. Let's start with the pork belly. I know there is fat on pork belly but the magnitude of fat on this pork belly was ridiculous. I included some close-up pictures so you can better understand what I mean. My partner had pork belly in his dish which was not as fatty. I ate 2 or three bites of the pork belly, could not eat any more. Coconut broth. The broth was very salty. I love salt; however, could not handle the magnitude of salt in this dish. I was hungry so I ate more than half of the broth. It just was not very good. Carrots. The carrots looked nice as they were cut in an elegant manor. Yet they were undercooked and too hard. The mushrooms and onions were okay. This was a 1star. Complete waste of $15.00. Guaranteed I will never consider this dish again. Sapporo Beer on tap $9.00 They have a list of numerous beers including a Thai option. However, all they had available today was Sapporo or Modelo. After lunch i needed to use the restroom. They share a common restroom in the mall where a guard provides entry. The men's room was filthy. I was going to take pictures but could not. Had to leave there in disgust. If you're a guy find someplace else to go if you need to. Do not walk in this restroom. I see no reason to return. Other diners apparently enjoyed White Elephant. Maybe they ate something different. Fact is what I had today was awful.