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    Hanuman Thai Eatery

    4.5 (2k reviews)
    ModerateThai, Asian Fusion
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Waitlist - Hanuman Thai Eatery

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    Hanuman Thai Eatery Photos

    Business Info

    HANUMAN THAI EATERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos - Hanuman Thai Eatery

    Drunken noodles with chicken
    Lauren S.

    My absolute favorite Thai food. The Massaman curry with steak is so amazing. The pad see ew and drunken noodles are too salty. And the pork rinds in the mee klook were old. Skip the other stuff and just go for their curries. Service was pretty solid, it's only that the wait was super long. Called on the phone to ask if we could do reservations (none), but she didn't mention that we could sign up for the Yelp waitlist which was kind of annoying. For the atmosphere, sitting outside is nice if it's not too hot. Inside feels a bit cramped and gloomy.

    Khao Soi
    Camille A.

    Came in on a Wednesday night 6/3/26 around 9 pm and got seated in about 10 mins. I understand the hype for this restaurant now! The food was really good and I definitely want to come back for more and try their other menu options. I'm new to eating khao soi and this is the best one I've had so far. I loved the texture of the noodles and the taste of the curry, Very hearty and filling dish. I also loved their appetivers. The eggs sounded so simple but so flavorful that I think it is my favorite thing in the menu. The ceviche was so fresh and was a great palate cleanser. Will definitely try to get a reservation next time to avoid the wait and can't wait to try their other foods.

    Panang w/ hanger steak
    Julie H.

    Joined Yelp waitlist from 4 mi away on a Friday night. The wait was about 1 hr 30-45 min, but it was def worth it. We ordered the Hanuman Ceviche, Gai Todd Hat Yai (fried chicken & sticky rice), and Panang with hanger steak. Everything was sooooo yummyyy!! The ceviche was my favorite! The yellowtail melted in our mouths, and the shrimp chips added such a good crunchy contrast. Tasted the Thai flavors too. I want more! The fried chicken was juicy, coating was crispy, generous portion, and the sweet and tangy dipping sauce tied everything together. Wished the sticky rice had been a bit softer/tender for my preference. The Panang was rich, creamy, and had a perfect kick of spice. The hanger steak was tender and soaked up the spices from the sauce really well. Only complaint is more meat pleaseeee hahah we had more sauce leftover and wanted more! Service was friendly and overall great. Our server even asked twice about food allergies Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!!!

    Pad see ew (chicken)
    Lawrence M.

    I came here last month with 2 friends on a Wednesday evening, and we waited almost an hour long to be seated. Parking in the plaza was plentiful on the bright side. We first ate the pad see ew w/ chicken which was delicious, followed by the massaman and khao-soi. The food portions are generous, so I was quite happy with everything we ordered. The mango sticky rice had the most beautiful presentation I've seen in a mango sticky rice dish, and I would definitely order that again! The interior of the restaurant is a bit small, with the bathroom awkwardly located in the far back corner. Given how popular and successful Hanuman has become, I feel like there should be more space for customers so that the wait time can also be cut shorter. If I had to compare Hanuman to another Thai restaurant, I'd probably mention Manaao in Tustin. Can't wait to return and try other dishes!

    Ruk Na
    Sydney H.

    Tried this place with some friends and enjoyed it a lot! The wait is crazy as expected but it was well worth it. We were lucky to get a table inside, as many people were being seated on the outdoor deck by the parking lot where it was pretty sunny and crowded. The restaurant itself was a bit warm too. The Ruk Na was really beautiful and had a delicious lychee flavor! Super sweet and concentrated for my taste, but a great summer drink. Family style is the best way to order here. The pad see ew was delicious with tofu - the portion was huge and I loved that it came with a side of chili fish sauce. The khao soi was also very delicious and rich with a good serving of chicken, beautifully presented! The crying tiger was just okay. Meat was very tender but the portion was very small for the price, and I wish that there was a jaew sauce to dip it in, it was on the blander side for me. But the Massaman curry with hangar steak was sooo good - cooked a beautiful medium rare and served with roti that was perfectly flaky and crispy. The mango sticky rice is also very pretty. The sticky rice was warm and soft with toasted coconut on top. Although the mango was very beautifully presented, I feel that the slices were a little too thin. A thicker cut would allow the taste of the mango to come through better, but since the slices were so thin I felt like it didn't taste like too much, if that makes sense. But soooo pretty nonetheless. Overall, great spot and would love to come again!

    Boat Noodles!
    Eunhae H.

    There's always a reason why this place has a line out the door even before it opens. The food is phenomenal and totally worth every minute spent waiting in line. When you arrive, there's a kiosk for you to put your name down. For parties over 6, you'll have to check in with the host to be added to the list. I arrived at the restaurant 10 minutes before opening, and it took around 15-20 minutes after they opened to get seated, which wasn't as bad as I had expected. I wanted to order everything off the menu, but ended up sticking with a few of their signature dishes. We got the Massaman curry with skirt steak, Pad See Ew with shrimp, Boat Noodles, and Gai Todd Hat Yai. Everything we ordered was 10/10 for me. Each dish was flavor explosion. Starting with the Massaman curry - it was perfectly rich and creamy. The bread that came with the curry was warm and chewy - perfect for soaking up every last bit of all the delicious curry. The steak was cooked to perfection: tender, juicy, and incredibly flavorful, making every bite absolutely satisfying. Another interesting dish for me was the Gai Todd Hat Yai, which is Chef Jenny's Hometown famous street food - the fried chicken and sticky rice. The chicken was perfectly fried and the flavor of the chicken was finger-licking good. The sticky rice was a nice side but I didn't end up finishing the rice because the star of the show here was the chicken. What was surprising delicious and the highlight for me was actually the Pad See Ew! The noodles had the perfect bouncy, chewy texture, and the sauce struck both the balance of sweet and savory - a combination that's surprisingly hard for me to find these days. The shrimp was so plump and succulent, making the dish even more satisfying. Talking about the ambiance, I felt like I was transported to Thailand (though I've never actually been). The walls were filled with photos, memorabilia, and eclectic decor that gave the restaurant a fun, tiki vibe. Service was great. Food was phenomenal. I am definitely coming back as a regular!

    Front Entrance with Waiting area at coned Parking lot
    Supardi D.

    Nice and small Thai Street eatery near John Wayne OC airport. Always crowded and have long waitlist. In the evening, they use the patios and have quit few tables. We came couple time. Even with Yelp Waitlist, the waiting time is at least 1 hour plus! Located in a small strip mall next to Ayres Hotel. Next to it is a Japanese restaurant. Same owner. They offer their menu at Hanuman. Once seated, service was fast. Food is not bad. Not your typical Thai taste. Depends on your taste bud. Some has the chef's interpretation. Nice plating. Taste is hit and miss with the combination. The family loves the fried chicken, not too much on sticky rice. Same with the curry sauce. Nice steak but the roti is not dry. Interesting combination with fresh tasty Yellowtail ceviche with Shrimp crackers. Will try different menu next time.

    frances h.

    This was my second visit because I was so wowed by their Kha Soi on my last visit. This time, unfortunately, we were a bit underwhelmed. The portions were small and the taste was just "ok." We've been indulging in a lot of Thai and the wow factor just wasn't there. Solid food, good service, but didn't win me over this time around.

    Pad see ew
    Kat S.

    Wow! This place is good. We ordered Pad See Ew, Khao Soi, Hanuman Fried rice and crying tiger. Pad see ew is good! I love the smoky taste to it, the Khao Soi is so creamy and that chicken is huge! Hanuman Fried rice is packed with meat and it tastes good too! The crying tiger, I was a bit surprised with how small the portion is despite it's price though it's an appetizer, I just thought it would be a little bit more. Service is good, they were very accomodating and friendly. We have our dog so we decided to seat outside and they even gave my dog a water bowl. Inside dining is a bit small, so it's good that they have a couple of outdoor seats as well. We came around 3pm so there's not that much people yet, but everyone seems happy with their food and I could hear them compliment their food. Will definitely be back to try other food on their menu!

    IG: @nom.noms.only | gai todd hat yai
    Jill C.

    gai todd hat yai ($24) khao soi ($24) pad see ew ($19) - everything was above average! Very similar to what id have in nyc - the chicken was juicy n tender, khao soi hit the spot right away, and pad see ew was pretty standard - i love it since it's super authentic, so i can also see why they have such long lines and wait times - definitely a spot id recommend if you're around the area, trying to look for bussin thai food rating: 4.5/5 - really solid choice; la doesn't have many outstanding thai spots but this one for sure is - everything we ordered was good and came in a massive portion - service was quick and friendly - has outdoor dining as well but no vibes IG: @nom.noms.only

    Serena Z.

    This is one my top 10s in Orange County. they have the cutest aesthetics but also amazing food It's so vibey and everybody who works there is so sweet. And this place will surprise you in the best ways

    Chicken Wings + Sticky Rice
    Kaia H.

    This place is so good, but just be prepared because the wait is always long. I genuinely don't even know what a good time to come is because every time I've gone, there's still been a bit of a wait. But honestly, the food is good enough that it still feels worth it. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, which I liked, and our server was really nice and gave us a lot of recommendations, including a drink that I can't remember the name of but was actually really good. Overall, definitely a spot I'd come back to, I'd just mentally prepare for the wait first.

    Jay W.

    This place gets super packed. Reminds me of a hipster restaurant, lots of young people. The service is amazing. Everything we got was amazing. The chicken wings to start were super delicious. I was impressed how crispy and juicy it was as well as flavors. The rice with the sauce that comes with it is addicting. 4.8/5. The Pad See Ew was probably one of the best in Costa Mesa. It had so much flavor it was ridiculous. 5/5. The haunaman fried rice (I think that's how you spell it) was next tier. The sweet sausage and umami flavors of the dish it was gone quick. 5/5. The pad Thai was sus at first. They don't do chicken. Just tofu and shrimp. I guess that's the "authentic" way of making it back in the motherland. I got it anyways and it did not disappoint. So good. 4.9/5. Overall I would come back here. You just need to make reservations because this place gets packed fast and people come in crowds.

    Pad See Eew

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    Hanuman Thai Eatery Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hanuman Thai Eatery

    Do we need to stay at the restaurant while we are waiting to be seated?

    You'll eventually get a text message saying your table is ready and have about 5-15 minutes to get to the restaurant

    Hi, I have a service dog which is 13 pds. Small dog. Can I bring her to restaurant?

    Probably not but there's a patio.

    Can I bring a small dog if I eat on the patio?

    We saw someone eat inside with a small dog... so it should be fine

    Can you bring your own wine and is there a corkage fee?

    Definitely can bring your wine, there will be a corkage fee.

    Is it safe to eat here if I have a shrimp allergy?

    There are other protein options

    Do all curries have chicken/beef broth?

    Not sure but they have a sign outside that says no vegan/vegetarian options

    When will the Costa Mesa Courtyards location open?

    Do I need to make a reservation?

    No, no reservations at this time. Check in, grab a beer and wait till table available.

    Can the khao soi be ordered with chicken breast?

    Sorry for any inconvenience! We do not offer substitution protein for the khob soi, due to the preparation and space limit. We have to simmered the drumstick with the curry sauce to get the best flavor, which it takes at least 10-12 hours to get the… Read more

    Can the dishes be made vegan?

    Why can't these places make the menu vegan friendly? I'm vegetarian but I have a dairy allergy so sometimes I don't bother going to restaurants because they don't list ingredients clear on their menu.

    Do you serve halal or Zabihah meats?

    Do you have vegetarian options?

    No vegetarian items. They have a sign on their store that clearly states this. Everything has fish sauce.

    Any vegan option?

    No vegan options. They have a sign at their store that says as much (see my review)

    Do they accommodate for gluten allergy?

    Yes!

    Is it safe to eat here if I have a soy and dairy allergy?

    They have a sign saying they don't cater to vegan and on the menu tells you each item if it has soy or selfish etc.

    Do they allow reservations?

    Unfortunately, we don’t take any reservations. Sorry for any inconvenience.

    When are you guys serving mango with purple sticky rice?

    We have them this week.

    Are their outside dining options available?

    Yes, we do have outside seating available.

    Are they still open? Wondering about ordering on Christmas day or over the weekend.

    We closed for Holidays. We will be open back next year on January 4th.… Read more

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    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza

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    Stopped by around noon on a Sunday and had no wait to be seated. Since it's located at South Coast…read morePlaza, parking was easy with plenty of spaces available in the surrounding lots. Service was attentive throughout the meal, with the staff checking in regularly without being intrusive. There was no lunch rush when we went, making for a nice, calm brunch atmosphere. The lychee lemonade came with unlimited refills, which was a nice bonus. It tasted how you'd expect from a classic lemonade with a noticeable lychee flavor, and had lychee pulp throughout. We ordered several dishes to share. The Calamari was a good appetizer. It had a light, crispy coating with good seasoning, and the dipping sauce paired nicely with it. We also tried the Carne Asada Fries, which were loaded with flavor. The meat was well-seasoned, and the sauces tied everything together without overwhelming the fries. The Garlic Noodles with filet were a solid choice. The noodles were flavorful, and the filet was cooked well, tender and juicy. The Fried Rice with Pork Jowl was probably my favorite dish. The pork jowl was rich, tender, and packed with flavor, and the fried rice complemented it really well, offsetting the fattiness. For being at South Coast Plaza, I thought the prices were fairly reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. It's not somewhere I can afford every week, but it's a great option when you're looking for a nicer lunch while shopping. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

    My first time at this location - I've been to their other location. This one is located across the…read morebridge where all the home stores are, like crate and barrel, west elm... The service is just as good here. Friendly and the food came out quickly. When you walk into this side of the building - you get a hint of a lot of garlic. Maybe not a thing for others, but it lead the way for me. They have a bar and seating inside and outside. Not as big as you would think, but utilized the space perfectly. 100% ribeye garlic noodles and pear salad is a must have. I would recommend to others and would come back for more

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    Whealthy

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    This is a great find -- a healthy option with many choices, tucked in a strip mall…read more The service was excellent and friendly. It will take you many, many visits to try every option here. I felt the food was fresh and delicious, and very healthy for you. I chose the "chicken stir fry" that was advertised in an image and the staff member was off, making that specific dish. I think I would have liked to try to just make my own bowl using noodles, as many veggies as can fit, and extra protein. Next time!

    I have had this place on my radar for a while and finally made it over there today, I should not…read morehave waited so long. LOL Lots of parking in a massive lot, lots of dessert and coffee options to follow up a great meal. Like a "Chipotle" style of Asian fusion and they have something really good going on. The have individual spinning wok style cookers that they do each bowl in. You start with the carbs, various noodles and other base options. Rice options not visible but available in white and brown. Turn the corner and the veggie and fruit selection is pretty big. Dial it all in and they add two meat choices. Add a topping and tell them HEAVY GARLIC!! Pay the bill, sit down and in just a few minutes your self designed master piece is at the table. You can go easy (lazy) too and pick from pre designed line ups that all look amazing. I got two pork options and my wife got shrimp. We both got a lot of meat, my wife said a few times "he gave a lot of shrimp". This spot is not super close to home for me but I have a feeling we will be making this trip often. This spot is uniquely different in a time I really needed to find that "uniquely different" Looking forward to trying lot of the menu option. Go check them out.

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    Six Alley Xi’an Biang Biang Noodle

    Six Alley Xi’an Biang Biang Noodle

    4.5
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    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    I came here around the end of the day absolutely STARVING. We got seated quickly and everything was…read morehandled promptly. The restaurant itself is a bit on the small side so you'll be close to your neighbors not that it was an issue personally. My buddy and I ordered our items and shared with each other for a good full experience. We got the three-in-one noodles medium heat and the Ma Hu Beef noodles with mild heat alongside the cucumbers with medium heat as an appetizer. Cucumbers were very fresh! However, they really were just cucumbers with a little heat on them so they weren't anything too special. Once the main entrees came in, I couldn't stop myself from digging in! I forgot to take a picture until after some damage was done to our meals. Three-in-one was so flavorful and sweet with the noodles becoming incredibly soft after having mixed it all together. The star of the show for me though was the Ma Hu Beef noodles. The beef was remarkably tender and delicious and the noodles had a firmer texture that complimented with the flavors. Oddly enough, the mild heat on the Ma Hu Beef was spicier than the medium heat three-in-one! If you find yourself in the mood for Biangbiang noodles, this is definitely the spot to go to. On a side unrelated note about the parking which did not influence my review; the parking here is rough. It's consistently packed so watch out for that. There is a structure across the street that allows parking for the food court. I parked in the structure but I had a bad experience because since it's also parking for the residents above, the gate was closed on us after 8pm. I had to wait for a vehicle to come out and open the gate for not only just me but for multiple other people that had also parked in the structure!Just something to keep in mind. Hopefully that doesn't continue being an issue for future guests.

    Food tastes good. Service perfect! Ambiance good. Comfortable at all! Lucy's service is very good…read more Definitely will come back soon!

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    INI Ristorante

    INI Ristorante

    4.5
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    INI is popular for good reason! The Japanese Italian fusion concept is thoughtfully applied, and…read moremany dishes have prominent features of both cuisines. I went with a group of 8, and we opted for family style. The umeboshi spring salad was fresh and delicious, sweet and savory with pistachios for crunch. Truffle cheese bread was served warm in a skillet. It came with a generous serving of mozzarella and ricotta on top, with honey on the side for drizzling. The crab roe spaghetti had a rich sauce with a nice sweetness from the crab, plus a generous portion of crab on top with dehydrated tomato and stracciatella. We kept the sauce for dipping some of the bread and pizza crust! Spicy miso carbonara was their recommendation as a popular dish. We got it less spicy, and it was pretty subtle. All of the flavors blended perfectly together. The egg yolk was dropped whole on top for you to mix in yourself. It was very savory and not too salty. Mentaiko pizza was super flavorful with a light layer of mentaiko cream under the mozzarella with nori, bonito, octopus and corn on top. The crust was delicious and chewy. It was an interesting mix and everything worked together perfectly. The service was great - very efficient, helpful and they checked on us periodically and made sure we had serving utensils since we were dining family style. They do accept reservations, which I would recommend! The space is bright and open, and has a casual family friendly feel. It's clean and modern with no pretension. The bathroom was also clean. We landed at under $35 per person for the meal, no beverages or dessert. I loved INI and would return without hesitation!

    I had the seasonal miso black cod with soba noodles and it was seriously my all time favorite dish…read moreever!!!! The fish was so tender and buttery and the sauce was the perfect! Our server was super friendly and did a great job checking in. The next time I'm in town, I'm going to come back.

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    Nep Cafe

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    Overall, an amazing experience at NEP Café. The service is excellent and very quick. All the food…read morewas delicious and the ambience was amazing. Ratings: Curry crab omelette 8/10: this was a solid dish, but honestly, I know it was an omelette, but it just taste like eggs basically just an omelette with a little bit of crab but not bad. Shrimp fried rice 9/10: with the lime sauce on the side this is delicious by itself not so much of a great dish, but with the sauce amazing. Filet mignon banh mi 9.5/10: the only reason I take off .5 is because the bread was very very hard. But overall, an amazing dish and the flavors were amazing. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection. Mango sticky rice 7/10 if you are a fan of black sesame and your desserts, this is perfect for you. Banana bread pudding 100/10: this genuinely might be one of the greatest desserts I've ever had amazing perfection. All of the aspects of it are perfect the crunch the banana, the ice cream, the bread pudding everything about it just amazing if you love banana you will love this dessert.

    Always a pleasant experience dining at Nep Cafe. Overtime I do see that the restaurant had elevated…read moreevery dish to a new level , more attention to detailed for each element on the plate. At first I was not used to the fusion flavor of their sister restaurant, Nep , however, had found the perfect balance between traditional vietnamese dishes ( like crispy pork with pickled carrot / daikon ) with adding some modern twist to it. The drinks are pretty good too, I do prefer matcha to be a little stronger . They nailed it with the egg coffee. Service: Great, attentive. Highly recommend this place for brunch, date. It can get crowded so make sure you get here early during weekend.

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    4.3
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    $$

    So I had banh duc which is like a Vietnamese bolognese with rice flour pudding. Utterly insane. A…read moremust try. So savory and delicious. Then I had their take on a Mexican seafood cocktail (I hate the original). Amazing. Culinary engineering at its finest. They do some magic to make a clear sauce that has a hint of acid, tomato and horseradish. Octopus. Thinly sliced shrimp. Nate the chef is a master. Top 5 in Oc. The food is basically comfort food married with brilliant technique and execution. A must visit !!!!!

    Pro Tip: If you are visiting the restaurant, SIT INSIDE. Outside is not the same vibe…read more I regrettably was late, and we had to forfeit our inside reservation for an outside reservation. We still enjoyed the food, but the outside lacks ambiance. You cannot hear the music from the outside, the decor is nonexistent, and there aren't any umbrellas available. If you are looking to enjoy the vinyls and the ambiance, sit inside. As for the food, it's mostly very small plates that can be shared, but are small portions, unless you get the limited edition or shared plates. It can get pricey if you try the skewers and appetizers. We got the Bone Marrow Onigiri, Pickled Plate, Pork Belly Skewers, Hanger Steak Skewers, and Scallops, and everything was yummy. I will give this spot another shot and make sure to sit inside before I make up my mind.

    Photos
    Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers
    Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers
    Little Gem Salad: black vinegar caesar * preserved lemon * shallot confit * cured fresh peppercorns * bread crumb * smoked pecorino | $15
    Little Gem Salad: black vinegar caesar * preserved lemon * shallot confit * cured fresh peppercorns * bread crumb * smoked pecorino | $15
    CHICKEN OYSTERS: Buttermilk brined thighs, tare sauce | $8ea

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    CHICKEN OYSTERS: Buttermilk brined thighs, tare sauce | $8ea
    NEP Cafe - Irvine

    NEP Cafe - Irvine

    4.5
    (2.1k reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    Vietnamese Shrimp Salad (5/5) Amazingly fresh, tasty, and…read moretextured. My favorite dish by far and I would definitely order again. Chicken Wings (4.5/5) Flavorful, saucy, juicy wings. If this is your entree I would recommend getting a side of sticky rice because it can be a lot by ot 5-Spice Roasted Chicken Nice, crispy skin. Not dry per se but could be more moist. The best part is absolutely the sauce that comes with it.

    overall: a very solid 4.5/5…read more TLDR: loved it here, honestly a great pick for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! first time here & devoured my food! the ambience & environment definitely set the tone. I went around 3:00pm on a Sunday & it was not super busy - no wait for a party of 2. the customer service was great all around; everyone was very kind & you can tell they enjoy the overall environment. here's what we ordered! bevs: mango sticky rice (non caffeinated) - 5/5 calamansi white peach - 5/5 they were both so delicious & fresh - loved! appetizer: seafood ceviche - 4/5 such a solid ceviche - the flavors + spice just balanced so well; I would love maybe a little more shrimp chips entrees: filet mignon banh mi chao - 4.5/5 this dish was so great honestly. the meat was a bit chewy, but it didn't matter to me that much because the flavor was amazing. the plate itself is on the heavier side, but the sauce is deliciously savory & really had depth in the flavor profile. (dip the bahn mi in the sauce it was so yum) fried rice (no protein): 4/5 the eggs in all of the items were fried perfectly. the one thing that makes this dish is for sure the aji sauce - it was a lot better than I was expecting. I will say that without the sauce, it's not super crazy - still a great, filling meal paired with the filet mignon. dessert: mango sticky rice: 3/5 the mango was sweet & ripe, & the pandan sticky rice was pretty good as well. I wasn't the biggest fan of the nuts & I would've loved more of a coconut cream instead of the coconut meat as it just didn't have too much flavor, in my opinion. this was a great post-work meal & I will definitely be back to try more of the menu & cocktails!

    Photos
    5 Spice Roasted Chicken
    5 Spice Roasted Chicken
    Salmon Garlic Noodles
    Salmon Garlic Noodles
    Salted Egg Yolk Pasta with Shrimp

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    Salted Egg Yolk Pasta with Shrimp

    Hanuman Thai Eatery - thai - Updated July 2026

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