Came for an evening meal. Thought the food was just ok. Sauce for curry's were very good but the chicken was that poor quality then chicken that tasted par cooked since it was chewy. I was stunned they charged extra for steamed rice that I would have got with the meal. Been to many Thai restaurants and this one seems that maybe it caters to hotel crowd that are stuck here vs locals. To bad read more

This is a small shop, but it feels very clean and welcoming, and the owner seemed genuinely kind. We ordered takeout and got the beef shank panaeng curry with roti and the chicken pad see ew. Both dishes were delicious. The curry was rich and flavorful, and the beef was stewed beautifully until tender. The roti was a little on the greasy side, but still enjoyable. The pad see ew was especially good and very satisfying. One thing to note: even the mild spice level had a noticeable kick in both dishes, so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to spice. Overall, a really solid Thai spot that I would happily return to. read more

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Very clean and cute little spot. The food was very good and flavorful. The pork jowl was good, and it is just a preference, but I thought the sauce had too much fish sauce. They also use smaller noodles for the pad Thai, so that wasn't my preference. I have to go back to try their Pad See Ew. We went during lunch time, and she was taking care of all the tables extremely well too! read more

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Great authentic Thai restaurant with some unique dishes! Stopped here for lunch with some friends. Quaint dining area that's well lit with a good amount of seating. Service was quick and friendly. We had a couple appetizers like their pork jowl and the wagyu roti mataba. They were both delicious, perfect bites before the meal. For the main course we all got the basil wagyu. It's a plate of minced wagyu beef with green beans and basil leaves, topped with a fried egg. I opted for a salad instead of the rice but it usually comes with jasmine rice. You can choose your level of spicy, I got medium. It also has a small sauce on the side that was quite spicy and tart. The meal was a perfect lunch, not too filling but enough to get full. I'll be back to try more! read more

Plern Thai Cafe - The Basil Wagyu - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Cute, kind of hidden Thai place in Lake Forest. I believe it was the owner (very friendly) who was helping pack our takeout order. Really liked their basil wagyu rice. Other dishes I tried, like the pad thai and panang curry were very much on the sweet end of the flavor spectrum. The food is good, though the portion sizes are on the smaller side. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - basil wagyu rice, shrimp pad thai, beef panaeng curry with roti - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I worked in Bangkok for 5 years so I'm always on the lookout for great Thai food. And the Thai food here is very good. My mother ordered the Sen-Jai Pad Thai with shrimp and I ordered the Kaeng Ka-ri, Yellow Curry (which had potatoes, chicken, carrots and onions). When I was asked the spice level, I asked the owner to make it the same level as if I were in Thailand. My Yellow Curry was delicious and hot with the right use of spices, creating a layered taste. (My only nit with my dish is I thought the chicken was on the dry, somewhat tough side.) My mother's Pad Thai was excellent --- light with super fresh shrimp. Both dishes were generous portions for a reasonable price. The ambiance of the restaurant was light and bright, with a yellow wall with artwork of trishaws and the other wall a muted grey. The owner who served us was very friendly and made us feel welcome. I'd like to try their other dishes. read more

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This is probably one of the cheaper Thai places I've eaten at but still has great flavor and execution. They have a good selection of food on their menu but I went pretty basic with pad see ew. This was cheaper than all of the places I've been to in the last year, but was still very delicious and fills you up pretty decently. We also got the plern signature pork jowl which was juicy with a nice char taste, but the star of that dish was the accompanied sauce which just went well with everything. We'll have to come back and try some more stuff. All of the workers were also very friendly. Only downside is they don't seem to have public bathrooms. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Pad see ew with chicken - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Found this cozy lttle gem in Lake Forest and had a great experience. The space is nice and the server was incredibly friendly from the moment i walked in. I ordered the papaya salad, it was refreshing and crunchy. I then ordered the chicken satay and they came with a delicious peanut sauce and a tiny cucumber salad. I wish the cucumber had a more acidic vinaigrette, but the dish was still good. This was a nice spot for a quiet lunch. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Papaya salad - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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First timer! Late weekend lunch and had no wait. Lots of parking in the plaza. Cozy and clean restaurant. (FYI they do not have a restroom). The woman who served us was very welcoming, friendly, and attentive. The menu isn't overwhelming. Prices are reasonable. Food came out fast and beautifully plated. All three plates we ordered were DELICIOUS. - The pad see ew tasted very authentic. - The pork jowl bowl was refreshing and we liked how the purple rice was broken rather than traditionally sticky. - The chive cakes were crunchy and unique. The sauce was yummy too. Lovely experience. We will definitely be back! Can't wait to try other dishes. read more

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The food here is really good. The portions are on the smaller side but flavor is there. The tofu is crisp and firm that's a plus! Price is about same as other Thai places around. I go here because they are on the Lake Forest gift card program. The service is always good - we have visited in person once and ordered to go once. Ladies very kind and friendly. Located in the plaza near Jack n the box. The restaurant is small but clean and bright. read more

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A very satisfying meal . I ordered the ground beef with basil and fried egg on top of the rice.it was satisfying. Spicy can be adjusted from spicy to no spice at all. I chose the latter and it was perfect. The only thing i can say is, beef was a little dry but because of the sauce it compensate it. I received my order still HOT which means they cook to order which is a plus on my book. Yes, I will patronize this restaurant again and will try their other dishes soon. Oh , I have this to-go. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Ground beef with basil - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Been here twice now. Nice little Thai Cafe. I like the steamed chicken and rice but wish it came with more chicken. Portions are smaller/prices higher than average Thai restaurant so its not my first choice with so many Thai restaurants around. But the service is friendly. Note: there is no restroom so you will have to search nearby restaurants which is a big inconvenience. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Steamed Chicken and Rice - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Our food was delicious. This is a very small casual restaurant and a shopping center in Lake Forest. Our service has been lovely. The menu Included vegan and vegetarian options as well as items for every pallet. I opted for the pad Thai with egg . It was delicious.. The sauce was amazing. The noodles were delicious. The presentation was beautiful. The chicken dish was moist, juicy with beautiful aroma and nice spices. We were very pleased and happy. The chive cake is outstanding. read more

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Michelin quality restaurant in Lake Forest, California. #PlernThaiCafe is a popular Thai restaurant known for its authentic and flavorful #Thai and #Asian #comfortfood, often with unique twists from the chef. They offer vegetarian and vegan options, small plates, and wine. It is known for its quality ingredients and affordability. I love their Wagyu basil stir-fry, crispy pork Brussels sprouts, and authentic Thai teas.  Other standout, authentic dishes including the pork chow with purple rice, steamed chicken with rice and wagyu curry. Many dishes are under $20 making it a local favorite for both dine in and takeout. read more

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Such a good, authentic Thai restaurant. Food was fresh and seasoned well. Staff was very friendly. Restaurant was clean and quiet. Crispy Chive Cake - get it. This was so good. My picky eater LOVES it. The Basil Wagyu - Couldn't really tell if it was really wagyu, but it was delicious. Pad See Ew - My picky eater's favorite after the Chive Cake. Steamed Chicken and Garlic Rice - Light, and moist. All of the condiments that came with our dishes were delicious and made everything taste even better. read more

Delicious, we love everything we order, keep in mind that the coconut soup was very simple but actually taste delicious, place is small very small, their taste is good, also the servers were very friendly, price was also ok to us for the delicious meal. but something we didn't like or approved is that they don't have a public restroom, that's not good. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Menu - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Ordered 2 lunch meals on door dash and picked them them up at restaurant. Prepared in a timely manner ordered 1 chix with Pad Thai $14.95 and 1 wangu beef with jasmine rice w/egg $19 both were excellent ... the flavor was spot on and the service provided was great utensils plates all included ... the place was packed with customers. Overall very good ... I will go back. read more

Probably some of the best Thai food in South County. Been eating their food for years now. My favorite dishes are the tofu pad see ewe noodles, fried chicken with rice, and shrimp green curry. I love all their Thai condiments they have which enhances the flavors. The food tastes authentic and very flavorful, not overly sweet like Hanuman Thai (which I feel the food at Hanuman is way too sugary and Americanized flavors.). The ingredients are fresh and authentic. The service has always been prompt and friendly. The ambiance is casual but it's clean and cool. Highly recommended this awesome gem! read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Tofu pad see ewe 5/5 !! - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Restaurant is very cozy and quaint. Staff was very attentive and friendly. To-go orders were handled promptly. My waitress, Nancy, was amazing! I dined in and ordered the "Sen-Jan" Pad Thai with chicken and Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango. When I ordered the mango sticky rice, the waitress was careful to mention in advance that the mango would not be very sweet. She was very aware and timed the desert to when I finished my Pad Thai. The Pad Thai presentation was excellent. The serving was a decent size, enough for one person to be satisfied. Taste and texture was great and as expected for Pad Thai. One of the better Pad Thais I've had. Mango sticky rice presentation was excellent. Serving was large enough for 2-4 people to share comfortably. Taste and texture were all great and as expected for mango sticky rice. TLDR: Exemplary Thai food, great restaurant, great value. Would recommend! read more

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If you want the best crispy fried chicken ever... you NEED to come here. Crispy Fried Chicken: GET THIS!! The most deliciously crispy, juicy, and mouth watering chicken you will ever eat. Paired with the sauce, I don't think it can get any better. I don't even live near here and I come back just for this. The other items were tasty and seasoned well but the fried chicken just stole the show for me. The service was very friendly and accommodating. And for dinner time, we were almost the only ones in the restaurant. For how good the food was, this place needs to be put on the radar! Food: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Value: 7/10 read more

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This highly-rated Thai restaurant has long been on my list of places to check out; perhaps I postponed visiting (with less-open-minded hubby) due to some menu items being very different from those at other typical Thai restaurants we'd visited to date. Visiting with fellow foodies, we were eager to taste a variety (would've ordered more had we had more room in our bellies)! With some helpful input from our sweet-&-patient server, Pat, we ordered the following: Hot Tea, $3 (served loose leaf, in a cute, bulbous tea pot -- with appreciated refills of hot water); Starters: Crispy Chive Cake, $8.95 -- tender and tasty, with a hint of spiciness; Curries: Beef Shanks Panaeng Stew (smooth and savory), which comes with choice of Jasmine rice or (so glad we chose) Rotee -- a deliciously addictive buttery flatbread, $19.95 (I discovered that I LOVE this!). Plates: Crispy Pork Brussel Sprouts (served with Jasmine rice), $17.95; Pad See Ew, $14.95 (with Shrimp + $3) -- flavorful wide rice noodle with plump shrimp (disappointingly, I accidentally deleted my photo). The portions were satisfying and sufficient but are smaller servings than other restaurants of the same cuisine; attractive presentation -- including chilies being served in small stainless steel dipping cups (vs. the variety of chilies in condiment containers with small serving spoons that we've been served elsewhere). The interior is small, simple yet stylish in design, clean (with hand sanitizer on every table), and comfortable. Service was wonderful from start to finish: extremely welcoming and friendly, approachable, helpful, attentive, and professional. Heads-up: no restrooms within the restaurant. Eager to return to experience more of their menu items... very soon! Update: I've returned a few times since my initial visit; I'm pleased to report that hubby very much enjoys this place, too!! read more

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Amazing Thai food with fresh ingredients, rich flavors, and super friendly service. The pad thai and curry were both excellent, and the atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. Definitely coming back again! read more

I first found out about Plern during Covid times and they were available via Doordash. When we got the food, I thought "Yum! They've got more than you usual Thai place down the street." We continued to get takeout from there and eventually started to dine in. Their little restaurant is cute and bright. It's not big so I would refrain from bringing anything bigger than a party of 6. Favorite dishes: - Pork Toro - Zapp Beef Soup - Plern Signature - Swimming Pig - The Basil Wagyu Honestly, we haven't had anything disappointing here but be warned the spice levels can vary. Case in point, I asked for my Basil Wagyu medium and hubby got his green curry mild. Turns out mine barely had a kick but we had to trade dishes because his curry got way too spicy. I guess not all heat is created equal but just be aware, start small! The people there are quite pleasant but if the place gets busy, things will get a bit slower. Nonetheless, they are friendly and kind people. Check it out! read more

This was so so amazing the first time we had it. Here is the 2nd time - and it's not cheap at $90 for 2. Whoever was cooking last night (1/2/26) at around 7 pm this was completely OFF. Not like Plern at all, they have amazing food. I'm not trying to harm with this review, only help. Sorry this was super off and not at all aligned with your amazing brand. read more

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Saw an Instagram post from Brooke.and.Ben and had to give Plern a try. It did not disappoint. Everything tastes like it mama Thai's cooking....so authentic and flavorful. We really enjoyed their Thai Basil Wagu, Beef Panang Curry and crispy pork with brussel sprouts. Their Thai Tea and Thai coffee were on point too. The restaurant is cozy and clean. There were so many regulars there. The owner Nina and her staff are so sweet too. We watched them greeted their guests so warmly and kind. We will be back there soon. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Some of our favorite authentic comforting food selection at Plern. - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The Lake Forest GC brought me here. (For those not in the know - google it!) It's tucked away in the corner of a plaza. Very small space inside, but it was packed on Saturday afternoon when I went. I ordered for to go. I love rice noodles, so I had to go with my usual Thai restaurant order Pad Kee Mao with chicken. I asked for medium spicy. Sadly, it was not spicy at all and the portion was not as big as other places. Still - a decent option in Lake Forest and would consider coming again to try something else, in case they had an off day! read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Pad Kee Mao, with chicken - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Had lunch with the family today at Plern Thai cafe. Everything is very authentic and delicious. Service by chef Nina and her staff are quick and friendly. It's a small and clean restaurant. We will come back soon! read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Pad See Ew with huge shrimp is so good!! - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Plern consistently amazes me with their delicious menu items. I started coming here 3 years ago and I will keep coming back! They've added new items onto their menu and everything is so tasty and delish. For all of their items, you can opt from no spice all the way up to spicy. Recently I went outside of my comfort zone and tried their Crispy Pork Brussels Sprout - omg. It was sooo good. My usuals are the Crispy Chicken Rice and The Basil Wagyu. The ladies who work there are always super nice and are constantly refilling your waters. They offer takeout so if you're tight on time, maybe order for pickup. During peek lunch hours, they do get packed so I always try to go early with my co workers- like around 11:30am. This restaurant is authentic Thai cuisine and it's unlike any Thai food I've ever had before. If you like Thai food, be sure to check this place out! read more

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If you're looking for authentic Thai food in Orange County, Plern Thai Cafe is a must. Every dish felt comforting, traditional, and thoughtfully made, like food cooked with real care and intention. We started with the crispy chive cake and papaya salad, which were the perfect way to wake up the palate. One of our favorites was the Plern signature pork jowl with Thai purple rice berry. The grilled steak salad with aromatic rice powder was a standout: so tender and refreshing with amazing depth of flavor. The crispy pork Brussels sprouts were perfectly crunchy and coated in a rich garlic sauce that we couldn't get enough of. The Thai basil Wagyu, made with real grass-fed beef and topped with a runny egg, was unreal. They also have all the classic Thai dishes tom yum soup, pad see ew, and an amazing Penang curry with melt-in-your-mouth beef shanks. Don't skip the drinks and dessert! The Thai tea and Thai iced coffee were great pairings, and the sweet roti with coconut was the perfect way to end the meal. We also loved the Wagyu roti mataba. It is a crispy roti filled with Wagyu, potatoes, and onions, packed with flavor in every bite. Overall, this is comforting, authentic Thai food made the way the owner grew up eating it. You can truly taste the tradition and heart behind the dishes. We'll definitely be back. read more

My boyfriend and I have been coming to this since pre-COVID! This place does not disappoint. If you like clean, fresh and MSG free food, this is your go to! Some of our favs to order are the Wagyu Basil, Crispy chicken and rice, Wagyu Rotis, the green curry and the chive cakes are so delish. And don't sleep on the Thai tea's - both the lime and regular. The manager is the sweetest lady, she usually does the taking orders and the serving and she does it all with the biggest smile on her face. I am so happy this place made it through Covid as it is by far one of my favorite spots to eat in Lake Forest. If we're not dining in, we are picking up take out! Our food is so delicious every single time. I 10/10 recommend this spot. You won't regret it! read more

Delicious unique menu that you can't find in other Thai restaurants Fast and attentive services. read more

The service was fast and server was friendly. Unfortunately we did not like the food - we went for the protein and veggie plate in hopes of a more healthy meal but there was way too much dressing on salad and the dressing was too vinegary. The steak plate was mostly arugula and meat was chewy - it did not feel like a balanced meal. The vegetarian appetizer was mostly starch - I wish it came with some herbs and improved dressing to balance it out. It is possible we ordered the wrong things on the menu. I cant recommend it yet it seems other yelp reviewers have enjoyed other menu items. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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They added new items to the menu. I want to try everything! Wagyu Roti is now my favorite along with the melon soup and pork app! The Thai tea is soooooo good as well!!! My fav spot for Thai in OC! Service is always top notch!! The sweetest servers! And place is very clean! read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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I've been to Plern twice and the service is always friendly. Reminds you of the meaning of hospitality. The portions are smaller than other places but the food is delicious. Make sure to order a side of Paratha with your meal. The soft, buttery Paratha is a perfect complement to the spicy food. Speaking of spicy, make sure to ask what the levels of spice are. I ordered my salad medium spicy and it was spicier than I expected so I wasn't able to eat all of it. My favorite meal is the Grilled Steak "Naam Tok". I forgot to take a picture of it because I ate it so quickly. It's a perfectly cooked steak, cut into smaller pieces, topped with an umami sauce and served with arugula salad with cherry tomatoes. Give Plern a try! read more

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Super yummy food customer service is great. Always greeted with a smile. Small but mighty I really enjoy the environment and hospitality from the staff. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a quiet place to have lunch or dinner. Well worth it!! read more

I love Plern, and we've been patrons for years now, but our most recent visit left me and my husband with food poisoning. We couldn't sleep, and we both threw up our dinners. Update: after that ordeal, never coming back again. read more

Located near the Great Park, just a few min of drive. Park wasn't an issue. The restaurant has about 8+ indoor tables. The medium lighting wasn't overwhelmingly bright nor too dark. The temperature was about right. A very comfy environment to dine. The server took our order and the dish were served in a timely manner. The presentation of the food was very good. I have to say their thai style may be different than what you had, but they were all delicious. I am not a fan of scallion but the scallion cakes were scrumptious, nothing was left to go. The server was friendly, water was poured when needed. Just a side note. There is no restroom. I find it strange because I thought restaurants are required to have a restroom or shared restroom. Overall, it was enjoyable. I would come again. 4.7 out of 5. read more

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Honestly, some of the best Thai food I've ever had! Everything was executed perfectly. The char on the grilled pork appetizer and the accompanying sauce were masterful. Chive pockets have a delightful interior texture, sort of like cross between mochi and Japanese potato salad, with a crisp exterior. The pad see ew tends to be sweet, but it's perfectly sauced, and the Chinese broccoli crisp. Very sad that I don't live in the area, so am not able to enjoy this level of cooking more frequently. read more

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A few friends and I came here, and we genuinely had an amazing time, thanks to the incredible service from Nancy and the delicious food. From the moment we sat down, she made sure we were taken care of, which made the experience even better. We went all in and shared a variety of dishes, including the brussel sprouts, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Zapp Beef Soup, Braised Beef Panaeng Curry, Thai Coffee, and Thai Iced Tea and let me tell you, everything was on point. The Zapp Beef Soup and Panaeng Curry were the real standouts for me, packed with rich, bold flavors and the perfect amount of heat at medium spice. Definitely got that kick, but in the best way possible! Also, if you're debating on getting rice, do yourself a favor and try the Roti instead, it had that soft, naan-like texture with a great flavor that paired perfectly with the curry. And don't even get me started on the Thai Tea and Thai Coffee--just the right balance of sweetness without being overpowering. Overall, this place is a solid win, and I'm glad we found another go-to Thai spot! If you're in the area and craving some seriously good Thai food, I'd 100% recommend checking it out! read more

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First off, they do not have restrooms, with the Thai coffee and other beverages, I think it's unreasonable to not have a restroom. Secondly, all dishes are extremely heavy on the sugar, I understand sugar in Thai food can bring the flavor to another level, but holy god, the curry tasted sweet and even the pad Thai and the papaya salad, it feels like at least 2 big scoops of sugar per dish. Last but not the least, the portion is overall low but the ratio of protein is well below average. It's worth the try , but I would not recommend. read more

Plern Thai Cafe - Pad Thai with chicken - Thai Near Me - Lake Forest, California