Great food and excellent service! Everything was delicious, the staff was friendly and attentive, and we really enjoyed our experience at Samsara. Definitely a place we'll come back to! read more

They are "closed until further notice." Would've been nice to know before I drove there.

One of our supervisors picked up lunch for the office from here, and it was bliss! I had the Tom Yum soup and red curry with chicken. Everyone else also raved about the food they got. A very solid choice for Thai in this area. read more

The vermicelli is consistently amazing. I highly recommend it! Friendly service too.

I tried to have lunch at Samsara after checking their online hours (posted as noon-7pm). Arrived at 12:45 to a locked door and two signs. One warned that if you "don't have patience, don't eat here" because they're short staffed. The other, handwritten on cardboard, announced they "open at 4pm." This is the second time I've attempted to eat here during their posted hours only to find them closed. I understand staffing issues happen, but updating your hours is free. Despite all the rave reviews, I'm done trying. read more

Excellent food. A husband and wife team so patience is key. You will be well rewarded.

We were just passing through and Thai sounded good. They had a sign out front that said they were short staffed, but we did not have any delays. Food was amazing! Definitely stop in! read more

The food is absolutely worthy (and better) of being on Front Street- but I'm glad that it's not- so I can get a table more easily!!! Wouldn't be out of place in Venice Los Angeles and feels like you're being fed by extended family. Highly Recommend!!!! read more

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

Samsara - Chicken Pad Thai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Absolutely amazing food, and great service. Despite being short staffed; the food came out amazing, with great attention to detail. Server was checking in with us every once in a while, and the ambiance was very welcoming. Food was so yummy!!! read more

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

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

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BEST SE Asian cuisine on the planet! Every dish we ordered was legendary. Staff was courteous and professional. Ambience warm and welcoming Samsara is now on our top ten list of all time. Only disappointment is that we hadn't discovered it until today! read more

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

Very small dining area but the entrees were very tasty. They do a brisk carry out business. Reasonably priced.

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

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

Here for the fireworks competition and saw this unassuming restaurant as we were coming to park. Thai sounded good, but it's usually slim pickings for good Asian food this far north. They warned me about their spice levels when I ordered so I went for mild+ which turned out to be just a bit below the medium I normally get. Perfect amount of spice for me. The drunken noodles are probably the best I've ever had. So flavorful! My mother in law gobbled up the pad Thai. I will have to remember this place next time I'm up in Traverse City. So good. read more

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

One of the most amazing gems we have ever found on google maps. the servers were so kind, and the food was out of this world. Most definitely will Be back during spring break! I suggest the rangoons! 10/10! Please visit! it is a must stop. We were seated quickly and treated so well! Thank you so much for the great food! Hope to be back soon! read more

Horrible food..filthy restaurant..I wondered why it was empty..really a shame...the food was barely edible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samsara - Vermicelli Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samsara - Chicken Satay, yummy... - Asian Fusion Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan