Anajak Thai (Sherman Oaks, CA) [3]
Anajak Thai Cuisine: Thai Taco Tuesday
14704 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91403
818-501-4201
www.anajakthai.com
Tue 06/16/2026, 07:15p-10:45p
The last time I reported on Justin Pichetrungsi was back in April 2023, when I enjoyed a stupendous meal at one of Anajak's much-lauded "Thai omakase" dinners. Since that time, the Chef has continued to rack up the accolades, earning "Best Chef: California" honors from James Beard in 2023 and remaining a mainstay on the LA Times' "101 Best Restaurant" lists, ranking #2 in 2023, #11 in 2024, and #10 in 2025. Pichetrungsi also made an appearance on Top Chef: Wisconsin in June 2024, and in May 2025, even gave a talk at the MAD Symposium in Copenhagen (theme: "Build to Last").
What brought me back tonight was an opportunity to finally try Thai Taco Tuesday (#TTT), a pandemic-era creation featuring Thai-inspired tacos/tostadas (and other sundry dishes), originally cooked and served outdoors in an alley next to the restaurant. I'd always wanted to check it out, but the lack of reservations had kept me away. However, TTT has become more "civilized" over the years, and now requires reservations, hence this visit.
As before, outdoor seating is still an option...
...But TTT is now offered indoors as well. Note that Anajak actually closed at the end of June 2025 for renovations, and when it reopened that August, the restaurant had expanded into the storefront next door (the old Second Aisle vintage clothing shop), and also boasted a new kitchen.
Here we see this evening's Thai Taco Tuesday menu. The first six items are TTT-specific creations, but there's also an abbreviated selection of dishes from the normal menu available as well. Note: the pricing on the Spicy Fried Rice did not match the actual cost of the dish. Click for a larger version.
Curated by Wine Director Ian Krupp (Scopa, The Rose Venice, Kali, 1760, Providence), Anajak's wine list has got to be the most densely-packed in town. Areas of focus include Champagne, Burgundy (both white and red), and, of course, Riesling. And speaking of Riesling, there happened to be a special "Acid Trip TTT" promotion going on tonight, held in collaboration with Dee Vine Wines, a German wine specialist shop based in San Francisco. If you're planning on BYOB-ing, keep in mind that corkage is no longer officially offered, but the team was gracious enough to allow me to open a bottle I'd brought. Click for larger versions.
Apéritif duties were handled by a complimentary coupe of the Brut Rosé, Val de Mer, Chablis, France, NV, a fresh, fruity, slightly funky sparkler with a vivacious acidity and some delicious red fruit character.
Bluefin & Scallop Tostada [$29.00]
We ended up making our way through all six of the special Thai Taco Tuesday dishes on offer. Up first was this duo of cool, creamy scallops and lusher dices of chutoro. The seafood stood up admirably to all the punchier flavors going on here, and I especially enjoyed the contrast provided by all the greenery on the plate. Nice counterpoint from that crunchy tortilla base, too.
Striped Bass Fish Tacos, masienda, chili-lime [$18.00]
Next came the signature TTT dish, and what surely must be one of the best fish taco preparations I've had. The bass showed off that firm, flaky, juicy texture I was looking for, while its refined brine linked up swimmingly with the dish's multifaceted heat and spicing. The red cabbage performed its role well, and I certainly didn't mind a squirt of lime, either.
Given that we were having Thai, it just felt right to start with something like the Riesling, Emrich Schönleber, "Halenberg Großes Gewächs", Nahe, 2023 [$225]. I found a vibrant nose filled with juicy peaches and pineapple. On the palate, the wine presented itself in a lively manner, its fresh acidity commingled with stone fruit and stone, with hints of citrus, all leading to a near-candied close wonderfully reminiscent of SweeTarts. A fitting pair with the food, no doubt.
Kampachi Tostada, Hawaii, nam jim seafood, trout roe [$17.00]
Chards of amberjack arrived satisfyingly firm, with a bit of "snap," the fish's briny-sweetness meshing easily with the sourness and piquancy of nam chim. And again, the maize-y crunch of that tostada served as the consummate finishing touch.
Chinese Sausage Tostada [$17.00]
Here, the super-familiar sweetness of kun chiang was on clear display, smartly set against the brightness of mint and cilantro. Certainly one of the tastier renditions of lap cheong that I've had.
Carnitas Tacos, faux guac, escabeche [$18.00]
Chunks of long-cooked pork arrived tender and toothsome, the meat's salty savor juxtaposing beautifully with the palpable pungency of the dish's Thai seasonings, all while the various herbs and veggies lightened the mood. A fun fact: apparently this was the first taco ever created for TTT.
Shrimp Tostada, coconut curry [$18.00]
In the last of our TTT dishes, plump, sweet shrimp saw their brininess effortlessly matched by the cozy, spicy warmth of a coconut curry.
At this point, a set of crab picking tools were placed, somewhat ominously, at the table.
Live Dungeness Crab, San Francisco, pong gari curry [$95.00]
And here we have what was unquestionably tonight's pièce de résistance, the ปูผัดผงกะหรี่. The Dungeness itself was spot-on, coming out soft, succulent, and oh-so sweet 'n' saline. However, what was even more impressive was how well the crustacean played with the headiness and mouthwatering aromatics of the curry, which managed to perfectly complement the crab without ever getting overwhelming. And if that wasn't enough, we also had a small serving of rice on the side, enhanced by the deep, earthy flavors of tomalley. I'd actually consider this a contender for the best Dungeness I've had.
Tonight's twentieth anniversary bottle was one that I was particularly excited to try: the 2006 Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg. The Loire Valley Cabernet Franc comes from a legendary Chacé-based producer that traces its roots back to 1664, one that achieved "cult" status largely under the watch of eighth-generation owners Bernard "Nady" and Charly Foucault, who took the reins in 1969. Do note that the wine was decanted and sat out for quite a while before being served.
Pad Siew (Chicken) [$24.00]
We decided to move into some heartier courses, and this pad see ew definitely hit the spot. I was a fan of both the dish's smokiness and the bitterness imparted by the brassicas, while the chicken demonstrated a proper cook.
Kaua'i Prawns, Hawaii, house sambal, garlic confit [$33.00]
Here, the inherent oceany sweetness of Hawaiian prawns stood up to the potent heat of sambal without ever getting close to being overpowered. I quite liked the additional oomph provided by all the garlic, too, though my gripe was that I would've preferred the shrimp rarer.
Spicy Fried Rice (Shrimp) + add fried egg [$40.00]
Our final savory was one of the better fried rices I've had in recent times. I enjoyed the dish's heat: omnipresent, lurking in the background, but never getting in the way. The cook on the shrimp was what I wanted, as was the lusciousness of that runny egg, while the veggies worked to lighten things up.
Anajak x August Ice Cream Bar, Thai coffee, dark chocolate, peanuts [$14.00]
The lone dessert option was an ice cream bar from Los Feliz-based producer August Novelties, one that did a good job capturing the grain-y, cardamom-y essence of Thai coffee.
Closing things out was a complimentary pour of the Riesling, Josef Rosch, "Trittenheim Apotheke Auslese", Mosel, 2011. The wine showcased a nose teeming with caramelized pineapple and honeyed pastry, with hints of citrus. Taking a sip, I found more of that sweet honey along with a tropical fruit mélange and just a trace of offsetting minerality.
I'm happy to report that Pichetrungsi and his team gave us a great experience tonight. All six Thai-Mexican mash-ups delivered in spades, really making sense in a seamless manner and never feeling contrived nor forced. At the same time, the rest of the dishes largely met the mark as well, especially that crab curry. I can definitely see why Thai Taco Tuesday has proven to be so popular. Now I just want them to bring back the tasting menu!
14704 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91403
818-501-4201
www.anajakthai.com
Tue 06/16/2026, 07:15p-10:45p
The last time I reported on Justin Pichetrungsi was back in April 2023, when I enjoyed a stupendous meal at one of Anajak's much-lauded "Thai omakase" dinners. Since that time, the Chef has continued to rack up the accolades, earning "Best Chef: California" honors from James Beard in 2023 and remaining a mainstay on the LA Times' "101 Best Restaurant" lists, ranking #2 in 2023, #11 in 2024, and #10 in 2025. Pichetrungsi also made an appearance on Top Chef: Wisconsin in June 2024, and in May 2025, even gave a talk at the MAD Symposium in Copenhagen (theme: "Build to Last").
What brought me back tonight was an opportunity to finally try Thai Taco Tuesday (#TTT), a pandemic-era creation featuring Thai-inspired tacos/tostadas (and other sundry dishes), originally cooked and served outdoors in an alley next to the restaurant. I'd always wanted to check it out, but the lack of reservations had kept me away. However, TTT has become more "civilized" over the years, and now requires reservations, hence this visit.
As before, outdoor seating is still an option...
...But TTT is now offered indoors as well. Note that Anajak actually closed at the end of June 2025 for renovations, and when it reopened that August, the restaurant had expanded into the storefront next door (the old Second Aisle vintage clothing shop), and also boasted a new kitchen.
Here we see this evening's Thai Taco Tuesday menu. The first six items are TTT-specific creations, but there's also an abbreviated selection of dishes from the normal menu available as well. Note: the pricing on the Spicy Fried Rice did not match the actual cost of the dish. Click for a larger version.
Curated by Wine Director Ian Krupp (Scopa, The Rose Venice, Kali, 1760, Providence), Anajak's wine list has got to be the most densely-packed in town. Areas of focus include Champagne, Burgundy (both white and red), and, of course, Riesling. And speaking of Riesling, there happened to be a special "Acid Trip TTT" promotion going on tonight, held in collaboration with Dee Vine Wines, a German wine specialist shop based in San Francisco. If you're planning on BYOB-ing, keep in mind that corkage is no longer officially offered, but the team was gracious enough to allow me to open a bottle I'd brought. Click for larger versions.
Apéritif duties were handled by a complimentary coupe of the Brut Rosé, Val de Mer, Chablis, France, NV, a fresh, fruity, slightly funky sparkler with a vivacious acidity and some delicious red fruit character.
Bluefin & Scallop Tostada [$29.00]
We ended up making our way through all six of the special Thai Taco Tuesday dishes on offer. Up first was this duo of cool, creamy scallops and lusher dices of chutoro. The seafood stood up admirably to all the punchier flavors going on here, and I especially enjoyed the contrast provided by all the greenery on the plate. Nice counterpoint from that crunchy tortilla base, too.
Striped Bass Fish Tacos, masienda, chili-lime [$18.00]
Next came the signature TTT dish, and what surely must be one of the best fish taco preparations I've had. The bass showed off that firm, flaky, juicy texture I was looking for, while its refined brine linked up swimmingly with the dish's multifaceted heat and spicing. The red cabbage performed its role well, and I certainly didn't mind a squirt of lime, either.
Given that we were having Thai, it just felt right to start with something like the Riesling, Emrich Schönleber, "Halenberg Großes Gewächs", Nahe, 2023 [$225]. I found a vibrant nose filled with juicy peaches and pineapple. On the palate, the wine presented itself in a lively manner, its fresh acidity commingled with stone fruit and stone, with hints of citrus, all leading to a near-candied close wonderfully reminiscent of SweeTarts. A fitting pair with the food, no doubt.
Kampachi Tostada, Hawaii, nam jim seafood, trout roe [$17.00]
Chards of amberjack arrived satisfyingly firm, with a bit of "snap," the fish's briny-sweetness meshing easily with the sourness and piquancy of nam chim. And again, the maize-y crunch of that tostada served as the consummate finishing touch.
Chinese Sausage Tostada [$17.00]
Here, the super-familiar sweetness of kun chiang was on clear display, smartly set against the brightness of mint and cilantro. Certainly one of the tastier renditions of lap cheong that I've had.
Carnitas Tacos, faux guac, escabeche [$18.00]
Chunks of long-cooked pork arrived tender and toothsome, the meat's salty savor juxtaposing beautifully with the palpable pungency of the dish's Thai seasonings, all while the various herbs and veggies lightened the mood. A fun fact: apparently this was the first taco ever created for TTT.
Shrimp Tostada, coconut curry [$18.00]
In the last of our TTT dishes, plump, sweet shrimp saw their brininess effortlessly matched by the cozy, spicy warmth of a coconut curry.
At this point, a set of crab picking tools were placed, somewhat ominously, at the table.
Live Dungeness Crab, San Francisco, pong gari curry [$95.00]
And here we have what was unquestionably tonight's pièce de résistance, the ปูผัดผงกะหรี่. The Dungeness itself was spot-on, coming out soft, succulent, and oh-so sweet 'n' saline. However, what was even more impressive was how well the crustacean played with the headiness and mouthwatering aromatics of the curry, which managed to perfectly complement the crab without ever getting overwhelming. And if that wasn't enough, we also had a small serving of rice on the side, enhanced by the deep, earthy flavors of tomalley. I'd actually consider this a contender for the best Dungeness I've had.
Tonight's twentieth anniversary bottle was one that I was particularly excited to try: the 2006 Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg. The Loire Valley Cabernet Franc comes from a legendary Chacé-based producer that traces its roots back to 1664, one that achieved "cult" status largely under the watch of eighth-generation owners Bernard "Nady" and Charly Foucault, who took the reins in 1969. Do note that the wine was decanted and sat out for quite a while before being served.
- Initial Impressions: Wow--so much going on. Aromas of meat and mint right up front, followed by layers upon layers of red berry preserves, then rose, Band-Aids, and a bit of apricot hiding in there. In the mouth, think well-structured with an agreeable acidity, along with immense cherried notes commingled with leather, animale, and that aforementioned apricot.
- After 10 Minutes: The bouquet was still brimming with gamey nuances, but what really struck me was how utterly floral the wine had become; nice bit of minerality in there as well. The palate was a similar story, with those florid rose elements really coming to the fore.
- After 70 Minutes: Still plenty of rose on the nose, along with more rare meats, more subdued fruit, and now a marked herbaceousness. Taste-wise, I found more flowers and a delightful black pepper-y spice, alongside leather, tobacco, and forest floor.
Pad Siew (Chicken) [$24.00]
We decided to move into some heartier courses, and this pad see ew definitely hit the spot. I was a fan of both the dish's smokiness and the bitterness imparted by the brassicas, while the chicken demonstrated a proper cook.
Kaua'i Prawns, Hawaii, house sambal, garlic confit [$33.00]
Here, the inherent oceany sweetness of Hawaiian prawns stood up to the potent heat of sambal without ever getting close to being overpowered. I quite liked the additional oomph provided by all the garlic, too, though my gripe was that I would've preferred the shrimp rarer.
Spicy Fried Rice (Shrimp) + add fried egg [$40.00]
Our final savory was one of the better fried rices I've had in recent times. I enjoyed the dish's heat: omnipresent, lurking in the background, but never getting in the way. The cook on the shrimp was what I wanted, as was the lusciousness of that runny egg, while the veggies worked to lighten things up.
Anajak x August Ice Cream Bar, Thai coffee, dark chocolate, peanuts [$14.00]
The lone dessert option was an ice cream bar from Los Feliz-based producer August Novelties, one that did a good job capturing the grain-y, cardamom-y essence of Thai coffee.
Closing things out was a complimentary pour of the Riesling, Josef Rosch, "Trittenheim Apotheke Auslese", Mosel, 2011. The wine showcased a nose teeming with caramelized pineapple and honeyed pastry, with hints of citrus. Taking a sip, I found more of that sweet honey along with a tropical fruit mélange and just a trace of offsetting minerality.
I'm happy to report that Pichetrungsi and his team gave us a great experience tonight. All six Thai-Mexican mash-ups delivered in spades, really making sense in a seamless manner and never feeling contrived nor forced. At the same time, the rest of the dishes largely met the mark as well, especially that crab curry. I can definitely see why Thai Taco Tuesday has proven to be so popular. Now I just want them to bring back the tasting menu!
posted by kevinEats at
7:15 PM
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