Article Overview: Best Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska
Are you searching for the heat and spice of Thailand in cold and dark Anchorage, Alaska? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Nestled amidst the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska, Anchorage is a surprisingly vibrant culinary city that can surprise visitors with a fairly diverse food scene.
While the state is best known for its seafood and local delicacies like salmon and halibut, it’s also home to an array of asian cuisines. Thai food in particular seems to thrive in Alaska, and its a match made in heaven, think Halibut Red Curry! In this blog post, we’ll explore the thriving Thai restaurant scene in Anchorage, so you can warm your soul with the spices of Thailand.
Why Trust Us On Thai Restaurants in Anchorage
AlaskaExplored is THE DESTINATION for all things Alaska. Wether you’re planning a culinary trip to find the very best restaurants in Palmer, Alaska; or if you’re just curious about the last frontier, we got you covered. Here at AlaskaExplored.com you’ll find expert tips, detailed guides, stunning photographs, and so much more.
Together AlaskaExplored has more than twenty years of experience traveling, working, and exploring the beautifully rugged, 49th state. Working in television has taken us all around the world, and no place more than Alaska. During our time here we’ve documented countless stories from every corner and crevasse of the state. We’ve helped showcase the grandeur of this wild place for National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, Animal Planet, and more. Now we want to share our knowledge and real life experiences with you!
My Experience with Thai Restaurants in Anchorage
Whenever we’re filming a story in Alaska, it usually starts and ends in Anchorage. So before we go into the bush for weeks on end and are forced to eat canned food and protein bars in a smelly tent with other crusty crew members, we like to spoil ourselves with a decent meal.
It’s no secret Anchorage has a plethora of really good Thai food, so tracking down the best one to serve as my “last meal” has been a fun ongoing tradition. I love the spice and deep of flavor that Thai food fills me with on a cold day in Alaska. I love Thai food and I love exploring all the different spots to get it at in Anchorage, we hope you do to.
Table of Contents: Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska
Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska
So without any further ado, here’s a list, in no particular order, of our favorite Thai restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska. Hope you enjoy!
So Thai
We start our Anchorage Thai restaurant list of with So Thai, an unassuming little joint tucked in between a cannabis store and a massage parlor, best day ever amiright!? Tok up, relax, and then come in and grab a seat in a colorful folding chair, the same way you would on the streets of Bangcock.
They specializes in Thai street food and noodles, and their Khao So special is perfect representation of this. Rich and flavorful coconut curry soup with both crispy and soft noodles. Damn tasty dish. They don’t stay open that late, but they are open everyday, from 11am-7:30pm.
Lahn Pad Thai
This busy spot in east Anchorage, is super popular Thai restaurant and for good reason. It’s a multi generational operation, that’s been feeding the community fantastic food for years. Their best dish include their namesake Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Bacon fried rice, com’on!
Check their active Facebook page for current specials like sweet sticky rice and mangos.
Come early get a seat before the dinner rush, its a cozy family friendly vibe with wooden tables & chairs with subtle asian decor on the walls. Or order out, either way its fast, friendly service.
Siam Cuisine
Siam Cuisine has been one of Anchorage’s best Thai restaurants for over 40 years, they opened in 1990! You can’t stay in business for four decades putting out a mediocre product. So grab a seat at one of the many tables in this cozy authentic Thai restaurant.
The only thing more colorful than the constitution of Chinese lanterns hanging above you, is their fantastic menu. They’ve got everything you’d except from a long standing Thai staple. Order a classic like Pad See Ew, or try some fresh Alaska halibut prepared in one their Rama peanut sauce.
They also have dessert and Thai iced tea.
Thai Orchid
Owner and Chef, Somboon Saraphanh was born and raised in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. She moved to Anchorage and opened Thai Orchid using the skills, flavors, and techniques her mother, aunts and grandparents taught her. And take my word for it, momma and the aunties taught her well!
Located off Lake Otis pkwy next to the post office in east Anchorage, this Thai restaurant elevates itself from the crowd with their lunch specials. Dinner is great too with entrees you can’t get at lunch like Pah Naeng Curry, but at $13 a plate(including rice, soup, and fried spring rolls), you need to be eating lunch at Thai Orchid.
Thai Kitchen
Located out on Tudor Rd, just north of Campbell Park, this Anchorage Thai restaurant has been pumping out excellent food for almost 40 years. During the pandemic they had to adopt a take out only model, and they sure have it down to a science. Fast, reliable, and tasty.
Their curries are excellent, with the pineapple curry and the Shu Shee Pla(halibut in red panang curry) being standouts. Their Fresh rolls, and Thai fried rolls are wonderful. Tons of vegetarian options too, like the asparagus entree, tofu sautéed with onions, mushrooms, red peppers and jalapeños.
Mondays are now dedicated to live video game tournaments where people gather to compete in classic games like street fighter, all live streamed on twitch.
Pho Lena
Pho Lena is a bit of a Thai restaurant empire in Anchorage, Alaska. With three locations scattered across the city, the prolific Thai restaurants first got their start in 2008 when a local couple bought the old Chinese Kitchen on Spenard Road and turned it into the first Pho Lena restaurant.
While the name would lead you to believe its a only serves the classic Vietnamese soup, they also make some great Thai and Lao food. Their Khao Piak Sen with Crispy Pork, Pumpkin Curry, and Pork Larb are some standouts. All locations are solid, but our favorite is the one on Spenard Road.
MyThai Downtown Restaurant
MyThai is the second Thai restaurant opened in Anchorage by owner/operator Prapa L. Born in southern Thailand on the island of Koh Samuai, Prapa has been a staple in the Anchorage Thai restaurant scene since she and her siblings opened up Thai Village Restaurant(a solid option in its own right) back in the 90’s.
In 2014 she opened MyThai Downtown restaurant, a fun and casual island themed spot with colorful decor and really good food. They specialize in vegetarian Thai dishes, with their Tom Yum being a standout. If you need more protein the Drunken Noodles with pork is top notch.
Thai Restaurants in Anchorage: Honorable Mentions
Perhaps not quite a restaurant or not quite a Thai restaurant, but regardless, these two Thai eateries in Anchorage are worth a mention, as they are pumping out some delicious food.
Ginger
Okay, so calling Ginger an Anchorage Thai restaurant may be a bit of a stretch, it’s a modern asian fusion joint that blends flavors from the entire pacific rim. However, I feel like I can justify it being on this list because they do have some great great Thai focused dishes, like their Panang Beef Curry and Mee Krob (fried vermicelli noodles in a sweet and sour sauce).
It’s also just one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. Its sleek interior features intimate lighting, bamboo accents, and a great bar serving up fantastic cocktails. You’ll definitely spend more money here than you would at one of the more traditional Thai restaurants in Anchorage, but this modern take on Thai, is well worth it.
Papaya Tree
Not all Thai restaurants in Anchorage are stationary, some are on wheels, like this local favorite food truck, Papaya Tree. You can find this green machine around town at local breweries like King Street and Cynosure Brewing or at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council.
Check their Facebook Page to see where they’re parked.
Their motto is “Unmessed with Southeast Asian Street Food”, Im not sure what that means, but they sure didn’t mess up Pad Thai, it is arguably the best in town. Chicken Skewers are also a hit. Papaya Tree is also known for their friendly serve, call ahead or order and wait in your car on a cold day, they’ll txt you when it’s ready.
Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska (Post Summary)
Just to recap, here’s a list of our favorite Thai restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska.
- So Thai
- Lahn Pad Thai
- Siam Cuisine
- Thai Orchard
- Thai Kitchen
- Pho Lena
- MyThai
- Ginger
- Papaya Tree
Map of Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska
More Alaska Restaurant Articles
Petersburg Alaska Restaurants: Eat at Every Joint in Town
Best Restaurants in Palmer, Alaska + Breweries & Food Trucks!
Top 10 Restaurants in Seward, Alaska: Taco Trucks, Fine Dining, & More
Top 5 BEST Restaurants in Nome, Alaska (Honest Guide)
6 Stellar Girdwood Restaurants + Brewery and Food Trucks
[…] Best Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska: Asian Heat in the Frigid Arctic […]