Tawanna Thai: Serving Authentic Thai Flavors with Heart in Los Angeles
Tawanna Thai in Los Angeles is serving up bold, authentic Thai flavors with heart. From their famous Khao Soi to the must-try Pad Kra Paw, owner Oliver shares his journey of resilience, family recipes, and passion for Thai cuisine. Discover the dishes that put them on the map!
Los Angeles is packed with incredible Thai restaurants, but Tawanna Thai stands out—not just for its bold flavors, but for the heart and resilience behind it. Owned by Oliver, Tawanna Thai has been serving up flavorful, authentic Thai cuisine with a touch of home, thanks to family recipes and a dedication to quality.
But like many small restaurants, the journey hasn’t been easy. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to adapting to shifts in customer habits, Oliver and his team have worked tirelessly to keep Tawanna Thai thriving. And through it all, their passion for bringing real Thai flavors to LA has never wavered.
A Family Legacy Rooted in Thai Cuisine
Oliver's journey into the restaurant business was heavily influenced by his older brother, who first worked in a Thai restaurant in New York before moving to Los Angeles. When their mother—who played a big role in inspiring Tawanna Thai's recipes—settled in LA, Oliver and his brother saw an opportunity to open a Thai restaurant together.
Some of the dishes on the menu today, like the beloved Khao Soi, are inspired by their mother’s Northern Thai roots. “Some of the recipes come from my mom,” Oliver shares, emphasizing the deep personal connection behind each dish.
Adapting to Challenges & Changing Times
Like many small restaurants, Tawanna Thai was hit hard by COVID-19. With fewer people dining in and many nearby offices switching to remote work, lunchtime foot traffic slowed dramatically. "Before COVID, we were packed at lunch," Oliver recalls. "But now, many offices only have employees come in a couple of days a week."
To adjust, Tawanna Thai leaned into delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, even though the commission fees were steep.“We don’t make much profit, but it helps bring in new customers.”
One unexpected silver lining? The opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures during the pandemic. “The museum brought in visitors, and that helped keep us going,” Oliver says.
Must-Try Dishes at Tawanna Thai
With nearly 100 dishes on the menu, Tawanna Thai offers something for every Thai food lover. If you’re unsure where to start, Oliver recommends these top three dishes:
Khao Soi – A Northern Thai-style curry noodle dish, featuring a rich and creamy yellow curry base, steamed egg noodles, crispy fried noodles, and garnished with cilantro, red onion, green onion, pickled mustard greens, and fresh lime.
Pad-Se-Ew – A classic stir-fried flat rice noodle dish cooked with egg, broccoli, and bok choy in a savory soy sauce.
Pad Kra Paw (Spicy Basil Stir-Fry) – This dish features spicy basil leaves, stir-fried with your choice of protein, and is a Thai comfort food favorite. “Most Thai people can eat it every day,” Oliver shares.
If you’re new to Tawanna Thai, Pad Thai is also a crowd favorite and one of the most-ordered dishes.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Oliver remains optimistic about the future of Tawanna Thai. He’s exploring new marketing strategies, from Google ads to collaborations with local businesses and hotels. His goal? To bring more people in and introduce them to real Thai flavors.
As for his dream customer? “I’d love for Lisa from BLACKPINK to come in and try our food,” Oliver laughs. “She’s Thai, so that would be amazing.”