Silk Thai Cuisine
A locals' favorite just a few minutes from the beach in Huntington Beach, this restaurant prides itself on its authentic cuisine. This may seem odd, considering the co-owner/head chef is Italian, but when you learn that he is also a former Thai Buddhist monk, it makes more sense. You come for the food, but while you're there, you might hear about hotspots to visit in Thailand. The service is warm and attentive, the portions generous without going overboard, and the atmosphere open and inviting. The menu provides vegetarian options, and all dishes are prepared without MSG and using trans-fat free oil. Credit cards are accepted with a $10 minimum.
Silk Thai Cuisine
19690 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 964-1151
gosilkthai.com
Mongkut Thai
Mongkut Thai in San Clemente is a small restaurant located on Avenida del Mar, the main thoroughfare in this quaint beach town. The interior is unassuming, but the food is high in quality, flavorful and the spice levels can be made-to-order. The staff is friendly and eager to please, the menu extensive, portions are large and prices reasonable. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, while seafood lovers will find the same. After your meal, take a pleasant walk up del Mar to window shop, sightsee or just enjoy the casual beach town atmosphere this community is known for.
Mongkut Thai
212 Avenida del Mar
San Clemente CA 92672
(949) 492-3871
Wheel of Life
This vegetarian restaurant meets the challenge of pleasing both vegetarian and carnivore palates alike. Dishes made with tofu, soy, eggplant and other filling options are satisfying and flavorful, with a focus on healthy preparation. All dishes are made without MSG, and are low in fat and cholesterol. With its quaint street-front location on Culver Drive in Irvine, the restaurant is easy to find. Reasonably priced, with daily lunch specials, the restaurant is open daily, except Tuesdays.
Wheel of Life
14370 Culver Drive
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 551-8222
wheelofliferestaurant.com
Diho Siam
With several locations in Orange County, Diho Siam Thai food restaurants provide a consistent, relatively inexpensive Thai dining experience. With a large selection of salads to round out the more traditional Thai and Chinese fare, there are varying levels of spice to please any palate, as well as healthy options for weight-conscious diners. The interiors are generally small, but comfortable and clean. Some of the locations, such as the Costa Mesa and Mission Viejo spots, provide outdoor seating and take-out lunch specials if you're in a hurry or just want to enjoy your meal on-the-go.
Diho Siam
multiple locations, including:
Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Lake Forest and Fountain Valley
dihosiam.com
