I was curious about Esaan because Thai is my favorite food. I lived in Thailand for over 2 years and I often eat Thai dishes. I was surprised that the papaya salad appeared to be missing ingredients, but what was worse is that it was rather bland and not tasty. My daughters thought the noodle were good, and the curry was okay. However, the laab (one of my favorite dishes) was shamefully bad. I will stick with Padek in 7 Corners when I want authentic Thai or Lao food.
Essan Thai is one of the best Thai food experience I have had. Having travelled extensively across Asia I have experienced many Thai food restaurants and this is in my top list. The standard of food and local service with a smile especially from PLA is simply wonderful- we are so lucky to have Esaan on our doorstep ???
The very best Thai restaurant I’ve ever been to in my life. This cozy cool/edgy decorated restaurant served unbelievably high quality gourmet dishes (seasonal entree Kai Sai Crabmeat was amazingly flavorful and fresh - a strew with crab and noodles) as well as a warm colorful dessert (see photo of dessert). Already planning my next visit with family.
Cozy Thai place amongst plenty of other Thai placesLittle BMW motorcycle inside the front door- we were the first people there on a Thursday just before noonAll 5 of us ordered different soup noodles, papaya salad, pork belly appetizer and another chicken dish as well as the sausage appetizer.She didn’t write any of our order down and brought out the wrong papaya salad initially. Not sure why she doesn’t write anything down?!?…. Only person working there that we saw.Everything was delicious & flavorful. The soup noodles were heavy on star anise & 5-spice but we’re good nonetheless.The star of the day was the fried pork belly appetizer. We actually ordered another one because it was that good. Is there lemongrass in the batter?!?!Plus the extra hot sauces they provided and the small dish of fish sauce were helpful to allow us to spice our own food.We’d be regulars if we lived in the area!!By the time we were done- there were 3 other tables eating happily…
The food is overpriced. Maybe one of the most expensive Thai food I've ever had in DMV area. The food was ok. I went with a group and we ordered tons of dishes. For dishes that are supposed to taste spicy and sour, it was way too sour. Korat stir fried noodles was very unlike the original and too pungent with fish sauce or something. Only things worth mentioning is fried chicken wings and spring rolls. But still with the prices, I don't think I will be rushing back anytime soon.
The price was high for the quality. I got the salmon and it had no flavor. Loved the fish dumpling appetizer and the Thai custard dessert with sticky rice.
I've recently moved from several years living in Bangkok, and Esaan is the best Thai food I've tried in DMV. IMO more authentic and flavorful than Thip Khao or Laos In Town. Now if Esaan would only add Larb Mu Tod to the menu, I'd come every week...
We love Thai/Lao cuisine and this place is top notch for the area. I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else. The Tom Yum, which is our baseline rating system, is out of this world. Great spice levels on everything and they can go super hot if you ask. We’ll be going back again and again!
Went there last weekend with lots of excitement to try this new place and it just disappointed us so bad. Taste is just mediocre and quality of meats was terrible. Menu says prawns but it’s def a shrimp. We spent over $500 for six people and just not worth. Won’t be going back again. Shrimp Lovers in Reston is much better food and quality.
Took out family of four to Esaan for Boxing Day dinner and was very satisfied. Definitely not typical "American" Thai. The cuisine was familiar but shifted a few degrees to the side. Mostly in the direction of more diverse and interesting spice and herb combinations. The whole grilled squid, Chiangmai Sausage, and herbed fried chicken wings were intriguing and delicious. Tom Yum soup was filled with chicken and more pungent and sour than typical but very good.Esaan is hidden in a tiny strip and there's another Thai restaurant just down the lot so make sure you look for Esaan on the corner. The storefront doesn't impress and the interior is understated and quirky (motorcycle for a doorstop?!) but the food is the real deal, authentic, and deliciously satisfying.We'll definitely be going back.