Oraan Thai Eatery

At Oraan Thai Eatery, focus on two things: the tum pon la mai bathed in a sweet chili-lime dressing and the rich and spicy tom kha soup. The tartness of those two appetizers is more than enough for us to keep coming back to this modern Thai spot in the Richmond. While sharing the salad and soup is the way to go, this is one of the few places where we love having an entree to ourselves, like the neur marakot with green curry and kaffir lime. It’s simply the best way to dig into the big plates at this casual dinner spot that’s just a tad nicer than your average spot on Geary. And thanks to two big dining rooms, you’ll have no problem walking in last minute on a weekday, even with a large group.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Oraan Thai Eatery

Som Tum Pon La Mai

This salad is loaded with fresh fruit—usually a mix of strawberries, grapes, and pineapple—and coated with a sweet chili-lime dressing that will leave you puckering your lips. Order it every time you visit.

photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez

Tom Kha Soup

Rich, creamy, and just a tad spicy. The addition of galangal gives your nostrils a bit of a gingery kick and rounds out the dish to make it the best soup on the menu.

photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez

Gai Manow

This deep-fried chicken is a little too greasy and minced for our liking. Feel free to skip it.