At Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks, chef Justin Pichetrungsi serves up inventive Thai dishes, from fried chicken to dry-aged fish tacos, paired with an impressive natural wine list and a vibrant alleyway atmosphere.
"Anajak has been operating in Sherman Oaks for over four decades, but only recently became our highest-rated restaurant in the city. Why? For starters, you could dine at this family-run Thai spot a hundred times and have a completely different—and incredible—experience each time. Come on Tuesdays for dry-aged fish tacos and collaborations with guest chefs. Show up just about any other night to drink natural wine sourced from a Slovenian commune and eat Southern Thai fried chicken you'll tell your therapist about. Then there’s the omakase—a multi-course, reservation-only experience where outdoor grills shoot twirling embers into the air. There’s no such thing as a dull night at Anajak, so just go whenever you can snag a table the fastest. Aside from early-bird slots at 4pm, Anajak's dinner service is often booked weeks in advance. Getting a seat at the 14-course omakase is even harder. Cancellations happen though, so sign up for notifications or try calling." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"It’s easy to wonder if the highest-rated restaurant on our site—and a place that’s been the subject of national awards, heady think pieces, and reservation waitlists—is worth the hassle of getting in. We’re here to tell you our answer is still an unequivocal yes. And that’s because this 40-year-old restaurant in Sherman Oaks has morphed from a dependable neighborhood standby into a genre-bending destination featuring weekly chef collaborations, curated wine lists, a fancy omakase, and some of the best damn food you’ll eat in LA. Dinner here is more than just a meal—it’s an all-out experience highlighted by deep family heritage, dedication to sourcing and sustainability, and dining in the only alleyway in the Valley you’d want to be seen in after 10pm. Aside from early-bird slots at 4pm, Anajak's dinner service is often booked weeks in advance. Getting a seat at the 14-course omakase is even harder. Cancellations happen though, so sign up for notifications or try calling." - brant cox, arden shore, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
"Four-decade-old Anajak Thai is more than just a James Beard award-winning family restaurant. During the pandemic, the Valley staple became a dining destination for second-generation owner Justin Pichetrungsi’s creative plays on Thai classics and events like Thai Taco Tuesday and omakase dinners. Must order dishes include the hamachi crudo, Southern-Thai fried chicken, and grilled black sea bream with nam jim sauce. You don’t have toReservations are difficult to come by but are highly recommended." - Kat Thompson
"Verdict: Anajak isn’t the highest-rated restaurant on our website by accident. This boundary-pushing Thai restaurant in Sherman Oaks serves some of the best food in LA and is a place everyone should experience in person. Aside from early-bird slots at 4pm, Anajak's dinner service is often booked weeks in advance. Getting a seat at the 14-course omakase is even harder. Cancellations happen though, so sign up for notifications or try calling." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"A Thai restaurant visited by former President Barack Obama, where he enjoyed dishes like bluefin and scallop tostada, fish tacos, and Thai fried chicken." - Mona Holmes
