Pa Ord Noodle

"Pa Ord has opened and closed various branches around Hollywood over the years, but the original location at Sunset and Hobart still holds a place in our hearts, because that’s where you’ll find their legendary soup menu in its full glory. This is the best tom yum in town, brimming with both BBQ'd and ground pork, pork ball, liver, dried shrimp, and your choice of noodles. We like the small rice noodle, so as not to overpower the light, citrusy broth. If you aren’t in the mood for a hot bowl of soup today though, don’t worry. There’s an extensive menu filled with excellent curries, salads, and stir-fries. " - brant cox, arden shore, garrett snyder, nikko duren, sylvio martins

"This is my LA. You could easily walk right by and not know what you are missing. You could also walk in, look around, then leave because you don't understand how delicious this experience could be. This is my go to when I need some noodles and we all need noodles in our lives. What sets this place apart from the myriad other options in Thai town is the broth- it's not your typical wimpy watery beef broth, it's bold and packed with flavor. Finally the price point seals the deal: a #2 Boat Noodle, Spicy, Beef, with #2 noodles will set you back only $6.50." - Cris Cimatu

"Pa Ord’s chef and owner Lawan Bhanduram makes a mean bowl of kway tiao ruea, or Thai boat noodle soup, an intensely flavorful dish traditionally sold from small boats along Bangkok’s canals and rivers. The pig’s blood-fortified broth is dark and delicious, while simple rice noodles provide the perfect backdrop to slurp up the fragrant flavors. Diners can choose from five different kinds of noodles to pair with the broth, including wide and flat ones that resemble Italian pappardelle or thin and delicate vermicelli. Every bowl is topped with a flourish of fresh herbs, thinly sliced beef, squeaky meatballs, and tender tripe. Spicing can be adjusted to taste but note that the Thai Town rubric is calibrated to local tastes — ordering mild is closer to medium elsewhere. While most everyone orders the boat noodle soup, Pa Ord’s crispy pork (khao kanah mu grob) is also worth trying; it’s slicked in a sweet marinade and served with Chinese broccoli, steamed rice, and a lacy fried egg. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor" - Eater Staff

"Pa Ord’s chef and owner Lawan Bhanduram makes a mean bowl of kway tiao ruea, or Thai boat noodle soup, an intensely flavorful dish traditionally sold from small boats along Bangkok’s canals and rivers. The pig’s blood-fortified broth is dark and delicious, while simple rice noodles provide the perfect backdrop to slurp up the fragrant flavors. Diners can choose from five different kinds of noodles to pair with the broth, including wide and flat ones that resemble Italian pappardelle or thin and delicate vermicelli. Every bowl is topped with a flourish of fresh herbs, thinly sliced beef, squeaky meatballs, and tender tripe. Spicing can be adjusted to taste but note that the Thai Town rubric is calibrated to local tastes — ordering mild is closer to medium elsewhere. While most everyone orders the boat noodle soup, Pa Ord’s crispy pork (khao kanah mu grob) is also worth trying; it’s slicked in a sweet marinade and served with Chinese broccoli, steamed rice, and a lacy fried egg. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor" - Eater Staff

"This particular location, tucked away in the corner of a strip mall off Sunset (there’s another one on Hollywood Boulevard), has some of the best boat noodles in the business. Diners can choose between thin or flat rice noodles, egg noodles, or glass noodles and steep them in an array of soup bases and toppings." - Kat Thompson, Eater Staff