Plern Thai Cafe

We like that they have a working website where we can order foods online. That's a big plus.We ordered to go multiple times and always pleased with the foods. The pork jawl is a must...whether it's the appetizer or salad. Papaya salad has the right balance of flavors. Pad see ew is phenomenal! I normally avoid this dish at other places but they do it very well here.When we think of Thai foods, this place comes to mind first. We will keep coming back.

Friday night and we're slummin' it. Don't really feel like dressing up and I don't feel like cooking. So we decided to head to a Thai place that we hadn't tried yet. This popped up on my yelp and I decided this was the place to eat at tonight.The service was exceptional. The servers were very friendly and they were always checking on us and bringing us whatever we needed promptly.Unfortunately, thats where the good stuff ends. The dining room was ok. It was pretty ordinary. Well lit. Capacity of about 30 people or so. But the food was ordinary at best. It's hard to make thai food meh. But congratulations Plern! You have done quite a feat. The main issue is they have made thai food bland. I'm not talking about the heat level; I'm talking abut not adding enough spices. The chicken is just boiled meat thrown into the soup. The tofu is not fried. The pad thai was a very small amount of noodles and mostly other fillers. They even substituted the normal amount of soup with side of rice. But, the prices are the same as most other nice thai places.I won't be visiting here again; even to slum it.

The Lake Forest GC brought me here. (For those not in the know - google it!)It's tucked away in the corner of a plaza. Very small space inside, but it was packed on Saturday afternoon when I went. I ordered for to go. I love rice noodles, so I had to go with my usual Thai restaurant order Pad Kee Mao with chicken. I asked for medium spicy. Sadly, it was not spicy at all and the portion was not as big as other places.Still - a decent option in Lake Forest and would consider coming again to try something else, in case they had an off day!

Plern consistently amazes me with their delicious menu items. I started coming here 3 years ago and I will keep coming back! They've added new items onto their menu and everything is so tasty and delish. For all of their items, you can opt from no spice all the way up to spicy. Recently I went outside of my comfort zone and tried their Crispy Pork Brussels Sprout - omg. It was sooo good. My usuals are the Crispy Chicken Rice and The Basil Wagyu. The ladies who work there are always super nice and are constantly refilling your waters. They offer takeout so if you're tight on time, maybe order for pickup. During peek lunch hours, they do get packed so I always try to go early with my co workers- like around 11:30am. This restaurant is authentic Thai cuisine and it's unlike any Thai food I've ever had before. If you like Thai food, be sure to check this place out!

The service was fast and server was friendly.Unfortunately we did not like the food - we went for the protein and veggie plate in hopes of a more healthy meal but there was way too much dressing on salad and the dressing was too vinegary. The steak plate was mostly arugula and meat was chewy - it did not feel like a balanced meal. The vegetarian appetizer was mostly starch - I wish it came with some herbs and improved dressing to balance it out.It is possible we ordered the wrong things on the menu. I cant recommend it yet it seems other yelp reviewers have enjoyed other menu items.

They added new items to the menu. I want to try everything! Wagyu Roti is now my favorite along with the melon soup and pork app! The Thai tea is soooooo good as well!!! My fav spot for Thai in OC! Service is always top notch!! The sweetest servers! And place is very clean!

I've been to Plern twice and the service is always friendly. Reminds you of the meaning of hospitality. The portions are smaller than other places but the food is delicious. Make sure to order a side of Paratha with your meal. The soft, buttery Paratha is a perfect complement to the spicy food. Speaking of spicy, make sure to ask what the levels of spice are. I ordered my salad medium spicy and it was spicier than I expected so I wasn't able to eat all of it.My favorite meal is the Grilled Steak "Naam Tok". I forgot to take a picture of it because I ate it so quickly. It's a perfectly cooked steak, cut into smaller pieces, topped with an umami sauce and served with arugula salad with cherry tomatoes. Give Plern a try!

Located near the Great Park, just a few min of drive. Park wasn't an issue. The restaurant has about 8+ indoor tables. The medium lighting wasn't overwhelmingly bright nor too dark. The temperature was about right. A very comfy environment to dine.The server took our order and the dish were served in a timely manner. The presentation of the food was very good. I have to say their thai style may be different than what you had, but they were all delicious. I am not a fan of scallion but the scallion cakes were scrumptious, nothing was left to go.The server was friendly, water was poured when needed. Just a side note. There is no restroom. I find it strange because I thought restaurants are required to have a restroom or shared restroom. Overall, it was enjoyable. I would come again. 4.7 out of 5.

Plern Thai Cafe offers a refreshingly intimate dining experience with a capacity of roughly 35 patrons. Stepping away from the usual boisterous Thai eateries, Plern exudes a certain tranquility, perfect for a relaxed exploration of its unique menu.Crispy Chive Cake ($7): A captivating introduction, this appetizer features eight golden rice flour cakes bursting with vibrant chive notes and a delightful textural contrast between the crisp exterior and the soft, savory interior. A must-try for any adventurous diner.Beef shank ($18) - Tender braised beef shanks soaked in a rich coconut milk and panang curry paste topped with kaffir lime leaves provided for an exceptional tasting dish. I had the option to go with rice or flat bread and opted for the flat bread.Thai Basil Wagyu ($18): Here, Plern shines. Minced grass-fed wagyu is stir-fried to tender perfection, redolent with the fragrance of holy basil. The accompanying green beans add a touch of freshness, while the perfectly crisped fried egg delivers a satisfying richness.Green Curry Chicken ($13): This dish, unfortunately, fell short of the mark. The green curry itself lacked the expected depth and body, presenting as watery and somewhat underwhelming. The chicken, too, had an off-putting aroma, further diminishing the overall experience. The drier rice also detracted from the enjoyment.Overall, Plern Thai Cafe presents a unique perspective on Thai cuisine. While the menu is concise, the quality and creativity evident in most dishes are commendable. The fragrant Thai basil wagyu and the rich panang beef shanks are particular triumphs. A minor misstep with the green curry prevents a perfect score, but Plern's potential is undeniable. With a slight expansion of the menu, particularly in the chicken, beef, and sea food options, this hidden gem could become a local favorite.

Honestly, some of the best Thai food I've ever had!Everything was executed perfectly. The char on the grilled pork appetizer and the accompanying sauce were masterful. Chive pockets have a delightful interior texture, sort of like cross between mochi and Japanese potato salad, with a crisp exterior.The pad see ew tends to be sweet, but it's perfectly sauced, and the Chinese broccoli crisp. Very sad that I don't live in the area, so am not able to enjoy this level of cooking more frequently.