Are you searching for the heat and spice of Thailand in the cold and dark? Looking for the best Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Nestled amidst the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska, Anchorage is a surprisingly vibrant culinary city that can surprise visitors with a fairly diverse food scene.
While the state is best known for its seafood and local delicacies like salmon and halibut, it’s also home to an array of asian cuisines. Thai food in particular seems to thrive in Alaska, and it’s a match made in heaven, think Halibut Red Curry! In this article, we’ll explore the thriving Thai restaurant scene in Anchorage, so you can warm your soul with the spices of Thailand.
Anchorage Thai Restaurants: Quick Reference Table
| Restaurant | Vibe | Best Dish | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| So Thai | Street food, casual | Khao Soi | Midtown |
| Lahn Pad Thai | Family, neighborhood | Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles | East Anchorage |
| Siam Cuisine | Classic, longstanding | Pad See Ew, Halibut Rama | Downtown |
| Thai Orchid | Neighborhood gem | Lunch specials | East Anchorage |
| Thai Kitchen | Takeout-focused | Pineapple curry, fresh rolls | South Anchorage |
| Pho Lena | Multi-location empire | Khao Piak Sen, Pork Larb | Multiple |
| MyThai Downtown | Casual island vibe | Tom Yum, Drunken Noodles | Downtown |
| Ginger | Upscale Asian fusion | Panang Beef Curry, Mee Krob | Downtown |
My Experience with Thai Restaurants in Anchorage
Whenever we’re filming a story in Alaska, it usually starts and ends in Anchorage. So before we go into the bush for weeks on end and are forced to eat canned food and protein bars in a smelly tent with other crusty crew members, we like to spoil ourselves with a decent meal.
It’s no secret Anchorage has a plethora of really good Thai food, so tracking down the best one to serve as my “last meal” has been a fun ongoing tradition. I love the spice and deep of flavor that Thai food fills me with on a cold day in Alaska. I love Thai food and I love exploring all the different spots to get it at in Anchorage, we hope you do to.
So without any further ado, here’s a list, in no particular order, of our favorite Thai restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska. Hope you enjoy!
So Thai
We start our Anchorage Thai restaurant list of with So Thai, an unassuming little joint tucked in between a cannabis store and a massage parlor, best day ever amiright!? Tok up, relax, and then come in and grab a seat in a colorful folding chair, the same way you would on the streets of Bangkok.
They specializes in Thai street food and noodles, and their Khao So special is perfect representation of this. Rich and flavorful coconut curry soup with both crispy and soft noodles. Damn tasty dish. They don’t stay open that late, but they are open everyday, from 11am-7:30pm, except Wednesdays.
Lahn Pad Thai
This busy spot in east Anchorage, is super popular Thai restaurant and for good reason. It’s a multi generational operation, that’s been feeding the community fantastic food for years. Their best dish include their namesake Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Bacon fried rice, com’on!
Check their active Facebook page for current specials like sweet sticky rice and mangos.
Come early get a seat before the dinner rush, its a cozy family friendly vibe with wooden tables & chairs with subtle asian decor on the walls. Or order out, either way its fast, friendly service.
Siam Cuisine
Siam Cuisine has been one of Anchorage’s best Thai restaurants for over 40 years, they opened in 1980! You can’t stay in business for four decades putting out a mediocre product. So grab a seat at one of the many tables in this cozy authentic Thai restaurant.
The only thing more colorful than the constitution of Chinese lanterns hanging above you, is their fantastic menu. They’ve got everything you’d except from a long standing Thai staple. Order a classic like Pad See Ew, or try some fresh Alaska halibut prepared in one their Rama peanut sauce.
They also have dessert and Thai iced tea.
Thai Orchid
Owner and Chef, Somboon Saraphanh was born and raised in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. She moved to Anchorage and opened Thai Orchid using the skills, flavors, and techniques her mother, aunts and grandparents taught her. And take my word for it, momma and the aunties taught her well!
Located off Lake Otis pkwy next to the post office in east Anchorage, this Thai restaurant elevates itself from the crowd with their lunch specials. Dinner is great too with entrees you can’t get at lunch like Pah Naeng Curry, but at $13 a plate(including rice, soup, and fried spring rolls), you need to be eating lunch at Thai Orchid.
Thai Kitchen
Located out on Tudor Rd, just north of Campbell Park, this Anchorage Thai restaurant has been pumping out excellent food for almost 40 years. During the pandemic they had to adopt a take out only model, and they sure have it down to a science. Fast, reliable, and tasty.
Their curries are excellent, with the pineapple curry and the Shu Shee Pla(halibut in red panang curry) being standouts. Their Fresh rolls, and Thai fried rolls are wonderful. Tons of vegetarian options too, like the asparagus entree, tofu sautéed with onions, mushrooms, red peppers and jalapeños.
Mondays are now dedicated to live video game tournaments where people gather to compete in classic games like street fighter, all live streamed on twitch.
Pho Lena
Pho Lena is a bit of a Thai restaurant empire in Anchorage, Alaska. With three locations scattered across the city, the prolific Thai restaurants first got their start in 2008 when a local couple bought the old Chinese Kitchen on Spenard Road and turned it into the first Pho Lena restaurant.
While the name would lead you to believe its a only serves the classic Vietnamese soup, they also make some great Thai and Lao food. Their Khao Piak Sen with Crispy Pork, Pumpkin Curry, and Pork Larb are some standouts. All locations are solid, but our favorite is the one on Spenard Road.
MyThai Downtown Restaurant
MyThai is the second Thai restaurant opened in Anchorage by owner/operator Prapa L. Born in southern Thailand on the island of Koh Samuai, Prapa has been a staple in the Anchorage Thai restaurant scene since she and her siblings opened up Thai Village Restaurant(a solid option in its own right) back in the 90’s.
In 2014 she opened MyThai Downtown restaurant, a fun and casual island themed spot with colorful decor and really good food. They specialize in vegetarian Thai dishes, with their Tom Yum being a standout. If you need more protein the Drunken Noodles with pork is top notch.
Thai Restaurants in Anchorage: Honorable Mentions
Perhaps not quite a restaurant or not quite a Thai restaurant, but regardless, these two Thai eateries in Anchorage are worth a mention, as they are pumping out some delicious food.
Ginger
Okay, so calling Ginger an Anchorage Thai restaurant may be a bit of a stretch, it’s a modern asian fusion joint that blends flavors from the entire pacific rim. However, I feel like I can justify it being on this list because they do have some great great Thai focused dishes, like their Panang Beef Curry and Mee Krob (fried vermicelli noodles in a sweet and sour sauce).
It’s also just one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. Its sleek interior features intimate lighting, bamboo accents, and a great bar serving up fantastic cocktails. You’ll definitely spend more money here than you would at one of the more traditional Thai restaurants in Anchorage, but this modern take on Thai, is well worth it.
Papaya Tree
Not all Thai restaurants in Anchorage are stationary, some are on wheels, like this local favorite food truck, Papaya Tree. You can find this green machine around town at local breweries like King Street and Cynosure Brewing or at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council.
Check their Facebook Page to see where they’re parked.
Their motto is “Unmessed with Southeast Asian Street Food”, Im not sure what that means, but they sure didn’t mess up Pad Thai, it is arguably the best in town. Chicken Skewers are also a hit. Papaya Tree is also known for their friendly serve, call ahead or order and wait in your car on a cold day, they’ll txt you when it’s ready.
What to Order at Thai Restaurants in Anchorage
If you’re new to Thai food or just want to branch out from your usual order, here’s a quick guide to the dishes worth knowing about.
Pad Thai
The gateway dish — stir-fried rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, green onion, and your choice of protein, finished with crushed peanuts and lime. Every Thai restaurant in Anchorage does a version. Lahn Pad Thai’s is the benchmark.
Khao Soi
Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup served with both crispy and soft egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime. Rich, complex, and one of the great dishes of Southeast Asian cuisine. So Thai does the best version in Anchorage. If you’ve never had it, order it.
Pad See Ew
Wide flat rice noodles stir-fried with egg, Chinese broccoli, and your choice of protein in a sweet soy sauce. Smoky, savory, and satisfying. Siam Cuisine’s version is consistently praised.
Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)
Similar to Pad See Ew but spicier and more aromatic, with Thai basil and fresh chilies. If you want heat, this is the order. MyThai Downtown does a great version with pork.
Panang Curry
A thick, rich curry made with coconut milk, Panang paste, and kaffir lime leaves — milder and creamier than red or green curry. Ginger does an outstanding Panang Beef Curry. Siam Cuisine does a classic version with halibut that’s worth ordering.
Tom Yum
Hot and sour soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, and mushrooms. Light, bright, and warming on a cold Anchorage day. MyThai Downtown’s vegetarian Tom Yum is one of the best in the city.
Fresh Rolls vs Fried Rolls
Fresh rolls are rice paper wrapped around raw vegetables, herbs, and protein — light and refreshing. Fried rolls are the crispy version. Both are worth ordering as a starter. Thai Orchid and Thai Kitchen both do excellent versions.
How to Order Spice Level
Most Thai restaurants in Anchorage will ask for your spice preference from 1-5 or mild/medium/hot/Thai hot. Be honest — Thai hot at a real Thai restaurant is genuinely hot. If you’re unsure, start at medium and work up. The owners at So Thai and Thai Orchid are happy to guide you.
Best Thai Food Delivery in Anchorage
Several of the restaurants on this list offer delivery — useful on a cold night when leaving the house feels like a commitment.
- So Thai — delivery available through their website and DoorDash. The Khao Soi travels well in a sealed container, though the crispy noodles soften — get them on the side if you can.
- Lahn Pad Thai — delivery through DoorDash. Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles hold up well. Avoid ordering fresh rolls for delivery — they don’t travel.
- Pho Lena — delivery available, multiple locations. The Khao Piak Sen and curries are solid delivery options.
- Ginger — delivery available for the right nights when you want something upscale without leaving the house.
- Papaya Tree — food truck, no delivery, but worth tracking down in person. Check their Facebook for current location.
General tip: curries, noodle dishes, and soups travel better than anything with crispy elements. Skip the spring rolls for delivery and order them when you’re dining in.
Best Thai Food Near Anchorage Airport
Flying in or out of Ted Stevens International Airport and need Thai food nearby? A few options worth knowing about.
- MyThai Downtown is the closest quality Thai restaurant to the airport — about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. It’s a solid choice for a meal before a flight or right after landing.
- Pho Lena on Spenard Road is also close and reliable — the Spenard location is the original and the best of the three.
- So Thai on Spenard Road is a short drive from the airport and worth the detour if you have time. The Khao Soi is the order.
If you’re truly in a rush and can’t leave the terminal, the airport has limited food options — worth the 10-minute Uber to MyThai rather than settling for airport food.
Map of Thai Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska
Thai Restaurants in Anchorage FAQs
What is the best Thai restaurant in Anchorage?
For the most authentic Thai street food experience, So Thai is hard to beat. For a classic sit-down Thai meal that’s been consistent for decades, Siam Cuisine is the answer.
Is there good Thai food in Anchorage Alaska?
Genuinely yes — and better than most people expect. Anchorage has a significant Asian population and a long history of Thai restaurants. Several of the places on this list have been operating for 30-40 years. The Thai food scene here would hold its own in a city twice the size.
What is Khao Soi and where can I get it in Anchorage?
Khao Soi is a northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup — rich, deeply flavored, served with both crispy and soft noodles. It’s one of the great dishes of Southeast Asian cuisine. So Thai does the best version in Anchorage. Order it.
What Thai dishes pair well with Alaska seafood?
This is the great discovery of eating Thai food in Alaska. Halibut in red panang curry is extraordinary — Siam Cuisine and Thai Kitchen both do versions of it. King salmon works beautifully in green curry. If you see fresh Alaska seafood on a Thai menu, order it. The combination makes complete sense once you’ve tried it.
Is Pho Lena a Thai restaurant?
Technically it’s a Vietnamese-Thai hybrid — the name suggests pho, but they also serve excellent Thai and Lao dishes. Three locations around Anchorage, all solid. The Spenard Road original is the best of the three.
What is the cheapest Thai restaurant in Anchorage?
So Thai and Thai Kitchen are both easy on the wallet. Thai Orchid’s lunch specials — which include rice, soup, and spring rolls — are exceptional value. Papaya Tree food truck is the budget option if you can track them down.
Is Ginger restaurant in Anchorage Thai food?
Not strictly — it’s modern Asian fusion drawing from across the Pacific Rim. But they do excellent Thai-inspired dishes like Panang Beef Curry and Mee Krob, and it’s one of the best restaurants in Anchorage full stop. Worth going even if you’re not specifically craving Thai.
What is the Papaya Tree food truck in Anchorage?
Papaya Tree is a Southeast Asian street food truck that parks at local breweries and events around Anchorage. Their Pad Thai is arguably the best in the city. Check their Facebook page to find where they’re parked before you go.
Are Thai restaurants in Anchorage open for lunch?
Most of them yes — Thai Orchid’s lunch specials are the standout deal in the city, and Siam Cuisine, Lahn Pad Thai, and So Thai all do lunch. Thai Kitchen is takeout-focused and runs lunch hours. Check individual hours before you go as they vary.
How many Thai restaurants are in Anchorage Alaska?
More than you’d expect — easily a dozen or more if you count food trucks and smaller operations. The ones on this list represent the best of what’s available as of 2026, but the scene is active and new spots open regularly.
Is Thai food spicy in Anchorage?
As spicy as you want it to be. Every restaurant on this list lets you choose your spice level on a 1-5 scale or mild/medium/hot/Thai hot. The key thing to know: Thai hot at a real Thai restaurant is genuinely hot. not “a little spicy” at a chain.
More Anchorage & Alaska Restaurant Guides
- 7 Day Alaska Itinerary — plan the rest of your trip
- Best Bars in Anchorage — where to drink after dinner
- Best Restaurants in Wasilla — 45 minutes north, worth knowing
- Petersburg Alaska Restaurants — Southeast Alaska’s hidden food scene
- Best Restaurants in Palmer — Mat-Su Valley’s best spots
- Top 10 Restaurants in Seward — worth the drive south
- 6 Stellar Girdwood Restaurants — on the way to Seward