Top Southeast Asian Restaurant in Culver City
Swanya Thai Cuisine
4322 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230, United States
This restaurant has tasty food. But unfortunately, our service was very poor. I had reserved a table for five, and we arrived a few minutes early and sat down. There were two waters already at the table, but no one came to our table, let alone bring us three more waters or ask if we wanted them! Menus were already there at each place setting, but no server appeared to take our order. I had to call someone over! I had to ask for service! This is not right. As soon as people sit down at a table, a server should appear to greet them. It was not that crowded, and the restaurant is very small. I was really shocked at this poor service. We finally got appetizer orders placed, and those were brought out without too much delay. When the main course meals came, they brought three, then one more, and then one more. I don't think that's right, either. All the meals should come at the same time. This is a small restaurant, as I said, and it was not that crowded, so there is no reason we should've had any problem. Perhaps they were shortstaffed, but someone should've come to our table right away, even if just to tell us that we might have to wait a little bit for more service. The customer always comes first! I hope their service improves.
Emerald Thai Cuisine
9315 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, United States
Ordered Tom Khar and Green Curry to-go.The service was excellent and friendly. My to-go order was ready when I arrived, I was offered a free Thai Tea, and they made sure to enclude utensils and napkins for me.While the flavor of the Tom Khar and Green Curry wasnt bad, I thought both dishes had too much coconut milk, especially the Tom Khar.Ive tried a lot of Thai places and find that many places dont put enough coconut milk. Surprising to find a place that does the opposite.I also ordered both dishes medium spicy. I was nervous about what their version of medium spicy would be since Ive tried some places where medium is barely edible, but both turned out so mild I could have gone with the hottest option.I would rate it 3 stars, but they were so nice I gave an extra star for service.
Celadon Thai Kitchen
13364 Washington Blvd #5108, Culver City, CA 90066, United States
Ordered take out dinner for Father's Day and was disappointed with the quality and customer service. My husband picked up our $70 order and upon opening the bag most of our items spilled and the sauces weren't even put in their own containers, just splattered at the bottom of the container. We were careful to place the bag in a secure spot in the car, so this is not due to driving. The restaurant also forgot to give us rice when we clearly marked this on the order. When we called to get a credit for the item that did not come with rice, we simply asked for a refund for that item ($16). The person on the phone rambled on and on about how they couldn't give us a refund or provide us with rice. Apparently all they can do is give us a “free” curry next time. Too bad there won't be a next time. Don't recommend. There are other Thai restaurants in the area that package their food appropriately and give you what you order.
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Jasmine Market & Deli (Restaurant)
4135 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230, United States
This was the first time that I had eaten Burmese food. The lady working the front counter was very helpful to make sure that I ended up with a fairly authentic meal. I was also pleased to discover a bit of a shopping mart here that included Myanmars local newspaper.I highly recommend the salad made with the pickled tea leaves. It sounds like you have to be adventurous to eat it, but its not spicy or two strangely flavored. It certainly is unique and robust.The fish soup is also unique in its overall flavor. However, be prepared for a little more kick. It has a little bit of a sweet and sour flavor to it as well as the spicy hit of the chile. It comes with some little crispy chips that helped after each bite to reduce the heat.My favorite part of the meal was the Shami Kebabs. My wife felt that it had a flavor similar to samosas from India. I think it had more aromatic flavor to it, probably because it has a lot of beef. The side of slaw that goes with the kabobs is extremely flavorful. In fact, my wife just wants the kebabs with the side slaw the next time I go.Finally, I recommend trying the Falooda. It is a cold drink with hints of strawberry and rose. I have no idea whats really in it, but Im guessing that its yogurt based. It does have little strips of young coconut in the bottom so you have to drink it with a boba straw. My wife felt that it was more of an effective dessert after the meal because she liked the chai with her meal and the Falooda after.Im definitely going to be picking up from here at least once a month until we make our way through the first two pages of the menu.
Pampas Grill
3857 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90232, United States
You want the awesomeness of flaming swords with smoked meat and pork? Do you want to choose your sides (if any) and not be limited by a set menu? Do you want the goodness of Brazilian BBQ without the expensive prices of every other place? LOOK. NO. FURTHER. This is THE place to get a huge yes for every single one of these questions.It is a buffet style bar at first, where youll get to pick what you want as a side for your meat (salads, pasta, mashed potatoes, etc...), and then you go up to the end where they have a huge grill with ALL the swords with meat. Choose your meat, how well cooked it is, and how many slices and theyll serve you up. Then just get charged for the weight of the plate! I usually get a salad or pasta, mashed potatoes, the AWESOME fried plantains (sweet, for dessert) and about 3 slices of 2 to 3 cuts of meat. All this goodness? This meal thatll keep you going all day? $15 or less on average. Youll never wait, theres plenty of seating, and at the end you just walk out and theyll clean up after you. The place is also very nice, with restaurant level chairs, tables, utensils even though it is buffet focused.Best place my friend ever showed me. I love it.
Piccalilli
3850 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232, United States
Update.My girlfriend and I have visited this eatery several times and have always had an awesome experience. This last time, much different. All the tables were taken and we had to sit at the bar, no worries we were thinking… but then we met the bartender, fake smiles, short and no irie vibes. Ok, I guess. But once we put the order in, it was like we were not there. With 5 bartenders/barbacks in the vicinity I had to raise my voice to get water refills or drink replenishments, constant chatter and gossip, just hanging out. Don't get me wrong, this place is still?; food was exceptional as usual, just don't sit at the bar. I have to downgrade to 4 stars based on my last experience. At the end I wasn't sure why I tipped 20%, I just felt I had to, makes me sad :(***** original review *****Piccalilli, I gotta start with what a great vibe. The establishment is on busy Culver Blvd but the minute you sit down you get a sense that you have been teleported to a remote beach somewhere in Asia, Vietnam comes to mind, but maybe it's Thailand? Edgy Asian pop adding to the ambiance along with the warm smiles from staff. My girlfriend and I have been to this establishment twice and always opted to sit in the front patio area, it's so lush and green. Food wise Piccalilli does not disappoint, their dishes are an adventurous fusion of Asian/American and there are a variety of succulent dishes to choose from. On their happy hour menu, their popcorn chicken is to die for ?the smashed cucumbers also very good. The peanut dipping sauce for the chicken is Damn good! Spicy but we'll balanced. For our appetizers, we went for the shrimp and Brussel sprouts. The shrimp was shell on, but the shells were surprisingly thin and you could chomp them down with the meat. There's some magic in the sprouts, crispy yet tender and doused with awesome sauce. For our main entree we went with the pork tenderloin, cooked to perfection and marinated with a heavenly sauce. Their signature cocktails are also very good and compliment the meal well. The meal set me back about a buck 50, but well worth the price of admission for the experience. I would highly recommend this location for those willing to broaden their palate and experience something new, great for a date night or for entertaining guest in town.
5i Indochine Cuisine
5407 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230, United States
REVISION:We have to agree with those who said that this place has gone downhill. The food is definitely not as good as it was, and the kitchen has no ability to process special orders or get peoples food to come out together. More often than not, my wifes Pho will come out 15 minutes before my main dish -- or something exactly the reverse. How hard is that?I also mention below loving the salt and pepper shrimp, but theyre making it differently now and its more of a breaded shrimp -- that seems to have neither salt, nor pepper! Also, some days we get a decent amount of shrimp, and other times a lot less. Again... consistency problems. Todays Chow Fun was a plate of glop.Sorry about this, as we used to LOVE 5i. If the owner reads this, PLEASE fix this, as we dont want to give up on your restaurant altogether. But were very close to doing so. Changed from 5 stars to 3 stars.- - - - ORIGINAL POST BELOW - - - -Weve been going here at least once a week since it opened. Their food is great, MUCH better than some others in the area.My wife loves their pho, and I cannot do without their salt and pepper shrimp, which is exquisite.They have all different types of Asian cuisine here (mostly Vietnamese and Thai). I also love their Singapore noodles -- which is a vermicelli type noodle with curry, with shrimp and chicken (and vegetables).Not a big, showy place -- just good food.GREAT PLACE! TRY IT!!!