Spice It Up at Kwan Kitchen: A Restaurant Review
Finding a consistently great Thai restaurant can sometimes feel quite hard. Each new place you try is a gamble—a hit or miss. With so many options and varying quality, it’s easy to walk away from a meal either pleasantly satisfied or sadly disappointed. However, my recent visit to a Thai restaurant called Kwan Kitchen, located at 777 S Arroyo Parkway Unit 101, in Pasadena, proved to be a delightful exception. I decided to check out this spot after noticing its impressive 4.9 stars across 81 Google reviews, and I’m happy to report that it lived up to the hype.
I visited with my mom and grandma, and each of us ordered something slightly different to get a better taste of what the restaurant had to offer. I went with my usual order: Pad See Ew with beef and no spice ($16). My mom ordered the same dish, but opted for shrimp and mild spice, also $16. My grandma got shrimp sticks and she ate the Pad See Ew with shrimp. The presentation was simple yet appetizing, and the dishes came out hot and fresh.
The Pad See Ew was exactly what I hoped for—wide, flat noodles stir-fried to perfection with Chinese broccoli, scrambled eggs, and our choice of meat or seafood. The flavors were rich and balanced, delivering a sweet and savory taste that was incredibly satisfying. For an extra kick, I dipped my noodles in chili sauce. It balanced out the flavors, so it was just right. The shrimp Pad See Ew tasted amazing, even if I couldn’t handle the spiciness. But the subtle heat in the noodles actually added more depth to the flavor, and I really enjoyed it.
However, the shrimp sticks were not what I expected. I thought they were going to be served crispy like fried chicken, but they were fried like spring rolls. There was a specific sweet sauce paired with it, but instead I dipped them in the chili sauce for a tastier flavor. The shrimp inside was really soft and delicious.
Overall, this Thai restaurant exceeded my expectations. The food was delicious—I’d rate it 10/10. The service was 10/10, especially thanks to the server, who was very understanding of my grandma’s dietary needs. The atmosphere had a lo-fi, comfy vibe, which I’d rate a 9.5/10. Whether you’re a Thai food enthusiast or just looking to try something new, this Pasadena restaurant is definitely worth a visit. With high-quality dishes and reasonable prices, it’s no wonder the reviews are so high. I’m certain that I’ll be returning for another flavorful meal. I rate this restaurant a 10/10 overall.