Think Pink… Pink Pepper, That Is

Thai food doesn’t get much better than Pink Pepper in Hollywood, my friends! I’ve been going to this restaurant for 6-7 years and can only remember one meal that wasn’t up to par. Like Zankou Chicken, Pink Pepper is one of the biggest things I miss about living in La La Land.

Upon first glance, it’s easy to be wary of dining here… it’s tucked away at the bottom of a parking structure with staircases that, up until recently, reeked of urine from drunk nightclub goers. (The club is under construction right now, thank God). Once you get inside, you can relax in the nicely-renovated, Asian-inspired (of course) restaurant. They also have a large enclosed patio where you can almost forget you’re right on a busy street.

But honestly, forget the inside: the food is what rules here. They serve traditional Thai dishes here, from beef or chicken satay with a peanut sauce to crying tiger (grilled rib eye, which I’ve never tried before anywhere but hear is fantastic).

Appetizer-wise, I love the Pink Pepper rolls, which have mixed vegetables, rice vermicelli, tofu, and sweet basil wrapped in a rice sheet ($5.95). I also love their House Salad, which is really filling and just $6.95! It’s grilled chicken breast and a hard-boiled egg on a mixed green salad, served with Thai peanut dressing. Perfect for a light, flavorful meal.

As for their main dishes ($8-$13), gosh, try everything!! In most cases, you have a choice of white or brown rice, and tofu, beef, chicken or seafood, which can bring out different flavors in the same dish. A few of my favorite meals include their Spicy Spinach (with beef) and Sweet Basil Eggplant (with tofu). Their Pad Thai Noodles (with chicken) is also amazing as is their Yellow Chicken Curry. They have 5 curry varieties (red, green, Panang and Pineapple) but the yellow is my personal fave. Portions are very reasonable although they were much bigger before the fancy remodel a few years ago. I remember always having leftovers… now, not so much BUT you will not go home hungry at all.

I honestly haven’t had better Thai food elsewhere yet. Not Natalee Thai, not Thai Dishes. They also have great lunch specials! For $7-$11, you get a meal served complete with salad, rice and egg roll.

The entrance to Pink Pepper is on La Brea, just south of Hollywood Boulevard, and parking is free with validation.
Pink Pepper
1638 North La Brea Ave
Hollywood CA 90028
323 461 2462