Manaao Thai Comfort Food is scheduled to open its new location at Irvine Spectrum Center this month, presenting an expanded selection of authentic Thai cuisine to the Irvine community. The restaurant, founded by Chef Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and his wife, Anita Lin, first established itself in Tustin in 2023, where it quickly garnered acclaim.
The new Irvine Spectrum Center establishment has been designed to convey a "beautiful, cheery and endearing" atmosphere, as described by its owners. This distinctive ambiance is immediately noticeable at the entrance, where guests are greeted by a "Wall-E" figurine alongside framed yellow rubber duckies. Chef Ungkasrithongkul elaborated on these specific decorative choices, explaining that the rubber duckies represent a cherished tradition from a previous workplace, a detail he noted "make me smile." He further clarified his selection of the animated character, highlighting that "Wall-E" stands out as the only Disney movie he considers to be consistently happy from its beginning to its end.
Manaao’s menu aims to broaden the typical understanding of Thai food for many American diners. Chef Ungkasrithongkul observed that while some individuals commonly associate Thai cuisine with a limited repertoire of perhaps half a dozen dishes, such as pad thai, Manaao provides an extensive offering of 40 distinct dishes. This comprehensive selection, he emphasized, represents the array of food he personally grew up with. Expressing a personal connection to these offerings, Chef Ungkasrithongkul stated, "I miss it and want people to try it," underscoring his desire to introduce a wider spectrum of authentic Thai flavors to the local dining public.
The original Manaao Thai Comfort Food location in Tustin quickly achieved significant recognition following its opening last year. The government of Thailand formally bestowed its Thai Select accolade upon the establishment, an acknowledgment signifying authentic Thai culinary standards. Furthermore, the L.A. Times critically recognized Manaao’s khao soi noodles, including them among its selections for the year’s best dishes.
The addition of Manaao Thai Comfort Food at Irvine Spectrum Center contributes to the evolving retail and dining landscape across the city. This expansion provides Irvine residents with a new venue to experience diverse global flavors, further enriching the city's culinary options.
