The benchmark for this Thai staple. It's properly spicy and uses fresh holy basil for a distinct peppery finish. The ground pork is stir-fried until it's slightly caramelized and served over rice with a crispy-edged, runny-yolk fried egg.
Tips from diners
Break the yolk immediately and let it mix with the spicy pork and rice. It's the only way to eat it.
A brilliant example of texture. The pork skin is incredibly crunchy while the meat remains tender and fatty. It's served with a sharp, vinegar-based chili sauce that cuts through the richness of the pork perfectly.
Tips from diners
This is often a limited item. If you see it on the menu when you arrive, order it immediately before they sell out.
A refined version of the classic. It's not overly sweet, allowing the floral notes of the tea and the warmth of the star anise and cardamom to shine through, providing much-needed relief from the spicier dishes.
Tips from diners
If you're going for the higher spice levels on the Gra Pow, just get the Thai tea. It's an essential palate cooler.
A crowd favorite that showcases the kitchen's 'wok hei' (breath of the wok). The wide noodles have a satisfying chew and a smoky char, balanced by the sweetness of the dark soy and the crunch of the fresh broccoli.
Tips from diners
If you want something less spicy but still incredibly flavorful, this is the move. The char on the noodles is excellent.
A vibrant, herb-dense curry that uses fresh-pounded paste. It's thinner and more aromatic than the creamier versions found elsewhere, highlighting the brightness of the Thai chilies and the depth of the herbs.
Tips from diners
Order a side of their high-quality jasmine rice to soak up every drop of this incredibly fragrant broth.
Started by partners Deau Arpapornnopparat and Joy Thammaratane, Holy Basil focuses on the raw, vibrant flavors of Bangkok street food. It operates out of a small window in a DTLA food court, delivering some of the most exciting and uncompromising Thai dishes in Los Angeles.
The DTLA location is essentially a takeout window inside a food court. Seating is communal and limited, so many people take their food to go.
Use their online ordering system if you're in a rush. It's very efficient and helps you skip the potential line at the window.
It's tucked inside the Santee Alley area. Look for the 'Santee Court' sign to find the food court entrance.
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