Jay Fai — Review by Uncle Roger
Los Angeles, United States — Thai
Uncle Roger visits Jay Fai in Los Angeles and praises it as the best Thai food in LA. He raves about their signature grilled chicken wings, papaya salad (som tum) with superior ingredient quality, and traditional grilled catfish, stating that every component tastes fresher and better than American versions.
What was great: Chicken wings with tender meat and crispy skin, papaya salad with excellent balance of sweet, salty, and fish sauce flavors, fresh high-quality ingredients, crunchy peanuts and shrimp, grilled catfish cooked over traditional charcoal grill
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Uncle Roger begins with the grilled chicken wings, which arrive first and immediately impress with their tender meat and crispy skin. The wings are topped with what appears to be fried salad elements, creating a standout appetizer that Uncle Roger claims even surprised him with its quality. The star of the meal is the papaya salad (som tum), ordered with grilled pork neck, which Uncle Roger describes as perfectly balanced with sweetness, saltiness, and authentic fish sauce flavor. He praises the overall execution, noting that while American restaurants have similar ingredients, Jay Fai's version features fresher components with noticeably crunchier peanuts and shrimp that taste more vibrant than their American counterparts. The grilled catfish serves as another highlight, cooked over a traditional charcoal grill that Uncle Roger humorously contrasts with high-tech American restaurant equipment, asserting that this DIY approach produces superior results.
The Experience
The restaurant is described as always being very popular with customers coming in for lunch. Despite being just recently opened at the time of review, Jay Fai attracts consistent crowds, indicating strong demand for authentic Thai cuisine in Los Angeles. The cooking process is visible and traditional, with the charcoal grill setup adding to the authentic experience.
Value and Pricing
No specific prices are mentioned in the transcript, though the quality of ingredients and preparation suggests premium pricing typical of upscale Thai dining establishments.
Notable Moments
There's no Thai food in LA that's good as this.
Uncle Roger didn't even know chicken wing can taste like this. What the hell?
Better than an orgasm. You know it's all good when I can't even talk.
American restaurant got all this cooking technology, but they can't compete against this DIY duct tape corroded piece of grill.
The Verdict
Jay Fai represents authentic Thai cuisine at its finest, delivering dishes that exceed expectations and prove that traditional cooking methods and superior ingredient quality create incomparable flavors. This restaurant is essential for anyone seeking authentic Thai food in Los Angeles, particularly those looking to experience true som tum and traditional grilled preparations.