Lisa, the renowned White Lotus actress, Blackpink member, and Coachella headliner, recently delighted in the vibrant flavors of Thai Town during her pre-festival stay in Los Angeles.
Known as “Thailand’s 77th province,” this section of East Hollywood offers the spicy, sour, and tangy tastes that Lisa fondly recalls from her childhood in Buriram Province, Thailand.
On March 22, Lisa made an unexpected visit to Mesa Thai, a restaurant celebrated for its fiery Isan cuisine, located about a mile from the main strip of Thai Town.
Chef Phitwasuphon “Ple” Thanaporn shared that Lisa arrived just before closing time, accompanied by her manager and bodyguard.
The excitement was palpable as one of the servers discreetly informed Thanaporn of the special guest’s identity, prompting an emotional response.
“I began to cry, then I pulled myself together and said I’m going to make her some dishes she’ll never forget,” Thanaporn recalled.
Seated at table number six, Lisa, incognito in a hoodie, ordered a selection of dishes that included larb, pad thai Mesa, tom sap—a northeastern pork rib soup famed for its intense sour and spicy flavors—and yum ma muang, a vibrant green mango salad.
Mesa Thai was established by Thanaporn in 2018, emerging from her previous success as a home cook in Los Angeles.
Her culinary journey began in Bangkok, where her mother, Bungon Inyu, ran a popular street food stand.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2010, Thanaporn worked as a licensed massage therapist while also preparing northeastern Thai street food, eventually leading to the opening of Mesa Thai—just two years after K-pop sensation Blackpink took the world by storm.
In 2022, Thai Town Council president Ton Pattana remarked that Thanaporn represents a new generation of Thai cooks, known for her authentic and flavorful boat noodles that deliver a taste of Bangkok to diners.
Mesa Thai’s menu features an engaging array of options, written in colorful Thai script on a chalkboard, enticing patrons with icons such as chili peppers and tom yum pots.
The restaurant serves pork boat noodle soup daily, with beef variations available on Tuesdays and weekends.
Among its standout offerings is yam naem khao tod, a dish comprising deep-fried rice balls paired with pork rinds and meat, showcasing the spicy and sour staples of Isan cuisine.
For non-Thai speakers, navigating the chalkboard menu can be an adventurous challenge, as many dishes are presented in untranslated Thai, often containing symbols that hint at flavor profiles.
For less adventurous diners, staff usually recommend sweeter variations like pad thai, steering away from the intense acidity and heat of Isan specialties.
However, for those daring enough to explore the Isan offerings, the experience can be intense, with dishes labeled “Thai spicy” demanding readiness for the heat.
Thanaporn described tom sap, glowing with vibrant blackened chiles and served in a traditional tom yum pot surrounded by an orange Sterno flame, as a favorite in northeastern Thailand.
During her meal, it was noted that Lisa only took a few bites of the larb but relished the tom sap soup.
In terms of the pad thai Mesa, it distinguishes itself with a unique blend of tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp, and palm sugar, tossed perfectly with rice noodles.
The following day, Lisa’s manager returned to order more pad thai Mesa and mango salad to go, a testament to the pop star’s enjoyment of the meal.
Thanaporn, knowing Lisa’s fondness for street food, sneakily included some meatballs with the takeout, having been inspired by a prior interview in which Lisa cited them as one of her favorite dishes.
Another heartwarming anecdote came when Lisa’s mother, Chitthip Brüschweiler, visited Mesa Thai on April 9, selecting pad thai Mesa, Lao-style papaya salad, and a serving of boat noodles.
Thanaporn expressed her surprise and gratitude at not only meeting Lisa but also creating dishes that resonate with her nostalgic memories.
“She worked really hard for her dream, and she loves what she does,” said Thanaporn, reflecting on Lisa’s journey to stardom and her own culinary aspirations.
Mesa Thai, with its attention to authentic Isan flavors, has clearly made a significant impression, enticing diners from all walks of life, including the likes of Thailand’s biggest superstar.
Those interested in exploring the bold flavors of Isan cuisine can find Mesa Thai at 820 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays reserved for rest.
image source from：https://la.eater.com/2025/4/25/24416805/mesa-thai-los-angeles-celebrity-restaurant-sightings-white-lotus-blackpink-lisa
