SANTA MONICA, CA
Lunch is always the highlight of my workdays. I’ve told myself countless times, This is the week I will finally start brown bagging it, but it never happens. PB&J or a fresh cooked meal at Satdha Plant-Based Thai Kitchen? Ya, not much of a contest.
Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango
After reading Kimberly Snyder’s nutrition book The Beauty Detox Solution, I’ve become a big proponent of eating foods in an order most suitable for healthy digestion. For example, because fruit is broken down so quickly—in 30 minutes or less—it should be eaten on an empty stomach or at the beginning of a meal.
Why am I mentioning this? I really wanted to try the Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango from the dessert menu, so I ordered it as an appetizer. 😄 It was a good call, and the kitchen staff gets bonus points for putting together such a photogenic plate.
Menu highlights
For my entree, I tried their most popular dish: Catfish Eggplant (featured image). I have no clue why they call it that, but it was amazing. The eggplant is lightly battered and garnished with bell peppers, young pepper corn, and Thai basil in a red curry paste.
I’ve searched the internet for a better sense of their full menu—thank you, Yelpers. Every meal is artistically assembled with just the right portions and plenty of fresh vegetables. Next time I’m having the Mung Bean Croquette—mung bean and mushroom Thai meatball with sweet, toasted chili cilantro sauce—Vermicelli with Mung Bean Coconut Curry Sauce, Beet Dyed Noodles, and Coconut Ice Cream. Damn, I love to eat!!
Sadtha Plant-Based Thai Kitchen, 2218 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
For more deliciously kind vegan eats in Santa Monica, check out Veggie Grill and Erin McKenna’s Bakery!
EXPLORING THE CITY
If you plan to make a day of your visit to Satdha Plant-Based Thai Kitchen, the beach is only a few blocks away.
Rent a bicycle and cruise the strand, walk to the historic Santa Monica Pier for a ride on the Ferris wheel, park your beach towel on the sand and enjoy the California sunshine, or grab a drink at any one of the beautiful oceanside hotels.
In the mood for shopping and people-watching? Head over to the Third Street Promenade. You can easily pass hours here. And if you get hungry again, check out Berbere two blocks over, another woman-owned vegan restaurant, opened in 2021.
Berbere features Ethiopian-inspired dishes like the Ethiopian Twist Tacos: lentils, mushrooms, and potatoes tossed in a house-made awaze and garnished with Tangfaye sauce. 😮💨 Visit Berbere for Sunday brunch and you’ll have your pick of house specialities like the French Onion Grilled Cheese, Oyster Mushroom Flat Bread, and Teff Crêpe, packed with the flavors of strawberry, banana, orange zest, house-made chocolate sauce, and coconut whipped cream.
Stop drooling and get your 🍑 over to Santa Monica for mind-blowing Thai and Ethiopian delights!