Sapp Coffee Shop

Despite its humble name, Sapp Coffee Shop has long reigned as one of Thai Town’s most treasured dining destinations. Tucked along Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood, this unassuming spot has been serving up some of the most authentic Thai flavors in Los Angeles since the 1980s. The massive illustrated menu boasts over 90 dishes, making that morning cup of joe feel like an afterthought to the real stars of the show.

The boat noodle soup is nothing short of iconic—a deeply aromatic broth infused with cinnamon, galangal, and star anise that cradles tender slices of beef. Order it “with everything” and you’ll get the full experience: tripe, liver, and tendon adding layers of richness, all topped with crispy pork skin and fresh bean sprouts. Each spoonful delivers something different, a testament to the complexity that makes this dish legendary. The tom ka kai offers another masterclass in balance, its creamy coconut base punctuated by tangy lemongrass and warming spice.

Sapp proudly resists the pull of modernization. There’s no craft cocktail menu, no trendy decor, and definitely no paying with your phone—it’s cash only. The pad thai here stays true to its roots, more pungent and tamarind-forward than the sweeter versions that have become the norm elsewhere. The jade noodles showcase how restraint and boldness can coexist, with roast duck, BBQ pork, dried crab, and peanuts somehow melding into perfect harmony atop those distinctive green spinach noodles.

This is the kind of place where you walk in, get seated immediately, and enjoy an incredible meal without fanfare or fuss. Sapp is perfect for solo diners looking for a quick, affordable lunch or anyone craving flavors that haven’t been toned down for mass appeal. In a neighborhood that continues to evolve, Sapp remains gloriously, stubbornly unchanged—and that’s exactly why locals keep coming back.