My partner and I were craving Thai food on Christmas day and saw that this place was open. The place has a fun vibe. Staff were dressed up with Christmas attire and the place was packed. They were still able to seat us and the food/drinks came out pretty promptly. Everything except the eggplant dish was delicious. The eggplant was a little undercooked making it chewing a bit unpleasant.
Sampanee was one of the best Thai meals that we have been to in a long time! Everything was delicious. The service was good. We were seated pretty quickly. The restaurant decor is colorful and bright. Very lively! The food was incredible. The flavor and spice were on point! We have since told our friends about this great Thai restaurant! A must try in Dupont.
quick update after trying more dishes favorites: sampanee wings, tom yum wings, roast duck curry, pad see ew, crispy rice salad, panang curry good dishes: tom yum pad thai, drunken noodle ok dishes: pad thai, cucumber salad
I've been to many Thai food places around Dupont. This week, I tried three different places. This is the best one so far! I'd say other places have great video ads that attracted me to visit, but I ended up disappointed with the food and service. I'm glad I decided to try Sampannee based on real reviews. The hero dishes are the Pad Thai and Duck Curry. Simple dishes, but they hit differently. I also loved the presentation of the whole Gai Yang (grilled chicken). It's big enough for two people to share. Great job by the servers as well. I went there with my family, and they helped take care of the kids. When my kids made a mess, they came to assist and cleaned up for us. I'm not a regular reviewer, but I just wanted to express my gratitude. My family and I really appreciated what they did. I can tell they truly love what they do. Thank you for your hospitality!
Ah, DuPont Circle--the quintessential haven for authentic ethnic cuisine, a delightful memory etched in my mind from two decades ago, and it remains just as vibrant today. As I checked into my hotel, the familiar allure of the area beckoned me to revisit a culinary gem. The establishment was bustling with its loyal patrons, and the enticing aroma of takeout orders filled the air. I indulged in a captivating beverage, the Empress Lychee, a stunning cocktail that danced with colors of purple, blue, and yellow--a feast for the eyes as much as the palate. Next came the red curry, a harmonious blend of flavors that showcased the rich essence of coconut milk without overwhelming heaviness. Each spoonful was a reminder of the art of balance in cooking. Then, I savored the duck roll, a delightful surprise that combined sweet rolls with a touch of mustard. This unexpected pairing elevated the dish, allowing the sweetness and tang to waltz together in a beautiful culinary duet. But the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the mango sticky rice. I can confidently say that this was the finest sticky rice I've ever tasted. Warm and perfectly textured, each bite was a comforting embrace that lingered long after the last morsel was gone. In every dish I sampled, the essence of authentic flavor was not just preserved but celebrated. DuPont Circle, with its rich tapestry of culinary offerings, continues to be a treasure trove for those seeking delicious experiences.
Placed a weekday order through DoorDash for Spicy Basil Fried Rice, Chicken Pad See Ew, Spring Rolls, & Spicy Massaman Curry. The food was delivered hot which was a massive plus! The portions were sizable and perfect for sharing. The to-go containers are also high quality without any leakage and the ability to reuse. Pros: Everything was delicious with high quality ingredients, especially the basil fried rice! No dish was too oily and everything was fresh. I had mixed feelings about paying $9 for (1) spring roll order so I was thrilled to see 4 thick, beautifully fried pieces. It's hard to pick a favorite dish but they each were amazing with chicken as my chosen protein. Cons: (1) The spice level was very inconsistent. I ordered the Massaman spicy and it delivered a hefty (but manageable) kick; the noodles and rice were meant to be medium spicy were incredibly mild. (2) The tofu was terrible, the texture was inconsistent bite to bite and was the number one disappointment. I hate bashing tofu because I wish more folks would try and enjoy it, but I would absolutely not recommend this dish with tofu to anyone. Next time I'll try a dish without fried tofu or a dry dish (vs a curry). Truly impressed and can't wait to try Sampannee again!
Been wanting to try this place for some time and glad I finally was able to. I got the pad Thai Tom yum. It was very tasty. My only critique is that it was not spicy at all and it was listed as spicy. I love spicy food so I would have preferred something with some kick to it. It had NO SPICE at all.
Between work and school, I hardly have the time to dine in. UberEats has been holding me down. Expensive at times but I have to eat? I will say the Thai beef fried rice here is probably one of the fried rice dishes I've had and in a long time. The beef is tender, and has just enough seasoning. The rice was soft and there were just the right amount of onions. Like I couldn't stop stuffing my face. I also ordered spring rolls (comes with four) and they were really good. I would say one of the only issues is that it's pretty pricey. I think I want to place an order now so ttyl!
I've ordered from Sampannee a few times, but this was my first time actually visiting the restaurant. Ambiance was very casual-- great for a quick meal or meal with family. Service was good and pretty fast. I ordered the green curry, which was fantastic. The spice level was on point. I definitely preferred the green curry that I had in the store to the red curry I had ordered previously!
Great experience Vegan options Inviting space Spicy choices :) Fast service Plenty of water - they give you a carafe Will come again!!