Laughing Monk Cafe
168 Brighton Ave A, Allston
(617) 870-7833
Customers' Favorites
ต้มแซบกระดูกอ่อน
Thai Papaya Salad with Salted Egg Tam Khai Kem
ไส้กรอกอีสาน
ตำปู-ปลาร้า
เสือร้องไห
Ground Pork Vermicelli
Pineapple Fried Rice
Khao Sol- Beef Tendon
Som Tum Papaya Salad
Spicy Dipping Sauce
New Release
Khao Kha Mu
Braised Pork Leg over rice with Green Pickle Mustard, Chinese Broccoli and Boiled Egg
Fried Meat Ball
Fried Meat Ball with Thai Chili-Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Noodle*
Drunken Noodle
flat rice noodle, bell pepper, bamboo shoot, string bean, carrot, onion, basil and broccoli
Pad See Ew
flat rice noodle, egg, carrot, chinese broccoli
Kua Gai
flatted noodle, egg, turnip, lettuce, scallion, cilantro
Pad Thai
rice noodle, chive grass, crushed peanut, turnip, bean sprout, egg, serve with fresh bean sprout, chive grass and sliced of lime.
Fried Rice*
Thai Fried Rice
carrot, egg, onion, tomato, green pea
Basil Fried Rice
bell pepper, basil, onion, egg
Pineapple Fried Rice
carrot, sugar snap pea, onion, bell pepper, curry powder, egg
Mango Fried Rice
carrot, sugar snap pea, onion, bell pepper, curry powder, egg
Curry*
Red Curry
bell pepper, eggplant, basil, bamboo shoot, carrot, string bean
Green Curry
bell pepper, basil, bamboo shoot, eggplant (seasonal: thai eggplant when available) , sugar snap, green pea
Yellow Curry
potato, carrot, onion, tomato,bell pepper, pineapple
Massaman Curry
potato, onion, carrot, peanut
Panang Curry
bell pepper, string bean, kaffir lime leaf
Mango Curry
carrot, onion, bell pepper, sugar snap pea. mango
Entree*
Cashew Nut
onion, bell pepper, carrot, scallion, pineapple, tomato, chili paste
Royal Broccoli
broccoli, carrot, mushroom
Chili Basil
basil, bell pepper, onion, chili, mushroom
Quick Start*
Veggie Spring Roll
carrot, cabbage, celery, mushroom, garlic
, wheat wrapper
Crab Rangoon
pacific crabmeat, crab-stick, cheese, egg wonton skin, onion
Chicken Satay
marinated chicken tender on skewer, peanut sauce, sweet & sour sauce (GF) (3)
Scallion Pancake
fried scallion pancake, dipping soy sauce (VG)
Fried Roti
panfried indian-influenced flatbread, curry dipping
Shrimp Shumai
Edamame
sea salted or spicy steamed young soybean
Veggie Gyoza
cabbage, peas, carrot, edamame, wheat flour garlic powder, sesame oil
Chicken Gyoza
chicken, wheat flour, cabbage, onion, garlic powder, sesame oil
Chicken Wing
crispy chicken wings with choice of sweet & sour or spicy
Fried Meat Ball
Fried Meat Ball with Thai Chili-Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Isan Cuisine - Larb*
Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang
น้ำตกคอหมูย่าง GrIlled marinated pork jowl seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Larb (chicken/beef/pork)
ลาบ (หมู/ไก่/เนื้อ) choice of protein ground pork, ground chicken or ground beef. seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Larb Moo Grob
ลาบหมูกรอบ crispy pork belly seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Larb Moo Tod (6)
ลาบหมูสับทอด deep-fried ground pork patty with larb ingredients
Tub Wan
ตับหวาน Blanched pork liver; seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Nam Tok Nuar
น้ำตกเนื้อ GrIlled marinated beef seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Larb Pla Duk
ลาบปลาดุก ground catfish seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, dill, mint, scallion, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Soop Nor Mai
ซุปหน่อไม้ Sour bamboo shoots cooked in mixed Thai herbs stock; seasoned with khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, red onion, lime juice, nam pla (fish sauce), and pla ra (pickled fish).
Larb Pla Tod
ลาบปลาทอด crispy tilapia filet with larb ingredients
Isan Cuisine - Yum*
Yum Woon Sen
ยำวุ้นเส้น (หมู/กุ้ง/ทะเล) silver noodle, spicy lime dressing, onion, cilantro with choice of ground pork, shrimp or seafood
Goong Chair Nam Pla
กุ้งแช่น้ำปลา fresh raw shrimp, spicy chili lime dressing
Yum Talay
ยำทะเล steamed seafood
Yum Moo Yor
ยำหมูยอ pressed pork sausage
Isan Cuisine - Soup*
Tom Yum Goong
ต้มยำกุ้งShrimps and mushrooms in broth of your choice; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, fresh chili, nam phrik phao (spicy shrimp paste), red onion, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Tom Luerd Moo
ต้มเลือดหมู pork blood curd, liver, and ground pork in clear broth; seasoned with asian celery, scallion, tang tsai (pickled minced Napa cabbage), and cilantro.
Tom Yum Goong Mae Nam
ต้มยำกุ้งแม่น้ำFresh water prawns and mushrooms in broth of your choice; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, fresh chili, nam phrik phao (spicy shrimp paste), red onion, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Tom Zap En Toon
ต้มแซบเอ็นเนื้อตุ๋น beef tendon in clear broth; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, lime juice, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Tom Zap Kra-Duk Moo
ต้มแซบกระดูกหมูTom saeppork cartilage in clear broth; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, lime juice, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Tom Zap Moo
ต้มแซบหมูpork in clear broth; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, khao kua (toasted rice powder), ground chili, lime juice, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Poh Tak
โป๊ะแตกMixed seafood and mushrooms in clear broth in hot pot; seasoned with medley of Thai herbs, fresh chili, red onion, scallion, cilantro, lime juice, and nam pla (fish sauce).
Isan Cuisine - Ping Yang Tod*
Moo Ping (4)
หมูปิ้ง chargrilled marinated pork belly, served with spicy dipping sauce.
Kor Moo Yang
คอหมูย่าง chargrilled marinated pork jowl served with spicy dipping sauce.
Fried Pork Belly
สามขั้นทอดน้ำปลา deep-fried marinade with fish sauce pork belly, served with spicy dipping sauce.
Suea Rong Hai
เสือร้องไห้ "Crying Tiger" chargrilled marinated beef brisket served with spicy dipping sauce.
Gai Yang
ไก่ย่าง chargrilled bone-in chicken served with sweet and sour sauce.
Sai Yang
ไส้ตันย่าง - chargrilled pork Intestine served with spicy dipping sauce.
Moo Dad Diao
หมูแดดเดียว deep-fried sun-dried pork served with spicy dipping sauce.
Isan Cuisine - Stir-fried*
Ka Pow (chicken/beef/pork)
กะเพรา (ไก่สับ/หมูสับ/เนื้อสับ) stir-fried spicy ground meats (chicken/pork/beef), holy basil (season), thai chili pepper.
Ka Pow Khai Yeaw Ma
กะเพรา ไข่เยี่ยวม้าหมูสับ stir-fried preserved egg, ground pork, holy basil (season), thai chili pepper.
Ka Pow Moo Grob
กะเพราหมูกรอบ stir-fried crispy pork belly, holy basil (season), thai chili pepper.
Pad Ped Pla Duk (With Bone)
ผัดเผ็ดปลาดุกทอด stir-fried chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf with fried catfish (with Bone)
Pad Ped Moo Grob
ผัดเผ็ดหมูกรอบ stir-fried chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf with crispy pork belly
Pad Kana Moo Grob
คะน้าหมูกรอบ stir-fried crispy pork belly, chinese broccoli, oyster sauce, chili, garlic
Pad Ped Nuar Nong Lai
ผัดเผ็ดเนื้อน่องลาย stir-fried chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf with beef shank
Pad Kana Moo Sub
คะน้าหมูสับ stir-fried chinese broccoli, garlic, chili, oyster sauce and ground pork
Ka Pow Gai Grob
กะเพราไก่กรอบ deep-fried chicken tight with thai holy basil (season), pepper, garlic
Pad Ped Kra-Duk Moo
ผัดเผ็ดกระดูกหมู stir-fried chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf with pork rib
Isan Cuisine - Kaeng*
Panang Nuar Nong Lai
แพนงเนื้อน่องลาย Boneless beef shank in Panang curry and coconut milk.
Kaeng Kua Isan
แกงคั่วอีสาน (ปีกไก่/สะโพกหมู) stir-fried chicken (bone-in wing) or pork butt, kaffir lime, and scallion in spicy thai lemongrass sauce.
Kaeng Pa
แกงป่า Protein of your choice, baby corns, and Thai eggplants in spicy soup of Thai herbs
Isan Cuisine - Som Tam*
Tam Tard
ตำถาด Choices of Papaya Salad with variety of sides, including grilled pork neck, pressed pork sausage, pickled pork sausage, rice noodles, boiled egg, crispy pork skin, cook shrimp, beansprouts, veggies (sides subject to market availability, and may change without prior notice)
Tam Thai
ตำไืทย Central Thai style Papaya salad. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, fish sauce
Tam Pa
ตำป่า Thai Isan style Papaya salad with assorted pickled veggies and noodles. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), rice noodles, crispy pork skin, snail, pickled veggies, tiny crab
Tam Poo Pla-Ra
ตำปูปลาร้า Thai Isan style Papaya salad with marinade crab. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), tiny crab
Tam Korat
ตำโคราช Central Thai and Isan style Papaya salad. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, lime, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish sauce), peanut
Tam Goong Sod
ตำกุ้งสด Thai Isan style Papaya salad with raw shrimp. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), raw shrimp
Tam Khao Phot Khai Kem
ตำข้าวโพดไข่เค็ม Central Thai style sweet corn salad with salted egg. sweet corn, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, lime, fish sauce, salted egg
Tam Khai Kem
ตำไข่เค็ม Central Thai style Papaya salad with salted egg. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, fish sauce, salted egg
Tam Khao Phot
ตำข้าวโพด Central Thai style sweet corn salad. sweet corn, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, lime, fish sauce
Tam Sua
ตำซั่ว Thai Isan style Papaya salad with thai rice noodles. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), rice noodles, crispy pork skin
Tam Thai Poo
ตำไทยปู Central Thai style Papaya salad with marinade crab. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, peanut, dried shrimp, sugar, fish sauce, tiny crab
Tam Moo Yor
ตำหมูยอ Thai Isan style Papaya salad with pressed pork sausage. Julienned green papaya, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), rice noodles, pork sausage
Tam Khao Pun
ตำข้าวปุ้น Thai Isan style Rice noodle salad, chili pepper, tomato, fish sauce, pla-lar (pickled fish), rice noodles, crispy pork skin
Isan Cuisine - Noodle*
Kuay Jab
ก๋วยจั๊บ five spice soup, flat wide noodle, pork liver and intestine
Kanom Jean - Nam Ya Pa
ขนมจีน (น้ำยาป่า) spicy thai noodle topped with fish meat blended sauce
Tom Yum Noodle Soup - Talay
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำทะเล spicy tom yum soup, thin rice noodle, seafood
Boat Noodle Soup - Nuar
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ spicy thin rice noodle soup, beef and beef balls
Kanom Jean - Nam Ya Poo
ขนมจีนน้ำยาปู spicy thai noodle topped with crab meat blended sauce
Khao Soi - Beef Shank
ข้าวซอยเนื้อน่องลาย egg noodle, beef shank, yellow curry, top with crispy egg noodle
Suki
สุกี้ (หมู/ไก่/เนื้อ/กุ้ง/ทะเล) silver noodle, vegetables, egg, chili bean curd sauce with your choice of pork, chicken, beef, shrimp or seafood
Boat Noodle Soup - Moo
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ spicy thin rice noodle soup, pork and pork balls
Yen Ta Fo
เย็นตาโฟ flat wide noodle, in pickled bean curd soup, served with fried wonton, and fish balls
Duck Noodle Soup
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเป็ด five-spice soup, duck drumstick, thin rice noodle
Khao Soi - Beef Tendon
ข้าวซอยเอ็นเนื้อตุ๋น egg noodle, beef tendon, yellow curry, top with crispy egg noodle
Isan Cuisine - Side*
Khai Jeaw (2x)
Kanom Jeen Noodle
Khai Dow (1x)
Sticky Rice
White Rice
Steamed Noodle
Steamed Veggie
Brown Rice
Peanut Sauce
Soft Drink*
Thai Iced Green Tea (Cha Khiew)
Coke (can)
Thai Iced Tea
Diet Coke (can)
Sprite (can)
Thai Iced Coffee
Ginger Ale (can)
Water (bottled)
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Recent Reviews
Laughing Monk Cafe on Brighton Avenue, in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, is a wonderful little Thai restaurant with a focus on Isan cuisine from the northeast region of Thailand. The menu is loaded with all the Thai standards as well as many plates unique to that area of the country. This place has the meats. I had a platter with three types of grilled pork, called Khao Moo Daeng, that was absolutely delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. The room is small and cozy...
January 2026
This is the best restaurant that I've eaten at in a long time
Every single dish was hot, full of flavor, and a generous portion.
The space is very small, but for me that isn't a problem
If you like seafood, I HIGHLY recommend their crab fried rice.
The scallion pancakes were A+
And their thai tea was so good! My friends and I should have ordered one to go.
Long story short, if you're in the area and don't...
Every single dish was hot, full of flavor, and a generous portion.
The space is very small, but for me that isn't a problem
If you like seafood, I HIGHLY recommend their crab fried rice.
The scallion pancakes were A+
And their thai tea was so good! My friends and I should have ordered one to go.
Long story short, if you're in the area and don't...
January 2026
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And I have to give a big shoutout to the front desk auntie (possibly owner), so the other day we dined in, and I left my Thai milk tea unintentionally.
Five minutes later I tried to retrieve it, she quickly admitted that she trashed it and offered us a new one in a few minutes.
Amazing service and amazing lady!