Go to Racha Noodle for 'super fresh' food and a casual atmosphere with friends

Marc Beauchamp
Special to the Record Searchlight

I wanted to catch up with Redding businessman Brent Weaver to hear about the 13-day trip he took his family on to Thailand in April, so I invited him out to lunch at — where else? — a favorite Thai restaurant.

Racha Noodle on South Market happens to be close to Weaver’s lumber business, so we meet there, in early May.

We ordered spicy chicken wings as an appetizer and shared some fresh spring rolls.  

Then we each had a bowl of Thai soup; mine had a coconut base. I ordered an iced Thai coffee, an addictive drink made with sweetened condensed milk. For dessert, we shared fresh mango and sticky white rice.

A few words about Racha Noodle.  

Former Redding Mayor Brent Weaver enjoys lunch in May 2019 at Racha Noodle on South Market Street.

Some people might call it a hole-in-the-wall.  Actually, it’s in a modest strip center at the intersection of South Market Street and California Street, anchored by an Asian market.

The decor isn’t fancy, basically a few travel posters. Weaver recognized a huge golden temple from Bangkok and a beach scene. His family visited Bangkok, where his mother was born, Chiang Mai in the mountainous north, and the coastal area of Krabi in the south.

At Racha, the food is super fresh. While service is friendly and prompt, it’s not rushed. Every dish is made to order and that takes time and care.

It’s authentic. I usually ask my server for a recommendation and then opt for it on the spicier side.

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In cooler months my go-to is the soup. The rest of the time I might order pumpkin, salmon or duck in red curry.

Racha earns four-plus stars on social media sites Yelp, TripAdvisor and Facebook. The price is right. Most entrees range from $8 to $15.

The entrance in May 2019 to Racha Noodle on South Market Street in Redding.

The owners (the women of the Putapituckul family) are amazing, friendly, sweet, gracious and generous.  

Racha Noodle opened in 2005 and it quickly developed a following. When I left the Record Searchlight in 2007, they hosted my farewell lunch and even printed up a special menu. I’ll never forget that.

I asked Weaver what he liked best about his Thai adventure. “The kids loved the elephants in Chiang Mai, while (his wife) Leanne and I loved the beaches and islands off Krabi,” a laid-back province in southern Thailand known for fantastic scenery and white-sand beaches.

“The people and food are amazing,” he told me. “Those were the takeaways. The people are friendly and humble. The food is the best cuisine in the world.” That's quite a statement. 

If you want to give Thai food a try or if you’ve never been to Racha Noodle, Weaver and I highly recommend it. The Putapituckul family will make sure you feel right at home.

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About Racha Noodle

Address: 2630 Market Street (at California Street) in Redding

Phone: 246-8730

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Social media: Facebook

Owners: Five Thais, Inc. (The Putapituckul family)

Established: 2005

Sample menu items:

  • Spicy wings with rice and salad $12
  • Tom kha spicy soup with chicken $9
  • Five spice noodle soup $8
  • Salmon in red curry $13
  • Duck in red curry $13
  • Thai iced coffee or tea $2.75