Laughing Monk Cafe: Authentic Thai & Premier Sushi in Wellesley, MA

Laughing Monk Cafe Introduce

For residents across the **Greater Boston and Metrowest regions of Massachusetts**, finding an establishment that delivers both truly authentic, uncompromising Thai cuisine and high-quality Japanese Sushi is a rare find. **Laughing Monk Cafe** in **Wellesley, MA**, is a celebrated local destination that expertly bridges these two culinary worlds, setting a high standard for Asian dining in the area.

This is not a simple fusion spot; Laughing Monk Cafe is highly praised for serving flavors that transport diners directly to Thailand, with a menu that avoids common dilution found in many Americanized restaurants. Whether you are craving the complex, aromatic heat of a traditional Thai curry or the delicate, fresh preparation of Hamachi and Toro from the Sushi Bar, this restaurant offers an experience rooted in authenticity and high-quality ingredients.

Beyond the menu, the cafe provides a **casual and cozy atmosphere**, making it an ideal choice for a variety of occasions—from a quick and healthy **lunch** to a relaxed **dinner** or simply a comfortable spot for **solo dining**. The commitment to authentic flavors and excellent service has cemented its reputation as a true gem among local Massachusetts food enthusiasts who appreciate genuine regional cooking techniques and ingredients.

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Location and Accessibility for Massachusetts Patrons

Laughing Monk Cafe is conveniently located in the heart of **Wellesley, Massachusetts**, making it easily accessible for the surrounding communities. Its address is **90 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482, USA**. The central location on Central Street places it well within reach for both local residents and visitors driving from other parts of the Boston metro area.

The establishment is designed with guest convenience in mind. For those arriving by car, the cafe offers a **free parking lot**, eliminating the stress of finding street parking. Furthermore, Laughing Monk Cafe prioritizes accessibility to ensure a comfortable experience for all patrons. The location provides a **wheelchair accessible parking lot**, a **wheelchair accessible restroom**, and **wheelchair accessible seating**, making it a welcoming and convenient choice for everyone in the Massachusetts region.

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Services Offered

Laughing Monk Cafe offers a comprehensive range of service options, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its Massachusetts customer base, from on-the-go meals to relaxed dine-in experiences.

**Dine-in:** Enjoy the cozy, casual atmosphere with full **table service** for both **lunch** and **dinner**.
**Takeout:** A quick and easy option for enjoying the cafe's authentic cuisine at home or work.
**Delivery:** Convenient service bringing your Thai and Sushi favorites directly to your location.
**No-contact delivery:** An option for those who prefer an extra layer of safety and convenience.
**Accepts Reservations:** For planning ahead, particularly for dinner or group dining, reservations are accepted.

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Features and Highlights

The success of Laughing Monk Cafe in the competitive Massachusetts culinary landscape is driven by several key highlights that enhance the dining experience, distinguishing it as a premier choice for both Thai food and Sushi.

**Authentic Thai & Sushi Excellence:** The restaurant operates as both a genuine **Thai restaurant** and a high-quality **Sushi restaurant**, with a focus on delivering traditional, uncompromised regional flavors.
**Great Tea Selection:** Patrons consistently highlight the extensive tea offerings, which include **Thai Iced Tea**, **Thai Iced Coffee**, and **Thai Iced Jasmine-Green Tea**.
**Full Bar Offerings:** A wide selection of drinks is available, including **Alcohol**, **Beer**, **Cocktails**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, perfectly complementing both Thai spices and Japanese cuisine.
**Fast Service:** The cafe is noted for its **fast service**, making it efficient for a quick, high-quality meal during a busy day.
**Health and Dietary Options:** The menu thoughtfully includes **Healthy options**, **Small plates**, and comprehensive **Vegetarian options**, catering to various dietary needs and preferences.
**Cozy and Casual Atmosphere:** The ambiance is described as **Casual** and **Cozy**, providing a relaxed and inviting setting for any meal.
**Payment Flexibility:** Accepts a variety of payment methods, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.

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Contact Information

For Massachusetts residents wishing to contact Laughing Monk Cafe, the details are as follows:

Address: 90 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482, USA

Phone: (617) 232-8000 (or mobile: +1 617-232-8000)

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What is Worth Choosing at Laughing Monk Cafe

The menu at Laughing Monk Cafe is a testament to culinary excellence, offering rich, flavorful choices from two distinct traditions. For local Massachusetts food lovers, the hardest part will be choosing where to begin, but the quality ensures that any choice is a good one.

When it comes to Thai dishes, the cafe truly shines with its authentic preparations. The **Curry** section is a must-explore, featuring classics like **Red Curry**, **Green Curry**, and **Massaman Curry**, as well as the unique **Mango Curry**. The **Noodle** and **Fried Rice** offerings are equally popular, with **Pad Thai**, **Drunken Noodle**, and the aromatic **Basil Fried Rice** being local staples.

Notably, customer reviews celebrate the **truly authentic Thai flavors**, specifically highlighting dishes like **Moo Ping** (grilled pork), and traditional Isaan regional specialties such as **Larb Moo** and **Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang**, suggesting the kitchen is unafraid to deliver bold, genuine Thai heat and aroma, perfectly seasoned with roasted rice powder and bright acidity.

On the Japanese side, the quality of the Sushi is exceptional. Guests rave about the freshness, noting that the **toro** "just melted in mouth." The **Nigiri / Sashimi** menu features premium items like **Chutoro (Fatty Tuna)**, **Hamachi Belly**, and **Uni (Hokkaido Sea Urchin)**. For rolls, the specialty options like the **Fire Dragon**, **Bangkok Dynamite**, and the locally loved classics such as the **Philly Roll** and **Spider Roll** are all prepared with high-level technique and presentation.

Starters like the **Chicken Satay**, described as "moist and delicious" by patrons, the savory **Beef Satay**, and the crisp **Crab Rangoon** make for perfect beginnings. With its dual commitment to authentic, flavorful Thai food and high-grade Sushi, Laughing Monk Cafe stands out as a rewarding and necessary dining experience for anyone in the Massachusetts region seeking genuinely world-class Asian cuisine.

Laughing Monk Cafe Food & drink

Starters*
Beef Satay $13.15
Blanketed Shrimp $11.55
shrimp, ginger, black pepper, wheat wheat wrapper paper, sweet and sour sauce.
Chicken Gyoza $9.63
steamed dumpling, chicken, wheat flour, cabbage, onion, garlic powder, sesame oil
Veggie Gyoza $9.63
steamed dumpling, cabbage, peas, carrot, edamame, wheat flour, garlic powder, sesame oil
Chicken Nugget $8.75
chicken nuggets, and spicy mayo sauce
Chicken Satay $10.95
grilled chicken tender, peanut sauce
Chicken Wing $11.55
plain or spicy
Crab Rangoon $10.95
pacific crabmeat, crab-stick, cheese, onion, scallion, egg wonton skin
Edamame $7.65
Fried Roti $9.85
panfried indian-influenced flatbread, curry dipping
Moo Ping $10.95
Scallion Pancake $9.35
Veggie Spring Roll $9.85
carrot, cabbage, celery, mushroom, garlic
Hamachi Kama $28.55
grilled yellowtail collar

Soup*
Miso Soup $5.95
Tofu Soup $7.65
soft tofu, snap pea, broccoli, carrot, napa, mushroom, onion
Tom Yum Coconut Soup $8.75
chili paste, lime, coconut milk, cilantro, mushroom, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf

Salad*
Seaweed Salad $7.65
Small Salad $6.55

Entree*
Cashew Nut $18.25
onion, bell pepper, carrot, scallion, pineapple, dried chili
Hot Ginger $18.25
fresh ginger, onion, scallion, bell pepper, mushroom, carrot
Chili Basil $18.25
basil, bell pepper, onion, chili, mushroom
Royal Broccoli $18.25
broccoli, carrot, mushroom
Sweet & Sour $18.25
pineapple, onion, bell pepper, carrot, scallion, tomato, sugar snap pea
Rama Garden $18.25
steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, onion, napa, sugar snap pea, bell pepper, peanut sauce
Pepper Garlic $18.25
cauliflower, broccoli, garlic, carrot, string bean, napa, sugar snap pea, bell pepper, onion
Prik Khing $18.25
string bean, bell pepper, chili paste, kaffir lime leaf
Chili Paste $18.25
onion, bell pepper, scallion, mushroom, shrimp chili paste (ingredients contain shellfish cannot be vegetarian)
Kapow Basil $19.25
basil, chili, onion, pepper
Tod Kra Tiem $19.25
stir-fry meat with garlic and black pepper, cilantro with broccoli, lettuce

Curry*
Red Curry $18.25
bell pepper, eggplant, basil, carrot, string bean, bamboo shoot
Green Curry $18.25
bell pepper, basil, bamboo shoot, eggplant, sugar snap, green pea
Yellow Curry $18.25
potato, carrot, onion, bell pepper, pineapple
Massaman Curry $18.50
potato, onion, carrot, peanut
Panang Curry $18.50
bell pepper, string bean, kaffir lime leaf
Mango Curry $18.75
bell pepper, onion, carrot, sugar snap pea, fresh mango

Fried Rice*
Basil Fried Rice $17.75
bell pepper, basil, onion, egg
Mango Fried Rice $18.25
carrot, sugar snap pea, onion, bell pepper, ginger, egg
Pineapple Fried Rice $17.75
carrot, sugar snap pea, onion, bell pepper, curry powder, egg
Crab Fried Rice $28.00
Thai Fried Rice $17.75
carrot, egg, onion, tomato, green pea
Tom Yum Fried Rice $18.25
basil, egg, red onion, tomato, mushroom, bell pepper, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf

Noodle*
Pad Thai $17.75
rice noodle, chive, crushed-peanut, turnip, bean sprout, egg
Drunken Noodle $17.75
lat rice noodle, bell pepper, onion, carrot, bamboo shoot, string bean, broccoli, basil
Pad See Ew $17.75
flat rice noodle, egg, chinese broccoli, carrot. This dish can be altered with GF source (its flavor won't be the same as the original one)
Lo Mein Basil $17.75
stir-fried yellow noodle (gluten), basil, red bell pepper, long horn pepper and onion
Lo Mein Garlic $17.75
stir-fried yellow noodle (gluten), cabbage, onion, scallion, carrot

Sides*
White Rice $3.30
Brown Rice $5.50
Egg Fried Rice $6.60
Steamed Noodle $4.40
Steamed Veggie $6.60
Sticky Rice $3.30
Wasabi $2.20
Pickled Ginger $2.20

Beverages*
Diet Coke (Can) $3.75
Sprite (Can) $3.75
Water (Bottle) $3.75
Thai Iced Tea (Cup) $6.50
Thai Iced Coffee (Cup) $6.50
Thai Iced Jasmine-Green Tea (Cup) $6.50
it's Thai style jasmine tea (not a japanese matcha green tea)

Nigiri / Sashimi*
Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp)
Branzino (European Sea Bass)
europium sea bass (NZ)
Chutoro (Fatty Tuna)
Ebi (Shrimp)
Hamachi (Yellowtail)
Hamachi Belly (Fatty Yellowtail)
Hokkigai (Surf Clam)
Ikura (Salmon Roe)
Kanikama (Crabstick)
Kanpachi (Great Amberjack)
Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)
Maguro (Tuna)
Saba (Mackerel)
Sake (Faroe Salmon)
Sake Belly (Fatty Salmon)
Shima Aji (Japanese Striped Jack)
Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe)
Toro (Fatty Tuna)
Unagi (Freshwater Eel)
Uni (Hokkaido Sea Urchin)
Smoked Salmon

Rolls*
Alaska Roll $12.10
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, salmon, avocado, sesame
Bangkok Dynamite $27.45
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, jalapeño, shrimp tempura, soft-shell crab, chili paste, lemon, tobiko, lemongrass, cilantro
California Roll $11.50
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, black sesame, crab stick, avocado
Cannon Roll $22.28
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, tuna, shrimp tempura, cream cheese, tobiko, surf clam, avocado, teriyaki sauce
Caterpillar $22.50
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, BBQ eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, sesame, teriyaki sauce
Crabmayo $19.20
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, crab stick, avocado, spicy mayo
Crispy Roll $12.10
crabstick, salmon, avocado, tobiko, teriyaki sauce, brown rice (mostly cooked)
Cucumber-Avo Roll $9.90
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, sesame, cucumber, avocado
Deep Fried Madness $12.60
sushi brown rice, white fish maki tempura, sesame, scallion, teriyaki and hot sauce
Fire Dragon $23.38
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, shrimp tempura, jalapeño, black tobiko, spicy mayo, rice seasoning, hot sauce, wasabi
Fujihama $21.40
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, cooked shrimp, cucumber, avocado, cream cheese, topped with baked spicy mayo sauce (contains mayo, ebi, tamago, crabstick, tobiko, sesame, hot sauce)
Negihama Roll $11.83
sushi white rice, yellowtail, green onion, sesame
No Meat Roll $9.90
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, tofu, kampyo, cucumber, avocado, oshinko
Philly Roll $13.20
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, creamcheese, smoked salmon, tobiko, sesame
Shrimp Tempura Roll $11.83
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, shiso, sprout, tobiko, avocado, mayo
Spicy Roll $12.10
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, jalapeño, cucumber, sprout, shiso, spicy mayo, rice seasoning contains small amount tamago and ebi.
Spider Roll $13.20
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, soft-shell crab, shiso, sprout, avocado, tobiko
Tempopo $21.40
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, , shrimp tempura, crabstick, avocado, crunchy panko, teriyaki sauce
The Silver $22.50
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, jalapeño, cucumber, sprout, shiso, tobiko, spicy mayo, rice seasoning contains small amount tomago and ebi.
Tuna-Avo Roll $11.83
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, tuna, avocado, sesame
Unagi Roll $12.10
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, bbq eel, avocado, sesame seed
Veggie Tempura Roll $11.00
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, sweet potato tempura, shiso, sprout, avocado, mayo
Rainbow $23.60
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, assorted fish, avocado, tobiko, quail egg
Mango-Avo Roll $9.90
choice of sushi brown rice or white rice, sesame, fresh mango, avocado
The DiET Roll (New) $27.45
seaweed, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, ikura, black tobiko and sprouts

Sushi Bar Entree*
Sashimi Entree $46.20
Sushi Entree $37.40

Laughing Monk Cafe Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free parking lot

Laughing Monk Cafe Photos

Laughing Monk Cafe Location

Laughing Monk Cafe

Massachusetts Norfolk County Wellesley Wellesley Square Central Street

90 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482, USA

Laughing Monk Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 160 user reviews.

sushiomakasepad thaibarspicytakeoutpresentationatmospheredrunken noodlesgreen curry

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Laughing Monk Allston is hands down one of the few places in Boston where you can get truly authentic Thai flavors — no dilution, no shortcuts. I ordered the fried pork belly with fish sauce, larb moo, nam tok kor moo yang, and Isaan sausage — and every bite made me feel like I was back in Thailand.The pork belly was perfectly crisp with that deep, savory hit from the fish sauce. The larb and nam tok were packed with roasted rice powder aroma, proper heat, and bright acidity — nothing was muted for the American palate. The Isaan sausage was exactly as it should be: slightly funky, garlicky, with a good char.It’s clear the kitchen knows what they’re doing, both in terms of flavor layering and technique. As someone who spends a lot of time around food, I can tell when a place cooks with intention — and this is one of them. If you’re craving Thai food that actually tastes like home, this is where you go.
July 16 · Kongphop Attakowitwitaya
What a gem, the Laughing Monk had it all, tremendous service, atmosphere and food. The chicken satay was moist and delicious. The toro just melted in my mouth. All the items were prepared so well with excellent preparation. I am over the moon this place is so close and so good. I will be returning and can strongly recommend everyone does.
May 18 · Paul J. Manning
Average experience. Food looks appetizing, but lacks attention to detail (missing avocado in some of the sushi). Noodle portions were inadequate for the price. Most of the container was empty. $8 soup was slightly spilled due to inadequate packaging. Also, my daughter found a hair in her rice. Room for improvement.
December 08 · J.M. Hardie
Omakase! This is three steps up from just sushi! Superior quality, complex flavor combinations and artistically presented made for an amazing experience. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the artisan chefs assembly as well as the large screen underwater video loop. One negative: loud very young children is a very small space! Once they left, problem solved and the atmosphere improved greatly.
May 04 · Scott C
Wife and I came for our anniversary and had the omakase. Every plate was delicious and brought something unique to the experience through texture, flavor, and aroma. All of the seafood was fresh and vibrant, and worthy of the showcase.The plating was immaculate. Some dishes were so beautiful as to have a painterly quality, displaying a master's eye for color and composition. And there's clear evidence of an artist's craft in the experience, expressed through small flourishes like the first bite being served out of a treasure chest salvaged from the ocean's floor, or seating omakase patrons at the bar to witness the performance of the meal's making. Needless to say, if you have a special experience to celebrate, the omakase will make it feel special.Since that first meal, we've been back a couple of times for (sigh) normal dinners. While they weren't as spectacular as the omakase, they were still excellent. The sushi is always executed well, and the whole grain rice they use gives it a nuttiness that surprised me at first, but I grew to enjoy. While the sushi is the star here, we also quite liked their fried rice.We don't live as close as we once did, so there's no telling when we'll be back - but we will. The Laughing Monk is worth the trip.
July 10 · Branden Diniz