Welcome to Ahan
At Ahan, located in the heart of Madison, WI, the essence of Laotian and Thai cuisine comes alive through a vibrant Asian fusion lens. This culinary haven celebrates community and culture with a diverse menu that ranges from savory Lao egg rolls to fragrant chicken pho. Each dish reflects a commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, infusing traditional recipes with a modern twist. The restaurant's inviting atmosphere, complemented by the friendly staff, creates an unforgettable dining experience. Ahan stands out not only for its delicious food but for its ability to transport diners to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia, making every meal a delightful journey.
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744 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703 Hotline: (608) 867-4001
Welcome to Ahan, an enchanting culinary gem nestled in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin. Located at 744 Williamson St, this bustling restaurant celebrates the vibrant and diverse flavors of Laotian, Thai, and Asian Fusion cuisine, promising an unforgettable dining experience that resonates with both traditional and contemporary palettes. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Ahan's captivating atmosphere and delectable offerings are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Ahan’s menu is a delightful tapestry woven from rich flavors and aromatic spices. Highlights include:
- Kung Pao Shrimp/Tofu - A savory sauté of shrimp or tofu, red bell peppers, sweet soy sauce, and a medley of spices, served with jasmine rice ($16.00).
- Thum Mak Hoong (Papaya Salad) - A spirited Lao-style salad accompanied by lemongrass marinated fried chicken thigh and sticky rice, delivering a well-balanced medium spice ($18.00).
- Drunken Noodles - Available with your choice of pork or tofu, this dish combines rice noodles with vibrant vegetables and aromatic herbs, all perfectly seasoned ($13.00).
- Lime Cheesecake - A refreshing dessert that encapsulates the essence of lime with a rich cream cheese blend, served on a crunchy graham cracker crust ($8.00).
Customers have celebrated Ahan’s innovative spirit through their tasty offerings, as noted by Karen C., who praised the warm service and mouthwatering Kung Pao while noting that the atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience. Meanwhile, Ellena K. was particularly enchanted by the Sakoo yat sai (tapioca dumplings), describing them as a 'favorite appetizer' that perfectly encapsulates Ahan's attention to detail and quality.
Ahan also excels in creating memorable experiences through their appetizers, like the Laotian Snacks and Jeow Som which set the stage for what’s to come. The ambiance, combined with the enthusiastic staff, fosters a welcoming environment while you prepare to delve into your meal.
While some diners, like Alyssa A. and Michelle G., noted that the prices might be on the higher side, they unequivocally agreed that the flavors and quality make it worth the investment. Ahan’s inventive dishes, robust flavors, and thoughtful presentation truly make it stand out in a sea of dining options.
All in all, Ahan is not just a restaurant; it’s a journey through the culinary wonders of Southeast Asia. With a menu that evolves with fresh seasonal specials and an inviting atmosphere, you're sure to enjoy a satisfying meal that keeps you coming back for more. Come in today, indulge in Ahan’s signature dishes, and discover why it has quickly become a must-visit destination in Madison.
What a wonderful dining experience! We waited at the bar for a table and Christine was the best bartender and employee. She suggested drinks and appetizers! They were SO good! She was amazing! We got the potato curry puffs and boa buns. Dinner was also great! The drunken noodles and fried chicken sandwich were so good. This is def a 5 star restaurant!
Sat down for a weekend lunch, first time having lunch here! It was a little less busy than dinner time but a wonderful vibe as always. The menu was the same. Started with the Sakoo yat sai (tapioca dumplings) which I order every-time and is my favorite appetizer ever. We also tried one of the specials,Bánh xèo, which was very interesting and reminded me of a street food sort of. If you like egg, it would be a good choice for lunch. The nam khao salad was wonderful, very fresh and the crispy rice added a great texture. For a salad, it was really filling!
My friend was visiting from Milwaukee, and we decided to try this place. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the former Madison Candy Company building. Parking is limited, and since we came during lunchtime, we both ended up parking on the street. My party of 3 were seated immediately, despite the restaurant being quite crowded for a weekday lunch. Our food arrived within 10 minutes, which was great. We ordered the lunch specials: steamed ho fun and chicken red curry. The red curry was nicely presented, and my friend mentioned that some bites had a good amount of spice and my partner said it was similar to other red curry that he had. Having eaten pan-fried ho fun my whole life, I was excited to try the steamed version, especially since I wanted to avoid the crispy, deep-fried option listed on the menu. While I expected sweet soy sauce, I didn't anticipate it being quite so sweet. My partner tried it and even said it tasted like dessert. Personally, I would prefer a less sugary version. Portion sizes were good, and we finished almost everything. The only downside was the noise level--it was quite loud, making it hard to hear each other, but that's understandable during lunch hours. Overall, I'm glad we found this spot and got to try something new!
The atmosphere was wonderful, it had a fun tiki bar upfront. The staff was very friendly. And the food was amazing, a great spot in Madison, WI!
Summer rolls, yellow curry, mango sticky rice with the soft serve ice cream, and drinks were all amazing!
Ahan was really good and I would eat here again! I think next time I would stick to lunch or takeout though. I wouldn't recommend going here during the supper rush if your group is larger than 2-4. They don't take reservations and there wasn't much space to wait. The food was all really good but a little pricey for what you get. For example, the chicken sandwich is their special for $15 and doesn't come with any sides.
Went here for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night and it was everything we hoped it would be. We were quick to be seated and they let us know that it was still order at the counter and then they'll bring the food & drinks out. It's great that they've kept this system even with the new location as it seems to move along better. The drinks came out pretty quick and were quite tasty. The food came out in cycles, but when they saw all entrees didn't come out at once, staff was quick to check on the order in the kitchen. We were very impressed with the prompt service, even though we didn't have a specific waiter. For food we ordered many things, starting with the Laotian snacks. On the plate the Sein Savnh (jerky) was the most surprising and my favorite. It had a sweetness to it that I wasn't expecting. Friends also thought the Son in Law Eggs were pretty standout. For entrees we got the special PB & apple chicken sandwich, cabbage rolls, drunken noodles, and Khao Poon Kathi Dang. The chicken sandwich was a favorite by all. Would definitely recommend. The Khao Poon Kathi Dang was my favorite as it had a good kick of spice and lots of noodles. I only wish we would have got it with tofu instead of chicken; next time! The drunken noodles were also good as always and our friend liked the cabbage rolls. We ended the meal with the ube soft serve that we've been wanting to try for a while. It was unlike any flavor that I've had before and would definitely order it again! Overall very good service, tasty food, and ample portion sizes. Highly recommend and can't wait to get back to try more!
I read a foodie list on Yelp and this place was #1. I love Asian food and it looked great, so I decided to try it on my trip to Madison. Good choice. The soups were delicious. My husband and I ordered two and shared. Each bowl was brimming to the top with soup and very flavorful. We didn't order any drinks but the cocktail menu looked amazing. Would definitely try drinks next time. Service was absolutely fantastic too.
I have been wanting to try Ahan since the first time I visited Madison but we just didn't have the time. I'm glad we made time to go for lunch this time around, because we all loved this meal. We ordered a number of things, including far too many desserts for three people, but they all sounded good and we wanted to try them. The meal is definitely on the pricier side, but we were so happy with what we got. The highlights were definitely the sakoo yat sai - those tapioca dumpling appetizers were one of my favorite things and I know other people also really enjoyed them. I also will say I tried this same item (same name) afterward at another place and Ahan's version was so much better and high quality. The red curry udon was also cozy and yummy, although has a bit of a kick to it. Of the desserts, we got the banana soft serve with the sticky rice, a glutinous fried dough thing, and a more gelatinous corn dessert in an adorable flower shape (if you are familiar with Filipino kakanins, it resembled maja maiz). I personally would have skipped the soft serve sticky rice - I've had better mango sticky rice elsewhere. But the other two desserts were delicious. Loved this place and I like that they have specials and the menu can change, so would definitely check this place out again next time I'm in Madison.
We walked here and it was a little bit confusing getting into the restaurant. It's from the back and it's on the first floor. The wait staff is very nice, the food is very good, we got the Khao Tod appetizer, it's very crunchy, but it taste very similar to a falafel, but instead of chickpea it is filled with rice. Our entrées were amazing, I highly recommend the red curry udon noodle, it is spicy and this is coming from an Indian girl, but my momma told me spices are good for your body. Please don't use this review for health advice. We also got the beef laap, it tasted like wet beef but it was good if you're looking for something refreshing. Overall, we can't wait to be back. Next time I want to try the wonton.