The Southeast Asian cuisine-focused restaurant opened on Ingleside’s Ocean Avenue late last week. It’s owned by two families, one Cambodian and the other Thai, and is named after one of the owners' daughters.
It's being received in the neighborhood like family, too.
“It's a nice, friendly neighborhood restaurant that welcomes all people,” co-owner and head chef Tien Lichanatien said. “We want to start it slow.”
The small business took over the former Purtea space, and the owners transformed the interior by painting the walls white and adding many plants and additional seating at a round table and the countertop.
Megan's Table soft-opened on Oct. 2. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
“I would love to see a space where people can sit and chill, so we try to offer a cafe-restaurant kind of mix,” said co-owner Darashawin Chumee. “For us, we feel like for the daytime we want to have affordable food and drinks for students or people who live close by. For nighttime, for dinner, we’d love to see families in our restaurant and have a happy time together.”
Mild, a server who didn't give a last name, said business has already picked up and has been told by patrons how homey the new space feels.
“The customers are really nice,” Mild said. “It’s like a family.”
The menu includes small plates like Cambodian beef skewers and Tom Kha soup and single-serving entrees like their signature Cha Kroeung and pumpkin curry. Other items include salads like papaya and laab and noodle and rice dishes like pad see ew and Thai fried rice. Prices range from $12 to 17.
Megan’s Table also serves sides like white rice, roti, fried egg, peanut sauce and noodles for $3 to $4. For dessert, mango sticky rice for $8 and Megan’s roti ice cream for $12 is available.
“It’s so delicious,” Ingleside resident Caitlin Deck said. “I’m really glad there is one in the neighborhood.”
Cambodian beef skewers, papaya salad, white rice and Thai lemon tea. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
While the staff prides themselves on serving affordable dishes with fresh, traditional and quality ingredients, Lichanatien said their drinks are a must-try and hopes it will satisfy Purtea’s customers.
They serve tea and coffee like Thai Iced Tea, milk tea, espresso tonic and hazelnut lattes for $3 to $6.50. Other drinks include coconut palm juice, Korean strawberry milk, matcha and bottled sodas like Coke and Sprite for $2 to $7. Extras include adding additional shots for $1.50 and making it iced or subbing milk for alternatives like oat, soy and almond for $0.50. Lichanatien said boba will also be coming soon.
Lichanatien wants the restaurant to become a go-to spot for customers to hang out, something that’s already started to happen in the few days it’s been open.
Megan's Table's Tien Lichanatien, Sam, Ry and Mild. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
“I'm grateful for the people in the community,” Lichanatien said, adding that plans are in the works for a grand opening. “A lot of people in the neighborhood just come by either just to say hi and congratulations. Some people even come like every day. We are feeling so grateful and appreciative of the community. Every time we see an old customer come in, it kind of makes my day like a good friend coming in.”
Megan’s Table
Address: 1422 Ocean Ave. Hours: Every day, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: 415-347-7044 Social media page
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
