Thai Town is a state of mind. Sure, the east Hollywood neighborhood technically spans Hollywood Boulevard between Western Avenue and Normandie Avenue, but plenty of other interesting Thai restaurants ring the area, including Rodded and Jitlada, to name just two. Talented culinarian Jack Benchakul, trusted endorffeine coffee bar founder, tipped me off to Prael, a restaurant with a temple-like setting next to a laundromat that’s quietly thrived for nearly a decade.

Prael excels with rice dishes, as evidenced by their spicy crispy rice salad, and Shrimp Paste Fried Rice ($8.95). Pleasantly funky fried rice comes topped with piles of sticky-sweet pork, dime cuts of Chinese-style sausage, salty dried shrimp, fluffy sliced omelet, cucumber, cilantro, sweet-tart julienne green apple, and crunchy raw red onion. Mix the piles together to incorporate all of the flavors and textures, squeeze a lime on top for tang, and you’re in for a savory treat.

Dose of Vitamin P spotlights my favorite pork dish from the previous week.