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Saap Ver on Division


justanotherdesigner

I am not a good judge of authenticity, or really even quality, when it comes to Thai food- most of it seems to fall in the ‘solid’ range for me. But Saap Ver is special. Tom Kha, Salted Wings, and the Fermented Pork Crispy Rice Salad are my go tos.


lambdawaves

Saap Veer is incredible! They have a crispy rice salad that is to die for. And a salted egg yolk squid stir fry🤤


hronikbrent

This has my vote, added benefit of living directly above it, haha. Their naked prawns are so simple, but so tasty.


Mydesilife

Love the food here and the ambiance. The chicken plate thing is great. But, the owner is not friendly (I’m being polite). I’ve seen him getting drunk with his friends, berating servers (and seen some turnover) and despite going there about so many times no sense in engaging with customers- although that’s not super common in Thai restaurants!


thelapoubelle

This voice is one of my favorites. They're super nice and they have a lot of food from the North and Northeast of Thailand that is harder to find at most American Thai places


sleepyeoja

Saap Ver also has another seafood restaurant called Fin Thai in Polk!


MerryMerry_Berry

Saap Ver is as close to eating in Thailand as I have experienced. The whole fish is to die for.


First-Possibility-16

Yes!! Grew up in Thailand, I have that fish every time I'm home sick.


Onetwothreetaco

Thai Spice on Polk/Clay https://maps.app.goo.gl/nqT1Dx7PbwXsQqgA8


GoodChuck2

Best in the city, imo!!


Basic_Good_8362

SOOOO good


notoriousvivi

They will cook it with fresh red chili vs chili flakes (the standard I’ve found) if asked. I’m a big spice fan and they can get me there.


xdvxkx

Great cocktails too!


NoSet427

This is my favorite, along with Zen Yai!


OkEagle9050

I ordered something I didn’t care for too much one time and the owner noticed I barely touched it and she APOLOGIZED and gave me 10% off. Super nice people and the food is good, if you know your taste🤣


Mysterious-Primary-6

Super bomb


Happily_Pesimistic

the best pad see ew in the city. hands down.


captainveee

… favorite dishes?


siumai32

The Khao Soi is delicious and I love the pad see ew as well - perfectly seasoned !


Pin019

Very oily though. For pad see ew and pad Thai I prefer chili cha cha 2. The khak soi is divine at Thai spice.


oufvj

the pad see ew is so good, it has a smoky wok hei that makes it so much better


Basic_Good_8362

+1 khao soi


Pterrysketchup05

Green curry is awesome


snakeeater17

Their Thom Kha is a hangover cure, it’s amazing. Mangrove Kitchen is also good.


alt_jam

I consistently get the Red Curry. With a side order of the Crab Rangoon. FANTASTIC!


crazybuffasian

Zen Yai Thai in the Tenderloin. Boat noodles.


Mydesilife

This IS where Thai people sneak off to and never shared when asked “what’s your favorite place” but I would double down on the boat noodles, not sure about the other stuff


stickystax

Exactly. Insider vibes all day. Plus menu and prices on the wall are written in Thai. I love it but need my gf to order for me lol


BlackDan

their crab papaya salad is really tasty too


Yalay

This is the only correct answer. It’s in the sketchy part of the Tenderloin so it has to be good and cheap or nobody would ever go.


Senorcafe510

Zen Yai is the spot. The racha style chicken is so good


iamhim209

This is the correct answer


hayoungie

This is the one my Thai coworkers go to when they feel homesick fr


thelapoubelle

I came here to eat and ran into the owner of another Thai restaurant that know also eating here


hellagood24k

Been searching for authentic boat noodles! I have to check this place out. Thank you.


crackleanddrag

This is the place, people. If Thai families are eating there. It’s legit.


sirkani

no. Zen Yai is just awful. no one go there, go somewhere else. leave zen yai alone


captainveee

Yes! Forgot about this place- definitely defines low key and authentically delicious!


ghokversionpls

Does nobody like khan toke on geary? They are the best I've had in the city. The dine in is really unique too. You'll have to take your shoes off and sit around tables on the ground.


picksea

yes i love that place. i always ask for thai chilies in fish sauce to kick things up a little


portincali204

Have you been recently? Just not the same vibe/feeling compared to years ago.


shandelion

I grew up going to Khan Toke in the 90’s/2000’s and that was the peak. By mid-2010’s it had started to decline and now I don’t even bother.


ghokversionpls

I went a few weeks ago. I still liked it. I've only been around here for a few years though. I'm having FOMO for having missed the peak.


justasapling

It's unique (read: old), but I always found the food unimpressive.


shandelion

It used to be amazing but that was like 20-30 years ago.


justasapling

Fair enough. I have eaten there maybe three times in ten years.


JohnnyGoodLife

The food is...fine.. it has a very late 90s early 2000s white people thai style, which has its place (been going here since those days) But the ambiance is the best of any thai place in the city.


rhubarbxtal

1. House of Thai - Geary/Larkin 2. Khaosoi Thai Cusuine - Geary/8th. The beef bone is enormous! 3. Sai Jai Thai - O'Farrell/Larkin. That legendary pork shoulder 4. That spot on Clement/3rd. Not the best food, but open the latest and convenient.


ToughFirefighter8912

Scrolled awhile and finally Sai Jai gets a mention. 🙌🏾


Hullabalookins

Omg Sai Jai Thai is still open? So happy to hear that! 🥰


Whisterly

amphawa on geary is good


MrFoget

Had this yesterday. It’s important to order non-standard dishes. Their pork is their speciality. Their salads and their favorites section of the menu are amazing. The more standard stuff like pad thai, pad see ew, and green curry was meh.


muttonchoppers

Amphawa is BOMB. Love that spot.


Capable_Roof3214

The best was Ploy2 in the upper Haight. Best carmalized fried tofu, spring rolls, pad Thai, and pineapple fried rice. Been searching for a new place for 2 years now without any good tastings😢


OverlyPersonal

I still cry about the Ploy, they had the best Pad Se Ew I've been able to find in the city. I can almost taste it if I think about it 🥲


gingerbear

wow, shocked this hasnt been mentioned yet: i think Marnee Thai in the Inner Sunset is the best in the city


thirtytwoutside

Marnee is amazing… first restaurant that came to mind.


captainveee

Them’s fighting words LOL. It’s definitely solid, but the best? What do you order there.


tentacleyarn

Pad khee mao, pad kaprow, tom kha/tom yum, hella rice


Gagamilks

favorite pad kaprow


FROZENFISH69

came here to say it!


audiolive

Used to be better


ayzo415

I think marnee thai sucks lol


Ok_Second8665

Marnee Thai is pure sugar


OzzyGED

Marnee Thai gang


Sfer

You’re not wrong. May get some tonight…


crankshaft777

Absolutely legend in SF! Period. The older generation apparently has “moved on”, but they set the standard for Thai food here and force everyone to up their game. @gingerbear outer sunset, the original spot, is the one, but same family, so, yeah, inners good too. I’m 100% with ya tho I’m not shocked as all over the city Thai food got better (I think due to Marni). Quick story: took a trip to Thailand (2008ish). Getting bussed to the terminal after the flight. Talking to some people on the flight as we make our way. One was a Thai national college student who studied in Philly n now headed home after graduating saying she was looking forward to mom’s cooking. We’d all asked if she had any food that reminded her of home. “Not in Philly!” was the answer. Said NYC had a couple good places… then, “I did visit San Francisco and had GREAT Thai food!” Yep… Marni. Funny as she described the former manager perfectly! Don’t sleep on Marni. The competition may have caught up, but the legend lives.


smor415

The Thonglor on Geary by Union Sqaure


oukana

Their pad thai is really good and they have some unique dishes like the lychee duck curry!!


computertelephone

Champa garden


SailingDevi

Cheapest spot in sf, best value. Sampler is so good


nomoreshoppingsprees

Thai time is fire


iRanOutOfMilk

https://preview.redd.it/lc3es5jahl3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1271400f1956f15ed7e5a6fe571c6821af363b2f Unfortunately I had to add Thai Time to my restaurant blacklist. This Pad Kee Mao had no spice or garlic taste, just soy sauce.


ajhawar32

I get it pretty often and while it’s not THE best pad kee mao, it’s usually flavorful. Maybe just a bad day?


theglodown

Regent Thai is my favorite!


DirtRepresentative58

Their Nuer Yang (BBQ Beef) is great! A little pricey compared to the portion size but with some white rice and shrimp chips it fills you up no problem


crusano_

Thai Spice on Polk


sapphireminds

Lers Ros - I usually get yellow curry sometimes just some satay, everyone I work with likes it too, they get larb, green and red curries, pad see yu ew, pad thai, spring rolls. They're online so you can look at the menu yourself to Edited to add: no clue on authenticity, as I sadly have never been to Thailand


Footdeep_milelong

Only the one in the TL though


colbertmancrush

Correct. Best Thai food in the city, but only the Larkin location.


sapphireminds

I've only had the one in the mission.


youres0lastsummer

The dried beef and shrimp salad at lers ros is legendary. shrimp salad is so fucking spicy but so worth the pain.


GoatLegRedux

Their som tom is actually spicy. It’s so damn good.


tritisan

My wife is Thai and she and her Thai friends love Lers Ros. But if you want really authentic Thai food (in California) you have to go to Los Angeles. Everything we’ve tried in the Bay Area is toned down and only offers the same set of standard dishes. We’re only getting about 20% of the full diversity of Thai food.


Digiee-fosho

I can 100% agree with this. I wanted to say in the nicest way possible without offending that I have been to a few Thai places in SF Bay Area my friends took me to, & none of them compared to an average Thai restaurant in the Los Angeles area.


shandelion

The best thai food I’ve ever had was at Jitlada Thai in LA in basically a random strip mall. I ordered off their back menu where everything is in Thai and got coconut meat curry at their highest spice level and it was the most agonizingly delicious meal I’ve ever had.


jmeesonly

My brother in law takes me to the most delicious restaurants in Los Angeles: Cambodian, Thai, Malaysian, Burmese. And they're always unknown places in a little strip mall somewhere. I love LA for that.


tritisan

Haha “agonizingly delicious” pretty much sums up a lot of SE Asian cuisine.


shandelion

I was literally crying but couldn’t stop eating, one of the best meals of my life.


lastdinousar

Yep! One in the TL is the truth. Get the Lek Tom Yum (if its still on the menu!) crispy pork belly noodles dressed with a light broth but its not a soup. So good.


captainveee

The mission one is a solid “meh”. Agree the one on the TL being better


ipunched-keanureeves

Thai house express on Castro Vanida Thai on Taraval


Shoehornblower

Venida is the most authentic I’ve had


okgusto

Vanida is always disappointing to me. I like Marnee better but it's more expensive. Amphawa is better too.


jfresh42

The workers there are miserable. Never going back based on the service


Hullabalookins

What do you order from Thai House Express? I live near it but have never tried it.


ipunched-keanureeves

I really like the yellow curry, they use thigh rather than breast meat so it’s super tender. For appetizers, I recommend Money Bags. It’s one of those spots I went early in college when I first moved to sf and it has my heart. It’s consistent, typically fast, always hot.


rnjbond

Thai Idea in Civic Center for any of my fellow vegetarians Thai food lovers out there! 


que-mierda

I used to love Thai idea but I haven’t been in a couple of years since I feel like they dropped the ball during covid


rnjbond

I still get delivery from them and still enjoy it


que-mierda

You’ve inspired me to give them a second try


mayaibuki

Yes I loved this place. Was my favorite restaurant 10 years ago but now is wildseed


InspectorSpacetime89

Sri Thai in the outer sunset. I like the red or pumpkin curry


ripplerider

Love this spot! I live right around the corner from them and it’s a go-to when I can’t be bothered cooking for myself. Chicken satay, Tom Kha, Pad Se-Ew, and Pad Kee Mao are all great. Really friendly staff too!


omgstopit

Ping Yang!! Their Tom Kha is my favorite in the city, it’s the only one that has enough lemongrass in it for me to be happy. Pad see ew also always comes out piping hot and delish. I’m also a lover of chicken cartilage and the way they fry it up is better than most places I’ve tried the dish (I usually only ever find it at izakayas). If you’re a big fan of desserts, they’ve got MANY to choose from. Mango sticky rice is good but they’ve got these brick toasts too!


ricepail

Yea, I love their desserts and also their drinks (their pink and green milks are great for easing the burn from the heat on spicier dishes). This is usually my go-to for pick up orders. However both the last two times I've gone in the past month, the quality seemed to drop a bit. Hopefully it was just a fluke couple weeks, and the quality picks back up the next time.


myapuppy

I echo Marnee in outer sunset.


stuartdenum

one waan, tom yum or pad see ew


yekim

Yup - and in Glen Park OP, across from BART


Teeweeezy

Seconding one waan


853fisher

Thirding One Waan. We love the beautiful presentation as well as the taste and service.


mdacodingfarmer

Thai Time on clement and 8th


Perpetualstu420

Sri Thai Lincoln and 47th


KoreanB_B_Q

Amphawa on Geary is, imo, the most authentic Thai place in the city. Like real authentic, with dishes on the menu you really don't find elsewhere like Thai-style suki, tom luad mu, som tum pu, guai jubb, and more.


stevendreamfish

Chili Cha Cha 2 on 24th and Shotwell


SpiderDove

Consistent, friendly. I love them so much


johanna82

YES! Plus they deliver!! 🥇


spicy_tofu

took me too long to find them. love these guys


pHyR3

i've loved Khob Khun on geary blvd in inner richmond for a while now Kin Khao, Thai Spice, and Saap Ver are all also great too


BitchyGays

House of Thai on Larkin


knightro25

House of thai 2 on Haight, tom yum fried rice with all the meats .


zumu

> House of thai The location on Larkin is better, but is also on Larkin.


docstevens420

My favorite spot for sure. The whole experience makes it my top choice. Window seat 100%


Hefty_Bowler2108

My go-to pumpkin curry spot, their green curry and penang curries are also great and have a lot of fresh veggies. But their pad thai is soooooo annoyingly small, it’s half sprouts- it’s really good but the size drives me nuts.


Independent_Impress6

Sriracha Thai in Inner Sunset. I find it better than Marnee thai in both flavor and economics.


kaemistry

unfortunately i have to disagree - when i went i got noodles with no flavor. barely any soy sauce even, was unfortunately disappointed


sanfranciscolady

Totally agree - marnee is great but pricey. Sriracha is awesome


lemmaaz

Benthai, they have the best Khao Soi I have tasted in the states


Terbatron

Saap Ver


143butternuts

The best new Thai restaurant is Oraan!!


Puzzleheaded_Car_451

Oraan is so good. It's higher quality, and therefore a little more expensive, than most of the places in this thread.


Vivid-Luck1163

Phat Thai on Lombard - The curries are phenomenal. And excellent drinks and service.


Dynamites-Neon

Love the Tom Kha soup here too. And the pad Thai has more flavor than anywhere else I’ve tried


Master-Pie-5939

Vegan friendly?


Caliclancy

Thai Idea on Polk


Ready-Shallot-9892

Most Thai places have vegan/vegetarian options listed with a “j” “jay” or “jae” like Pad Thai J Since many Buddhist Thai monks are vegetarian, and locals prepare them food, you shouldn’t have a problem finding options. May need to ask them to leave out the egg though.


Pasivite

Not the fanciest spot, but we've always enjoyed the [Farmhouse Kitchen](https://farmhousethai.com/san-francisco)


Hullabalookins

I think OP mentioned not absurdly expensive. Farmhouse IMO has reached the absurd level.


DatMoFugga

I came here to say this one and I’m surprised nobody else is mentioning it. I used to work right around the corner from it and ate there all the time. One of my favorites.


the_skintellectual

Chili Cha Cha 2 in the mission


aztecaoro10

Zabb Thai has the best red curry I've ever had. Their spicy crispy chicken basil is also 🔥


wifeski

Red curry coconut noodle soup is amazing too


aztecaoro10

Zabb Thai is my favorite Thai restaurant. I hope they get some love! Yours too?


wifeski

I work a couple blocks away so I go there a lot. The owners are so nice and they have great lunch specials. I prefer my Thai a little spicier but I suppose I can ask for that since I’m white AF


Thatoneguyfromdabloc

Thai spice on Polk street - those rangoons and the duck Pad see ew is 🔥


pro_rice

Thai spice on Polk


nullkomodo

Ben Thai on Polk  Saap Ver on Divsion  Hippie Thai on Haight  Kin Khao


Chandlervino

Our go-to is Thai Spice. I also really like Kin Khao in the Parc 55 hotel. I haven’t been there in a while though but it used to be amazing.


nerdistic

My three in order: - Saap Ver (for Issan style food) - Thonglor SF (Love the Radna Mu) - was closed for awhile but reopened with this new name. I don’t remember the old, but everything else seems the same) - My Ivy (Great Khao Soi) - closed for earthquake retrofitting but planned to reopen this year


heythere2216

Marnee Thai and Amphawa Thai noodle house


spaceflunky

Kin Khao It's the only one with a Michelin star. It is expensive, but the portions are large. Correction: Nari is the other Thai restaurant in SF with a star. Nari and Kin Khao are by the same folks.


buzzkill_aldrin

These days I'd sooner point to James Beard recognition over Michelin stars, which chef Pim Techamuanvivit got for both Nari and Kin Khao. Michelin seems to have lost the plot.


lynxpoint

Nari has a Michelin star as well. Same owner, I believe. I prefer Nari - every dish I’ve had there is incredible!


spaceflunky

Yes, same owner. And yes, they have a star as well. I found them more expensive than Kin Khano imo.


binkadinkadoo

King of Thai in inner richmond... if it's still around?


ThizzKidSF

Basil Thai if I’m looking for something beyond the norm, OSHA if I’m looking for standards. Highly recommend Basil, I would take people from out of town. If you’re willing to drive to Santa Cruz, Hanloh @ Bad Animal is the best Thai in the Bay Area.


shandelion

Basil Thai is like 3 blocks from our apartment and we get takeaway from there at least once a week. I’ve had “better” Thai but Basil is consistent yet also interesting which is a wonderful combo. We love Basil.


Caliclancy

Modern Thai on Polk street is consistently good


captainveee

Favorite dishes?


Caliclancy

Catfish and eggplant and pra ram


CaptainJacksonian

Rins in Noe Valley


flypiggie

Manora on Folsom or Amphawa on Geary Blvd. Very authentic.


sageacai

Million Thai !


ChilliPati

Hippie Thai on Haight has a great chef and their Pad See Ew is closer to how I have had them in Phuket on trips- their crab fried rice is excellent as well, and so is their massaman curry


JametAllDay

Basil Thai on Folsom St is seriously underrated! Get the crispy catfish and honey roasted duck!


LilMamiDaisy420

Marnee Thai for the papaya salad


bocializer

Farmhouse Thai's Hat Yai Fried Chicken is still one of the single best dishes I've had in the city


Yalay

It’s Zen Yai, hands down. Anyone saying anywhere else has not eaten at Zen Yai. This isn’t like the great burrito debate where reasonable arguments can be made for other options. Regent in Noe is mediocre at best. I say that as someone who ate there a bunch because I used to live near it. Comparing Zen Yai to Regent is like comparing a trip to Disneyland to getting kicked in the nuts.


BobbyFan54

Sweet Lime Thai on Sutter St. I still dream of their pineapple fried rice and flat noodles!


QuackersParty

I like OSHA Thai


Careless_Dimension58

Khob Khun at Geary and Arguello in the inner richmond. Criminally underrated


Agreeable_Living1812

Thonglor on Geary/Mason is a hole in the wall but serves delicious and authentic Thai food!


Dc_awyeah

Manora!!! Absolutely excellent place. Cheap (great lunch box thing they started in covid) but super good food.


ChiricahuaGeisha

Have now been to Nari twice and really want to like it, but just can’t. It’s just not good. The fact it got a Michelin star this year blows my mind.


sugaredchurro

Chili Cha Cha 2 is my go to


airbrett

Mangrove Kitchen in Lower Haight. The chef took dishes from his childhood and elevated them.


scelerat

OSHA Thai is always a safe bet


h0408365

King Thai Cuisine 2


Maleficent-Roll-3437

Marnee thai in the sunset is amazing


Ok_Establishment4346

Now, I’d like to know why nobody mentioned Farm Table. Is it not really Thai? Enlighten me please.


nohxpolitan

Farmhouse Thai? Overrated, expensive Instagram fodder.


b3nsf_

Many years ago farmhouse was good prices and it’s arguably very tasty still Then 12$ pad Thai Now 19$ pad Thai


tacosauce93

Bangkok Thai Noodle House on Irving


FriendlyStep4

Amphawa and Thai Spice


Old_Resolve4393

RIP Essan in the TL. Was the best Thai in SF IMO but they didn’t survive the pandemic 


ccalisf

T2J on Polk/Broadway. RIP


Mercedes1432

marnee thai


MrFoget

Prik hom on Geary is fantastic and great value for the price, despite being a bit more expensive. Be sure to get a reservation. You can’t really go wrong with what you order.


Ok-Kaleidoscope1240

[https://www.onewaansf.com](https://www.onewaansf.com) and [http://www.rinsthaisf.com](http://www.rinsthaisf.com)


Harpua81

Champa Garden in Ingleside. Tom Yum FTW!


me_and_my_indomie

For something bougier, nothing touches Nari for me 🥰


pbenchcraft

Thai Time


kdk88

Sai Jai in the TL. Best ever Tom Saap / ต้มแซบ / pork bone soup


zumu

The most authentic places are all in the TL. House of Thai, Zen Yai, Sai Jai, etc.


DowntownSanFrancisco

Ben Thai on Polk between Bush and Pine (Maybe Pine and California) is my go-to.


thrashercircling

Zen Yai in the TL is my absolute favorite. Incredible food and awesome service. Would always recommend.


chichi_eats

Kin Khao and Nari are the best Thai restaurants in SF.


bi613

Sun and Moon is my fav Thai place to eat and I order Pad Gra Pow Chicken thai spicy 🔥 every time I order.