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    Ben Thai Cafe

    4.3 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateThai, Noodles
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    BEN THAI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Pad Kee Mao with beef
    Katelynn V.

    Average mid pad thai but really god pad kee mao! The pad Thai with chicken tasted really average and had a strong ketchup taste to it. Maybe that's how it's authentically made because this place seems like the real deal. It was just not it for my friend and I. Also the chicken was really dry. Would not recommend this dish. The pad kee mao with beef was so good and flavorful. Perfect wide flat noodles. I got this with level 5 spice and it still wasn't spicy enough for me. You can choose between level 1-5. I would get the pad kee mao again and not the pad Thai. The inside is very nice, dark and a vibe. The servers are also nice and check in really often LOL. My friend and I came an hour before closing time.

    Spicy Eggplant & Basil
    Rucha S.

    Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon when the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated right away. We ordered the Papaya Salad, Veg Spring Rolls, House Favorite Yellow Curry, Eggplant Basil, Pad Kee Mao, and White Rice. The Papaya Salad was a bit disappointing. It was overly sour and tasted more citrusy than fresh and lime-forward. The Veg Spring Rolls were fine, but nothing particularly memorable. The biggest letdown was the Yellow Curry. It lacked the rich flavor I typically expect from a Thai curry, and some of the vegetables seemed undercooked. The Eggplant Basil was also underwhelming. It lacked the distinct basil flavor that the dish is known for. Since we ordered the vegetarian version, it came loaded with a mix of other vegetables, which made it feel more like a generic vegetable stir-fry than an eggplant basil dish. The Pad Kee Mao was the standout of the meal. It had good flavor and was enjoyable, although the portion size felt a bit small for the price. Overall, the food was ok, but nothing really stood out. I've had better Thai food elsewhere, both in terms of flavor and value. While the experience wasn't bad, it wasn't memorable enough to make me want to return. For the price point, I expected more authentic flavors and better execution.

    Aarin T.

    Ben Thai Cafe had a cozy and modern ambiance that made the restaurant feel inviting and comfortable. The atmosphere was nice for eating with family and gave off a warm vibe overall. The food was good, but there were a few things that kept it from being a 5-star experience. I ordered the Pad See Ew, and while the flavor was tasty, it was noticeably salty to the point where I ended up drinking about four cups of water afterward. The portions also felt somewhat small for the price. For example, the crispy calamari was $14.50 and came with only around 4-6 pieces, which felt a little underwhelming. Service was probably a 3/5 for me and my family. When we were ordering, the server's tone came across as a bit hostile, and we felt rushed both while ordering and eating. That said, the food still had good flavor and I can see why people enjoy this place. The ambiance definitely added to the experience, and with slightly better portion sizes and a more welcoming service experience, this spot could easily be even better.

    Ethel R.

    Back again. Happy "Mother's Day, to all MOMs! We celebrated with mom and family with a small gathering. Ben Thai Cafe Server - Amp T, she was very quick in helping us find the best dish and drinks that would match our meal. Hot Sake Ginger Mimosa Singh a Beer Barebottle IPA Fresh Roll - Tofu Garlic Duo Jasmine Rice Pad Thai - Veggie Gra-Prao Fried Rice - Extra Spicy The deco is alway so relaxing with all the beautiful art work on the walls. You must visit.

    Thai Ice Coffee & Thai Ice Tea
    Shivangi K.

    Been here a few times since first review and have definitely found my favorites here. Their Pad Kee Mao, Ka-ree (yellow curry), and Gra Prow Fried Rice are all phenomenal! I cannot recommend this rotation enough. The thai iced tea & iced coffee are such a fun treat along with the main meal. I have a hard time resisting... The food always comes out fast once ordered and service is great! It's a small space, but have never had too much trouble with seating. Yes, they do get pretty busy/packed for dinner. An unassuming but wonderful spot!

    Khao Soi Deluxe with Roasted Ox Tail ($26.50)
    Tiffany Y.

    My friend recommended this place after saying it had the best Khao Soi he's had! I thought this was really solid Thai food, but not the best that I've ever had. I would still come back though if I was ever craving some Thai food. Ben Thai Platter ($22): Everything on here was crispy and fried nicely. Nothing felt too oily at all. I really liked how there were 4 different sauces to dip the appetizers in too. Khao Soi Deluxe with Roasted Ox Tail ($26.50): The ox tail was so tender and I loved the flavor of the north. I do think it's a bit on the pricey side, but it was really tasty and the noodles were cooked well. Roasted Duck Curry ($23): The curry was good, but didn't feel super cohesive with the pineapple in it. The duck was on the leaner side and I felt like the skin wasn't as crispy as it could've been. You definitely taste the roasted flavor in the duck though. Mango + Sweet Sticky Rice ($12): Really solid dessert option! You can't go wrong with this. Drinks: They do a really nice deal where you can get 50% off non alcoholic drinks if you check in on Yelp :) I got the unsweetened Thai iced tea and it was delicious and refreshing!

    Michael L.

    There is a middle aged gent who seems to be the owner of the restaurant, and I think this individual does not put forward a good look for the restaurant as a whole. There was a delivery driver who came in asking if he could use the restroom in between the stops, and this man told him "yes, but don't make it dirty, if you make it dirty I block you" in a very rude and condescending tone. The food was ok but not amazing. Pad kee mao deviated from the authentic preparations I've had at countless other Thai establishments across the country. Not very much basil and no spicy flavor. Prawns were a little overcooked. Seemed like a very "Americanized" preparation which probably suits certain clientele but you are certainly not paying for authentic Thai food here. He also seemed to be in a huge rush to get us out the door even though he still had several open tables and no line of customers waiting. He basically came without warning as I was finishing up the meal and having a conversation with my girlfriend, slapped down the payment terminal, watched me as I was picking out tip options, and essentially grabbed the terminal out of my hand as soon as I selected a tip option. Very weird overall experience and unfortunately can't find anything worth returning for. I also can't recall anything offensive that we had done other than sit down and order food and eat peacefully and quietly. Maybe he was having a bad day, but inexcusable nonetheless...

    Pad see ew with roasted duck
    Vickie N.

    I ordered the Pad See Ew with roasted duck, and it was absolutely amazing. Every noodle was packed with flavor, and the duck was incredibly juicy, tender, and well-seasoned. I was especially impressed that the dish arrived at my hotel still piping hot. The quality, flavor, and portion were all outstanding. Highly recommend--10/10!

    Khao Soi (Northern Thai)
    Lawrence L.

    We ordered take out from here and were pleasantly surprised! The khao soi was packaged extremely well for take out. Noodles/toppings separated and packaged nicely with the soup on the side. The crispy noodles remained crispy even though it was delivered 25 min later. The flavor was spot on and I loved the heat level. Would 10/10 come back here in person to eat.

    Eggplant with beef
    Tina H.

    Egg plant had good texture but was a little salty. The pad Thai was good but would've been better with thicker noodles and the pineapple fried rice had a little bitter ness to it. The murder wings had great texture too but had too much garlic. Mango sticky rice was good to end our dinner. But all in all. 7/10

    Roasted Duck Curry
    Stephen L.

    A solid Thai place in SF! If possible I'd give it right below 4 stars. Came on a weekday night and it was pretty empty. Location is good and interior is lively. I thought each of the dishes were overall well made. Overall, my main critique is that I wish the flavors were a bit bolder. A little more salt and spice is always appreciated for those who have stronger flavor preferences. I think this was true for the pad thai and the spicy basil eggplant. The duck curry was excellent. Great flavors and well cooked. Highly recommend this dish for anyone who comes. The duck was well cooked as well, juicy and flavorful Overall wouldnt mind coming back! A good experience that caters a bit more to broader taste preferences

    Thai tea
    Veerawan T.

    We were craving Thai food and saw this place nearby, so we decided to check it out. We arrived right when they opened, and the service was super friendly. A kind gentleman helped us and even struck up a conversation. The ambiance was bright and clean. The food was great overall, and the khao soi was my favorite. Emperor Khao Soi - I was extremely impressed by this dish. It came with three different meat options: chicken satay, duck, and oxtail. All of them paired perfectly with the soup, and I loved the texture of the egg noodles. I can definitely see why this is their most popular item! They don't play around with their portions too, it was huge. Pad Thai - The noodles were thinner than what I'm used to, and it was slightly dry. The flavors were subtle but still excellent. Also Thai teas are a must

    Pad See Ew
    Anh T.

    I got a reservation with a friend here on a weekend evening, and most of their restaurant was full. Pad See Ew: There were perfectly chewy noodles with a smoky, savory sauce. The pork was tender and well-seasoned, and the dish had a nice balance of sweetness and soy richness. Paradise Wings: These were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. There was a strong, delicious garlicky flavor that paired well with a sligthly sweet flavor. This was generally a cozy spot with reliably tasty Thai comfort food!

    Yellow curry

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    Ben Thai Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ben Thai Cafe

    Does anyone know if the peanut sauce is vegan, or does it have fish sauce in it?

    Our peanut sauce doesn’t contain fish sauce. We only use peanut butter, sugar, salt and curry paste.

    Which items can be made gluten-free and vegan?

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    Hai Ky Noodles

    Hai Ky Noodles

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Still one of the best noodle houses in SF Came back to this…read moreTenderloin classic on Ellis St and it continues to deliver. This family-run spot has been holding it down since the 80's with authentic Teochew-style noodles that taste homemade and consistent every single time. The braised duck leg noodles fall off the bone tender with that deep savory braise, paired with springy egg noodles and a side of soup or dry style. One thing that stands out here is that the broth is clean but packed with flavor. Hieu tieu hits that comforting rice noodle soup vibe with solid toppings and a light yet rich broth. Bo kho is excellent too, with tender beef brisket and tendon stewed in a thick tomato sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles. Service is fast and no nonsense. Portions are generous for the price and everything comes out hot. It's a classic hole-in-the-wall vibe in Little Saigon, so expect a simple setup in a run down neighborhood, but the food is the real reason people keep coming back. Hours are limited (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and parking can be a hunt in the Tenderloin, but it's worth planning around. Hai Ky remains a true SF noodle institution. Duck leg, hieu tieu, and bo kho never miss.

    10/10 for this restaurant…read more My company, DoorDashed food from this location for lunch. I actually ended up having it two days straight. The first day I got the duck leg with noodles. The second day I got chicken. All of it was super tender. It was absolutely delicious. I wasn't planning to eat all the noodles, but I did and no regrets. The taste is amazing and I still felt somewhat healthy after I ate it. I would highly recommend getting lunch from this place and I really hope next time I'm in the office they order from here again.

    Photos
    Interior dining
    Interior dining
    This is the thicker egg noodles
    This is the thicker egg noodles
    Complimentary hot tea

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    Complimentary hot tea
    Taniku Izakaya

    Taniku Izakaya

    4.6
    (349 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Decided to try the Happy hour at this Japanese place and was blown away…read more Its a small place, maybe 8 tables tops squeezed into this narrow space but it was fantastic. Gretted when we entered, we slid into one the few open tables. The decor was charming, and we were quickly gretted by our server with menus and water. My sister and I split some appetizer items so we could try various items, and every single dish was a taste sensation. The gyoza was crisp on the outside while packed with a savory meat, drizzled with sauce. The Karaage was tender chicken encased in a light fried pankostyle casing, also drizzled with a sauce, and the flavor, each bite was satisfying without being too filling. The Kabocha Kor, were panko fried pumpkin patties with a tonkatsu style sauce that brought the taste buds to a more earthier place . The Tokoyaki, were tender fried octopus balls in a sauce that I would have been happy to hunker down with a large bowl of and just crush, easily my favorite bite, which is saying something as no bute was bad . We closed with an order of Hotate, which was a grilled scallop skewer. Somewhere between sea and bay scallops in size, they were an awesome cap to the dining experience. With a this, I washed it down with a peach-weizen beer which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Every dish was fantastic in flavor, sauces, and texture. On top of all this, the service was excellent, and the happy hour prices very much in reason.

    I went here for dinner around 6:30pm and a line started forming right after we arrived, becoming…read moreabout 10 people deep. We only waited about 10 min. We started off with the Mekyabetsu (Brussels sprouts), Ba-Ra (pork belly), and Kobe (beef). The Brussels sprouts were my fav starter, and the sauce paired so well with it. The Ba-Ra was pretty good, but nothing amazing, and same for the Kobe, which I found to be a bit bland. We also split the Hokkaido Miso ramen. The broth had a great flavor, and the pork chashu was possibly the best I've ever had(!) as it was soooo tender and flavorful, and not very fatty. I did think the cauliflower left room to be desired, and kinda took away from the ramen overall. We finished our meal off with the matcha Panna cotta - this was a great dessert and wasn't too sweet ;) This place definitely seems to be pretty good at a lot of dishes, but not amazing at any single one. The vibe is great, service was great, and prices are a biiiiti steep but not unreasonable.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Calamari

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    Calamari
    Mashita Galbi Jjim

    Mashita Galbi Jjim

    4.6
    (163 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    super cute small-ish restaurant serving korean dishes and known for galbijjim! we came by to try it…read moreout and i really enjoyed it. it didn't seem too busy on a weekday night and our party of five was able to sit right away. the food also came out quickly once ordered! the only thing is that service could be spotty, as it seemed they didn't have enough staff for the floor when we were there. i didn't mind too much but keep that in mind if you are on a timeline! we tried the galbijjim, which comes with glass noodles, rice cakes, and cheese by default. they also gave us banchan and rice. the galbijjim was saucy and savory with tender meat & lots of cheese. i do think it's less sweet than daeho's version, which can be a plus if you find theirs to be overly sweet! additionally, they include the rice cakes and cheese, which are paid add-ons if you go to daeho. the banchan were better than daeho's in my opinion. their fish cakes were nicely grilled and kimchi tasted great. i only wish they had purple rice as an option! the portion was perfect for five of us so it's a really great value in my opinion. overall a good vibe, great food and banchan, nice portion for galbijjim. service can be slow but they're very kind and helpful.

    The best galbi jjim we've had so far! My partner and I found this place last minute. It was a…read morelittle small inside but I enjoyed the aesthetic/ambiance and luckily we had zero wait time. We ordered the galbi jjim and strawberry watermelon drink which was a decent size, not too sweet, and very refreshing. My partner's spice tolerance is pretty low so we ordered the level one spice. Unfortunately it was still too spicy for him so I double checked to make sure it was only the level one spice and they said yes. About 15 minutes later, they let us know that the food is on the house! Not what we were expecting at all since we really just wanted to enjoy the food, but it was much appreciated. They also said to let them know the next time we come back so that they can do 0.5 spice instead. Overall amazing food and amazing customer service. We are definitely coming back! Just beware if you have a low spice tolerance and let them know when you place your order!!

    Photos
    Mashita Galbi Jjim
    Complimentary Banchan (clockwise): Salad w/ sesame dressing, kimchi, japchae, fish cakes
    Complimentary Banchan (clockwise): Salad w/ sesame dressing, kimchi, japchae, fish cakes
    Soy KFC, sauce on the side ($22.75)

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    Soy KFC, sauce on the side ($22.75)

    Ben Thai Cafe - thai - Updated August 2026

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