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    Chaba Thai Kitchen

    4.2 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateThai
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Chaba Thai Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Chaba Thai Kitchen Photos

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    CHABA THAI KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Chaba Thai Kitchen

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    Visit June 2926: 29. Pad See - Ew
    Jeff R.

    Visit June 2026: I'm a little bummed on this one. It's been a while since I've been to Chaba as we've settled into other Thai Joints to visit (ahem). But we were in the Clairemont area and wanted Thai. What got me down was the dish I had ordered which was string beans with chicken. The string beans were undercooked giving a rubbery texture that legit squeaked as I chewed. It was off putting especially since green beans is a fave of the family. Service is still super friendly and I appreciate the complimentary tapioca pudding though it is a bit watery. Unfortunately an off night.

    Outside
    Jackie B.

    If comfort food had a VIP list, Chaba Thai would definitely be on mine. I've been coming here for years--so long that the server already knows exactly what my daughter and I are ordering before we even sit down (honestly, I feel both seen and exposed ). [[HIGHLIGHT]]This spot is small, with limited seating and simple decor, but don't let that fool you--the food is consistently spot on.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We always go for the chicken satay (extra peanut sauce is non-negotiable--my daughter insists) and a side of rice, while I stick with my go-to: chicken yellow curry, level 8. Their spice level is perfectly balanced. It's always fresh, hot, and comes out fast enough to keep hangry moments in check. On this visit, we added shrimp fresh spring rolls--absolutely delicious, especially the sauce. We also tried the Thai coffee--my husband loved it, but it was a bit too sweet for my taste. Bonus: they serve a complimentary tapioca dessert for dine-in, which we now fully expect and look forward to like it's part of the main course. At this point, we're not just regulars--we're emotionally invested. FYI: appetizers cost around $12, and main courses cost approximately $17. Our meal today came to just under $75.

    Winter special chicken gyoza
    Leonard K.

    TLDR small Thai restaurant serving up a classic menu of Thai favorites with a classic ordering style: order a dish, pick the main (meat, seafood, vegetarian meat, veggie, etc). Pretty good, service is hit/miss, spice scale (1-10) is honest, flavor profile leans sweeter than other Thai places I frequent. I'd recommend! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Chaba Thai is a small 20ish seater restaurant in the strip mall by Kearny Nissan.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This lot constantly changes up shops and this place has sustained the test of time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not much to say about ambience but the service can be... interesting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Never been when it's busy but there are times customers arrive later than us, order less, and receive first. Nobody really checks on you. Service 6/10. Ambience N/A On to the food but one overarching note I found with every dish we ordered (and I do mean every). The cooking style is on the sweet side to me, not sure if this is to broaden appeal or their particular recipe. I still like it (my wife loves it haha) but just a note for your info. Pad Thai (shrimp) Everything you want in pad Thai and cooked well. The noodles are chewy without turning into a single fused mess. Tamarind, peanut, garlic all come through and there is a good balance lf sour, bitter, savory, spice, and salty. Shrimp were also cooked perfectly: smoky, bouncy, but not rubbery 7/10 Massaman curry Appropriately nutty and floral. Basil and coconut come through nicely. Good amount of garnishes as well. Nothing to mconolain about here! Spice of 3/10 gives a nice warmth and you can get chili oil/ chilis on the side for your own taste. 8/10. Chinese broccoli w/salted fish Veggies are nicely cooked. More one dimensional than other dishes. Garlic, ginger, and salt but you gotta have veggies. Note the salted fish is the kind you would get in a jar or can, not fried salted fish chips. 6/10 Chicken gyoza. A winter special. Not much going on but it's interesting to have that accompaniments with Japanese dumplings (I ate my share with a generous helping of pickled Thai chile). They are prepared crispy, have a light savory flavor, and are not dry. Okay, love a seasonal, but wouldn't go out of my way to grab them. 5/10 Tom yum Everything you want in tom yum flavor wise. Sweet, sour, spicy, and aromatic. A splash of lime and we are really playing with fire. I will say this is a basic set of garnishes compared to what I'm used to; I am used to a mix of seafood, mushrooms, and vegetables. Here you get a mix of cut vegetables and the protein you select, treating the soup like every other menu item. 7/10 Overall it's good reliable food in SD. It's my wife's go to for thai and a comfortable spot to grab lunch/dinner. Expect $15-20 per item served family style.

    38. BBQ & Crispy Pork-Over-Rice
    Ed M.

    Food was tasty. Portions were very good for what you pay for. I'm full to the brim but not quite bloated full. Service was friendly and we got water refills at least once. We unexpectedly got a free tapioca desert on top of the great lunch.

    Tom 8. Tod Mun (Fish Cake), that cucumber salsa is awesome!
    Matthew S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a bit of a hole in the wall place, no air conditioning, no fountain drinks, just authentic Thai food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had the Tod Mun to start. The minced fish cakes were prepared well and the cucumber salsa was outstanding. I ordered a green curry with beef, spicy three and I was very happy. The dish was spicy and not too hot. Service was attentive and even offered a tapioca dessert on the house. If you are craving a real Thai experience, this place will definitely provide it. They do have lunch specials, so I will be back to sample more of the menu.

    Abel T.

    Came into Shaba Thai Kitchen today and honestly... you can tell right away they really take pride in their food. There's a reason they were Yelp Best Food 2023. We ordered a few things and everything hit. First, the crispy basil chicken with white rice oh my God, that chicken was amazing. Super flavorful, perfectly cooked, just really, really good. Then we got the Chinese broccoli with crispy pork and that took it to another level. The pork was crispy, the broccoli had so much flavor, and together it was just rich and satisfying. The Khao Soi noodles were another standout. The noodles were delicious, everything tasted fresh, and the flavors were on point. But honestly, the crab fried rice was the highlight. That thing was unreal. So much flavor, loaded with crab easily my favorite dish. Definitely one of those plates you keep going back to. We finished with the tapioca in coconut milk, and that hit the spot. Light, sweet, super comforting. Perfect way to end the meal. Overall, everything came out fresh, flavorful, and done right. Service was smooth, food was perfect, and the whole experience was fantastic. Real gem for Thai food I'm definitely coming back. Great location too, plenty of parking, super easy to get in and out. If you're in San Diego, this place is a must-try. Adding pics so you can see for yourself. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Amazing location, inside as well cool decor, great vibes great ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 8010 Claremont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111 Open daily 11AM-9PM 858-503-7777 #ShabaThaiKitchen #YelpBestFood2023 #SanDiegoEats #ThaiFoodDoneRight #MustTrySD #FoodieFindsSD

    Beef Salad $17.95
    Vivian C.

    I just discovered this small, family owned Thai place in San Diego...found it by following a local Yelper, and I'm so glad I did. The dishes here are fresh, flavorful, and not greasy... I ordered:Tod Mun (fish cakes) perfectly cooked, very flavorful, not oily...Beef Salad was big portion, delicious, with just the right hint of spice , Pad See Ew with Seafood was so tasty, high quality seafood, full of flavor...Crab Fried Rice not greasy at all, really enjoyable... [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was attentive, the restaurant was clean[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], though parking is a bit tight...I'll definitely be coming back, especially to try some of the other dishes !

    Pinky S.

    This place serves the BEST Thai food! The flavors are incredibly authentic, everything tastes fresh, and you can tell the dishes are made with care. The service was fast, and the staff was kind and welcoming. Reasonable price. Highly recommend!

    Vegetable Pad Thai to-go
    Eid F.

    I'll start with the bad -- [[HIGHLIGHT]]Parking Lot Sucks, dining room is a little run down and a little "untidy".[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Good -- Vegetable Pad Thai was delicious!!, Service was very kind and friendly, my to-go portion was large

    45. Red Curry
    Jay S.

    Very authentic and delicious Thai food at Chaba Thai Kitchen! The service was pretty fast and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was simple and nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I really enjoyed the red curry , but the star was the basil eggplant dish, so amazing! They even gave a delicious milk tapioca dessert which was the perfect ending to the meal :) Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4.5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Overall: 4.33/5

    Pad Thai with chicken
    Jayne B.

    We stumbled upon this hidden gem while searching for Thai food near our appointment--and what a find it turned out to be! The chicken pad Thai was absolutely delicious--perfectly balanced flavors with just the right amount of sweetness, tang, and savory goodness. The noodles were cooked just right, the chicken was tender, and every bite kept us going back for more. If you're in the Kearny Mesa area and craving Thai food, this spot is definitely worth a visit. We'll be back for sure!

    Menu
    Adeline S.

    Okay one of the best Thai places in town! The seasoning is there and a 2 for the tom kha is perfect!! Honestly the best tom kha I've had in a very long time. The pad Thai and laab was perfectly seasoned and we did for a 2 spicy, could have went up to a 3! I love how you can still taste the spices and the seasonings since the spice doesn't over power anything!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Would come back again and try other menu items, service was quick as we came at a quiet time, and the interior is super cozy -- you know it's the place for locals![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Pad Thai with chicken
    Jessica T.

    I went to Chaba Thai many years ago and had quite the impressive experience. Returned yesterday to take my mom for an early Mother's Day dinner and oh man, this might be my new favorite Thai spot in SD! We got the Pad Thai with chicken and Green Curry with Chicken...so delicious and all of the flavors were on par. I was definitely once again quite impressed that many years later this spot still delivers. Service was wonderful, [[HIGHLIGHT]]atmosphere was clean[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and they even offer complimentary dessert that was so yummy. Definitely coming back for sure! If you're in the area, it is a must-try!

    Complimentary tapioca dessert

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    4 months ago

    Delicious yellow curry and appetizers. Quick and friendly service. Excellent flavors. Convenient location. Will be back again.

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    Page 1 of 28

    Ask the Community - Chaba Thai Kitchen

    Is the entire menu available for takeout?

    Yes, I'm pretty sure you can order anything on the menu for takeout.

    Msg used or put in the food?

    Do you have outdoor seating?

    No , we don’t have outdoor seat

    Do you have gluten free?

    Yes We do

    View All 5 Questions

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    Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

    Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

    4.4
    (516 reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$$

    Came here on a Saturday for a late lunch. We had made a reservation for 4 and were sat right away,…read moreit was not busy. Parking will be mostly street spots. We were lucky and were able to grab the spot right out front. For drinks we each ordered a cocktail. It did take a bit for them to come out but once they did you can tell time and effort were put into making them. They were beautiful and all tasted great. We ordered 4 dishes to share, the wasabi scallop ceviche, crispy baby crab, braised beef panang, and crab fried rice. The ceviche was definitely one of my favorites. Super flavorful, fresh, with the perfect amount of wasabi. The crispy baby crab was savory and easy to eat, especially since you're eating the whole crab, shell and all. The curry in the braised beef panang was so addicting, I couldn't stop eating it. The crab fried rice was tasty and filling. For dessert we got the mango sticky rice. The mangoes were fresh and sweet. Overall pretty standard but still yummy. Service was friendly, helpful and attentive. All the food came out in the timely manner. The vibe of the restaurant is casual but can be a little dressy for a nice date. Overall I definitely recommend a try here. Beautiful presentation with all the food and drinks while still being delicious.

    Came here to celebrate a birthday, and the experience was phenomenal. We ordered 3 appetizers and…read morean entree to share among ourselves. We got the Taro Fritters, Bangkok street noodles, pork sausage, and the chicken wings. The highlight of the dinner were the chicken wings!! They were so flavorful and crispy, I cannot recommend them enough. The taro fritters were a close second, the tamarind sauce was also a highlight of my dinner experience. Service was quick + amiable, and the inside of Sovereign was clean and inviting. The decor is dark and moody, with live plants throughout the establishment. Parking is metered & limited, but definitely worth the hassle.

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    Dining room
    Dining room
    Avocado Spring Rolls
    Avocado Spring Rolls
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    Mekong Cuisine Lao and Thai

    Mekong Cuisine Lao and Thai

    4.4
    (906 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    Our first visit to Mekong Lao & Thai was fantastic, and we're already planning our next one! A dear…read morefriend recommended this one and we were thanking her before we left our table. When we ordered, our server took the time to explain their spice scale (1-5), letting us know that a 1 is already about a medium spice level. We settled on mostly 2-3, but wow--the Thum Khao Poon (shredded green papaya salad) still packed some serious heat! Even my spice-loving kids were challenged. The server also gave us a heads-up that it's very fish-forward in flavor, which we appreciated and happened to love. The absolute standout of the meal was the Nam Khao Tod. It was hands down the family favorite--crispy coconut rice with pork sausage, crunchy peanuts, fresh herbs, and so many incredible textures and flavors in every bite. We could have ordered a second plate! We also had the Drunken Noodles with chicken, which were slightly oily in the best possible way, making them extra rich and delicious. The Chef's Special Basil Stir Fry with Crispy Pork was another winner. Our server brought over a chili vinegar that elevated the crispy pork to a whole new level--it was so good drizzled over every bite. Great food, thoughtful service, and plenty of dishes we're already looking forward to trying next time. Can't wait to come back!

    If you are craving great Southeast Asian comfort food in Kearny Mesa, this place delivers on taste,…read morebut the arrival process is stressful. The plaza has horrible parking, and we had to aggressively fight for a parking space with another car before we could even walk in. Came here on a Saturday around 6 pm with 2 friends. == FOOD == We got a beef pad see ew, khao soi, and a pork rice. All the food was pretty good. I took off one star because it seemed like the pad see ew was smothered in white pepper. == SERVICE == Service was a bit slow, but we think it was because we were waiting for the rice to be cooked? However, the staff was polite, apologetic about the delay, and very attentive. She gave us free mango sticky rice. == AMBIANCE == Interior is very nice and there is bar seating too. The bathroom is also very clean. If you don't mind a slower-paced meal and a chaotic parking lot, the amazing Lao and Thai flavors are completely worth it!

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    Nam Khao Tod
    Nam Khao Tod
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    Sai Oua
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    Chaba Thai Kitchen - thai - Updated August 2026

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