Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kapow Thai Eatery

    4.2 (227 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Seafood, Noodles
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Kapow Thai Eatery Photos

    Business Info

    KAPOW THAI EATERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

    More like Kapow Thai Eatery

    Recommended Reviews - Kapow Thai Eatery

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Kapow Thai Eatery

    Tom Yum
    Sabrina C.

    Wow is an understatement for this establishment. Everything we ordered was the best I've ever had. The Thai Ice Tea had overly perfect flavor. Both soup and dishes are packed with delicious flavors. We will definitely be back.

    Donna L.

    We came here for dinner and it was amazing. I haven't been to a Thai restaurant in a long long time. But we dropped by and the staff was so pleasant And humble. The menu had a lot of items I haven't had in a long time. Some of the dishes such as crispy pata are Filipino dishes. The 4 of us opted for the scallops, sirloin with basil rice, chicken green curry, Thai papaya salad and garlic crispy pork belly. Every dish was flavorful and excellent. We couldn't be happier. The sirloin was cooked a perfect medium rare on a hot plate. Basil Rice was delicious. The pork belly was so crispy. And the scallop was tender and flavorful. I wish it was an extra large scallop! Perfect with the flying fish eggs and mint leaf! Job well done Kapow!! Half a bottle of Chardonnay was excellent! We shall be back to try the other foods one missed.

    Jaymie V.

    Sunday afternoon was pretty packed but didn't wait too long for a table of 3. Everything looked so good on the menu it was hard to choose! We pretty much enjoyed all the food we ordered and had no leftovers. Probably one of my top Thai places so far

    Scallop Zapp
    Alisa B.

    WOWWWW! Some of the best Thai food I have had in a while. Incredibly high quality food. A small restaurant, but worth the wait to get a table! Every item I ordered here was incredible. Truly a hidden gem!!! I will 100% be back to try their other menu items again. + Scallop Zapp (5/5): Possibly some of the best raw scallops I've had outside of omakase! The scallops were fresh and sweet. The mint, masago, sauce, and garlic paired perfectly!!! I ate all 4 spoons by myself hahaha + Kow Soi Duck (4/5): TENDER DUCK! Perfectly cooked. The Khao Soi sauce was rich and decadent. Not spicy, which was perfect for me. My only gripe were the noodles were a little overcooked and difficult to eat. + Crispy Pork Belly (5/5): An expensive appetizer... but holy moly, this pork was cooked so well. So crispy, but juicy, and simply flavorful - even without sauce!!! + Holy Basil Soup (4/5): Really memorable broth! It was light and fragrant, and let the mussels shine! Each mussel was already halved for us and they were pretty big in size! It was also clearly prepped really well. The mussels were clean and did not have any sand/residue.

    Scallop Zapp
    cadence p.

    Service was really really good. Food on the other hand is pretty mid. We had the scallop zapp, crying sirloin steak and the kasoy duck that everyone seems to get. The kasoy duck was good.. but the kasoy broth was lacking flavor. I had high hopes for this dish as it seems like lots of people get it. But it was the best dish we had between the three we ordered. For the crying sirloin steak, I had expected a much spicier and more sour sauce that came with it. It's just steak with a sweet and sour sauce in my opinion. Scallop zapp was good, just wish they had put more lime juice and I think that would definitely elevated the dish completely. Overall, I think this place is pretty mid. I would rather go to Sala Thai for thai food over this place.

    Larb wrap
    Sharen H.

    Went here for my birthday and loved their larb and papaya salad! Their non-alcoholic drinks were just okay, but overall, the food was really good. Friendly staff and a nice ambiance too! Free parking if you're able to secure one in the plaza. I highly recommend trying out this place esp if you're around the area :)

    Kow Soi duck - A must
    Amando B.

    The place is tiny in a tiny plaza! Service is always great every time we eat here but there can be a long wait before you get a table. Get the duck for sure, it's a must. So good!!! Prices are a little bit pricey but it's expected of a Thai restaurants. The price for the food is worth it.

    Tom Kha
    Sherman T.

    A relatively new Thai restaurant making a splash in the Union City food scene! Tucked into a strip mall just blocks away from the BART station, Kapow Thai Eatery has generated a lot of interest from locals with their photogenic, yet delicious dishes authentically representing Thai cuisine. The parking lot is tight during peak times but this strip mall isn't frequented much aside from a few shops and has good churn. You'll find a spot most definitely but the restaurant itself isn't huge so a short wait may be expected. We came for an early dinner and they had plenty of tables for us to choose from. Most of their tables fit small to medium sized groups but larger groups may need to consider reserving in advance. As we stepped in, the staff greeted us and sat us with waters and menus. There were two menus, one for the food and one for the drinks. Both are pretty simple to peruse through but the food menu doesn't have any pictures. The descriptions are pretty good at previewing what you'll get for each dish but I found asking the staff or referring to pictures online did more justice. If in doubt, their chef specials are solid options, but being a Thai eatery, curries and duck are likely your best bet. The drink menu on the other hand does have some pictures and has a few specialty drinks for the sweet toothed folks. Naturally, we ordered a few items to give this place a good try. Gui chai thod (chive cake) - hands down one of the best appetizers I've had of this variety and for me, a must get each time. Each piece is bite sized and can be skewered with the wooden pick they give you. The crispy exterior pairs exceptionally well with the chewiness of its center. The smell, taste, and texture of this dish with the dipping sauce as an added component makes this simple, yet complex chunk of veggie infused mochi a fantastic first impression. Tom kha - creamy soup heavy with lemongrass fragrance and flavor. You have the option to add protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, seafood) to make this a filling bowl. It comes out hot and maintains its temperature quite well! Kow Soi Duck - succulent slices of duck served atop noodles and intended to be smothered or dipped in the delicious curry. This dish was hearty, presented beautifully deconstructed, and flavorful. A bit pricey for a bowl of noodles but quality is there. Crab fried rice - big portion of fried rice with big chunks of crab. Another hearty dish perfect for sharing and can easily feed 4-6 people with seconds to spare. As the menu indicates, this dish is big on umami. Thai tea - I opted for no ice as I'm not a fan and despite no ice to dilute the flavor, it wasn't too overly sweet and satisfied my craving. Pink Thai milk - unless you're a fan of peptobismol, I would stay away from this despite its beautiful, radiant color The staff were wonderful in communicating with us on what to expect with flavors, ingredients, portion size, sweetness (regarding drinks) and methods of consumption. They all had smiles and were quick to clear our tables. Overall, Kapow Thai Eatery has made a mark in this small city and I hope it's here to stay with its authentic Thai dishes and exceptional quality of food and service. The prices certainly reflect these qualities but as a novice of the Thai cuisine, this place was worth a visit and many more in the future, just perhaps once in a long while due to the prices of eating out nowadays. Although we didn't venture into big spices this time around, they do have the spices to kick some dishes up a notch. The sirloin fried rice looked good and I hope to try it next time. For those looking for something new and fresh to eat, let Kapow show you the way!

    Crispy pork belly garlic
    Nini M.

    Staff greets you immediately and was very friendly and attentive. We got the pad see ew and the fried garlic pork belly and both were so good!! One of the best pad see ew I've had. The only thing is, the pork belly didn't come with rice which is odd cause you just expect people to eat it alone? We want to come back and try other things but so far, it was a great dinner. Restaurant is small but clean and nice.

    Larb wrap
    Jeankaylyn E.

    Came to Kapow for my birthday dinner to close out the month Ordered the Sirloin Nam Tok (part of the new menu), Larb Wrap, Thai green & pink tea, and mango sticky rice. The Sirloin Nam Tok came grilled with Thai herbs, toasted rice powder, dried chili, kaffir lime leaves, and a house-made tamarind sauce--but the meat was pretty tough to slice and chew. Wouldn't order again. The Larb Wrap (minced pork with roasted rice powder, chili flakes, citrus, herbs, and fried garlic) had good flavor but felt like it was missing something. Both the green and pink Thai teas were overly sweet--the pink one tasted like Pepto Bismo.. Mango sticky rice was decent, but nothing memorable. We ordered a papaya salad to go and we did really like that one. Overall, kinda underwhelming. I'd rate it a 2/5.

    Yellow curry and crispy Chili pork belly. Oh, and some rice. Dang right.
    Ran D.

    Okay I just found my favorite Thai restaurant. I met the owner, and Jaz and were already like family. The food, from appetizer to main course and dessert were outstanding. The restaurant is a bit smaller, but they're dynamite. The way they decorated, the mural, awesome. Appetizer: crispy garlic chili pork belly. This was absolutely insane good. Don't be foolish. Get it. Dinner: Gang karee (yellow curry). Gang gang. Dessert: I Tim Bo ran (coconut ice cream with pastry, fruit, nuts). Amazing. Everything is incredibly fresh here. The cucumbers snap when bitten. The mango is so light sweet. It's like they know how to pick the best ingredients. You'll find them in a small strip mall. Don't blink, you'll miss the dynamite. Circle back. It's well worth it.

    Chicken Satay
    Eilien L.

    First time at Kapow Thai Eatery and honestly... we were not ready The food? Straight up bomb Our top picks: the steak, crispy pork belly (no weird smell at all ), and chicken satay. Everything was super flavorful without being greasy, which is rare for dishes like these. The papaya salad was crazy fresh and balanced out the meat perfectly. Also loved how the spice levels actually made sense--everything paired so well with each protein instead of just being spicy for no reason. Already planning our next visit to try the pad Thai, pad see ew, and pork belly over rice Vibe check: cute spot, nice ambience, but kinda small. They open at 4PM and fill up FAST, so definitely make a reservation if you can. Overall: 5/5 This place is a low-key gem

    drink menu
    Christine G.

    I've been to Kapow Thai Eatery several times this past month; it became my favorite Thai restaurant in the area. The staff was friendly and accommodating; they even started to remember us, which was nice. The restaurant is small and can feel cramped when they are busy. There can also be a line, especially in the evening, so be prepared to wait for a bit. My favorites are Tamarind tiger, Pad C U, Kow Soi duck, and the Por-Thod (deep-fried egg roll). All dishes were delicious and tasted fresh. The duck was tender, and the curry was so creamy and flavorful. The desserts were also great. The Banana in Pajamas and Mango with sticky rice were our favorites. They were sweet but not too overpowering. They were the perfect end to a heavy, filling meal. Overall, I enjoyed my visits to Kapow Thai Eatery. The price was on the pricier side, and the portions were a bit small. I've recommended this place to people, and they loved it too. I'll keep coming back here for sure.

    Wing of Kapow

    See all

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Archana R.
    147
    491
    749

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Volha K.
    0
    59
    420

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary N.
    89
    70
    65

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan C.
    240
    401
    1445

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D J.
    3
    20
    12

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 6

    Ask the Community - Kapow Thai Eatery

    Khao Hom

    Khao Hom

    4.3
    (532 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Large group friendly

    Finally got to try this Thai spot, and I'll definitely be back! We came here to celebrate my…read morefriend's birthday and ordered pretty much all of the house recommendations. I forgot to take a picture of the garlic sriracha wings, but they were perfectly crispy with just the right amount of sweet and spicy. We also ordered the chicken larb, the short rib massaman curry, and the Tamarind Tara cocktail. Everything was delicious, and the cocktail was a great complement to the meal. The standout dish is the short rib massaman curry. The moment we took our first bite, we both looked at each other because it was that good! The short rib was incredibly tender and literally fell off the bone. The curry was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, it easily became the favorite dish of the night. Overall, we had a great experience with delicious food, great service, and a fun atmosphere for celebrating. I loved it so much that I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

    I tried the chicken and waffles here and really liked the texture of the chicken. I was expecting…read moremore of the green curry sauce, though, since the chicken itself was a little underseasoned for my taste. The restaurant was really cute inside, and the service was good. I'd definitely come back and try one of the desserts next time.

    Photos
    Crabby Tom Yum Omelet
    Crabby Tom Yum Omelet
    Egg Benedict Ka-Pow Short Rib
    Egg Benedict Ka-Pow Short Rib
    Crispy Enoki Mushroom

    See all

    Crispy Enoki Mushroom
    Sala Thai

    Sala Thai

    4.0
    (3k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Sala Thai has some of the better and more authentic-tasting Pad Thai I've had in the area. Their…read morecrab Pad Thai is also worth trying if you want something a little different. A lot of Pad Thai tends to lean heavily on the sweet side, which isn't really my preference. Sala Thai's is still slightly sweet, but it's much more balanced and not overly sugary like many others. I also recommend the Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao. The crispy fish is another must-order for me--the crispy texture pairs really well with their house-made garlic sauce. I've also catered from Sala Thai for my wedding, and everything turned out great. The owners are genuinely nice and were very accommodating, taking the time to work with us and make sure our needs were met. That experience made me appreciate the restaurant even more. Overall, a solid spot for Thai food with consistently good dishes and owners who genuinely care about their customers.

    I got so lucky because I recently got a new job where I'm back on this side of the bridge and one…read moreof the first things I thought of was going back to my roots and eating at all my spots, this one being up there as the goats. I ordered my usuals over the phone and the food was as amazing as ever - we are so back!! At the time I picked up the food, the place was rather empty when I picked it up around 2:40ish PM, so it was a great time to grab the food and maybe even sit if you had the time. This was a long overdue review, as I've been going to this place since 2019, but it's well deserved. After moving near Palo Alto, no other thai food has hit the same for me. Glad to be back!

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Spicy String Bean
    Spicy String Bean
    Drunken Noodle (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken and Basil Chicken.

    See all

    Drunken Noodle (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken and Basil Chicken.
    Red Chili

    Red Chili

    3.7
    (1.8k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Best place I had in Hayward. Excellent food the ambiance I think they still need to work on but the…read morefood over powers that.

    I visited Red Chili Restaurant on March 14, 2026 around 8:11 PM with my wife and nephew. We noticed…read morethe prices were a little higher compared to when we used to dine here before, but the service was good and the food came out on time. We ordered five dishes: seafood soup, choo chee fish fillet, pad kee mao, roti canai, and rice. The food was good and we ended up eating about half of our meal and asked for to-go boxes to take the rest home. Unfortunately, on our way home we realized we forgot the to-go bag with all the leftover food at the restaurant. I immediately called the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. I was told they had already thrown the bag away because they waited for a while and were preparing to close. I returned to the restaurant around 8:45 PM to ask about it in person. I spoke with one waitress who said there was no manager available. Another waitress came over and I explained the situation again. She said there was nothing they could do, and the conversation became unpleasant. When I expressed my frustration, she told me to go ahead and contact a lawyer and then told me to leave the store. I understand mistakes happen and that food may sometimes be thrown away for safety reasons, but the way the situation was handled was disappointing and unprofessional. A little understanding or better customer service would have gone a long way. We used to enjoy coming here, but this experience left a bad impression.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Pad Prik Khing with Chicken
    Pad Prik Khing with Chicken
    Fresh Spring Rolls

    See all

    Fresh Spring Rolls
    Mala Town

    Mala Town

    4.6
    (987 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Delicious, heartwarming, and comforting soup! I usually order the bone broth with moderate spice,…read moreand it always hits the spot. The setup is cafeteria‑style: you grab a bowl and tongs, then move down the line choosing your meats, seafood, veggies, and noodles. Once you've built your bowl, it gets weighed and sent to the kitchen to be cooked. They also have a condiment station where you can mix and match sauces to your liking -- a fun touch that lets you customize your meal even more. Service is simple and straightforward; the staff brings your finished bowl to the table, and everything comes out hot and fresh. The restaurant is located in the Marina Market lot, which has plenty of parking, making it easy to stop by anytime. Highly recommended for anyone craving a warm, flavorful, and comforting bowl of soup.

    This review is for takeout delivery service…read more I ordered Beef Bone Broth Base and stacked it heavily on the meats. Pricing is pretty reasonable and quality is above average. The pork intestines were not chewy and the meat portions were pretty generous. My only gripe with the order was that they precooked the meat and placed it in a bowl sized container, and then separated the soup base in another. That caught me off guard as I was expecting raw meats like you would at any other hotpot establishment. I suppose there are pros and cons to their decision to precook the meat for me, but I would have liked to have known they would do that or have the option of receiving it pre-cooked or raw since the doneness of the meat is kind of crucial to how good the hotpot will taste for peoples preference.

    Photos
    Mala Town
    Mala Town
    Mala Town

    See all

    Le Moose Crepe Cafe

    Le Moose Crepe Cafe

    4.1
    (1.7k reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    We've been enjoying their food for quite some time, so when the ownership changed recently, I was a…read morebit concerned the quality might slip. Happily, it's been just the opposite. The food has actually improved, and the service stands out even more. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely interested in making sure you enjoy your meal--they often check in to ask what you like and if everything is to your taste. On my most recent visit, we ordered the red curry along with tofu with cashews and coconut rice, and everything was absolutely delicious. Overall, a wonderful experience that keeps getting better.

    My family's go to Thai spot! We have been coming here for years now and it's always consistent…read more Order: - Soft Shell Crab Garlic Noodles: this was a bit too salty for my liking and I didn't love the mushiness of the soft shell crumb. The waitresss said it was her favorite dish but I think another type of meat would've paired better with the noodles - Basil Eggplant: we always order this dish at this restaurant and the flavor is always consistent here. it is a bit salty so that is always a downer on the dish. - Salmon Crepe: my dad loved the crepe and always orders it at the restaurant. - Yellow Curry: spicy curry that was savory and light. This is my family's favorite Thai restaurant and we have been going for years. The only bad part is how salty all of the dishes are. It will definitely make you want to chug glasses of waters after eating here. Nonetheless, the flavor of the dishes are always consistent and packed with deliciousness. I recommend trying this place if you are in the Fremont area.

    Photos
    Our go to is always Garlic Fish, Pad Pad Thai, Panang Curry , and Pineapple Fried Rice with the request of less salty.
    Our go to is always Garlic Fish, Pad Pad Thai, Panang Curry , and Pineapple Fried Rice with the request of less salty.
    Basil Fried Rice
    Basil Fried Rice
    Basil Fried Rice

    See all

    Basil Fried Rice

    Kapow Thai Eatery - thai - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...