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    Must be Thai

    4.0 (2.5k reviews)
    ModerateThai, Seafood, Noodles
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Waitlist - Must be Thai

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    MUST BE THAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Reviews With Photos

    Spicy Thai basil fried rice
    Shalini K.

    Had the Thai iced tea, spicy pad kee mow and basil fried rice. Though the basil fried rice was not on the menu they accommodated our request. The food and service were exceptional. The drink was a little too sweet for me personally. As for the ambiance, it could have been better, the metal seat that I had was broken and rusted.

    pad thai
    Gina N.

    Came here on a Wednesday around 6PM and it wasn't busy! We were able to get seated right away. I ordered the panaeng curry w crispy pork and white rice along with thai tea and my friend got the vegetable pad thai. The panaeng curry was flavorful and heavy. It looked small but made me full quite fast. I had to take leftovers. The pork itself was okay it was a bit overcooked :o The thai tea was alright i've had better and it was a bit warm. The vegetable pad thai was perfect. Noodles were chewy and very saucy. I would definitely come back to get this and add a bit more spice as well.

    Panaeng Curry
    Erika C.

    This place is really popular, so maybe I need to come back and order other dishes. For our visit, it wasn't quite to my taste. They'll seat you once the entire party arrives. I think we only *just* beat the rush. We got the menus and it was our first time there. I think the menu organization is a bit confusing. You have to read every single item to try to find a dish you might want to eat because it's sorted by region instead of by protein type. I think it would have been more helpful to have a menu organized by protein or dish type (e.g., chicken or noodles), with symbols for regions or just noting the region in color coded text next to the dish. Honestly, other way around would have been fine too, flag the protein or dish type with text next to it so if you don't eat certain things, you can scan for these right away. The pixie wings appetizer was the best dish when I went, but sadly went downhill from there. The hang leh curry was too sweet and the meat was tough. The panang curry was okay. Ambiance was cozy but a pesky gnat kept hovering around our food. The menu looked so promising with all the regional choices that lent it an air authenticity. I do feel I hold Asian restaurants in a more Asian area to a slightly higher bar. But tough meat is tough meat. I wouldn't mind coming back only because they have such a huge menu that I'm hoping something else tastes as good and our orders were just misses.

    Hat Yai Fried Chicken
    Ricky C.

    This place is delicious, i really get the kick of the name. Must be Thai, i guess so! We were on the way home from Santa Cruz and found this spot on yelp. The food is amazing, the Tom Yum Fried rice is a must, very delicious and flavorful. The Pad Thai, with pork bbq was another level compared to the regular shrimp, it was amazing, the waiter recommended it. The fried chicken reminded me of some of the flavor back home in Indonesia, so good. I didn't take a picture of the Tom Yum Soup, that was gone so quickly. Service was quick, checked on us a few times and the ambiance is relaxing. We will come back again.

    Hat Yai Fried Chicken
    April Y.

    YUM! Must Be Thai was great and lived up to the ratings and reviews. I must have been feeling adventurous as I took both my picky child/teen and my picky Asian parents at the same time. Well the risk paid off as all my picky family members enjoyed EVERY dish. Admittedly I am pretty shocked. We ordered: Crispy Fried Calamari: deep fried, chunky tender pieces of calamari that was perfectly portioned for our smaller group Tom Yum Fried Rice: fragrantly fried with a good lemongrass flavor Hat Yai Fried Chicken: light crisp outside and oh so tender and not dry on the inside. Southern Pad Thai: ok Must Be Thai. You get us. This is the first place to live up to my family's level of spice. There is a reason it is marked "SS" on the menu representing "Seriously Spicy". Kiddo and I loved it. NSFCP (Not Safe for Canto Parents) however lol. Overall, we really loved the variety of the regional Thai dishes, flavors, and textures. Can't wait to go back. Hoag Me:

    Pad See You
    Amanda M.

    Must Be Thai was excellent--one of my new favorite Thai spots in the greater South Bay! We went for an early lunch on a Saturday and I was surprised how packed it was, but I think that's speaks for how great this spot is. We ordered the pad see you with chicken, pad prik moo krob (pork belly), and the tom yum fried rice with shrimp and calamari. First, these were pretty big portions; three main dishes was great to share because we didn't eat breakfast and were starving, but it's certainly not necessary. Second, I thought the proportions of protein in the dish were sufficient (sometimes I feel like places skimp on the added chicken, for example). And third, everything was so flavorful! I particularly loved the fried rice, but even my boyfriend, who doesn't love pork belly, really enjoyed the pad prik moo krob. There was a good balance of spice in each dish too--you could feel the heat but not too much. As far as ambiance, the restaurant was small and quite busy when we went, but not uncomfortable. It's definitely more casual for a lunch or weeknight dinner than a date night, in my opinion. The food was out quick and the service was attentive, but they also didn't need to do a whole lot other than take our order once and bring out the food. Lastly, I like the variety of regions represented on the menu. Definitely want to come back to try other plates!

    Camelia W.

    I'm surprised there is no review from me for Must Be Thai! I have been bringing the family here for at least 2 years. I'm like totally flabbergasted, rn! Frfr! Nevertheless, let's get into it. First and ultimately, I love a business that makes iT their business to cater to the community they're in! We normally visit for Happy Hour and enjoy their pixel wings and shrimp spring rolls, both a great value. Our go to that is not part of Happy Hour is the Tom Yum soup, always fresh, always delicious, and also a very good price. The service is always fast and efficient. I love the interior decor. It's a bit tight, but very intimate.

    Pok Pok Thai
    Robert Y.

    4.5 One of my new fav Thai restaurants now!! The Penang curry was excellent!! The sauce was creamy and thick with super thin chicken breast slices in it. Definitely a must have if you like Thai curry. The beef Pad kee meo was excellent also. Noodles were cooked perfectly and beef was super thin sliced as well. The Tom yum soup was meh for me. Only because it was really tomato flavored. Every Thai place makes it differently and they chose to go heavy on the tomato flavor. It was good, but not what i want in a Tom yum soup. The saving grace was that it was extremely reasonably priced. It was eight dollars and enough for 4 people to have a bowl each with some left over. I also got the Phad fuqthong. This was excellent. The ingredients were fresh and the dish was perfectly seasoned. Overall, the service was good and the environment was lively. Will definitely go back.

    Mango sticky rice
    Sydney A.

    Food 10/10 Very clean Quick polite service Food was incredibly fast and we cleaned them up even faster

    tom yum soup with vegetables
    Jennifer

    Flavor town with reasonable prices so it's a 5/5 from me :) I came for lunch on a Friday and there was a little wait. I heard from friends this place can get quite busy on the weekend. Taste: The pad thai was tangy and chewy. The tom yum was delicious and sour. Parking: They have plaza parking Service: You go up to the front to check in. Despite being busy, they were quick.

    Jess U.

    Came here for a late lunch on a weekday and we were seated immediately. The server was very kind and attentive. We ordered the pad thai ($24) and panang curry ($19). The food was absolutely delicious! My friend thinks it was the best pad thai ever. I'm not completely sold since I think it is a bit pricy, but will be back to try again

    Pad Kee Mao
    Nancy C.

    We came on a Thurs evening, got pad kee Mao & green curry. Great food (tho pad kee Mao was a touch too oily), attentive service, modern & pleasant dining room. However... - $4 for a small bowl of white rice is robbery. - kitchen's slow. Food took forever to get out. Even tho the food was good, not sure I'd be back. Waiting that long (didn't time it, but I'd guess about 45 min) about killed me after work.

    Lydia C.

    Food: we've tried this place multiple times before and after they update the menu. Their tom yum fried rice amazed us for sure; definitely our favorite of all. Service: they get very busy so it's always better to get on the waitlist earlier. Their price is definitely more up there compared to other Thai restaurants in Bay Area. Ambiance: vibey and cozy. Small party are more suitable.

    Crispy Fried Calamari

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    Must be Thai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Must be Thai

    What time is Happy Hour during weekdays?

    Happy hour usually are only on Thursday and Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM Other places is just fair most of the time they don't have it Monday through Wednesday… Read more

    Do they have salads? Didn't see any on the website.

    They have papaya salad for sure.

    Do they have jain options?

    No they don't have specifically called out Jain options but I think a few items could be made Jain.

    Can I make a reservation?

    yes

    Do you use MSG in your dishes? I was very sleepy & had a headache after eating your delicious food. We ate lunch last Sat & Sun. Thanks for your earliest reply.

    No MSG for any dishes

    Do they sell gift cards?

    Yes they sell gift cards

    Do they still offer weekend brunch menu with shrimp rice soup?

    No, brunch menu with shrimp rice soup

    Are there a lot of vegetarian options?

    I would say there are not a lot but around 6 or so options. Noodle dishes can be made with veggies and tofu and there are a few curry dishes.The green and Panang curries come to mind that can be vegetarian. You can also request no fish sauce to… Read more

    Is there a Lunch menu?

    Yes there is, there are a few specials too.

    Can they make dishes without shrimp even if its says it have it?

    Yes.

    Is there a kids menu?

    No, there is not.

    Has anyone been here during happy hour?

    Yes I have. They have pad Thai and the papaya salad as part of the menu. Those were excellent and well priced! The fish cakes weren't great though

    View All 16 Questions

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    Khaosan Thai

    4.1(1.2k reviews)
    3.7 miCambrian Park
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Wheelchair accessible

    Khanosan Thai was amazing from start to finish. Every dish we ordered was thoughtfully prepared,…read morepacked with flavor, and beautifully presented. The Khao Soi was the star of the table. The rich coconut curry broth was velvety, aromatic, and full of depth, while the crispy noodles on top added the perfect crunch. Every spoonful was comforting and incredibly satisfying. The Pad Thai was equally impressive. The noodles were cooked perfectly and coated in a flavorful sauce that balanced sweet, tangy, and savory notes beautifully. Topped with fresh bean sprouts and a squeeze of lime, it was fresh, vibrant, and hard to stop eating. The Pineapple Fried Rice was another highlight. The rice was light and fluffy, loaded with juicy pineapple chunks, tender chicken, vegetables, and sweet raisins. The combination of sweet and savory flavors worked wonderfully together, making each bite interesting and delicious. We also ordered the Roti, and it was fantastic. The exterior was beautifully crisp and golden while the inside remained soft, flaky, and buttery. Dipped into the accompanying curry sauce, it was pure comfort food and something I would gladly order every single visit. Beyond the amazing food, the service was warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout our meal. Our water stayed full, our questions were answered with a smile, and we never felt rushed. Khanosan Thai delivered on all fronts: incredible flavors, generous portions, beautiful presentation, and excellent hospitality. If you're looking for authentic Thai food that's made with care and packed with flavor, this spot is absolutely worth a visit. I can't wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu.

    Exceptional service, checked in on us, refilled water, boxing of food…read more Pad Thai 4/5 Khao Soi 4/5 Green curry 2/5 bland and no flavor, but spicy Overall 3.5/5 but round up for the great service Cozy seating area, limited plaza parking, glass window into the kitchen Thanks!

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    Khaosan Thai - Khao Soi in the front and yellow curry lunch combo in the back

    Khao Soi in the front and yellow curry lunch combo in the back

    Khaosan Thai - 🇹🇭crispy pork belly ($16)🇹🇭

    🇹🇭crispy pork belly ($16)🇹🇭

    Khaosan Thai - Papaya salad

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    Original Sa-By Thai - 57. Pumpkin Curry

    Original Sa-By Thai

    3.5(547 reviews)
    3.8 miDowntown
    $$

    Came here in anticipation of trying Sa-By Thai's boat noodles. The hours of operation here are…read moreincorrect. The restaurant honestly looks rundown and its operation in general seems questionable. Not sure if this place shut down or heading in that direction?? I'll be doing a further drive to hit up another restaurant. How unfortunate.

    Super mixed feelings about this place after ordering take out twice from them…read more First, the good: Chicken drunken noodles at the spiciest level, SOLID! A generous portion of noodles and veggies, but not as much meat (which is fine by me). As a spicy loving girl, the spiciest level option was good as it was present throughout the entire dish, meaning it was mixed in well! I appreciated this immensely. Also got a mango sticky rice to feed my sweet tooth, and it was good too! Served with blue rice which made it pretty. The bad: Oh my god. I love Rad Nar normally, but when I ordered it from here through UberEats, I was severely disappointed and couldnt even finish a third of the dish. It was severely sweet. Now, I do love my sugar, but holy crap it tasted like they marinated the meat, veggies, and noodles in sugar and then added more sugar when cooking it. I also got the spicy option so it was really weird to eat something sickenly sweet with a little bit of spice when expecting a spicy, savory dish. Maybe it was a bad night for the chef or they mistook salt for sugar, but wow. I was in shock, and in the bad way lol.

    Photos
    Original Sa-By Thai - Inside lots of pictures of Thailand

    Inside lots of pictures of Thailand

    Original Sa-By Thai - Tom ka tofu hotpot

    Tom ka tofu hotpot

    Original Sa-By Thai

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    Fox Tale Fermentation Project - Funk Bowl w/ Red House Kimchi ($18)

    Fox Tale Fermentation Project

    4.8(196 reviews)
    3.5 miDowntown
    $$

    Absolutely one of the most unique spots in downtown San Jose. Fox Tale Fermentation Project somehow…read moremanages to feel like an experimental brewery and community gathering space all at once. The fermentation concept is woven into everything from the beers and botanical mocktails to the food and it actually works incredibly well. The drinks are creative without feeling gimmicky, and the flavors are layered and thoughtful. The food was surprisingly memorable too, especially how vegetable-forward dishes still felt rich and satisfying. The atmosphere has this warm, artsy, almost hidden-gem energy that makes you want to stay for hours. What really stands out is that the place feels intentional. You can tell the owners care deeply about craft, community, and creating an experience instead of just another brewery. Easily one of the coolest and most distinctive food/drink concepts in San Jose right now.

    I need to start off by saying I never had good vegetarian food. I hate vegetarian food. I am a meat…read moreeater and need it for every meal. Fox Tale Fermentation is a small place like a Japanese ramen shop. My high school classmate suggestion this place and I thought she was vegetarian. I asked her why this place; she wanted to try it out but she's a meat eater. I'm down to try new places so we went. When we went, it was really crowded for a Thursday dinner time. A lady saw my cane and offer her table to sit at so I felt seen. You pretty much order at the front counter; you pour your own water. Front counter was so nice to us as we try to order. We got the funk salad and kombucha. We didn't order a lot because we wanted to try the place. When we got to our table, it was near the door. Our funk salad came and it was hefty mf. It was a bowl of salad all right. So you know how I said earlier that I don't like vegetarian food? OMG I was amazed. The best salad I've eaten. The vinaigrette was so good; it was citrusy. My salad was cut into small pieces so it wasn't big that I need to cut it. The sweet potato was sauteed. The princess sauerkraut was so good. I don't like sauerkraut at all but it was divine. I never tried kombucha because I thought it was dirt tea. I was wrong. It has the fermented taste and I never knew. After trying it, it's not something I would order again. I liked how I was eating "healthy" food after I ate bad yesterday. I don't have that bad bloated feeling. It's very wheelchair friendly and restroom is unisex. The restroom is clean. The establishment is clean. I would go here again if I have a vegetarian visitor. This place rocks!

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    Fox Tale Fermentation Project - Caesar salad

    Caesar salad

    Fox Tale Fermentation Project - Arancini ($12/2)

    Arancini ($12/2)

    Fox Tale Fermentation Project - Spent Grain Miso Paste ($16)

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    Must be Thai - thai - Updated June 2026

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