Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Thai Thyme

    4.4 (423 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Noodles, Soup
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Order Thai Thyme Takeout or Delivery

    Thai Thyme Photos

    Business Info

    THAI THYME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Romantic
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Thai Thyme

    Recommended Reviews - Thai Thyme

    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

    3. Fried Wontons /  - really good
    David C.

    Okay, so here is a recent update. My first review was for the first few times I came when they first opened years ago, and it was excellent. The husband ran the front of house with charm and warmth and the wife I believe did most of the cooking. I stopped going after I had a not so good experience maybe a year later. They didn't seem to be able to get their liquor license and the food that last time was not as good as it had always been. Well, cut to a couple months ago, and not sure where to grab something quick on a school night, I decided to just bite the bullet and try it again, and I'm generally happy I did. The place is pretty busy these days. And, gone for now at least are the mom and pop, probably because they opened a second location near Old Town Pasadena opposite Huntington Hospital. They're probably there making sure everything can run smoothly. So me and the boyo ordered the fried wontons and the chicken sate appetizers. The fried wontons came out and were excellent. The chicken sate we ordered charred and well done, but not only did it arrive rather pale and sad despite still tasting very good, it only came at the very end of our meal. In fact were trying to get a waitress over to cancel the sate, assuming they had forgotten it completely at this point, when the other waitress ran into the kitchen and ran the plate to us. No one enjoys finishing their meal with an appetizer. Which brings me to my only other complaint, but it is why they didn't get a five star review. Service sucked, and I can't even blame it on the two lone young women left to handle the entire busy restaurant. Sorry, but they need to hire some more service help. Even one more waiter/waitress would help immensely. You could tell the main server was overwhelmed and a super large party in the middle only made her life more difficult. Still, she knew a couple who are probably regulars and a one point sat down to have a nice long chat with them while I struggled to get anyone's attention. She needs some better training on scanning a dining room before running back to the kitchen. We had to leave our hand raised for minutes each time we needed service of any kind, and that is not acceptable. Back to the food. For mains I got the cashew chicken at a spice level 2 and honestly I could've gone to a spice level 3 easily. I like spicy, and the only reason I held back was that Thai and Indian restaurants love to punish anyone who goes for a high number spice level like it's a contest of wills. Still, the dish was excellent. The boyo had the chicken panang curry and it was also fantastic. Of all the panang curries we've ever ordered, this had the most chicken we've ever gotten. You're usually left hungry pouring curry over rice once the chicken is gone, but this place gives you enough to chicken to make it a real entree. The only shame past the service and the missing appetizer arriving long after we had finished our mains and were ready to cancel it and just leave was the fact they have finally gotten their liquor license over these past few years. I should have been happy, but they honestly have chosen the worst tasting house sake for hot sake I've ever had. I've had cheap sake (the kind you usually order hot), and many of the most expensive sakes (always served cold), and this one they have I will never order again. Anyway, the bottom line is the owners need to hire another server and better train the ones they have to scan the entire restaurant every time they are in the dining room. Maybe get a better hot sake, but that's up to them. Otherwise, the food is back on point, and I highly recommend a trip to Thai Thyme. I even look to try the second location soon. Try it!

    Alexandra H.

    So yummy! I have been here a few times. Very good Thai food and service is good. I will go back!

    Nelson H.

    Thai Thyme is a Thai authentic restaurant that located at city of Monrovia.. ordering authentic classic foods included appetiser n main dishes liked Chicken Satay, yummy n delicious!! Good marinated chicken n good mixed of peanut sauce n cucumber diced!! Main dishes included coconut soup egg noodles with meats!! Good tasting n strong favour, meat a bit over cooked. Pineapple fried rice was so freshly with nuts n pineapple diced!!! Meat still over cooked a bit... That's why it's 4 stars of Yelp!! Otherwise, it would be Five stars perfect!!

    Sunshine Beef Jerky
    Alice Y.

    Summary: 5 stars for taste, portion, price, and service *** My fiance and I visited a few times for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is brightly lit inside and usually plays classy/cozy music overhead. Service is outstanding; they are typically prompt, proactive, and friendly with water refills on point. The owner occasionally checks in on tables, banters with regulars, and talks about his recipes. They sometimes provide complimentary desserts to first-time visitors (I assume if budget allows). Food also comes out quickly. DRINKS ORDERED - Thai Iced Tea ($4.50). Served in a huge glass, the Thai tea is strong, sweet, and creamy. APPETIZERS ORDERED - Sunshine Beef Jerky ($16.95). Sooo tasty! The beef was slightly crispy and dried out, yet soft inside. The marinade was aromatic with a hint of sourness. - Chicken Satay ($15.95 - 6 pcs). Soft and juicy white meat chicken with a mild marinade that was vaguely sweet and fragrant. The peanut dipping sauce was out of this world - very peanut forward and also a little sweet. I put it on everything and even asked for a to go container for the rest! I would have liked the pickled cucumber and onion to be less sweet. - Somtom / Green Papaya Salad ($11.96 + $5 shrimp add on). We asked for spicy level 2, which made my nose run. Green papaya, green beans, carrots, peanuts, and tomato sit on top of roughly chopped iceberg lettuce. The chili lime dressing tasted spicy, sweet, salty, and sour. The shrimp was also good, juicy and plump. I only had difficulty eating the green beans, which were hard and raw. - Chicken Larb ($16.95). This dish was served as a salad instead of a wrap. It had big pieces of ground chicken on top of iceberg lettuce in a flavorful, slightly funky sauce. We got this at level 2 spicy. ENTREES/NOODLES ORDERED - Basil Eggplant with chicken thigh ($14.95). Bright purple egg plant and bell peppers stir fried with fragrant basil in a savory sauce. So good! - Pad Kee Mao / Drunken Noodles with pork ($14.95). This was a stir fry of thick rice noodle, onion, bell pepper, basil, and protein of choice. The pork was yummy with a slightly sweet taste. I liked how the vegetables were tender yet crunchy. I ordered this at level 2 spicy, but I think I could handle level 3 for noodles. - Pad Thai with tofu ($14.95). I enjoyed the chewy, thin rice noodle tossed in a sweet and sour sauce. DESSERTS ORDERED - T-Cup Coconut Cream Cake ($6.99). We received this cake in a cup as a complimentary dessert. It tasted like a dream! There were two layers each of white cake and coconut whipped cream. The sponge had a light and cottony crumb. Shredded coconut added an extra layer of texture and coconut flavor. - Mango Sticky Rice ($13.95 - seasonal Apr to Sept). I think we ordered too early in the season, since the mango was ripe but not as fragrant. The sticky rice was sweet and salty with a fluffy and chewy texture. The dish was good, but a little dry for me since it didn't come with a sauce. - T-Cup Mango Pudding ($6.99). This was also complimentary. I thought it was just okay at first, but the pudding grew on me the more I ate it. The mango pudding tasted nostalgic, like the one you get at dim sum but more real. According to the owner, the pudding is vegan, naturally sweetened, and thickened with agar agar.

    chicken satay
    John T.

    Background On Visit: One of my coworkers told me about this shop and thought to myself that I should experience this great place also. Price Point: A bit pricey, but I do get that they have to mark it up because of where they are located at. Credit Cards: They're accepted. Restroom: They're available Location/Parking: Between Colorado and Olive on Myrtle Ave.. Parking can be found along Myrtle or in the public parking lots around town. Ambiance/Decor: Neat ambiance with modern furnishings. They have a patio in the back for your fur babies. Service: Staffers weren't attentive and food got to our table 30 minutes later. We weren't check up on. We asked for water and the water never came. We did ask another staffer and the water did eventually arrive to our table. Towards the end of our dinner, one of the staffers was hovering near our table with a dish waiting for us to leave. Other people that were there longer than us didn't receive that treatment. It is.... what it is I guess. Food Of Choice: 1) Chicken Skewers: They were dry, tough, and chewy. The satay was alright though. 2) Pad Kee Mao (Drucken Noodles) With Chicken: Thought it was okay. Wished they added more protein and was sweet. 3) Wonton Soup: Liked this one better than the pad kee mao and chicken skewers. It was pleasant to eat. I liked the soup. Thai Thyme For Thought: Might be the first and last time, but don't let my experience deter others from experience a better time than me.

    Todd J.

    Stopped by during the street fair and went the takeout route great call. Even with the extra foot traffic, things felt organized and efficient. Ty was super helpful and kept everything moving smoothly, which made a big difference with the crowd. Service was friendly, quick, and on point. The food absolutely delivered fresh, flavorful, and held up really well even as takeout. I went mild spice and it was perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of heat without overpowering the dish. Overall, a solid go-to, especially during busy events. Great service, great food, and a seamless takeout experience when it could've easily gone the other way. A+

    Lunch special menu
    Christy C.

    I had such a wonderful experience in terms of food and service when I first went there a month ago so I'm very bummed to have to update my review based on my takeout experience. Ordered UberEats and it arrived in less than an hour! Got the Pad Thai ($16.95) and it was very disappointing. It tasted nothing like when I last had it at the restaurant a month ago. The noodles didn't have the "pan fried" taste and was quite bland. The peanut bits tasted a bit stale. The portion was generous but I prefer quality over quantity. Overall, I was very disappointed with my dish and I will definitely not order takeout from this restaurant again unfortunately!

    Daniella P.

    We loved dining here. The portions were huge and everything was so delicious. We ordered the Chicken Fried Rice, Beef Soup, and the Pad See Ew. The employees were so friendly and we had a great time.

    Tammy T.

    Thai Thyme in Downtown Monrovia is hands down one of the best Thai food restaurants I've had visited in a long time. Everything from the decor to the customer service to the food was absolutely a 10/10! Jessica was our server and she was AMAZING. Her customer service was phenomenal! Here's a rundown of what I ordered: * Chicken Satay - $15.95 - The chicken was well marinated and very moist. 9/10 * Fish Cake - $15.95 - Best Fish Cake I've ever had! It came in perfect bite pieces and was very delicious. I literally ate the whole plate by myself - it was VERY delicious! 10/10 * Pad Se Eew (with chicken thigh) - $14.95 - Huge portion, very reasonable price and very tasty. I really enjoyed this dish. 9/10 * Holy Kaprow (Spicy Basil with Beef $2 extra) - $15.95 - Very flavorful dish except the beef was very dry and chewy. I really wished they would've tenderized the meat or maybe use a different cut of beef because this would've easily been another 9/10. I plan on ordering this same dish but with Shrimp or Chicken at my next visit. * Thai Iced Coffee - I LOVED IT! Not too sweet, definitely hit my taste buds in the right spot. Just when I thought my dinner couldn't get any better, Jessica stopped by my table with complimentary dessert - homemade Coconut Cake & Chocolate Pudding. How sweet was that? Definitely ended my dining experience at Thai Thyme on a high note. I am so happy that I think I've found my favorite Thai restaurant. Highly recommend Thai Thyme!

    Margaret P.

    Picked up some food here to take to my parent's house for Christmas. Ordered the pad thai, pad kee mao, and some fried rice. We ordered the pad kee mao medium spicy, and I would definitely order the mild instead next time...who knows - maybe my taste buds are different now and I can't tolerate spiciness like I used to. Overall a great spot for Thai food if you find yourself in Old Town Monrovia. They were busy, but still were attentive to all the customers.

    Sylvia L.

    If I could star more than 5, I would. Thai Thyme in Monrovia is the most delicious Thai food I've had. I have eaten here on many occasions and they are consistent with their flavors and service. Restaurant is clean (restrooms included), cutely decorated, and they always have soothing background music playing. I especially appreciate the servers friendliness and relaxing environment they provide. My favorite is their Pad Se Eew, Yellow Curry, Egg Rolls, and Chicken Satay. Their peanut sauce and mild spicy sweet flavors are so delicious! They are located in downtown Monrovia, which has a few blocks to walk of stores, dessert, coffee, and a movie theater. Parking is easy and free. Definitely worth the try.

    Paulina T.

    I loved Thai thyme! The service was really great and I think the owner was coming around saying hi to people! I definitely recommend the kah soi-- it's soooo flavorful. The papaya salad is solid! The pad thai is good-- wish it had more peanuts and bean sprouts tho. And we got this beef dish with basil which was also excellent. We loved everything. The portions are also huge. We had Leftovers for many meals later

    Complimentary dessert coconut pudding and chocolate pudding
    Victoria S.

    First time visiting & it won't be the last. Great food, big portions, friendly service, nice decor with lots of indoor seating. They were able to accommodate most dishes to be gluten free. We enjoyed the chicken pad thai, chicken red curry and garlic green beans. The salmon was a little dry, maybe because they had to take out the sauce to make it gluten free. We also enjoyed the complimentary dessert, coconut pudding and chocolate pudding. Will definitely return to try more items on the menu.

    37. Pad Thai /

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Judy C.
    90
    57
    290

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff H.
    0
    46
    57

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mai S.
    0
    28
    3

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nina A.
    32
    104
    79

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angel W.
    1258
    562
    9803

    1 year ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 3
    Love this 19
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Marc S.
    177
    33
    79

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andres R.
    212
    24
    1

    3 months ago

    The food and service are excellent. The drunken noodles and tom yum soup are delicious! Definitely planning to go back!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley G.
    342
    70
    21

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Neda M.
    352
    53
    37

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of King W.
    0
    120
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 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

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years 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

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 11

    Thai Thyme Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Thai Thyme

    Can you make dishes gluten free?

    Yes! They are very attentive to gluten intolerance/celiac and are great about answering related questions.

    Do they have different spice levels for their food?

    Hello Vincent L. Yes, we have three levels: Mild, Medium and Spicy.

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Thai 135,639 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Myung Ga Haejangguk - Galbitang!

    Myung Ga Haejangguk

    4.4(472 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for authentic Korean comfort food, this is a solid choice in the SGV. Their…read morekimchi and fish cake banchan are my absolute favorites- flavorful and balances your meal. I almost always order the Galbitang-it's light and comforting without feeling heavy, arrives hot and generously filled with beef. My boys went with the pork cutlet, which was perfectly crispy and paired with a delicious tangy katsu sauce. As a nice finishing touch, we appreciated the complimentary Yakult-like yogurt drink. Parking is plentiful in the back lot, making it an easy stop. If you're craving warm, comforting Korean soul food, this places hits the spot!!!

    I've eaten here multiple times since they first opened, really hoping it would improve, but…read moreunfortunately, I still do not like this restaurant. The biggest issue for me is the soup. Every soup I've tried has been incredibly bland and lacks the deep, rich beef or pork flavor that you would expect. There's just no depth or boldness to the broth, which is especially disappointing for a restaurant where the soup is supposed to be the main focus. I came here again today with a group of coworkers, all of whom are Korean, with the majority of us having grown up in Korea. Unfortunately, we all had the exact same reaction. None of us enjoyed the soup, and the overwhelming complaint was that everything tasted bland. Even the kimchi was disappointing. The radish kimchi lacked the crisp, crunchy texture it should have, and the regular kimchi was missing the strong, punchy flavor you would expect. The interior is also very bare-bones and feels like the restaurant was opened with the bare minimum needed to operate. That alone wouldn't bother me if the food made up for it, but unfortunately, it doesn't. It's honestly disappointing because I feel like so many Korean restaurants that open in the SGV end up falling short, and unfortunately, this place is another one that falls into that category. After multiple visits, I can't say I've had a meal here that made me want to come back.

    Photos
    Myung Ga Haejangguk - Plenty of seating inside.

    Plenty of seating inside.

    Myung Ga Haejangguk - Galbi 12 piece

    Galbi 12 piece

    Myung Ga Haejangguk - Pork Cutlet

    See all

    Pork Cutlet

    Kyuramen x TBaar

    Kyuramen x TBaar

    4.0(832 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    This place has some items that are amazing and other ones that you can just do without…read more I came here for Dine La for lunch and here's what I felt about their menu. First off, the takoyaki octopus balls were full of flavor. I feel that this place does them really well. You don't feel overwhelmed by any seafood tastes and instead, you get well balanced flavor throughout every bite with the combination of the ball itself, the sauces and the flakes on top. Next is the omurice. The egg is cooked to perfection and tastes absolutely amazing. The curry, however, which was recommended by the waiter over the Demi glaze, tasted exactly like the Vermont curry cube you get in the grocery store, so I'm not sure why he recommended that over the Demi glaze. The fried rice within the omurice was alright too. Originally, I wanted to get the tonkatsu omurice but got it on the side as the choice wasn't available for the lunch menu. I would suggest doing without the tonkatsu because it was dry and there's a million and one places that can do tonkatsu better than this place. Honestly, I wish I had the opportunity to cut the omurice myself and choose how much curry I put on it, but the staff did that instead, which I guess made for a good video, but took away from my innate desires to cut the egg on my own haha. Next, the ramen tasted pretty basic like what you could get at any ramen shop. For the chicken wings, I've never had chicken wings in this flavor. They were really really good and I would definitely recommend the wings. For the desserts, I enjoyed both the matcha and the snow globe. I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, however. The snow globe is a gelatin and it doesn't really have too much flavor until you get to the parts with the flower. Plus the little clear balls have a nice flavor and texture. For the matcha, it has an interesting texture and then an interestingly light, yet deep matcha flavor. Oh the drinks. The Thai tea tastes exactly like how it does everywhere else. The amazing lemonade is a lemonade with a few slight modifications, like with cucumber and maybe some other things as well. For the service, it's pretty good here. Everyone is pretty attentive. There are three things at the table, such as cayenne pepper and two other bowls you can add to your dishes to add flavor. I forgot the name of the one I liked but it looked kind of like pork floss or loose tea, and that one had a lot of flavor. I think what's most appealing about this place is the ambiance because you can like sit in a honeycomb, there's fancy designs everywhere and you feel like you're in a different place. I think it's a good restaurant but it's kind of weird how some things here are amazing and some are just okay.

    I got their chicken ramen, which I thought was alright. It had really strong chicken flavor, and…read moretheir noodles were pretty standard. The restaurant has different chili powders on each table, which I really appreciated since I love spicy food. I do think the broth was quite salty, but maybe that's just how ramen is. The interior of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. It has plenty of seating, and the restrooms are very clean. Parking is kind of limited, however, so I recommend avoiding peak dinner/lunch hours. Servers were very kind and efficient.

    Photos
    Kyuramen x TBaar - Interior

    Interior

    Kyuramen x TBaar - Demi sauce for omurice

    Demi sauce for omurice

    Kyuramen x TBaar - Sapporo beer

    See all

    Sapporo beer

    LAN Noodle - Thicc wide flat noodle in signature LAN Noodle

    LAN Noodle

    4.2(934 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for authentic Chinese flavors, Lan Noodle House is definitely worth a visit…read more Every dish tasted fresh, comforting, and full of flavor. What we ordered: * Appetizer Combo - A great way to start the meal with a variety of refreshing side dishes. * Braised Pig Ear in Chili Oil - Crunchy, flavorful, and coated in a fragrant chili oil with just the right amount of heat. * Sliced Pork Belly with Garlic Sauce - Tender, savory, and perfectly balanced with a garlicky sauce that wasn't overpowering. * Xiao Long Bao - Thin wrappers filled with juicy broth and flavorful pork. Definitely a must-order. * Braised Beef Noodle Soup - Rich, comforting broth with tender beef and chewy handmade noodles that really hit the spot. * Dan Dan Noodles - Creamy, nutty, and packed with bold sesame flavor with just the right amount of spice. * Mustard Green Beef Noodles - A comforting bowl with tender beef, chewy noodles, and pickled mustard greens that add the perfect tangy kick. The portions are generous, making it a great place to come with friends or family and share a variety of dishes.

    Came back to try different dishes. Got the beef Chinese burger, braised beef noodle soup, sautéed…read morevegetables and xiao long bao. I liked the crunchy texture of the bread for the Chinese burger. It's on the spicier side. The braised beef noodle soup and sautéed vegetables were my favorite. The xiao long bao wasn't soupy but the dipping sauce they give is very good. Staff is very nice. There are quite a few tables for indoor seating.

    Photos
    LAN Noodle - Chives leaves flat noodle

    Chives leaves flat noodle

    LAN Noodle - Lan noodle thin round

    Lan noodle thin round

    LAN Noodle - Thin noodle

    See all

    Thin noodle

    La Sinbala - Chinese Sausage

    La Sinbala

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    SinBala - Arcadia…read more SinBala is one of the rare Taiwanese restaurants that has stood the test of time. I grew up eating here. There used to be several locations across Southern California, and I'm glad the Arcadia location is still here. Every visit brings back memories. I come for the Taiwanese classics that are becoming harder to find. The popcorn chicken is still one of my favorites--crispy, fragrant, and seasoned the way Taiwanese street vendors do it. The Taiwanese meatball soup is comforting, and the Taiwanese sausage always reminds me of night markets back home. What I appreciate most is that SinBala doesn't just serve street food. It brings those familiar flavors into a warm, home-style setting. It's nostalgic without trying too hard. Before you leave, save room for dessert. Their shaved ice is a must. I always recommend the brown sugar shaved ice topped with five mochi or boba. It's refreshing, not overly sweet, and the perfect ending to a meal. Taiwanese food is often overshadowed by other regional Chinese cuisines, but places like SinBala remind me how unique it really is. Simple, comforting, and full of character. I'm grateful this little piece of Taiwan is still here.

    Came for Taiwanese shaved ice. Honestly the only one in the area it seems doing it traditional…read morestyle - shaved ice not show, lots of toppings. A bit sweeter than my preference but maybe cuz I put condensed milk on it as one of the toppings. The grass jelly shaped firm and nice cubes so possible it's from a can as opposed to in house. Sausage I had as well not the best I've had but traditional flavor and served with lots of garlic on the side (wahoo!)

    Photos
    La Sinbala
    La Sinbala - Spicy beef noodle soup

    Spicy beef noodle soup

    La Sinbala - Spicy beef noodle soup

    See all

    Spicy beef noodle soup

    Thai Thyme - thai - Updated August 2026

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