Zen Yai

771 Ellis St, San Francisco
(415) 885-0725

Recent Reviews

Sontaya Nonnoi (Oat'Ty)

The food is very delicious, just like being in Thailand. The price is reasonable, reasonable because it is delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

K Chocopie

The food was amazing especially the noodle. They were really welcoming and nice to us. I would say the surrounding during the night is a little scary and dangerous so I recommend you to not go alone BUT other than that, PERFECT!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Noodles Soup, Meatballs and Slice Meat Boat Noodle

Jess Liu

A very delicious Thai restaurant, including satay chicken skewers, crab fried rice, Pad Thai, and Thai milk tea. Every dish is rich in flavor, but the security in the area where it is located is not very good.

Food: 5

Jeremy Cole

Spicy food + beer in a casual environment. One of the better thai places in the city!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Alan T

My friend and I came here for lunch and it never disappoints. I have been here numerous times and the service is always great. I have ordered Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Basil Duck here and they are all super flavorful and came in decent portion. The spice they put is heaven for spicy lover because they somehow made spicy food flavorful. We will be back again to try other fishes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Duck Basil new57 La

Cindy Munoz

First and foremost price vs taste 5 stars without question. If you need a quick fill up while exploring the city or mid day get me through you can not go wrong. I had the combination #2 individually the flavors and balance of each portion of the meal is great. I've had bad curry before and this one is good not great. Everything on the plate was balanced well. My only complaint is plating. Next time I will ask for the salad to be plated separately. It's a great addition and needed if you want to clean your pallet. The problem I had was the vinegar spread into Pad Thai noodle and cut into the richness off the dish. I enjoyed the proportion of protein vs noodle and curry. This place gets 5 stars based on the amazing value. If the dishes were in the $20 range than I would be disappointed in single plate plating.Vegetarian options: Need to communicate this with server as many dishes have meat. Including fried won tons.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Salad, Pad Thai

R J

medium spicy was not very spicyinclusion of tomato and lettuce in the pad kee mao was interesting

Stan Smith

The closest thing you can get to feeling like you're in Thailand! The food is really authentic so be weary of your spice levels. The portion size is plentiful so expect to come in really hunger or you're walking out with leftovers. The price is a bargain for what you get so I highly recommend this awesome Zen Yai!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Katie H.

The atmosphere of this place isn't much to write home about, but the food is very good and reasonably priced. Ordered the Tom Kha, and it was one of the best (if not the best) I've ever had. The pad thai was solid as well. The service was prompt and friendly. We went back a second time on a 10 day trip, which says a lot in a city so rich with options.

Aaron Z.

I've been here a bunch of times over the years and it's consistent. Good food, good service, cute interior, and crappy surroundings (I'm in the neighborhood a lot and you'll need to step over poop and avoid inhaling crack on the way. That's just the truth).But the food! They have a full menu of Thai classics at excellent prices, but I like to go for the combo for a fun feast. Find a whole section for those on the menu.This time I got Zen Yai Combo 2: shrimp pad thai, chicken yellow curry, rice, fried wontons, and salad. Each component comes in a pretty large portion and it's all tasty, though they go light on heat. Luckily, you can request a condiment tray with several types of chili to Thai-it up. On top of all that, the combo is on the menu for under $14 right now. Unbeatable.

JULIA GUAN

Absolutely 5 stars ⭐️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Juan Guzman

Delicious food, I recommend it

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Combo 4, Rolls

Meghan H.

Zen Yai was recommended to me by a friend for its authentic thai cuisine. I was with a walk-in group of 12 and we were promptly seated. Service was friendly and accommodating of our large party size. I greatly enjoyed the Yellow Curry Chicken, and many of my friends who ordered the boat noodle would not stop raving about it. Next time I am in this party of the city I would love to go back and try more of the menu. I am reading other diner's reviews and realizing there is much more left in store for me at this restaurant!

Francis F.

Zen Yai, a hidden gem in the realm of Thai cuisine, proved to be a delightful culinary discovery. The boat noodle, a signature dish, showcased the restaurant's commitment to authenticity and flavor, while the BBQ chicken emerged as a standout, offering a delectable blend of smokiness and tenderness.However, what truly set Zen Yai apart was the affordable pricing. Despite delivering exceptional Thai flavors, the restaurant managed to maintain an impressively budget-friendly menu, adding to the overall appeal.In summary, Zen Yai is a must-visit for those seeking an authentic Thai dining experience without breaking the bank. From the flavorful boat noodle to the mouthwatering BBQ chicken, every dish exemplifies the restaurant's dedication to quality at an affordable price. It's indeed a gem worth exploring for a satisfying Thai feast.

Pearl R.

I love this Thai place! It's not in the best location but they have the best affordable and delicious boat noodles! They have a variety of dishes and they are one of the places that are very authentic. I recommend trying the boat noodles and the bbq pork with sticky rice!10/10

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