Thai Restaurants

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10,638 Thai Restaurants currently listed on Restaurantji

How Many Thai Restaurants Are There in the US?

Thai food is quite popular and widespread in America - according to Restaurantji, there are over 10,000 Thai restaurants in the United States. California is a state with the largest number of Thai food businesses - almost one in five Thai restaurants in the country is located in California (17,9%). Following California are Florida (7%), Texas (6,9%), New York (6,6%), Washington (5%), and Oregon (3,7%). At the bottom of the list of red curry lovers and pad thai enjoyers are Montana, Wyoming, Delaware, West Virginia, and both Dakotas - none of these states has more than 20 Thai restaurants.

There are 7 cities in the States with over 100 Thai establishments each: Los Angeles, CA; New York City, NY; Portland, OR; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA and Las Vegas, NV.

Americans love Thai food not only for its unique combinations of flavor but also for its pricing - 97% of all Thai restaurants are in the $ or $$ price zone, according to Restaurantji.

History of Thai Cuisine in the US

Thai people started coming to the United States after the Vietnam War ended in the 1970s, since Thailand was an ally of America during the war. Around 5,000 Thai immigrants had moved to the US by 1970, bringing their unique food with them.

Los Angeles became a hub for Thai food as many Thai immigrants settled there after Americans got interested in Thai culture in the 1960s. Thai students and restaurant owners flocked to LA. In 1972, the parents of the famous chef Jet Tila opened the first Thai grocery store called Bangkok Market. Before that, Thai cooks had to use Chinese ingredients for traditional dishes like Pad Thai and curries.

Why Thai Food Became Popular in America?

Thai cuisine's popularity greatly grew in the 1980s, partly because the Thai government promoted it worldwide. They trained chefs to open authentic Thai restaurants abroad to match the real flavors from Thailand. Marketing Thai food as an exotic experience with contrasting sweet, sour, salty and spicy tastes also made Americans want to try it as they looked for diverse foods. The Thai grocery in LA provided access to real ingredients. More cultural interactions between Americans and Thailand during the Cold War exposed people to Thai traditions and flavors too. Celebrities endorsing it in Hollywood helped make Thai food popular across the country.

The 4 Main Thai Cuisine Categories and Regions

Traditional Thai dishes fall into 4 main groups:

1. Tom (boiled dishes)

2. Yam (spicy salads)

3. Tam (pounded foods)

4. Kaeng (curries)

Techniques like deep-frying, stir-frying and steaming came from Chinese cuisine.

Thai food also has regional styles: northern, northeastern, central and southern. The north has milder flavors influenced by Burma with a preference for sticky rice. The northeast is very spicy with influence from Laos, often using fermented fish and shrimp. Central Thai food mixes north and south styles with the elaborate royal cuisine from the palaces. The most popular southern style uses lots of coconut milk and seafood.

What Makes Thai Food Unique?

Thai cuisine is known for contrasting hot and cold flavors, pairing spices with sweet citrus like lime and mango. The signature peanut sauce tastes sweet and savory.

Thai meals have many small shared dishes like salads, appetizers, curries, soups and a main dish with seafood, veggies or meat, then dessert. It's relatively healthy using fresh produce, meat and seafood, so it works for diets like vegan and vegetarian.

Most Popular Thai Dishes in the US and Canada

We at Restaurantji took every single positive review on every single Thai restaurant profile and counted which dishes people commend the most:

Red Curry

Red curry is a medium-spicy curry with a bright red color. The red color comes from red chili peppers. It also has garlic, coriander, shallots, cumin, lime leaves, and peppercorns. Like most Thai curries, it has creamy coconut milk, which gives it a sweet taste.

These places pop up the most when talking about a perfect Red curry:

Red Curry
Yellow Curry

Yellow curry is the richest and creamiest of the 3 main Thai curries. Coconut cream makes it less spicy, so it is the most popular curry outside of Thailand. Thai yellow curry is very old, from the 1300s. It was first made with beef or chicken and rice. Later, it had seafood, vegetables, and tofu added.

Restaurantji suggests to try Yellow curry here:

Yellow Curry
Green Curry

Green curry gets its flavor from green curry paste. This paste has green chilies, garlic, shrimp paste, shallots, peppercorns, lemongrass, limes, and cumin seeds. The curry is not sweeter than others, but it can be more flavorful than mild red curries.

These restaurants have the most positive comments on their Green curry:

Green Curry
Pad Thai

Pad Thai is maybe the most famous Thai dish. Pad Thai has stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and eggs. It often has tofu, chicken, or shrimp plus peanuts, onions, fish sauce, and sprouts. Pad Thai is sweet and sour, not spicy, so most people like it.

According to Restaurantji, the best Pad Thai is served here:

Pad Thai
Mango Sticky Rice

This is a beloved Thai dessert! Sticky rice is naturally sweet. Restaurants serve it with sweet coconut cream sauce. The key part is fresh mango slices, so it is often seasonal.

The best rated Mango Sticky Rice according to Restaurantji restaurant reviews:

Mango Sticky Rice
Drunken Noodles

This dish is from central Thailand. People debate why it's called "drunken" noodles. Some say it's good with beer, others say it cures hangovers! The main ingredients are wide, flat rice noodles, chicken or beef, onions, garlic, chili peppers, basil, fish sauce, and oyster sauce.

Users recommend these places for the best Drunken Noodles:

Drunken Noodles

What is Royal Thai Cuisine?

Royal Thai cuisine follows strict rules with the freshest premium ingredients and perfectly balanced, not extremely spicy, flavors. Historically it used exclusive rare spices, fruits and herbs for the royal court. It originated in the ancient Ayutthaya kingdom and survived political changes, becoming an important diplomatic tradition.

Must-Try Restaurants

“We had a great time at this restaurant, it was our first time. The servers deserve the biggest tip percentage cos they were all nice and accommodating, e...”

4.9 Superb654 Reviews

“The first time I went to this restaurant I was very happy. The food was flavorful and the ambiance and service was great. I had family coming over and wa...”

4.9 Superb556 Reviews

“I really enjoyed the crispy chicken pad kee mao and duck salad! Service was very good. Place is comfortable.”

4.9 Superb537 Reviews

“Bua Thai was truly an amazing experience! Great service. From the food, to the delicious unique drinks, and ambience. My favorite were the Crab Rangoons ...”

4.8 Superb2629 Reviews

“Best Thai food I've had in years. We got the Khao Soi and Crispy Chicken to go. Both were amazing. The Khao Soi was *chefs kiss* . I could have that...”

4.9 Superb382 Reviews

“I'm Thai and I went to many Thai restaurants. But I have to say this is the best Thai restaurant in SLC. Staff are friendly and nice. OMG food is so...”

4.9 Superb275 Reviews

“Delicious take on hainanese chicken rice (a little different compared to Singaporean chicken rice, but it's a yummy twist!) & the dessert was wo...”

4.9 Superb273 Reviews

“Pattaya has easily become one of our favorite restaurants! They are outstanding their onion soup to their sushi. Not to be missed!”

4.9 Superb272 Reviews

“Great food! Crying tiger did not disappoint! Super convenient when you’re around the neighborhood for a broadway show.”

4.8 Superb678 Reviews

“Wow! I loved this place. Great variety of dishes and everything we ordered was amazing. Haven't found a Thai and Sushi this good at the same restaur...”

4.9 Superb270 Reviews

“Amazing food and such a beautiful family with genuine kindness and service. Food is top notch every single time and the ambiance is lovely, clean and fri...”

4.9 Superb267 Reviews

“Amazing Thai food! The drunken noodles are exceptional. Would definitely recommend and will be back.”

4.8 Superb631 Reviews

“We didn't intend to eat here. We planned on going to another restaurant Nextdoor. But then we went in and the owner was so friendly and convinced us...”

4.9 Superb262 Reviews

“The best beef panang around. Slow cooked. Great flavor. Homestyle. Love it !!!!! Cant get enough of it.”

4.9 Superb262 Reviews

““I recently visited Taste of thai restaurant, The flavours here are simply amazing—authentic, fresh, and full of the rich taste of traditional Thai s...”

4.9 Superb250 Reviews

Recently Opened Restaurants

“My partner and I really enjoyed the food at Ugly Baby so we were excited to hear of the opening of Hungry Thirsty. We were lucky enough to be able to sec...”

4.8 Superb41 Reviews

“Should have listened to the reviews... but thought I would give it a chance given how much I enjoy other Quality Branded restaurants. Service is a TOTAL ...”

4.2 Good46 Reviews

“We were looking for a Thai restaurant that offered more of a sit down setting than a bare bones take out place. We went around 6 pm and were seated pr...”

4.9 Superb32 Reviews

“The food is absolutely delicious, and the decor and atmosphere are fantastic. We rarely visit the same restaurant twice in a short period, but we’d gladl...”

4.4 Superb73 Reviews

“Tam Mai Thai staff were super helpful picking what to try and very attentive. All the dishes I had were authentic and served hot. The pineapple fried ric...”

4.9 Superb128 Reviews

“I ate there a few days ago and it’s delicious. Fresh ingredients, nicely prepared. I had the green curry and the pad prik king. Very friendly staff as ...”

4.9 Superb22 Reviews

“Came here for a lovely dinner! Immediately I was charmed by the cute decor - their menus are inside books so it looks like you're reading when you&#...”

4.5 Superb90 Reviews

“Formerly located at West Side Bazaar, now on Allen Street. Amazing food. They're relatively new there, I think only 3 months. They were understaffe...”

5 Superb33 Reviews

“Awesome new Thai spot. The owner is super kind and personable and everything we’ve ordered from there so far has been amazing in quality and freshness. S...”

5 Superb10 Reviews

“Such an adorable spot! The food was delicious and the service was top notch. Highly recommend!!”

4.8 Superb51 Reviews

“This place is an absolute joke. They kept the doors locked during their posted business hours, and although the staff could clearly see us struggling to ...”

2.3 Poor3 Reviews

“The food here is so good. Atmosphere is a little stark, but the service and food more than make up for it”

4.5 Superb71 Reviews

“Amazing restaurant!!! Workers were polite, amazing atmosphere!!! Highly recommend!!!!”

4.7 Superb134 Reviews

“The service and food was good. My complaint is only about one of the servers in the restaurant. I am chaperoning a college trip and everything was fine u...”

4.7 Superb101 Reviews

“We love Thai Twist Noodle House! The food is incredible. We’ve tried a few things on the menu (Pad See Ew, Pad Woon Sen, Pad Thai, Panang Curry and Thai ...”

4.6 Superb74 Reviews

Recent Reviews

“We have eaten at this place several times and it has been good. we were there on Feb. 18 for my wife's birthday. The dinning room was not heated, so...”

4.5 Superb158 Reviews

“We stopped there for lunch today. My husband had spicy fried catfish and I had stir fried rice and broccoli beef. It was excellent! My husband had nev...”

4.6 Superb344 Reviews

“we did our 1st DoorDash from Bai Tong...very impressed- the food was excellent, soup was temp hot, everything was complete & correct and Im sure they...”

4.4 Superb140 Reviews

“Currently the best Thai food in Sevier County, bar none. Good service, authentic dishes.”

3.7 Good77 Reviews

“I ordered the Chicken Fried rice thru DineIn on 2/9 and thought I received the wrong order as there were no vegetables at all, different rice and raisens...”

4.2 Good41 Reviews

“You gotta try this spot. By far the best Thai food in the Huntsville area. Authentic, delicious, and affordable. We're definitely going to be regula...”

4.8 Superb36 Reviews

“I walked in and noticed a clean, calm, pleasant atmosphere. I was greeted by the very cheerful Audrey. She recommended the stir fry and took my order. I ...”

4.4 Superb231 Reviews

“I've been sick and haven't been able to go and have my favorite tuna salad I know I should have went and got some great miso soup it probably w...”

4.1 Good37 Reviews

“Have eaten and like Thi Food for years. This place is NO GOOD! Terrible food which is not what wait staff describe on Asking. My food SO SALTY UNEDIA...”

4.2 Good23 Reviews

“I ordered the Thai Pho soup it was terrible. The noodles were too soft and could not even pick them up to wrap around the fork . And had no taste. I have...”

4.6 Superb121 Reviews

“If you live local to Blue Mango, you would do yourself a favor by giving it a try. Elevated Asian food! We always feel satisfied but NOT overly full. ...”

4.6 Superb100 Reviews

“Best Thai food in Somerille. Recommend Khao Soi the best”

4.4 Superb101 Reviews

Recently Updated Menus

“Best Thai food. I love the freshness of the orange chicken. The service provided by Polly is the greatest around. Polly and her husband just moved into t...”

4.8 Superb63 Reviews

“the food here is AMAZING. i am visiting Arizona for a week right now and the thai place i frequent in my hometown is really good, so i was walking into t...”

4.7 Superb122 Reviews

“This place is great, the food the employees, my number one dish I enjoy the most here, is their wonton soup. Oh man is it good, check them out and give t...”

4.6 Superb79 Reviews

“WOW! This place is a GEM. If you like Thai, you must go here. My mom loved the Crab fried rice. I got a noodle dish with a lot of basil. It was excellent...”

4.5 Superb98 Reviews

“This was our first time dining at Banana Leaf. We celebrated a birthday with a group of 12 and we opted for the brunch menu and bottomless mimosa. The se...”

4.2 Good192 Reviews

“The food was ok. I wouldn’t call it traditional Thai food though if that is what you are looking for. Our Pad Thai had green beans and carrots in it alon...”

4.5 Superb73 Reviews

“I love this place so friendly such amazing food a highlight every time. My favorite Thai restaurant in the ”

5 Superb27 Reviews

“A friend suggested this place which is a bit of a drive for us. But we are always up to try a different Thai restaurant. See photos. The vegetables were ...”

4.4 Superb80 Reviews

“The service was good. The waitress was very prompt with getting my order, and very friendly. The food I ordered to go was absolutely perfect, made to ord...”

4.5 Superb70 Reviews

“Service was incredible, Morgan and Lauren were super nice and helpful! My party got the cashew chicken, yellow curry, pad thai, and pad kee mao. Would re...”

4.8 Superb115 Reviews

“I was looking forward to some good chicken fried rice. It was okay. I ordered take out for lunch and the price for a RICE dish was too high (lunch speci...”

3.5 Good75 Reviews

“Nana Sushi Thai in Evergreen is a true hidden gem, offering some of the most delicious Japanese and Thai food around. I recently moved back to Colorado a...”

4.9 Superb122 Reviews

“Thai Tea 10/10 better than most boba shops I've been to. Also the peanut sauce with the springs rolls is super yummy. The customer service was great...”

4.6 Superb71 Reviews

“Was good, but I ordered during lunch the spicy chicken with sticky rice and it didn't come with a lot of meat at all. I'm a lite disappointed b...”

2.8 Average25 Reviews

“Amazing dining experience overall! Nice place, and the Superman rolls, basil beef are really good. They even prepared the mochi cake after knowing it’s m...”

4.4 Superb54 Reviews

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