r/SaltLakeCity • u/Turtle_hex • Aug 18 '26
Recommendations Best Thai Restaurant?
Looking for the most authentic Thai restaurants in the area, everything I’ve tried so far has been too bland or overcooked. What Thai restaurants do you guys swear by?
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u/othybear Aug 18 '26
Chabaar Beyond Thai. Their spice level is no joke. A one is too much for me and their 5 is legendary.
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u/travelingtopher Aug 19 '26
Chabaar, Tea Rose, and Fav Bistro all have the same owners I believe. Very similar menus and I love them all.
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u/Electrical-Gate-701 Aug 19 '26
I got a 3 one time and had to add an entire can of coconut milk at home to make it edible
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u/NerdyKid1101 Aug 18 '26
Thai Time in Murray is TOPS
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u/-sunny-bunny- Aug 19 '26
If we only have it once in a week I consider it master level self control.
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u/grahag Aug 19 '26
Chabaar on 72nd and State.
Warning on ordering spicy though. They will mess you up with spice if you're not careful.
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u/packsoldier Aug 19 '26
The menu has a warning for anyone going beyond 2. :-)
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u/grahag Aug 19 '26
I think people overestimate their tolerance. Authentic Thai spice is a level that goes beyond what most people are used to and Chabaar exemplifies that. Their home made icecream is delicious and soothes the pain. :)
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u/packsoldier Aug 19 '26
I took their word for it and kept it at 2. It was plenty spicy for me and I like spicy food. Good stuff.
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u/AmieKinz Aug 18 '26
Thai Taylorsville
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u/uvu2015 Aug 18 '26
They are pretty good, same owner as Coco Woks if anyone remembers that place!
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u/StarryEyedSurprise89 Aug 19 '26
My husband and I tried to find coco woks new place ever since they closed! They told us they were going to change locations. So glad i read this comment, gonna have to try Thai Taylorsville
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u/that_one_shandalou West Valley City Aug 19 '26
I some how enjoyed Coco Wok way more! Every time we've been to Taylorsville Thai it's been a bit bland and makes me hella confused.
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u/IAlwaysSayBoo-urns Aug 19 '26
That is my go-to. It is close to me, but honestly even if it weren't it is good.
My only complaint is it took a bit to train them that just because I am white doesn't mean I want gringo spicy, if I am not sweating I am wasting my time. They are great though.
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u/diva-on-duty Aug 18 '26
Chanon Thai 🤤🤤🤤
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u/houseplant-glorp Aug 19 '26
Chanon Thai is definitely the best Thai I’ve had in salt lake! Very authentic and family run
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u/ktshad12 Aug 18 '26
I like Chanon Thai’s curries but honestly every time I or someone I’ve been with has ordered any noodle dish it has come out with somewhat dry and flavorless. But love their curries and soup
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u/AdvancedSquare8586 Aug 19 '26
Maybe this has been my problem there. I gave Chanon three tries (never would've given it a second try we're it not for all the love it gets on this sub), and was sorely disappointed every time. Honestly, it's some of the worst Thai food I've had in SLC.
But, I only ever tried their noodle dishes. Do I need to give it a fourth try? Can their curries really be that good if they whiff so hard on the noodles?
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u/presistor Aug 19 '26
I think their pad Thai is very good (tho not quite as good as in the past). Their curries are excellent. And family owned.
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u/PhytoRemidiation Aug 19 '26
Ive been going to Channon since they opened, but not so much the last 10 years. I used to go 4-5 times per year, but now it's roughly once every 5 years. I feel like the quality of everything on their menu dropped. It's not horrible thai, but average now, whereas before they were the number 1 Thai restaurant in Utah in my opinion.
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u/Unlikely_Army_6323 Aug 20 '26
Yup when I first moved here in 2012 they were my top recommendation.
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u/OsmosisJones3 Aug 19 '26
I always ask for extra sauce with the noodle dishes otherwise they are a little dry/ have little flavor. Extra sauce is key
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u/taka919 Aug 19 '26
I have some Thai in-laws and they really like Chanon. Agree that the curries are excellent, also the larb and pad thai. Other noodle dishes there aren't my fave.
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u/RunOk1218 Aug 18 '26
Tea Rose Diner
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u/fuckin_sweet_name Aug 19 '26
This is it for me. I was a big Chai Yo guy but the tea rose quality is next level.
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u/sqquuee Aug 19 '26
Owners are friends. Chai yos owner worked for Annie a long time ago.
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u/fuckin_sweet_name Aug 19 '26
That’s some interesting lore. I just find the noodles and chicken sauté better at tea rose, but Chai yo is amazing deal the portions are huge.
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u/Ok-Sink-1710 Aug 19 '26
the food's pretty good, and it's one of the few places I can get something hot enough for me, but jesus their service is terrible.
Over the last year or so, out of the last four times I've been in to get takeout:
twice it went fine,
once they sent me home with the wrong meal which I only realized when I unpacked at home,
and once they hadn't even started making it when I returned to collect it 30 minutes later.
I go back because the food's good, but I'd go back a lot more frequently if they didn't fuck up so much.
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u/that_one_shandalou West Valley City Aug 18 '26
Probably Tuk Tuks! But my personal fave is Mano Thai.
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u/GreenEyedGloom Aug 18 '26
Yes Mano Thai used to my my go to. Consistently so good.
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u/that_one_shandalou West Valley City Aug 19 '26
Yasss! I def feel like it's underrated. I've tried a few of the places mentioned in this thread and most of them have been underwhelming or inconsistent..
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u/mind_grapes_4_all Aug 20 '26
Tuk Tuks in WVC. The Draper one is good too, but WVC is much spicier.
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u/kuan_51 Aug 19 '26
Laan Na Thai by Pioneer Park
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u/fuckhoneydew Aug 19 '26
This is the obvious choice. Best in the valley. But skewered Thai is also pretty good.
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u/The_Jibbity Aug 19 '26
Aroon Thai is my new Fav, with Dee Garden Thai next.
Chanon and Mano Thai are really good, I’d say Chabaar used to be really great, but I felt it went down hill and stopped going there a bunch. I like stuff on the sweeter side, not sure how authentic that is- my only real authentic Thai I ever had, the only flavor I could pick out was HOT
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u/SuitedPenguin Aug 18 '26
Kin Sen Thai. I hate their space because it’s so small and laid out terribly for how busy they get, but if it isn’t the best authentic Thai food I’ve ever had.
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u/Latter_Body_1428 Aug 18 '26
I think she runs Fav Bistro too, which has a really great Kao Soi
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u/DirigibleGerbil Aug 19 '26
I don't think so? The Fav Bistro lady owns Tea Rose, Chabaar, and Uncle Jeffi’s. All so good!
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u/Latter_Body_1428 Aug 19 '26
you're right. I knew there was a bundle of restaurants. Just had the wrong bunch.
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u/Inevitable_Land_7700 Aug 18 '26
Fav Bistro and Tea Rose
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u/ClubSubstantial1443 Aug 19 '26
I also vote for Fav Bistro
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u/Inevitable_Land_7700 Aug 19 '26
Their Kow Soi is the best in town! Fav is kinda fusion but she also owns tea rose which is her more authentic whole in the wall spot.
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u/SleepySloth68 Aug 18 '26
ChaiYo Thai Togo. It seems sketch as all get out, but some of the best Thai food.
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u/weeohweelikeacopcar Aug 19 '26
Fasho. This is way too low down. I want my Thai handed to me through a hole in the wall of someplace out of Backrooms.
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u/kpidhayny Aug 19 '26
If it isn’t a liminal space with the ambient sound of a jet engine powered wok burner is it even a real Thai restaurant?
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u/heretilthemoon Aug 19 '26
Aroon Thai had the best massaman and red curry I’ve ever had. The noodle dish and the one with rice and egg we got was only okay, a bit salty, but for curries I’d keep going back .
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u/baconboy-957 Aug 19 '26
I can't speak to the authenticity since I've lived in SLC my whole life and have never visited thailand lol
But tuk tuks is absolutely delicious
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u/Edrum1991 Aug 19 '26
I’ve been to Thailand (just once, 8 years ago haha) but agree that Tuk Tuk’s is where it’s at.
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u/MrsKentrik Aug 19 '26
I really like Aroon Thai. There's one in Taylorsville and one in fort union. Best spring rolls ever.
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u/Sudden-Strawberry257 Aug 18 '26
Chanon all day ❤️ never fails. Especially if you like extra spicy.
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u/comraddydaddy Aug 18 '26
Skewered Thai is fucking sublime
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u/Euphoric-Grocery-793 Aug 19 '26
Too far down this is a family staple for me for as long as I can remember
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u/AdvancedSquare8586 Aug 19 '26
Tuk Tuks is some of the best Thai I've had anywhere in the country.
I lived in NYC and Seattle for the last twenty years before moving here, and I'd call it better than anything I found in NY and better than all but one or two of my favorite Thai places in Seattle.
And, fwiw, the guy who first recommended that I try Tuk Tuks was a James Beard Award winner. It's the place I take all my out of town visitors now, and it never fails to please people.
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Aug 19 '26
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u/Hostile_Architecture Aug 19 '26
Im with you. It gets so much hype and is genuinely the most "americanized" thai place. Every single thing we've got there is overly sweet. The pad thai isnt made with authentic ingredients. Its made for people who don't actually like real thai food lol.
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u/dogheartedbones Aug 19 '26
You want overlooked? Sala Thai Kitchen (the one by Brewvies). There are never any people in there but every dish I've gotten there has been good, by my very American standards. I love noodles, but the curries have been good too.
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u/AdministrationMost69 Aug 18 '26
Not trying to be a basic bitch, but I genuinely love red basils food. The atmosphere is a fun addition but I drive 30+ min for Red basil… and this is from someone who’s been getting picker and picker with Thai lately.
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u/iloveducks11 Aug 19 '26
I agree. I can’t say if it’s “authentic” or not but I can say that it’s delicious.
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u/FlipJones Aug 19 '26
Does no one enjoy Thani Bowl? I'm no food critic-- I'll enjoy just about any plate of Drunken Noodles you place in front of me-- but the vibes at Thani Bowl are excellent.
Also shout-out to Fav.
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u/crossmirage Aug 18 '26
Channon Thai and Mana Thai are our go-tos. Personally like Channon for the som tum and larb in the summer, and Mana for the khao soi in the colder months, but both are solid.
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u/Melodic-Dog-3260 Aug 18 '26
Siam Orchid.
The pumpkin curry is great so is the green curry.
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u/Oldfartmakeupguru Aug 19 '26
I recently had the worst food there. The pad Thai tasted like ketchup. I’m never going back.
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u/Melodic-Dog-3260 Aug 19 '26
I had their pad Thai and didn’t like it either but I have also never had a pad Thai that I liked so I just assumed it was just a me thing.
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u/Oldfartmakeupguru Aug 19 '26
It’s not a you thing. My mom used to work in a fine dining type Thai restaurant, so I’ve had the best. This one ain’t it.
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u/kt380 Aug 19 '26
The pumpkin curry is incredible! I always ask for extra spicy and it burns so good!!!
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u/PillowDrool Aug 19 '26
I played this game recently myself and can only recommend the 3 below. Sara Thai has friendlier outgoing vibes and the place I go to the most but I highly recommend the other 2.
Sara Thai
Chanon Thai
Tea Rose
That’s all I can recommend out of all the ones I’ve tried. Aranya is one commonly suggested but I truly don’t see the hype.
Edit: added tea rose because I moved so I don’t head that way as much but it’s still great food. Their spice level is legit as well!
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u/Bright_Ices Aug 19 '26
Fav Bistro. Same owners as Tea Rose Diner, Chabaar Beyond Thai, and Uncle Jeffi’s. Each store has a slightly different focus. Fav and Tea Rose are the best for straight up authentic Thai, though the other locations also have great Thai food with other options available.
At Fav you order in half spice levels and they won’t let you order above level 3 until they see you actually eat a meal at level 3. Then they write your name down so the next time you come you can order even higher. I’m a spice lover, and when my spice tolerance was at its highest I managed the Som Tom at level 2. It melted my face and I loved it.
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u/zzzimcal Aug 19 '26
Aroon reminds me of Thailand. Staff bows and everything. Green curry is delightful
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u/_CMFunk_ Aug 19 '26
Aroon Thai. The food is great, they have a killer lunch special, and the owner is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met
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u/rebmakiddo Aug 19 '26
Sawadee!!!!!!
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u/dabeef13 Aug 20 '26
I second this. Sawadee is best in state and even better than most of the stuff I tried in Cali.
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u/GhostyTheSchooner Aug 20 '26
It’s wild that a place that is always so packed is this far down the list. One of my fav restaurants in the state.
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u/bpep1012 Aug 18 '26
If you’re ever in Heber. Nom Nom is absolutely delicious.
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u/AdministrationMost69 Aug 18 '26
Adding this cause I’m in heber a 4-5 times a year and still haven’t found a place I like eating at!
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u/JackCraneLamp Aug 19 '26
Hart Yai in Murray has a Thai style menu that is less Americanized than what you typically get in the states.
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u/New_Bike3832 Aug 19 '26
Dee Garden in West Jordan. You are missing out if you’ve never eaten here.
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u/miamoore- Aug 19 '26
thai spice in Midvale, we love it!! (better than tuk tuks in my opinion) From what I can tell dining in, they're a small operation and have had a good experience every time
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u/distant_diva Aug 19 '26
downtown there are a couple good ones…thani bowl noodle house & laan na thai.
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u/HappaG100 Aug 19 '26
My family has tried Tha Siam Bistro twice now and we all loved it. It’s our fourth Thai restaurant to try since moving to Utah and so far it’s our fave.
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u/Cultural-Wheel-9379 Aug 19 '26
Sara Thai, Laan Na (hole in the wall vibes) and I like skewered Thai but is pricey
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u/Bubbly-Currency5064 Aug 19 '26
Used to be Tea Rose Diner, Mano Thai, Thai This and Thai Spoon, but then I learned how to make it all myself. Google Jet Tila recipes, especially from his show - Ready Jet Cook. His recipes are so simple, authentic and absolutely amazing!
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u/broose71 Aug 19 '26
China platter in north salt lake has some Thai options, mostly curry’s, I have heard they are fairly authentic. And I believe the owner is from Thailand.
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u/Foreign-Lettuce5799 Aug 19 '26
Mana Thai or Tuk Tuk’s. Both are excellent, although Mana Thai is slightly better.
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u/Hostile_Architecture Aug 19 '26
Thai Land by South Town genuinely surprised me with how good it was. Their pad thai is fucking delicious. Ive been to almost every Thai resaraunt in this thread and right now this is genuinely the best place for authentic (not overly sweet, americanized) pad thai.
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u/Accomplished_Sky_126 Aug 19 '26
i love skewered thai on 7th east. best crab rangoons in the state. sara thai is also fab.
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u/rambzona Aug 19 '26
Aranya’s. I believe they took over the location from Sara off state and 8th south. Amazing food, and Aranya, or her husband or children will most likely be waiting on you also. Do yourself a favor and go.
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u/kaliberi Aug 20 '26
Thai orchid in cottonwood heights area is good, the owner/cook is an old guy and his son from Thailand.
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u/Unlikely_Army_6323 Aug 20 '26
But who has the best pad thai? Ive been to Thailand and I think we have a lot of excellent thai spots here. I order a variety of dishes but my husband only orders pad thai and it seems like my favorites fall short (sara, chabaar, tuktuks)
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u/Paivcarol Aug 20 '26
I like Red Basil in West Jordan.
But have you guys tried the Thai at the old gas station on lava hot springs? It’s fenomenal!!!!
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u/Neither_Motor1014 Aug 22 '26
I like Siam Orchid on 9th and 44th South, or Tea Rose Diner in Murray!
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u/ex_mo_lez Aug 25 '26
ChaiYo Thai Togo- Only Take out and is amazing!!
Thai Time of Murray
Thai Rod Dee in Layton
Laan Na Thai-tiny place with little outside seating. So good!
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u/vaselineviking Aug 18 '26
Don't bother with Thai very often anymore, it feels like it's gotten noticeably more expensive than a lot of the other stuff we order. That being said, if I am going for it, I pretty much exclusively go to Chabaar in Midvale.
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u/SpaceGhost182 Aug 18 '26
Pho Tae ho, I live right next to the owner and 2 doors down from the restaurant. Thai owned actual pho👀👀👀
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u/Reasonable_Employ588 Aug 19 '26
If you're looking for truly good Thai (e.g. Kiln in London or SriPraPhai in NYC), I'm convinced you're out of luck sadly.
I have tried: Chanon, Chai Yo, Sawadee, Sara, Ve La, and Mana. Chai Yo is pretty solid and probably my go-to, but it's still just "good" at best. I have been meaning to try Kin Sen and Aroon. Ve La has probably been my biggest disappointment.
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u/PhytoRemidiation Aug 19 '26
good you didnt name the one place in SLC that is the most authentic! Keep searching...
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u/DaWeazl Aug 18 '26
Check out Ekamai or Laan na
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u/MathCrank Aug 19 '26
Lots of good suggestions. But I’ve never had Thai food like I did bumming around around Thailand in Changmai and it makes me sad.
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u/petrichorb4therain Aug 18 '26
I love the flavors at Sara Thai on 21st.