The Best Thai Food Around Seattle Southside

Seattle Southside's Best Thai Restaurants

From an exotic treat to a mainstay of cuisine, Thai food has made itself at home in America's delicious multicultural food landscape. If you're craving favorites like Pad Thai, Yellow Curry, and Tom Yum soup, we know the best places to hit up around town.

While dishes like Larb, Pad See Iew, and Khao Pad may have once been hard to find, today it seems like Thai cuisine staples are more and more common. More than 10,000 Thai restaurants have opened up across the U.S., in spite of the fact that the Thai population only makes up about 0.1% of the U.S. population. With the rise in takeout popularity during the pandemic, Thai restaurants have become as much a mainstay of the dining rotation as many other cuisines. Here in Seattle Southside, where we're lucky to be home to one of the top ten most diverse ZIP Codes in the U.S., we're proud to have multiple Thai restaurants that call us home, so if you've got a hankering for that perfect balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and savory, we know just the place.

Chontong Thai
Bai Tong
Simply Thai
Mango Thai
Dee Des Moines Thai
Mali Thai
Honorable Mentions

Chontong Thai

The name 'Chontong,' which translates to 'Golden Spoon' in Thai, reflects a heritage of excellence, much like the term 'silver spoon' suggests privilege in English. Dining at Chontong Thai Cuisine in SeaTac is an experience that elevates everyday dining with its sumptuous offerings.

The restaurant prides itself on its authentic, home-cooked recipes and the kind of warm hospitality that makes every guest feel like part of the family. Their peanut sauce is especially delicious, so we highly recommend their Swimming Rama, but you can't go wrong here, whether you're dining in, taking food to go, or having an event catered.

Bai Tong

A former Thai Airways flight attendant opened the original Bai Tong--a modest restaurant close to the Seattle Tacoma International Airport--and named it after the Thai word for "banana leaf." Initially designed to serve Thai Airways crew members authentic Thai meals prepared to remind them of home, this spot may not look like much from the outside, but the luxuriously appointed interior will make you feel like you've taken a step outside of your everyday.

Today, you can enjoy this elevated taste of home as both dine-in and take-out. We highly recommend the Gai Hor Bai Toey, chicken wrapped in a pandan leaf and served with a sweet dipping sauce.

Simply Thai

The name Simply Thai is very fitting, with their straightforward menu of Thai standards that satisfy. But don't let the simplicity fool you, as that simple menu ensures a high level of quality on every dish, with standards set by royalty. Executive Chef Nita Moore brings a rich culinary heritage to the table, with roots that trace back to the royal kitchens of Laos. Her family, having served the Laotian monarchy for generations, passed down their cherished recipes and traditional cooking methods to her. Nita's approach to cuisine is deeply influenced by these time-honored practices, utilizing fresh, local ingredients to create dishes that honor her ancestral legacy.

Their signature Simply Thai Noodles are anything but basic. With wide egg noodles, your choice of protein, and a mix of lime, roasted garlic, bean sprouts, peanuts, and green onions, it's a dish that turns simple ingredients into something special.

Mango Thai

Located just across the street from Doubletree by Hilton Seattle Airport is Mango Thai Cuisine & Bar, a family-run business with more than 30 years of serving Thai food around the Seattle area. Stepping inside, you're in for a surprise you might not expect from its unassuming exterior. The modern but comfortable vibe sets the stage for a menu that's equally as modern and homey.

With fresh and delicious takes on the classics, there are no wrong choices on this menu. However, if you have a little bit of extra time, their crispy duck is more than worth the 20-minute wait they advise you about on the menu, trust us on this!

Dee Des Moines Thai

Dee Des Moines Thai Cuisine is a hidden gem tucked away in Des Moines, with a focus on authenticity, friendly service, and fresh flavors. Their cozy atmosphere makes you feel right at home, and their food is just as comforting as the ambiance. While they're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can catch them the rest of the week for authentic flavors, and perhaps the best crispy garlic chicken in town.

Mali Thai

Mali Thai is named for the youngest daughter of the family that runs this bamboo-adorned spot in Tukwila. Owner Joe Lee and his wife started out cooking at home, with everyone always asking for seconds, before they realized their dream of opening their own restaurant once the kids were fully grown.

Their Crying Tiger salad is a spicy and delicious steak salad that's refreshing and sure to satisfy.

Honorable Mentions

These spots may not be full-service restaurants but still deserve a mention for bringing the flavor to Seattle Southside.

Ruby Thai is tucked away in the food court at Westfield Southcenter Mall and is a great stop for Thai flavors mid-shopping spree! Their quick and friendly service makes this fast casual experience an easy way to slip in a taste of Thai flavors in the middle of your busy mall adventure.

Got an event coming up and want a taste of Thailand? Thai Street Gourmet is a company that excels at bringing Thai street food flavors to the world of catering, with a specialty in Satay-style skewers and other small bites that are inspired by your favorite Thai flavors.

Christy Maggio

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