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
Best thai boat I ever had in the state. It's even better than most thai boat in Thailand. Always have to make a stop to this place whenever I visit SF. Their other dishes are good too but thai boat is my favorites. They also sell thai desert at the counter too, which I loved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Khao Mun Gai
Johanan Sowah
I ordered the Zen Yai Fresh Rolls and specifically asked for the vegetarian option. Instead they got my order wrong and gave me the rolls with shrimp instead.I realized the mistake this partway into the meal. Was very upset and won’t be going back. At least they removed the order from the final bill.
Arun Gandikota
It’s really good food for the value — like the other reviews have mentioned, the combination boat noodles are pretty good (beef, egg noodles)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amitha Pious
The fresh rolls were too thick and wrapped in rice dough layer. The same filling in thinner paper roll would taste better. Chicken satay was okay. Overall it was okay.
Diana B.
The place is kind of in a sketchy area. Lots of homeless people around. I came during APEC week so they moved all homeless people away from union square area to other areas. Clean place. Kinda like a hole in a wall but it's not. Sat down quickly and ordered quickly. Staff was friendly and attentive. Maybe 4-5 other customers at the time. Went around lunch time. Was a party of 1 and order Thai boat noodles combination. I got the beef and pork. I subbed the beef slices for ground pork. I'll probably ask for ground chicken next time. I wish they had tripe and intestine in it too. This is real authentic Thai boat noodles. I've been to so many places and they mainly use the boat noodle paste. Comes with lots of meat. Honestly you can share a large bowl with a friend and order another dish. I wanted to order more but I know I wouldn't eat all my food. If you do not like liver, get the one with meat only. The price is very decent and not expensive at all. I would definitely be coming back to try other foods and order this again.
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
medium spicy was not very spicyinclusion of tomato and lettuce in the pad kee mao was interesting
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
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.
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.
Absolutely 5 stars ⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food, I recommend it
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Combo 4, Rolls
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!
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.
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
Restaurantji Recommends
Best thai boat I ever had in the state. It's even better than most thai boat in Thailand. Always have to make a stop to this place whenever I visit SF. Their other dishes are good too but thai boat is my favorites. They also sell thai desert at the counter too, which I loved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Khao Mun Gai
I ordered the Zen Yai Fresh Rolls and specifically asked for the vegetarian option. Instead they got my order wrong and gave me the rolls with shrimp instead.I realized the mistake this partway into the meal. Was very upset and won’t be going back. At least they removed the order from the final bill.
It’s really good food for the value — like the other reviews have mentioned, the combination boat noodles are pretty good (beef, egg noodles)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The fresh rolls were too thick and wrapped in rice dough layer. The same filling in thinner paper roll would taste better. Chicken satay was okay. Overall it was okay.
The place is kind of in a sketchy area. Lots of homeless people around. I came during APEC week so they moved all homeless people away from union square area to other areas. Clean place. Kinda like a hole in a wall but it's not. Sat down quickly and ordered quickly. Staff was friendly and attentive. Maybe 4-5 other customers at the time. Went around lunch time. Was a party of 1 and order Thai boat noodles combination. I got the beef and pork. I subbed the beef slices for ground pork. I'll probably ask for ground chicken next time. I wish they had tripe and intestine in it too. This is real authentic Thai boat noodles. I've been to so many places and they mainly use the boat noodle paste. Comes with lots of meat. Honestly you can share a large bowl with a friend and order another dish. I wanted to order more but I know I wouldn't eat all my food. If you do not like liver, get the one with meat only. The price is very decent and not expensive at all. I would definitely be coming back to try other foods and order this again.