Khao Tiew
About This Spot
Stepping into Khao Tiew in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood is like slipping into a warm, bustling nook where rich aromas and hearty conversations mingle effortlessly. The small dining room hums with a gentle urgency—there’s a rhythm here shaped by anticipation and satisfaction, where strangers often end up sharing tables, drawn together by a shared craving for something deeply comforting and vividly fresh.
This is a place where moments unfold naturally, whether you’re arriving early to beat the crowd or settling in after a brief wait that’s part of the ritual. The atmosphere strikes a balance between casual energy and intimate connection; you feel the pulse of a spot beloved by locals who keep returning not just for a meal, but for the genuine human moments that accompany it.
The menu at Khao Tiew invites you on a layered journey through Thai flavors with a thoughtful twist. Here, traditional dishes are both familiar and surprising—the kind of food that lingers in memory long after you leave. Imagine the subtle richness of a slow-cooked duck curry mingling with the bright, lively spice of a papaya salad, or the unexpected delight of coconut ice cream paired with a crisp, buttery Kaya toast. Whether it’s a comforting noodle bowl or a lively seafood soup, each bite seems to hold the warmth of home alongside an adventurous spirit.
Part of the charm lies in how mealtime becomes a shared experience; the buzz of anticipation complements the communal nature of the space. It’s easy to find yourself chatting with nearby diners, swapping impressions of the nuanced flavors and dishes that surprise and satisfy.
Khao Tiew isn’t just about eating Thai food—it’s about the stories that unfold around the table, the serendipity of discovery, and the quiet joy of savoring something crafted with care in a place that feels unpretentious yet singularly special. Whether you’re a neighborhood regular or a curious first-timer, there’s a comforting sense here that good food nourishes us all—body, soul, and connection alike.
What’s Available Here
-
Identifies as Asian-owned - Identifies as women-owned
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Transgender safe space
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Free of charge street parking
- Paid street parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Friday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Saturday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM |
Guest Reviews
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O KERVEROS
Karl Rojas 05 Jan 2026
It's funny because we found this place from a random short in YouTube, but the food was really good - probably the top 3 best things we tried were the Moo Hong, the Kaya toast, and Khao Soi Pad Haeng. We went right at open and lined up around 3:20 and we were 8th in line. By the time it was 4 PM the line was at the end of the block. And we were already being seated. I would wait at this place for maybe 30 minutes tops, but it definitely was a good experience. Food wasn't really spicy enough would be my only complaint, but it mostly felt like Thai fusion which isn't a bad thing, but you shouldn't expect traditional Thai cuisine coming here.
David Shen 23 Dec 2025
Need to share a table? DO IT AND STOP COMPLAINING BC ITS WORTH IT! Khao Soy and the beef dish along with the duck egg noodles were so good! COCONUT CREAM ICE CREAM ON CRÈME BRÛLÉE TOAST? Must have. don’t sleep on these amazing dishes.
Daksh Jain 10 Nov 2025
Got on the waitlist at 4:20 pm on Saturday. I was 36th on the Yelp list and got seated around 6:55 pm (party of two). It was nice not having to stand in line, since we could walk around while we waited. You do need to show up in person to join the Yelp waitlist, and they’ll call you when it’s your turn. If you arrive before 4 you might skip most of the wait, but it’s best to get there as close to opening as you can. The waitlist was around 150 people when we left. We ordered the Tom Gai Bai Ma Kham, the Khao Soi with fried chicken, and the Khao Pad Mun Nuer with a soy cured egg yolk. The Tom Gai Bai Ma Kham was excellent. Really fragrant and fresh, with lots of acidity and spice. The portion was generous and had a good amount of meat. The Khao Soi was also great. The broth was creamy with a lot of depth and the noodles were cooked perfectly. I’ve tried this dish elsewhere but this version was easily the best. The Khao Pad Mun Nuer was a bit disappointing. There wasn’t much steak and the ratio of meat to rice felt off, with way too much rice. The steak had a nice smoky flavor but the dish ended up feeling pretty one note. The atmosphere was nice and not too crowded, with fun Thai posters and decor. Overall, if you pick the right dishes and come early, the food is worth the wait and the prices are pretty reasonable.
Vikram 21 Oct 2025
Fair warning - this place is always busy. We had a 90 minute wait time for a party of 2 at 7pm on a Friday night. The great news is that this place is just around the corner from some great bars in West Portal (philosopher’s club, McCarthy’s) so you can just grab some drinks while you wait. The food was great and the dessert (burnt butter Kaya toast) was incredible and a very large portion. Overall, great food in a great neighborhood
Allison L. 01 Oct 2025
Service was great with a kind and attentive team! Food was good with a particular shout out to the khao soi and duck curry (much debate as to which was a fav amongst friends). The Kaya toast was a clear winner out of everything. And pad see ew was a surprisingly good contender that one south bay area local said was the best they've had. Tom yum was good but not the best I've ever had. Still a delicious dish on a cold, rainy winter day. The spicy wonton was decent, we enjoyed the sauce.
Anthony Giang 21 Sep 2025
On a cold Wednesday evening in October, I was hoping for a delicious date night spot and Khao Tiew delivered. Though relatively new, this place has received a lot of acclaim for the food and because of that I knew I had to try it out for myself. After joining the waitlist (YOU MUST BE WITHIN 1 MILE TO JOIN), we had about 45 minutes to wait around 6:00. However we blew by that time by hanging out and checking out shops in West Portal, which unfortunately were mostly closed by that time. Anyways, after getting seated inside we decided on the Crab Fried Rice in a Claypot, the Khao Soi, the Duck Breast Red Curry, and the Crispy Papaya Salad. I enjoyed everything a lot. The crab fried rice was rich and had a really nice savory and subtle sweet flavor. The Khao Soi was probably the best I’ve ever had and it honestly did not even need the meat add on. The Duck Breast Red Curry was surprisingly fresh and rich, while the duck was super tender. Finally, the Crispy Papaya Salad was really unique and I've never had a papaya salad in this form. What we ordered was more than enough for 3 people, so I wouldn’t do much more than that. Anyways, I am super glad we came and I will definitely recommend this place as one of the best thai foods I have had in the bay.
Jia (꼬부기&쵸비) 21 Sep 2025
This place is absolutely worth the wait. It’s unbelievably delicious, please please try it. You won’t regret it. I had been craving the Khao Soi I fell in love with in Chiang Mai, and since it’s so hard to find a great one here, I came to try theirs. The Khao Soi was decent but pretty standard, nothing mind blowing. But the Steak Fried Rice? OMG. It hits you in the best, most addictive way possible. Insane flavor bomb. And the Kaya Toast? The combination of the warm toast, the kaya jam, and the coconut sticky ice cream is sooo good. Truly unforgettable. If there’s one place you absolutely cannot skip, it’s this one. We showed up on Saturday at 3:30, about 30 minutes before they opened, and the first round filled up right in front of us. We ended up getting seated for the second round at 4:45. And honestly, I’d do it again.