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    Bangkok Chef - Manoa

    3.5 (331 reviews)
    ModerateThai
    Open 10:30 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Bangkok Chef - Manoa Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    BANGKOK CHEF - MANOA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Ala Carr Chicken Wings with cucumbers and sweet chili dipping sauce.
    Meleana L.

    Everyone is always so friendly when answering the phone for take out orders and dining in the casual eatery. Food portions are consistent in quality and quantity. Summer rolls with peanut sauce and Ala cart fried chicken are always a go to for a lunch or light dinner. Red chicken curry is our favorite as well as the spring rolls. We used to go to Bangkok chef Nu'uanu because of location. But Manoa is now our favorite.

    Outside front
    Jarod H.

    Five stars. Highly recommend. Business is Mauka of Manoa Marketplace and before the Manoa suburbs. Great location with plenty parking and it's not crowded, but has a steady stream of customers with good turnover. Seating is not available inside due to the pandemic conditions, so it's take out mainly. I always get the Pad Thai and Red Curry. Good stuff. The prices are very reasonable and the food is very ono. Always a great deal. All in all, if you want great Thai food, come to Bangkok Chef for a great treat!

    #latepost
    Alvin A.

    Bangkok Chef has excellent Thai food with flavorful flavors. Portion size is good and the price is very reasonable. You can request mild if 'spicy' dishes really aren't your cup of thai tea ;-) They seem to be doing a lot more take away than dine-in service so the place can get really busy at dinner time, but still they manage to get the food out quite fast in 10-15 mins. Lacking a liquor license, they don't serve alcohol, not even Singha Beer, but you are allowed to BYOB! I've been picking up from BC for many many years, I go to Manoa, Nimitz, or Nuuanu as they are in all in close proximity to home. Sorry for the #latereview lol

    Chicken red curry and sticky rice

    Yum! Walked in and ordered the chicken red curry with sticky rice to go. They have an ample amount of casual indoor seating. The workers were very nice and my order was ready in less than 10 minutes. The curry was temperature hot and they gave me a card board under my container which made it easier to carry. The curry was really tasty and not too spicy. Will be back!

    Menu as of April 2021
    Klemens T.

    We haven't eaten here in a long time. We ordered the Pad Ki Mao (spicy and slightly overcooked), Pad Thai (slightly overcooked, but flavorful), Chicken Fried Rice (soggy rice and not so good), Chicken Sateh (delicious with the peanut sauce too), Spring Rolls (delicious and meaty), and the House Deluxe (mango sherbet over warm sticky mochi rice which is delicious). The take out containers make the presentation not so presentable. The lady cashier was so friendly and pretty fast. The tables are cleaned for sanitation, but the flys were a but irritating. The parking lot is small and shared by other establishments.

    31. Spring Rolls
    Bryne N.

    Recently had lunch and it tasted great as usual but it's the little things that amaze me. I had ordered spring rolls and when I got back to the office I realized that they cut a hole in the top of the takeout container to let the steam out. It keeps the rolls nice and crispy, not soggy at all. This is something small but fantastic, having a restaurant take the time to do this small thing is great service that other restaurants need to take note.

    Green curry plate, chef's bowl special (lemongrass chicken + spring rolls on vermicelli), pad kee mau
    Lentina V.

    Of all the Bangkok Chef locations, we frequent the Manoa one the most. The one on S. King is probably closer to us but parking can be a challenge during non-COVID19 times since the lot is for a variety of businesses including the popular Sushi King and the gym (if it's still there). Parking at this location can be a tad tight as well since the lot is shared with Morning Glass Cafe and Finance Factors, but their schedules work out such that not all three are open at the same time. I found parking easily yesterday but the lot filled up quickly soon after, from people picking up takeouts, including a GrubHub driver. The restaurant can seat many but for parties with more than four have to sit at separate tables. Bathrooms are located on-site (outside the restaurant) and you'll need a key. Food taste/quality and portion size have been consistent in the (several) years we've patronized this location. Our favorites are pad ki mao (for me, it's like char kway teow -- if you know, you know) and lemongrass chicken (for the kid, takes longer to prep). We've tried all their curries and most of their stir-fries. The hubs doesn't have a favorite, but lately he's developed a distaste for eggplant (too mushy, he said, *eye-roll*), which then leaves out all the curries and stir-fries! We've also had their pho, chicken wings, and spring/summer rolls. They're all pretty good. Their prices are reasonable as well, most meals average $12. The one thing we haven't yet tried is their tapioca desserts. They have many flavors in a variety of colors, all displayed in the cooler next to the fountain drink dispenser. They also sell Thai cookies/snacks (I think). We've noticed that their takeout business is brisk even during non-COVID19 times. I like that they use reusable bento/takeout boxes instead of styrofoam or flimsy clamshell plastic containers (that cannot be reused for food purposes) some places use. We've collected so many of those and been using them for home lunches (at the office) and I've brought them (when I remember) to dinners/lunches when I expect to have leftovers. Service has been consistent as well. Don't expect service as you would from a fine dining restaurant. This is a mom-and-pop place where sometimes the cashier helps out in the kitchen and the phone seems to ring non-stop. I.e. they're human too. Yesterday, I accidentally ordered pad see ew (it's been a while!) and the lady cashier very graciously allowed me to change to pad ki mao (same price, $10.95) even though she had already informed the kitchen. (I had gone to the car to wait when I noticed my tip on Yelp!! But luckily the dish wasn't ready yet.) Overall, a solid two thumbs up from me. :)

    8. Yellow Curry
    Mishya J.

    Bangkok chef is always my go to place when I want comfort food. Curries are always tasty along with their spring rolls.... The only complaint I have is that the veggies that come with the spring rolls is now reduced to 2 leaves of romaine lettuce and the sauce. Before it used to come with 3 leaves, plus cucumbers, mint and other stuff. I guess times are hard.

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    Bangkok Chef - Manoa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bangkok Chef - Manoa

    Hey so it says that the hours for the Manoa location is also still open until 9pm during COVID 19.. but I just tried calling several times since about 8pm and drove past the restaurant but they were closed!!! It's Wednesday, not a holiday. Whatsup?

    When I went a few weeks ago (before they allowed dine in again), the lady said they close at 8:30pm.

    Do they cook with MSG?

    No, they don't. I just remembered to call and ask. :)

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    Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine

    Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine

    4.5
    (1k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine is a little oasis tucked away in downtown Honolulu. The beautiful outdoor…read moreseating with koi ponds, umbrellas, and string lights creates a peaceful atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the meal. If you're looking for authentic Lao food, this place definitely delivers. We ordered the Soop Noor Mai (bamboo shoot salad), Lao-style Som Tum, Beef Red Curry with jasmine rice, and Seen Haeng (beef jerky). The standout dish for me was the Soop Noor Mai. It was unlike anything I've had before, with an earthy, herbaceous flavor and plenty of texture from the shredded bamboo shoots, toasted rice powder, fresh herbs, and greens. Every bite had something different going on, making it both interesting and deeply satisfying. The Lao-style papaya salad was fresh, vibrant, and packed with bold flavors. The beef red curry was rich, creamy, and fragrant with tender beef that paired perfectly with the jasmine rice. The only dish that missed the mark for me was the Seen Haeng. While the flavor was good, the beef was cooked a little too long and ended up drier than I prefer. I personally like Lao beef jerky with a bit more tenderness and chew. Everything else was excellent, and the relaxing garden setting made the experience even better. If you're craving authentic Lao cuisine in Honolulu, Olay's is well worth a visit. I'll definitely be back to explore more of their menu.

    I come here frequently to order take out. This time I came with a friend and dined in. We ordered…read morethe Laotian stew, mixed vegetables and drunken noodles. All were flavorful but the mixed vege dish was quite salty. The drunken noodles were also saltier than the previous times I ordered. Service was friendly. They do add a 4% charge for using a credit card. The tip options shown on the receipt is based on total cost including tax and the credit card service charge.

    Photos
    Ambiance entrance
    Ambiance entrance
    Som  tum lao and sticky rice
    Som tum lao and sticky rice
    Fishcakes

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    Fishcakes
    Pattaya Thai

    Pattaya Thai

    4.0
    (165 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite late night eateries that ISN'T fast food! I love that they are open until 2am!…read moreIt's so hard to find good food after 10:00pm. Everything about this place is amazing... except maybe parking, but that's usually always a problem in Honolulu. However, I always get orders to-go, so I just end up parking on the street, picking up, and going on my merry way. If you decide to dine in, the ambiance is super cute with both indoor and outdoor seating. Last time I was there, they were expanding the outdoor seating. They also have a bar with bar seating inside. Their Pad Thai is perfect! Nice and moist without being soggy and definitely not dry. I like to request a side of yellow curry, which they usually accommodate because I like to dip my noodles in it. Service is always quick and simple.

    This place was recommended to me, so when I was craving Thai and needed to carbo-load for a race,…read moreit was a no brainer. It was time to give Pattaya a try. This, however, will probably be my first and last visit. The place is cute enough, with a large back garden area where I chose to dine. Service was also great. I appreciate the little button at the table that I could click for service. The food, however, was mediocre at best. My friend and I ordered the pad Thai with tofu, ginger chicken, chicken satay, and pork larb. The pad Thai was the best dish, but it was very tomatoey, which I did not expect. The chicken with ginger had very little chicken. It was mostly julienned vegetables, including celery which I do not care for. The chicken satay was kinda dry and most certainly needed the peanut sauce to make it palatable. The larb was very dry with very bland flavor, served on one lettuce leaf and a wedge of cabbage. How am I supposed to eat that? All of it was quite disappointing, especially for the price point. As I was eating this meal I remembered the Thai food truck at the end of Ward, where Fisherman's Pier used to be. Now THAT was some good Thai food. I guess that was the best thing about this meal-remembering where I could get really good Thai food-so that the next time I'm having a craving, I can go back over there...I hope it's still there.

    Photos
    Prep area
    Prep area
    Naked Shrimp
    Naked Shrimp
    Outdoor seating, fun ambiance even if located right on the corner

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    Outdoor seating, fun ambiance even if located right on the corner
    Thai Issan Cuisine

    Thai Issan Cuisine

    3.7
    (692 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Haven't had Thai food in a while so we voted to come here, especially since Market City parking…read morewasn't too bad. We opted for family style since we wanted to have different things and went for: -Pad see iew with tofu (very flavorful but portion was a bit on the smaller side... I thought they gave more before..) -Papaya salad (crunchy, fresh, and tart) -Sticky rice -Yellow Curry with chicken (delicious & coconut didn't overpower) -House fried chicken (crispy, juicy... and most pieces were boneless). We warmed up a little with the medium spice level papaya salad...and they don't mess around with their spices here. Thai spice is way more of an intense, painful heat than Korean chili peppers (in my opinion!). This dish even made my spice tolerant friend sweat a little but couldn't stop eating because everything was packed with flavor. Service was fast - I would definitely come back here (and maybe bring a jacket). At least I know the AC works here!

    Thai restaurant with great lunch special!…read more We got the pad thai with chicken and the lunch special. The lunch special comes with crispy chicken, salad, and your choice of curry - we got green. Everything were amazing and a great portion! We definitely had some leftovers. The lunch special is a bit inconspicuous on the menu so you have to look for it or know about it, but it's definitely worth it! The service was great and it was a cozy shop. One of our favorite Thai restaurants on the island!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    All da times we've eaten here, I always thought that da Spring Rolls were these? A'ole,I was ordering da Vegatarian Rolls, which R good 2.
    All da times we've eaten here, I always thought that da Spring Rolls were these? A'ole,I was ordering da Vegatarian Rolls, which R good 2.
    Dinner@Thai Issan Cuisine; 11/4/2023. I always order these.Egg Rolls, pretty tasty & Cruncy,Wrap 'em up w/lettuce & dip 'em in da Sauce. YUM

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    Dinner@Thai Issan Cuisine; 11/4/2023. I always order these.Egg Rolls, pretty tasty & Cruncy,Wrap 'em up w/lettuce & dip 'em in da Sauce. YUM
    Red Elephant

    Red Elephant

    4.0
    (334 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    For four Fridays in a row we dined here after yoga. It was our Friday thing for a minute to take…read moreclass, pick up a case or two of bevies, then check out a BYOB place within vicinity. My partner fell in LOVE with this place so we stopped sampling what's around and kept returning here. You cannot beat the space. This is the old Garlic Ninikuya location, the converted house on Waialae across from Times and Longs, that has the tree planted in the middle of the house. Seating is outside or inside, but we prefer outside. It gives oasis, even though you're right on a busy street, you feel like you've been transported someplace exotic as the tree and plants are accented with an. eclectic East Asian decor. The food is generous, although some of the plating can read pedestrian. We always get the Panang curry and try a different curry or dish along with it. The pricing is a dollar or two under most of the Thai restaurants around. Have I had better Thai food? Sure. But for an overall experience I so much prefer the serene setting here, as well as hearty portions, kind service, BYOB option, and supporting an independently run Kaimuki eatery. The food is good, I'd give it a 4. The atmosphere is a 5. Definitely do dine in. Fun as a pair or with a group.

    Came on a Monday afternoon. Got summer rolls, pad see ew, panang curry, and a Thai iced tea…read more This place is such a cute little hide away with a tree growing in the middle. The food was so good, all warm and delicious. Had a bit of a wait for the check but the atmosphere makes up for it. The host and server were attentive and sweet. This is such a cute hidden gem, I wish I knew about this place earlier in life. I'd love to come back.

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant.
    Inside the restaurant.
    27. Pa Nang Curry, 2. Spring Rolls 5. Fried Chicken 51. Pad Thai Noodles 62. Steamed Fish with Lime Juice
    27. Pa Nang Curry, 2. Spring Rolls 5. Fried Chicken 51. Pad Thai Noodles 62. Steamed Fish with Lime Juice
    Red Elephant

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    King of Thai Boat Noodles

    King of Thai Boat Noodles

    4.2
    (354 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    - opens late, which is rare for Honolulu - good authentic…read moreThai food, great flavor - service excellent. Super nice people and hospitable - good location, in the mix of all Waikiki things - nice interior with good a/c and spacious tables. Good ambiance

    Despite how busy it looked, we were seated almost immediately. The restaurant has a warm, inviting…read moreatmosphere where you can tell people come to enjoy family style meals together. It's on the smaller side, but the tables are spaced comfortably enough that you don't feel cramped. The menu is also extensive, with just about every popular Thai dish you could think of. Service was one of the highlights. The staff was attentive, friendly, and quick throughout the meal. Our Thai tea arrived almost immediately. I'm talking within a minute of ordering. It's definitely on the stronger side with less milk than most Thai teas, allowing the tea flavor to really shine through. It leans a bit sweeter than average, but the sweetness was balanced, and you could genuinely taste the freshly steeped tea leaves. The Thai boat noodles are what this restaurant is known for, so they were a must-order. Since it was my first time trying boat noodles, I figured this was the best place to experience them. I can definitely see why they're a customer favorite and would recommend ordering them if it's your first visit. The beef pad see ew surprised me. It was sweeter than most versions I've had, but it really worked. The noodles were cooked perfectly with great texture. My only complaint was the beef. It was a bit chewy and didn't match the quality of the noodles. The seafood tom yum was the biggest letdown. The broth itself was flavorful, but the seafood selection felt like a frozen mix rather than fresh ingredients. The mussels were already removed from their shells, the squid was chewy, and the soup included canned mushrooms instead of fresh ones, along with fish cakes and fish balls. It lacked the freshness I was hoping for. Overall, I left feeling that the proteins were the weakest part of the meal. The flavors, service, and atmosphere were all enjoyable, but the quality of the meat and seafood didn't quite stand out. That said, it's still a solid Thai restaurant, especially considering the options in Hawaii. Would I come back? I'm on the fence, but probably not

    Photos
    King of Thai Boat Noodles
    Roasted Duck over Rice
    Roasted Duck over Rice
    Pad Thai

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    Pad Thai
    Siam Garden Cafe

    Siam Garden Cafe

    4.0
    (983 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    It was getting a little late on a Sunday night... and by "late," I mean about 8:00 p.m.--which, for…read moreus old folks, is 10:30 p.m. in old people time. We couldn't decide what to eat until my wife finally said, "Let's go get Thai food at that place my sister and I tried about a month ago." I responded with a "K we go." I figured they were probably getting ready to close, but we lucked out, Siam Garden Café is now open until 10:00 p.m. on Sundays! Awwwwwriiite...!. Since it was later in the evening, there were only a few tables filled, so we were seated right away and had plenty of time to check out the menu. My wife already knew exactly what she wanted--the Thai Beef Salad. I had my eye on the Thai Fried Chicken, and we added an order of Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles). We requested it mild spicy--and definitely not Thai spicy, because we know better! There were a couple other things we wanted to try but we didn't want to overdo it with just the two of us. The food came out fast. First the Drunken Noodles, and wow... that was ono. The thick, chewy noodles reminded me a little of a chow/look fun, tossed in a a sauce with tender beef. Every bite was packed with flavor. Next came the Thai Beef Salad and the Thai Fried Chicken. The salad had that classic tangy dressing with vinegar and fish sauce that paired perfectly with the beef. If I had one small kine suggestion, it would be to add just a little more beef, but the flavors were on point. The fried chicken was cooked to crispy perfection--lightly seasoned so you could actually taste the chicken. Dipped into the Thai sweet chili sauce,you know the one, it was the perfect combination of crunchy, savory, and sweet. Even though we were pretty full, there was no way we were not going to order dessert. We shared the Mango Sticky Rice, which was the perfect sweet and tart ending to a great meal. Last but not least, one Thai iced coffee to go. Yeah it's late but wanted to stay up and binge watch a couple of episodes of a K-drama, don't judge. Overall, Siam Garden Café delivered. Great food, friendly service, quick turnaround, and now with later Sunday hours, it's an even better option when those late-night Thai cravings hit. We'll definitely be back to work our way through the rest of the menu.

    After a recent visit to Siam Garden Cafe, I thought I would post a brief update/review:…read more I ventured to SGC with my mom, brother, and SIL last month for lunch (on a Saturday, no less). We arrived shortly before 11:30am, and thankfully we were seated immediately (in a booth!) as there was only 1 group dining (this would be the antithesis when we departed as the restaurant was packed after 12:00pm). We got settled in our booth and looked over the menu. Collectively, we ordered/shared: Spicy Eggplant Pad Thai with shrimp Papaya Salad Siam Jungle Curry with chicken Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce I honestly couldn't decide which dish was my favourite, as I thought they were all a generous portion and flavorful. My mom complimented the eggplant and steamed fish repeatedly, and while I also favoured the eggplant, I found myself gravitating to the curry throughout the meal. My SIL also liked the fish and eggplant, while my brother had many good things to say about the pad Thai. We did take some leftovers home, and as we packed up the food I wondered to myself why I hadn't returned to SGC sooner. SERVICE The staff friendly, patient, and very polite. BOTTOM LINE We will certainly be back.

    Photos
    Cozy interior dinning area with some Christmas lights.
    Cozy interior dinning area with some Christmas lights.
    Summer Rolls (Poh Piah Sod)
    Summer Rolls (Poh Piah Sod)
    Thai Beef Salad (Yum Neua)

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    Thai Beef Salad (Yum Neua)

    Bangkok Chef - Manoa - thai - Updated August 2026

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