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    Kapow Thai Eatery

    4.3 (193 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Seafood, Noodles
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Kapow Thai Eatery Photos

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    KAPOW THAI EATERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Kapow Thai Eatery

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    Larb wrap
    Jeankaylyn E.

    Came to Kapow for my birthday dinner to close out the month Ordered the Sirloin Nam Tok (part of the new menu), Larb Wrap, Thai green & pink tea, and mango sticky rice. The Sirloin Nam Tok came grilled with Thai herbs, toasted rice powder, dried chili, kaffir lime leaves, and a house-made tamarind sauce--but the meat was pretty tough to slice and chew. Wouldn't order again. The Larb Wrap (minced pork with roasted rice powder, chili flakes, citrus, herbs, and fried garlic) had good flavor but felt like it was missing something. Both the green and pink Thai teas were overly sweet--the pink one tasted like Pepto Bismo.. Mango sticky rice was decent, but nothing memorable. We ordered a papaya salad to go and we did really like that one. Overall, kinda underwhelming. I'd rate it a 2/5.

    Yellow curry and crispy Chili pork belly. Oh, and some rice. Dang right.
    Ran D.

    Okay I just found my favorite Thai restaurant. I met the owner, and Jaz and were already like family. The food, from appetizer to main course and dessert were outstanding. The restaurant is a bit smaller, but they're dynamite. The way they decorated, the mural, awesome. Appetizer: crispy garlic chili pork belly. This was absolutely insane good. Don't be foolish. Get it. Dinner: Gang karee (yellow curry). Gang gang. Dessert: I Tim Bo ran (coconut ice cream with pastry, fruit, nuts). Amazing. Everything is incredibly fresh here. The cucumbers snap when bitten. The mango is so light sweet. It's like they know how to pick the best ingredients. You'll find them in a small strip mall. Don't blink, you'll miss the dynamite. Circle back. It's well worth it.

    Tom Kha
    Sherman T.

    A relatively new Thai restaurant making a splash in the Union City food scene! Tucked into a strip mall just blocks away from the BART station, Kapow Thai Eatery has generated a lot of interest from locals with their photogenic, yet delicious dishes authentically representing Thai cuisine. The parking lot is tight during peak times but this strip mall isn't frequented much aside from a few shops and has good churn. You'll find a spot most definitely but the restaurant itself isn't huge so a short wait may be expected. We came for an early dinner and they had plenty of tables for us to choose from. Most of their tables fit small to medium sized groups but larger groups may need to consider reserving in advance. As we stepped in, the staff greeted us and sat us with waters and menus. There were two menus, one for the food and one for the drinks. Both are pretty simple to peruse through but the food menu doesn't have any pictures. The descriptions are pretty good at previewing what you'll get for each dish but I found asking the staff or referring to pictures online did more justice. If in doubt, their chef specials are solid options, but being a Thai eatery, curries and duck are likely your best bet. The drink menu on the other hand does have some pictures and has a few specialty drinks for the sweet toothed folks. Naturally, we ordered a few items to give this place a good try. Gui chai thod (chive cake) - hands down one of the best appetizers I've had of this variety and for me, a must get each time. Each piece is bite sized and can be skewered with the wooden pick they give you. The crispy exterior pairs exceptionally well with the chewiness of its center. The smell, taste, and texture of this dish with the dipping sauce as an added component makes this simple, yet complex chunk of veggie infused mochi a fantastic first impression. Tom kha - creamy soup heavy with lemongrass fragrance and flavor. You have the option to add protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, seafood) to make this a filling bowl. It comes out hot and maintains its temperature quite well! Kow Soi Duck - succulent slices of duck served atop noodles and intended to be smothered or dipped in the delicious curry. This dish was hearty, presented beautifully deconstructed, and flavorful. A bit pricey for a bowl of noodles but quality is there. Crab fried rice - big portion of fried rice with big chunks of crab. Another hearty dish perfect for sharing and can easily feed 4-6 people with seconds to spare. As the menu indicates, this dish is big on umami. Thai tea - I opted for no ice as I'm not a fan and despite no ice to dilute the flavor, it wasn't too overly sweet and satisfied my craving. Pink Thai milk - unless you're a fan of peptobismol, I would stay away from this despite its beautiful, radiant color The staff were wonderful in communicating with us on what to expect with flavors, ingredients, portion size, sweetness (regarding drinks) and methods of consumption. They all had smiles and were quick to clear our tables. Overall, Kapow Thai Eatery has made a mark in this small city and I hope it's here to stay with its authentic Thai dishes and exceptional quality of food and service. The prices certainly reflect these qualities but as a novice of the Thai cuisine, this place was worth a visit and many more in the future, just perhaps once in a long while due to the prices of eating out nowadays. Although we didn't venture into big spices this time around, they do have the spices to kick some dishes up a notch. The sirloin fried rice looked good and I hope to try it next time. For those looking for something new and fresh to eat, let Kapow show you the way!

    Chicken Satay
    Eilien L.

    First time at Kapow Thai Eatery and honestly... we were not ready The food? Straight up bomb Our top picks: the steak, crispy pork belly (no weird smell at all ), and chicken satay. Everything was super flavorful without being greasy, which is rare for dishes like these. The papaya salad was crazy fresh and balanced out the meat perfectly. Also loved how the spice levels actually made sense--everything paired so well with each protein instead of just being spicy for no reason. Already planning our next visit to try the pad Thai, pad see ew, and pork belly over rice Vibe check: cute spot, nice ambience, but kinda small. They open at 4PM and fill up FAST, so definitely make a reservation if you can. Overall: 5/5 This place is a low-key gem

    drink menu
    Christine G.

    I've been to Kapow Thai Eatery several times this past month; it became my favorite Thai restaurant in the area. The staff was friendly and accommodating; they even started to remember us, which was nice. The restaurant is small and can feel cramped when they are busy. There can also be a line, especially in the evening, so be prepared to wait for a bit. My favorites are Tamarind tiger, Pad C U, Kow Soi duck, and the Por-Thod (deep-fried egg roll). All dishes were delicious and tasted fresh. The duck was tender, and the curry was so creamy and flavorful. The desserts were also great. The Banana in Pajamas and Mango with sticky rice were our favorites. They were sweet but not too overpowering. They were the perfect end to a heavy, filling meal. Overall, I enjoyed my visits to Kapow Thai Eatery. The price was on the pricier side, and the portions were a bit small. I've recommended this place to people, and they loved it too. I'll keep coming back here for sure.

    Wing of Kapow
    Daniel H.

    Came again and decided to stick with some old, Wings of Kapow and Scallop Zapp, and try some new things as well, Pad Thai and Chicken Satay. Wings of Kapow and Scallop Zapp tasted as great as last time. The Wings this time though felt a bit... smaller. The portion size looks the same, but the wings were less "meatier," so it wasn't as satisfying. Pad Thai was good. A little bit too sweet for my liking at first, but once I squeezed in some lemon the sourness balanced it out. Chicken Satay was unfortunately a miss for me. Flavors were great, cucumbers were yummy, and the peanut sauce was amazing, but the chicken didn't impress me. It wasn't dry, but it wasn't particularly juicy or tender either. The Thai Pink Milk was also a miss. Looks interesting, but the taste is exactly the same as the strawberry milk you would get during lunch in Elementary school. What made up for this visit however is the Mango Sticky Rice - it exceeded all my expectations. Loved the sweetness and texture. I was expecting some sourness from the mangos but they were also very sweet; I was pleasantly surprised. Would return solely for this dessert. Service like last time was great. Staff is friendly and attentive, constantly checking in on us and asking if we needed anything. Overall, definitely a few misses on some of the dishes this time, but the Mango Sticky rice alone made up for everything. Would certainly return.

    Donna L.

    Since the hype has downed down, I was able to come back a few times -- dined in three times and ordered to go, twice. Service is kind and nice, nothing wrong with the service. Very disappointed in the food. Appetizers are very small portions and very bland in flavor, definitely on the pricier end and not worth it's price. After trying different entrees on their menu, the only ones that I would recommend would be the Crab Fried Rice and Pad C U. When ordered to go, very disappointing experience as the veggies are not fresh, they are very old. You can see it in the color but also the taste. It's obvious they're serving old veggies, wouldn't surprise me if any others meats or noodles are stale or old. I definitely thought I found a good spot for Thai food but this one not only surprised but disappointed me. Definitely a hit or miss.

    Catherine H.

    Been waiting for the hype to die down to try this place so I came on a weekday at lunch and only waited about 10 mins. The roti portion was extremely small for $12.50, which is a crazy price for roti and a small appetizer overall. The Kow Soi and Pad C U were nothing special compared to other thai places either. I think this place is good if you're a local to the area, but I would not drive again from farther away to try this place.

    Mango sticky rice for the win
    Candy C.

    Kapow is quickly becoming my go-to Thai spot. The food is legit hella good, and the staff are always friendly and respectful. The Thai basil fried rice is my absolute favorite, with the roti prata coming in a close second. I'm also a fan of the branzino and the duck dish. The crispy pork belly appetizer was on point, though the calamari was just okay. The scallops were amazing! Dessert definitely delivered -- the mango sticky rice hit the spot, especially paired with a refreshing glass of lychee iced tea. I'll definitely be coming back again and again!

    Tom Kha
    Marie L.

    Very good, I'm amazed and now we have another Thai Restaurant Spot in the Bay Area. Pad Se is very good Tom Kha is excellent also The Crispy Pork is also excellent I highly recommend this spot

    Katarina R.

    Tried this new Thai spot on a Monday evening and was seriously impressed! The service was quick and incredibly friendly from the moment we walked in. The restaurant itself has a very modern, clean aesthetic that feels fresh and welcoming. There isn't a ton of seating, so I imagine it probably gets pretty busy on weekends. We started with the crispy pork belly appetizer and it was incredible. Perfectly crispy and flavorful, and the two dipping sauces that came with it were both delicious and really complemented the dish. For entrées we ordered the Pad C U and the Kow Soi duck. The Pad C U was amazing--light, clean, and full of flavor. They're also very generous with the meat, which was a nice surprise. The Kow Soi duck was the star of the show. The duck was cooked perfectly, the noodles were fantastic, and the curry sauce you add in was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Every bite was amazing. I'll 100% be back to try more items on the menu!

    Pad Thai, Crispy pork belly
    Nu Nandar A.

    Came here while I was in the area and decided to try the Pad Thai with crispy pork belly and the Sizzling Lord of the King. I ordered the Sizzling Lord of the King Thai spicy, but it wasn't spicy at all and ended up tasting pretty bland. Overall, the food was just okay. The portions were also on the smaller side for the price. Nothing stood out.

    Crispy Pata (25) front
    Victor G.

    Kapow Thai Eatery opened 4 months ago where Thai Village Cuisine was. 10ish table inside. Main dining room had sparse decor. Hallways to restroom had murals. Thai vocals in the background. Greeted & seated quickly. Ordered. Server more interested in getting an order than telling me about the food. Food came in 15 minutes. A forgotten appetizer came 5 minutes later. Offerings (Thai traditional & modern): appetizers, noodles, salads, specials("secrets"), small bites, curry, wok-fried, drinks. Sides, desserts, Sips: unsweetened Thai tea(5) -1/2 full of ice, tea bland but drank a lot 'cuz food was too "hot" spicy. 3.5 stars Bites: scallop Zapp (4/12) chilled raw appetizer -Thai brined though it tasted bland & at room temperature. Hotness came from "spicy" sauce. Mint & flying fish roe added flair, slight flava from grilled garlic/shallot. 3 stars Crispy Pata (25) deep fried pig knuckle -had a knife protruding from top, literally overcooked. Meat slightly moist, bland. Skin very crispy. Served with lettuce leaves, jasmine rice, carrot and cucumber pickles, spicy lime sauce & soy-vinegar sauce. -didn't pair well with rice, so are pieces of sliced pork in lettuce wraps. 3.5 stars semi-worthy: YMMV quantity: reasonable Quality: proteins not prepped well, sauces made it edible. Nothing special here. (Except murals). Marketing is a hype. -tables are small, also crammed too close to other tables.

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    27 days ago

    great food and very friendly service. I love the clean modern decor and atmosphere. The sirloin steak was delicious.

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    Ask the Community - Kapow Thai Eatery

    Chai Thai Noodles Hayward - Pad Thai Medium Spicy

    Chai Thai Noodles Hayward

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    This review is much overdue as Chai Thai Noodles has earned its spot into our Bay Area restaurant…read morerotation--usually our go to spot for the basic Thai food. My partner and I usually come for the basic comfort items like Pad Thai, Pad Se Ew, Lao Sausage, and/or their sampler. Occasionally we'd get their papaya salad, Tom Yum soup, or other entrees to share, but I do feel that they don't execute those dishes as well as the basics we frequently return for. I may be critiquing them harder than others on their papaya salad and Nam Khao because my mom does it best (no bias...). However, their portions are large and the flavors are great all around. I think they do some items better than others, but I have yet to be disappointed by any of their food. It's always great to try something new on the menu and be pleasantly surprised. But aside from the food, the customer service and ambiance encourages us to come back every time. They're kind, patient, and attentive all around. Whether we're just picking up food, dining in at peak times or during the quiet hours, they always deliver a great experience. Their dining room is fairly large and they have a softer lighting that compliments that TLC decor well. Through and through, Chai Thai is consistent and reliable.

    Always good here! Yellow curry…read more Pad Thai Nam kao Fast service and great quality of food!

    Photos
    Chai Thai Noodles Hayward - Inside

    Inside

    Chai Thai Noodles Hayward - Lao Sai Aou (Laos Sausage)

    Lao Sai Aou (Laos Sausage)

    Chai Thai Noodles Hayward - Pad see Pad Se-Ew (Sweet Soy Sauce)

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    Pad see Pad Se-Ew (Sweet Soy Sauce)

    Sala Thai - Eggplant

    Sala Thai

    4.0(3k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Service was not good but food was ok. I hope they can do…read morebetter. The price is increase.

    Mother's Day dinner at Sala Thai. Doesn't seem like we had the most original idea because the place…read morewas packed! However, we were gladly met with a wait-time of only five minutes. Seemed like takeout orders were just as busy as the dine-in option! Ordered online through the QR code, though it seemed like we had the option to order in-person when a server came up to our table. However, we were able to pay online as well, which was a nice time saver. We are regulars and have already developed our favorites: Crispy Fish, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Crab Fried Rice, Green Curry. We wanted to mix things up a little and order things we have never gotten before, and we have now developed new favorites! The Pumpkin Curry was my favorite: the pumpkin offering a nice sweetness and texture. The Eggplant dish came with a piece of crispy fish which was to our surprise! The seafood (shrimp, squid, scallops) was an interesting combination with the fatty eggplant. Probably my least favorite of the three as it seemed a little incohesive, though we appreciated the sauce being in a separate bowl as to not make the eggplant soggy. The Kang Jerd soup was delightfully light and full of briny, full flavored broth. My mom's favorite by far. She is usually reluctant to take the last serving/portion when eating family style. Not with the soup! The fact that we chose three seemingly random items on the menu and having each of them be winners is just a testament to how solid the food is here at Sala Thai!

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    Sala Thai - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Sala Thai - Spicy String Bean

    Spicy String Bean

    Sala Thai - Drunken Noodle (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken and Basil Chicken.

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    Drunken Noodle (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken and Basil Chicken.

    Red Chili - 7A. Roti canai

    Red Chili

    3.7(1.8k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Red Chili is really THAT GOOD. My mom loved every dish which says more than enough!…read more All dishes were 10/10: garlic noodles, fish sauce wings, honey walnut shrimp, Vietnamese short ribs It's a fast casual style which was perfect for my family. Their Thai food was so good too the roti cani and any noodle dishes. The cat fish fried is incredible too. We already want to go.

    I visited Red Chili Restaurant on March 14, 2026 around 8:11 PM with my wife and nephew. We noticed…read morethe prices were a little higher compared to when we used to dine here before, but the service was good and the food came out on time. We ordered five dishes: seafood soup, choo chee fish fillet, pad kee mao, roti canai, and rice. The food was good and we ended up eating about half of our meal and asked for to-go boxes to take the rest home. Unfortunately, on our way home we realized we forgot the to-go bag with all the leftover food at the restaurant. I immediately called the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. I was told they had already thrown the bag away because they waited for a while and were preparing to close. I returned to the restaurant around 8:45 PM to ask about it in person. I spoke with one waitress who said there was no manager available. Another waitress came over and I explained the situation again. She said there was nothing they could do, and the conversation became unpleasant. When I expressed my frustration, she told me to go ahead and contact a lawyer and then told me to leave the store. I understand mistakes happen and that food may sometimes be thrown away for safety reasons, but the way the situation was handled was disappointing and unprofessional. A little understanding or better customer service would have gone a long way. We used to enjoy coming here, but this experience left a bad impression.

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    Red Chili - Interior

    Interior

    Red Chili - Pad Prik Khing with Chicken

    Pad Prik Khing with Chicken

    Red Chili - Fresh Spring Rolls

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    Fresh Spring Rolls

    Kapow Thai Eatery - thai - Updated May 2026

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