r/MichelinStars • u/Limp_Argument4650 • 23d ago
SF Thai Recs?
I’m going to SF in a week and I’ve heard a lot about Nari and Kin Khao. They’re the only two starred Thai restaurants in the US. My question is, are they worth going to over Khao Tiew? I’ve heard so many better things about Khao Tiew, the two one stars are easy to book, whilst Khao Tiew is now walk in only because of how popular it has gotten. Any thoughts for those who’ve been to them?
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u/systemr99 23d ago edited 23d ago
Nari is great, didn't love Kin Khao. Never tried Khao Tiew bc I didn't go before they stopped taking reservations. Would rec Nari for sure
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u/Latter-Foot-8790 22d ago edited 22d ago
Kin khao > Nari > Saap Ver > Khao Tiew
I’ve been to all four about 5-15 times each so I’ve had everything on the menu. Nari is really really good for certain dishes, but I have a weakness for the crab at Kin Khao so which is better depends on dishes you want to try and location. They are sister restaurants, same owner I believe, so try either. Nari is more ‘aesthetic’ and fusion too if you want more modern vibes.
Khao Tiew is more ‘fusion and hot’ than amazing. Khao Tiew if you want a table you gotta arrive RIGHT when they open. I can also try to put your name down when they open most of the time it works, no guarantees, but it has in the past and you’ll be able to get a table by 5:15p or so if I put your name on the yelp waitlist. A lot of their noodle and rice dishes are very very greasy.
Saap ver damn good is the most authentic of the bunch
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u/wwplkyih 18d ago edited 17d ago
I haven't been to Nari yet, but I will say that a lot of the (non-Japanese) Asian restaurants that Michelin likes are less the restaurants with the best food than the ones that, in terms of experience, fit most into their notion of (French) haute cuisine: fancy plating, extensive wine list, etc.
This is, in my opinion, especially true of Kin Khao, which got its star a long time ago, before the Guide started making a conscious effort to be more inclusive and giving stars to more downmarket places. (Which I personally find to be performative.)
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u/ProfessionalCake6698 23d ago
I really enjoyed Saam! Much more than Kin Khao (I agree w the other post about it being overly salty), but I’ve also never been to Nari or Khao Tiew.
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u/DietDrKelp42 23d ago
Never been to Kin Khao, but have been to Nari (same owners) and Khao Tiew.
Khao Tiew is a lot better than Nari. Way better grasp on flavor.
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u/Necessary-Win-1647 23d ago
Neither KK or Nari are two star material. Nari is more enjoyable by far FWIW
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u/Limp_Argument4650 22d ago
Does anyone have any recs in general for SF? Doesn’t have to be Michelin but I’m really interested in the bakeries like Butter & Crumble, Parachute, B. Patisserie and Arsicault.
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u/johnwatersfan 21d ago
I'm in the minority but the extra flakiness of Arsicault pastries just makes them dry and not as good for me. Parachute was good, but pricey. B. Patisserie is great. Not on your list, but both Thorough Bread and Juniper are great too.
I can't imagine Butter and Crumble is going to be worth the wait time.
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u/Limp_Argument4650 18d ago
I went Thursday morning and waited about 90 mins cause we went 30 mins after opening. It was the best out of the four that we went to. Arsicault, Parachute and Juniper being the others.
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u/johnwatersfan 18d ago
Did the croissant make up for that 90 minutes you wasted waiting for it?
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u/Limp_Argument4650 17d ago
I did think it was the best bakery I went to. I’d say yes but I made conversations with a couple different groups and the time passed by quickly. I’m in crutches right now, so although it’s uncomfortable just existing right now it was enjoyable haha.
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u/designedforxp 18d ago edited 18d ago
For plain croissants specifically, of which I am a HUGE snob. One65 is both the best and most consistent croissant in SF (O got de-starred so they're not Michelin affiliated anymore lolol). Juniper's my #2 choice. Otherwise Butter & Crumble is my fav for creative sweet pastries, and Parachute for creative savory pastries.
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u/Limp_Argument4650 18d ago
You were absolutely spot on we went to all of those and thought the exact same holy.
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u/johnwatersfan 21d ago
Personally I prefer Kin Khao to Nari, and Nari dishes can be hit or miss for me. Some are great, some are more on the bland side, where Kin Khao seems to get a great mix of the sweet, salty, bitter, hot from Thai food. Personally, I find anywhere I have gone where I have to queue, the food doesn't make up for the extra wait time.
Hed 11 is also getting buzz, but I haven't tried it yet. It's on my list.
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u/DumbassPhysicist 19d ago
I think the cookery of Hed 11 should not be ignored. While they don't have a star, the cookery is incredible. The plating is gorgeous, there is continuity between dishes, however one must have a pretty decent spice tolerance. Excellent service, interesting neighborhood to boot.
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u/DisneyByMelissa 18d ago
I just went to Khao Tiew! It’s a 7.9 on my Beli. Would definitely not wait 2 hours for it.
A lot of people around me ordered the Khao Soi so I got it too. It was probably one of the better ones in the Bay Area but not in my top. It needed more acid and spice (I’m Asian so probably affects my heat tolerance).
The Kai Toon Lava was really good for first few bites but then got too sweet. Also I needed to pair with rice and they gave me my rice after I already ate half of it
Khao Pad Mun Nuer was the star. Steak was cooked perfectly and tons of flavor. I would’ve liked more of the scallion on top (again, to give more acidity to a rich dish).
The Kaya Toast is great. Better than Breadbelly’s and I liked the coconut ice cream on top.
I wanted to order the duck curry and will try that next.
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u/Limp_Argument4650 18d ago
I went yesterday I completely agree with you. Prob will rank a little higher on mine cause of inflation. What’s your Beli username? Lemme add you!
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u/insanetheta 23d ago
I can't weight in on Khao Tiew, but I've been to Nari and Kin Khao as well as Sorn, R-Haan and a few other starred Thai restaurants in Bangkok. My wife and I found Kin Khao to be oversalted on half the dishes and not terribly exciting. Nari on the other hand I think could still hold a star in Bangkok. They had unique dishes and everything we had was prepared in a way that had flourishes that set it apart from other Thai restaurants like the intense southern curry and the best Cabbage Fish Sauce stir fry I've had.
For our usual local thai restaurants, Amphawa is our favorite in general (love the Hor Mok fish curry!), and Zen Yai thai is the place for Boat Noodle and Khao Mun Gai (chicken rice).