Growing up in Southern California, I’ve chased authentic Thai flavors from LA to San Francisco, but Bakersfield’s vibrant scene surprised me. ‘My first taste here was at a tiny family spot off Chester Avenue,’ I recall, ‘where the tom yum felt like discovering culinary gold.’ These ten restaurants capture that magic.
Ocha Thai Restaurant
$ | (661) 397-6882 | WEBSITE
That place is so cozy and welcoming and really near the best spots in Bakersfield. I took my family there and we just thought it was perfect. The atmosphere—they do it up with the good music playing, all around. It’s always comfortable every time I go in there. I got the yellow curry when I went, but I go for the service. I like a place that does it up, you know what I mean? They have Thai tea, which I need to go back for, because I love Thai tea.
It is the most authentic thing about me when I’m like, ‘Creamy curries? Pan-fried noodles?’ It’s very easy to satisfy me with a Thai tea. I’ll be the happiest diner ever.
Jasmine And The New Taste
$ | (661) 432-7945 | WEBSITE
I just discovered it one afternoon and happened to try the lunch special. I think it would be a great place to grab a quick meal, probably midday, because then you’ll be able to enjoy some authentic Thai flavors. And it was right in the middle of Bakersfield. I was actually very surprised to see how much it felt like I was transported somewhere else. It doesn’t feel like you’re going anywhere else that exists in the area. When I order Thai food, I don’t veer mild. I’m more savory and spicy.
At Jasmine And The New Taste, I went with the Spicy Chicken Fried Rice, which has perfectly spiced chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic jasmine rice. I like to keep it simple because now that I’m in my thirties, I’m not trying to be overwhelmed. I’m trying to have one or two nice clean dishes and then feel satisfied to be a person in the afternoon.
Blue Elephant Thai Cuisine
$$ | (661) 833-8190 | WEBSITE
I had heard about the Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango that looks like a golden sunset on a plate. I had some friends visiting from out of town and I wanted to take them somewhere that would be cozy and welcoming and memorable. And it is giving ‘Remember that meal?’ vibes because everything from the moment you step inside is warm, inviting, flavorful. I love the atmosphere, the vibe. The service is so thoughtful. I would definitely go back and I would order it again. And I would be so satisfied.
And there was also a delicious spicy eggplant dish that was really flavorful that was also very shareable. It’s spicy Thai basil, but they balance it perfectly. Tasty.
Blue Table Thai Cuisine
$ | (661) 679-3600 | WEBSITE
They serve the best Thai food I have ever had. I like to go to Blue Table if I need a reliable meal, if I’m craving something flavorful and I’m like, ‘You deserve a proper dinner right now. You’ve been so busy, girl.’ You can’t go wrong with their Pad Thai. But what I love about them is that they’ll do dishes that are associated with different regions. They have the Penang Curry, which is one of my favorite dishes that I order regularly.
It’s a really good curry—it has coconut milk and Thai basil and all that stuff. They have one called BBQ crying tiger, which is my favorite—grilled beef, chili sauce, fresh herbs, and a spicy dipping sauce. That plus some garlic chili edamame, that’s all I need.
At C Fresh
$$ | (661) 479-5400 | WEBSITE
This place is absolutely fantastic and satisfying. It was just a very flavorful experience near the theater. We ate the shrimp and snow crab boil with a Creole kick and Cajun fries. And, excuse me, the generous plate of fried crawfish with a spicy gumbo and a chicken chow mein. The lobster roll, the micheladas, and the seafood boils—everything was on point. It’s amazing. The staff is so friendly.
Soy & Spice Cafe
$ | (661) 282-8889 | WEBSITE
Soy & Spice Cafe is the Thai restaurant I would visit the most when I was in Bakersfield. They have this dish called drunken noodles, which is wide rice noodles with basil, vegetables, and your choice of protein. It is amazing. That would be what I would get all the time. My normal everyday order, whatever Thai place I go to, is just pad Thai, and they do that well, too. They also have great portion sizes, like the generous plates—for me, it’s that feeling of getting your money’s worth.
It started as a family-run spot, and you can feel that vibe when you walk in. It’s definitely a very cozy space. Everyone is welcome and the staff feel like they’re part of a family.
Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar
$$ | (661) 325-1234 | WEBSITE
I love the staff that works there. I’m obsessed with their drunken noodles [that they serve in a generous portion]. If I want a noodle dish that isn’t Pad Thai, that’s what I would get. And then they have the best Pad Thai, oh my god. They also have great vegetarian options—sometimes I like to be plant-based. But I am a total sucker for a good Pad Thai.
Bangkok Street Food
$ | (661) 885-8588 | WEBSITE
One of my favorite things about living in Bakersfield right now is how any night of the week, you can go eat something absolutely mind-blowing. You don’t have to go to Thailand to taste authentic Thai food. Bangkok Street Food has been a local favorite for so long.
I remember hearing about their green curry from friends and being like, ‘Is that really as good as Thailand?’ And then to try it and be like, ‘Oh my God, this is what authentic Thai food tastes like.’ It’s so great for a random drop-in, or like, ‘Let me check online and see what specials they have.’ I’m such a regular. I’m like, ‘My god, is the Thai tea as perfect as last time?
Is the service still as caring?’ You never know, so you gotta keep coming back and you might be really surprised by how consistently excellent it is.
Singha Thai
$ | (661) 631-2631 | WEBSITE
I love the cozy atmosphere of this place. My favorite thing from them is their flavorful little Thai iced coffee with boba. If you want a tasty treat, it’s a really delightful thing. And it’s a great spot—not right in the middle of downtown, closer to the quieter neighborhoods. And they have great lunch specials and curries there. When I’m craving something extra spicy, I get the basil leaf lunch special that’s served with a perfect balance of sweet and heat.
I like for a dish to feel considered and not just, ‘We can make this spicy.’
Thai House Restaurant
$ | (661) 397-9667 | WEBSITE
I’ve only been there once, but it really left an impression on me. I was like, ‘Are we going to a lunch meeting?’ Have you seen that thing that was on the menu? It was making me feel like a food critic. ‘Okay, there’s this new dish, it’s the best thing you’ve ever tasted. You go for the Tour of Thailand…’ I’m like, what the heck? It’s so generous, the portions were just massive.
One afternoon last week after work, I was like, ‘Okay, fine, I’ll try it.’ I had the evening free—because normally I don’t do big lunches, I’m very particular about that. And I just had so much fun eating. It’s definitely a very Thai thing, a hidden gem in the sense that you don’t expect it in Bakersfield.