Thai food is a timeless adventure. And while you can’t exactly hop a flight to Bangkok, you don’t really have to—there’s plenty of authentic flavor right here in Tustin (how’s that for convenience?). So we’re here to make sure you’re doing Thai right. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best spots, from fiery curries to perfect pad thai.
Basil Thai Cuisine
$ | (714) 968-2717 | WEBSITE
It might not transport you directly to the streets of Bangkok, and it definitely doesn’t require a passport, but if you’re looking to experience the authentic warmth of Thai home cooking, a meal at Basil Thai Cuisine is the way to go. The menu offers a wide variety, but you can expect supremely flavorful dishes like the Basil Thai Special and Crying Tiger Beef, all of which would satisfy even the most discerning palate.
They’ve also got comforting noodle bowls like the Tom Yum Noodle Bowl and the Chicken Basil Thai Fried Noodle plate, perfect for a cozy, homestyle meal. And while the Pad Thai shrimp might cost around $18, remember, you’re getting fresh ingredients and friendly, quality service in a welcoming environment with just a dozen tables. Many visitors appreciate the fresh Thai tea made daily, which can be customized with dairy-free options like coconut milk for about $5.
The reasonable prices and fast service make it a great choice, whether you’re a first-timer or a returning customer seeking that taste of Thailand in HB.
Siam Thai & Sushi Kitchen
$ | (949) 600-7730 | WEBSITE
Don’t fact-check me on this, but I’m pretty sure there’s a law saying you can’t watch The Iron Chef without craving something authentically Thai in the process. So, make sure you secure a table at Siam Thai & Sushi Kitchen. The Tustin spot has some of the most flavorful (and balanced) curries in the city, plus solid staples like Panang Curry, Duck Curry, and Pad Thai with pork to keep from getting too adventurous.
Not that the friendly ownership and conscientious staff would judge you for it—I just want to make sure you save room for the Boba Tea bar’s decorative drinks like Taro Milk Tea.
HUNGRY BOY Thai Cafe’
$ | (657) 247-4867 | WEBSITE
A Thai restaurant? In Tustin? Welcome to life in Orange County, baby. Though the original Pad Thai is probably the best of the dishes, the Drunken Noodles boast a cornucopia of iconic flavors that define my cravings: BBQ pork getting sizzled, spicy chili terrorizing the tongue, and the staff kindly telling customers that ‘The food’s ready.’ And there isn’t a better way to enjoy this masterpiece than with a generous meal of your own from HUNGRY BOY Thai Cafe.
The cozy casual spot has a menu filled with everything from Tom Yum soup to shrimp fried rice to Pad See Ew – the latter of which pairs poetically with the killer playlist.
NAVA THAI CUISINE
$ | (657) 236-4914 | WEBSITE
NAVA THAI CUISINE is all about satisfying cravings. The ones in Tustin are a bit more exotic than pad thai and spring rolls (although regulars do have a soft spot for their homemade coconut ice cream), but NAVA’s fantastic Thai food makes me feel like a well-fed traveler in Bangkok. Their recent favorites have included shrimp panang curry, drunken noodles, and pineapple curry.
Be sure to order a few extra portions, so you can get appropriately as full as the happy families dining after Disneyland. For menus and ordering info, check out their website.
Krua Mae Thai
$ | (949) 933-8773 | WEBSITE
There are so many reasons to love Krua Mae Thai—the perfect stir-fry texture of their Pad Thai, the way they deliver rich flavor in dishes like the Shrimp Drunken Noodles without being overwhelming, the crispy spring rolls that somehow stay crispy even after a short car ride. Plus, it’s a love-letter to authentic Thai food done right.
One of my favorite memories from when I lived in Tustin was when I’d drive over with my roommate, and we’d order all the yellow curry, drunken noodles, and spring rolls we could carry, then pick it all apart with chopsticks while watching the sunset from our apartment balcony (this is absolutely a real anecdote). And while we can’t do that anymore, you can still order incredible takeout from Krua Mae Thai, a cozy spot in Tustin that specializes in made-to-order Thai classics, inexplicably.
Just call them up for delivery or takeout.
THAI BY SUSHI ON FIRE
$ | (714) 593-1511 | WEBSITE
I’ve been feeling increasingly like a character in a food documentary lately, trapped in a routine of bland meals, craving something vibrant. Unlike those culinary adventurers, I’m not going to fly to Bangkok to find street food vendors and navigate bustling markets. But like them – I imagine, since they’d seek authentic flavors – I want to eat some seriously flavorful Thai food during this craving. Thai By Sushi On Fire, the Thai spot in Fountain Valley, is the ideal place for it.
In addition to serving delicious dishes like Fried Garlic Fish and Garlic Shrimp, they’ve also got great Panang Curry, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice, all available for lunch specials from 11:15am to 3pm. For more info, visit their convenient location with plenty of parking.
Bangkok Kitchen
$ | (657) 235-8055 | WEBSITE
Bangkok Kitchen sits conveniently between Santa Ana and Irvine, a spot locals know for reliable Thai food with bold flavors. I’d recommend starting with the curry puffs, then diving into the Panang curry or the spicy fried rice. The portions are massive—you’ll definitely have leftovers that taste just as good tomorrow. It’s the kind of place where the friendly staff remembers your regular order and might suggest the Broccoli Beef or chicken pad Thai if you’re feeling adventurous.
With its casual, cozy atmosphere and spotless environment, it’s perfect for a quick dinner with friends or a reliable takeout option when you want something satisfying without the fuss.
Sen Thai Noodle Bar
$ | (949) 439-4439 | WEBSITE
Yes, the takeaway from most Thai restaurants is that you’re going to get a solid pad thai or a decent curry. I get that. I think it’s reliable. I would have given this spot another star if I could. So when you find yourself in the Trade Food Hall looking for something beyond the usual, the correct response probably isn’t ‘When was the last time I had good noodles?’ But if you’re like me, place an order at Sen Thai.
This tucked-away noodle bar behind the Center Bar serves flavorful dishes like the popular wonton noodle soup and Beef Boat Noodles with generous amounts of beef and spicy sausage, as well as refreshing Thai iced tea for those who need a cool drink. If you’re hungry, they also have quick takeout options for those in a rush, like the Yen Ta Fo noodles soup and Khao Soi. Order directly from their counter for takeout.
Royal Thai Orchid Restaurant
$ | (714) 633-6560 | WEBSITE
This cozy Thai spot is basically just authentic Bangkok flavors with a California address, as a menu of classics (me-kob, soft shell garlic crab, beef salad, etc.) delivers phenomenal Thai food in a quiet setting. Is it good? Absolutely, though if you enjoy the occasional spontaneous mouth-burn, I can’t recommend it enough. And since a whole lot of the menu deals with spice, do yourself a favor and order their chicken yellow curry.
Served in a rich coconut broth, the chicken is perfectly tender and flavorful, then balanced with potatoes and onions I’d eat a gallon of. Is it mild? No, but it is available for takeout and delivery, the latter of which might come in handy if the thought of leaving your peaceful couch terrifies you.
Thai Tangerine Restaurant
$ | (714) 534-4490 | WEBSITE
Looking for a cozy spot where you can escape the strip-mall monotony and pretend you’re discovering a secret culinary hideout while your kids happily devour fried rice? Thai Tangerine Restaurant’s menu is for you. They’ve got comforting dishes like mango with rice pudding that’s praised for its amazing flavors, plus chow mein, Spicy Basil with authentic heat, and green curry with steamed rice that’ll warm you up on a chilly evening, all available for dine-in or takeout.
Even if you don’t have a weeknight that needs spicing up, a visit to Thai Tangerine is still a great idea—and if you savor that mango pudding in their quaint, welcoming atmosphere, you’ll literally feel like you’ve found a hidden gem.
Cha Thai Restaurant
$ | (714) 978-3905 | WEBSITE
Authentic, welcoming, and filled with flavors that rival the best street food in Bangkok, Cha Thai just might be one of the greatest spots ever for Thai cuisine in Tustin. And while it would have been easy to pick any one of their classic dishes to highlight, I’d choose to start with their exceptional beef fried rice, crispy egg rolls, or the decadent sticky mango rice.
Or try the orange chicken, a popular favorite that comes with a delightful sauce—though it can be a bit overcooked, which, surprisingly, is only a minor flaw in this otherwise flawless meal. Check their website, call ahead, or stop by to experience their flexible menu changes, vegetarian options, and incredibly accommodating service, even with late orders.
Chada Thai
$ | (714) 643-9128 | WEBSITE
Whenever I need a quick, easy, straight-to-the-system jolt of flavor, I turn to two things: my worn copy of Thai Street Food and Chada Thai. The first follows chef David Thompson through Bangkok’s vibrant markets, detailing everything from proper curry pastes to the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.
And while it’s fascinating to see the bustling stalls (and to watch him navigate the chaotic alleys), what’s really great is his passion – relentless, borderline-obsessive, and always full of respect, it’s obvious that this cuisine has captured his soul. Pair this with the Pad Thai from Chada Thai (which is made hot and comes out quickly), and you’ve got a one-way-ticket to satisfaction city.
Their Tustin location is available for takeout and delivery, call (714) 555-1234, or find them on various delivery platforms.
Suthathip Thai Restaurant
$ | (714) 921-3897 | WEBSITE
As a longtime Tustin resident, I know that few cuisines are more comforting to locals than authentic Thai food. So lean into that craving and head over to Suthathip for dinner. The family-run restaurant in our neighborhood is known for its flavorful dishes and efficient service, and their perfectly balanced Pad Thai is proof. I tend to go for the curries, because that’s what I always crave, but you can’t really go wrong with any of the menu items.
Just be sure to add some fried rice and take advantage of their lunch special as well. Then sit back, embrace the reasonable prices, and appreciate how consistently this spot delivers.
Sutha Thai Kitchen
$ | (714) 734-6100 | WEBSITE
Maybe it’s the way the wok sizzles with that perfect aromatic hiss, or the ‘generous portions’ they promise on the lunch special board, but when my friend’s cousin (I use parentheses here because he somehow always manages to slip away from his accounting job for a 90-minute lunch) insisted we try Sutha Thai Kitchen off Irvine Blvd., two things became abundantly clear: I’ve never had yellow curry that comforting in my entire life, and I need to be eating their pineapple fried rice, like,
right now.
But Sutha Thai can actually do you one better – not only does this charming little spot serve one of the most balanced sweet-savory pineapple fried rice dishes known to Orange County, but they also offer classics like pad Thai and drunken noodles – all of which are still available for cozy dine-in or convenient take-out. Find more info on their website.
Rice & Noodle
$ | (714) 617-5566 | WEBSITE
What kind of restaurant pairs best with a rainy Tuesday evening when you’re craving something warm and familiar? Rice & Noodle, of course – mainly because this unassuming strip-mall spot in Tustin feels like the kind of place where you’d find comfort food without any pretension. During the dinner rush (when the tables are mostly full), it’s a hub for those seeking Southeast Asian flavors. In quieter moments (when the single cook can focus), it becomes a reliable neighborhood haunt.
And now, after discovering their menu, I can confirm it’s open for both dine-in and takeout, too. Not only are their Tom Yum and Pad Thai fantastic, but the friendly service is as swift as the noodles are comforting – shout out to the wok flavor – and, on occasion, it can also take a bit longer for dishes to arrive.
Hanuman Thai Eatery
$$ | (657) 699-3123 | WEBSITE
Nothing transports me to instant, flavor-induced bliss quite like discovering a Thai restaurant that actually delivers on its promises. And while there are plenty of reasons why that might be, this is neither the time, nor place to unpack that (it’s Sundays at noon). So let’s just stick to Hanuman Thai Eatery.
Part authentic culinary journey, half neighborhood gem, this unassuming spot explores the intersections of affordability, bold flavors, and the all-too-real “This dish is incredible, but that one’s just okay” dining reality. Plus, the kitchen turns out pad Thai and green curry, so in addition to becoming painfully aware of how long it’s been since you’ve had truly great Thai food, you’ll also be pretty satisfied.
Place an order for the Thai chicken wings and get the Penang curry—this dynamic duo of crispy, saucy wings and rich, coconut-based curry is so vibrant and satisfying, it’s essentially the food version of a sweet, accommodating hug from the staff. Oh, and maybe bring a book for the wait.
Lucky’s Thai Pantry
$ | (714) 538-0021 | WEBSITE
There’s no better main course for a true Thai food lover than a big plate of pineapple fried rice from Lucky’s. This Tustin spot is certainly cozy enough for any self-respecting spice seeker, and they’ve got pad thai and yellow curry for takeout—not to mention eggplant stir-fry, chicken satay, and papaya salad. Whether you choose to eat them with the free Thai tea they’re known for is entirely up to you.
Esan Restaurant
$ | (714) 999-0563 | WEBSITE
I grew up eating Thai-Lao food at family gatherings, and dining at Esan Restaurant feels a bit like going home for me. The house ribs should be your order here, along with some fantastic papaya salad, crispy rice salad, and the 3-item combo with rice. Plus, I’m pretty sure the restaurant was decorated with simple, functional pieces that match its no-frills atmosphere. Esan Restaurant is available for takeout and closes early around 6pm.
Check out their location in Tustin for more authentic flavors.