If you’re in the mood for some delicious Thai food, you’re in luck. Rochester, Minnesota, boasts an assortment of Thai restaurants that hit the spot when it comes to savory dishes that incorporate fresh, healthy ingredients. Never tried out Thai food? You’re in for a treat. The cuisine focuses on lightly prepared dishes, often with a spicy edge, with traditional choices ranging from salads to curries and beyond. Whether you’re searching for a local spot to enjoy your go-to Thai meal or ready to sample something new, it’s easy here in Rochester.
Still, it can feel like a challenge to find Thai food when you don’t know where to look. That’s where Tom Kadlec Kia comes in. We’ve put together this list of amazing Thai spots right here in Rochester that you have to try. Get cozy with a warm, spicy soup at home after ordering in, or get ready for a unique night out. The restaurants here in Rochester have something for everyone.
Mango Thai
Image via Unsplash by lockandkey.
You don’t have to hop on a plane to savor delicious Thai flavors. Just head over to Rochester’s very own Mango Thai, a local favorite offering a range of tasty treats. Whether you dine in or order takeout to enjoy a meal with loved ones at home, you’ll find plenty of options on this expansive menu.
Start your meal off by sharing some appetizers like edamame, mango spring rolls, or crab cakes, then indulge in a warm bowl of soup. You can also add a fresh salad to your list. No matter if you want something mild or spicy, you’ll find menu items that suit your tastes here. When it comes to entrees, you’ll have so much to choose from as well. Go for noodles topped with chicken, beef, or seafood, or get a vegetarian-friendly meal by choosing tofu as your protein. You’ll find curries, fried rice entrees, and much, much more.
Make sure you save room for dessert if you have a sweet tooth. From coconut custard with sweet sticky rice to green tea ice cream with fresh fruits and beyond, there’s something for everyone at Mango Thai. You’ll find yourself looking for excuses to fit in meals from this restaurant every chance you get.
Hog Thai
Hog Thai offers another great option for Rochester locals craving Thai food. With both takeout and delivery options available, it’s easier than ever to sample the menu whenever you’re in the mood.
Whether you get started with appetizers like egg rolls or spring rolls or dive right into a savory soup, you’ll have plenty of choices at Hog Thai. Choose from stir-fry, noodles, and fried rice main dishes to create a meal you’ll love. Hog Thai also offers intriguing chef specialties, including crispy pork belly, papaya salad, or ground meat of your choice made with laab seasoning.
Looking for something extra on the side? Get a side of pork belly or sliced cucumber, then top things off with steamed or sticky rice. And don’t forget a drink! Classics like coconut juice or Thai iced tea add the perfect touch to your meal. All in all, Hog Thai makes a great choice, whether you want pork, shrimp, a vegetarian meal, or anything in between.
ThaiPop
Looking for a delicious meal coupled with a unique experience? Look no further than ThaiPop. This micro-restaurant serves up a rotating tasting menu in local Rochester spots, giving you the perfect excuse for an outing without traveling far.
When you visit one of these pop-up tastings, you’ll get to try out a mix of traditional and modern-inspired Thai dishes. A sample menu could include charred eggplant with pomegranate, melon salad, and cucumber-stuffed pork soup followed by slow-cooked pork ribs, then finish up with fruit salad. The set menu changes monthly, so make reservations for different special events to try new meals whenever you get the chance.
ThaiPop also features a limited takeout menu on a pre-order basis. Plan ahead to indulge in a meal from the comfort of home — these meals can sell out fast. Like the tasting menu, the takeout menu changes every few weeks. Look forward to options like curry wings, pork belly and rice, or pad thai. We think you’ll find yourself checking out the new menus so you can sample even more delicious eats!
Pho Chau
First things first: Pho Chau is a Vietnamese restaurant, not a Thai place. But this Rochester spot still makes our list thanks to an assortment of pad thai options that make Pho Chau the perfect choice if you’re craving a delicious take on this ubiquitous Thai dish.
Shrimp pad thai? Check. Beef or chicken pad thai? Check and check. What about a combination dish that incorporates all three proteins? Pho Chau has that, too. They also serve pork pad thai and tofu pad thai, meaning everyone is sure to find a pad thai they’ll love at this restaurant. Pho Chau’s version of the rice noodle dish includes cabbage, carrots, white onions, green onions, bean sprouts, egg, crushed peanut, and homemade fish sauce, raising the bar for those who can’t get enough of this Thai fare.
Pho Chau also boasts a kids menu, making it a great choice if you’re headed out for a meal with the kiddos in tow. Younger family members will enjoy choices like chicken tenders, wanton soup, and, yes, kid-friendly chicken pad thai. If you want to change things up with some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, the rest of the menu here makes it easy. You can head in for a meal or order online for both delivery or pickup, so you’ll want to have Pho Chau on your list of area restaurants to check out.
That concludes Tom Kadlec Kia’s list of great Thai food right here in Rochester! We hope you’re feeling inspired to visit new places the next time you’re searching for an amazing local restaurant to support. From Italian to pizza to coffee, Rochester offers a plethora of local restaurants — Thai among them — that make our town a special spot on the map.
Do you have another favorite Thai restaurant you frequent close to home that we didn’t include on this list? Drop us a line so we can try your go-to spot!
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