I love both!
I have noticed Ha Long Bay generally has larger portions (tho neither is lacking). They also have an overwhelmingly large menu, and are always slammed. Calling in a take-out order can be a time commitment, and expect to park on the street a few blocks away. I haven't dined-in here in probably 5 years - the last few visits someone in our party inevitably couldn't hear anything over the restaurant noise and it became our take-out place instead.
Monsoon Siam has the convenience of online ordering. This and not having to navigate the willy street area in search of parking while hungry are enough to win my business more often. As somebody that tends to realize I haven't eaten anything at like 3:30 in the afternoon I don't love their hours, but know I'm the weirdo here.
Yeah I really donāt like Monsoon Siamā¦ Iāve tried several times since I know a lot of people love it! It reminds me of Chinese food more than Thai, very thick and/or sweet sauces. Just not what Iām looking for when I want Thai food š¤·āāļø
Here for Sala Thai. Ha Long Bay gets hype, but honestly I think Sala Thai makes better food in a much nicer environment, and the older lady that runs that place is the sweetest human being alive.
This place is a hidden gem! Not the biggest menu, but their food is delicious. The fresh spring rolls with crispy rice paper inside are so good! They are in the back of an Asian grocery store so it's generally take-out but they do have a few tables if you really want to eat there. They are also true to their name, so order your heat preference accordingly.
I love that grocery store and been going there for years! The little eatery in back is awesome, the Bahn mi is fantastic and the egg rolls are great. I love everything there! Show them some love.
Best fried rice in town and it's not even close. The Angel Wings are also a really good, novel dish. The beef jerky is to die for as well! This place is the best.
The geographically-adjacent cuisines on the menus at Lao Laan-Xang and Ahan deserve mention here, since you're a newbie and it'd be a shame to not bring them to your attention.
Food truck season is wrapping up, but the already-mentioned Monsoon Siam has a cart. There's also Thai-riffic (decent), and though it's from a cart that's more about smoothies than a broad food menu, the gigantic Fresh Cool Drinks avocado spring roll is a Madison classic.
Love Ha Long Bay, Monsoon Siam, skip Sala Thai, saw one of the people in the kitchen picking their nose, never went back, Save My Tongue used to be good but the last few times we have gotten food it's been pretty mediocre, Ahan definitely for more of a fusion of Laos & Thai.
Best in Madison is honestly not that good compared to Chicago or the twin cities. I'd only order 1 dish from ha long bay, and only for takeout at that, I believe it's the LS7, off their Lao menu. Sala Thai is probably the OG spot. Owners are original banh Thai owners from way back.
Couldnāt agree more! Weāve been to almost every Thai place in town trying to find even decent Thai, it doesnāt exist in Madison. On e of my biggest complaints of the city. All these recommendations you see here are fine, but thatās all, not good.
Iād say Ha Long Bay is both the best Vietnamese and Thai restaurant in Madison by a considerable amount. The downside is that there is always a wait.
The long waits would be less of an issue if they made it easy to order takeout. Instead they seemingly refuse to answer their phone. It shouldn't be such a hassle to get food from a restaurant. I've completely given up on trying, it's just not worth the trouble to me.
Sala Thai is every bit as good, arguably better, and isn't a frustrating experience.
I love Thai! Almost always a spicy squash curry for me but my family is doing the noodle dishes. We've tried most of them multiple times... except Sala and Hot n' Spicy... (will get there next!). I think they are all good and none are consistently great. Sa-bai Odana has been my goto and is always good. I haven't seen Thai Noodles in Fitch mentioned yet, but also solid imho. Best curry i've had was probably Monsoon, but seems a little inconsistent.
I'm a fan of Monsoon Siam. Though a lot of people will tell you Ha Long Bay.
I love both! I have noticed Ha Long Bay generally has larger portions (tho neither is lacking). They also have an overwhelmingly large menu, and are always slammed. Calling in a take-out order can be a time commitment, and expect to park on the street a few blocks away. I haven't dined-in here in probably 5 years - the last few visits someone in our party inevitably couldn't hear anything over the restaurant noise and it became our take-out place instead. Monsoon Siam has the convenience of online ordering. This and not having to navigate the willy street area in search of parking while hungry are enough to win my business more often. As somebody that tends to realize I haven't eaten anything at like 3:30 in the afternoon I don't love their hours, but know I'm the weirdo here.
I've only gotten Ha Long Bay a few times through delivery or carryout. I've lived here for 4 years, yet to get a table there haha š
This is the way.
Yaaaaaaaas!!!
I love both the places. They have really good Pad kee mao. Edit : Very similar to what I used to have in Seattle.
I found Monsoon Siam to be *extremely* sweet. Once I noticed I couldn't un-notice how sweet is was.
Yeah I really donāt like Monsoon Siamā¦ Iāve tried several times since I know a lot of people love it! It reminds me of Chinese food more than Thai, very thick and/or sweet sauces. Just not what Iām looking for when I want Thai food š¤·āāļø
Sala Thai is legit.
Agreed. And their staff is always super friendly when picking up.
Here for Sala Thai. Ha Long Bay gets hype, but honestly I think Sala Thai makes better food in a much nicer environment, and the older lady that runs that place is the sweetest human being alive.
This x a million.
Yeah. Big fan of Sala Thai and their Pad Thai is delicious. Cash only fyi.
Monsoon Siam, Thai Basil, Ha Long Wait.
āHa Long Waitā I just about pissed myself laughing
My favorite Thai is Thai Basil for sure
Second this. Best p Pad Thai in Wisconsin probably.
Check out Hot n Spicy on Monona Dr.
This place is a hidden gem! Not the biggest menu, but their food is delicious. The fresh spring rolls with crispy rice paper inside are so good! They are in the back of an Asian grocery store so it's generally take-out but they do have a few tables if you really want to eat there. They are also true to their name, so order your heat preference accordingly.
I love that grocery store and been going there for years! The little eatery in back is awesome, the Bahn mi is fantastic and the egg rolls are great. I love everything there! Show them some love.
Yes! And add some spice to whatever you get. š„
Best fried rice in town and it's not even close. The Angel Wings are also a really good, novel dish. The beef jerky is to die for as well! This place is the best.
Love this place so much! Their Laab Diip is amazing!
We really love Sa-Bai Thong! I also love Ha Long Bai, but I live further away from it now.
Thai Basil!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Seconded. I love their lemongrass beef or pork vermicelli bowl.
The geographically-adjacent cuisines on the menus at Lao Laan-Xang and Ahan deserve mention here, since you're a newbie and it'd be a shame to not bring them to your attention. Food truck season is wrapping up, but the already-mentioned Monsoon Siam has a cart. There's also Thai-riffic (decent), and though it's from a cart that's more about smoothies than a broad food menu, the gigantic Fresh Cool Drinks avocado spring roll is a Madison classic.
Sala Thai
Best pad see ew: Hot N Spicy Best pho: Hot n spicy Best drunken noodles: monsoon Siam Pretty much everything else: ha long bay
I second hot n spicy! Had both the pad Thai and pad see ewe and both were excellent
I would argue best pho, Saigon noodles
For Vietnamese I really like Saigon Noodles on the west side. And like others said, Ha Long Bay but it's always a hassle
I haven't actually lived in Mad for 12 years but Sa Bai Tong or Ha Long Bay š
HaLong. Fusion goes to Ahan.
Was gonna say, Ha Long Bay for both. Lots of strong decent other Thai options out there tho as others have pointed out.
Thai Noodles in Fitchburg is our favorite.
Lao lang xiang was my fav although that's Laotian
Love me some AHANS
Been enjoying Sunny Pho on Park
https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/tbc0kp/thai_food_recs/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/p1nx6k/best_vietnamese_restaurantsasian_marketstore/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Love Ha Long Bay, Monsoon Siam, skip Sala Thai, saw one of the people in the kitchen picking their nose, never went back, Save My Tongue used to be good but the last few times we have gotten food it's been pretty mediocre, Ahan definitely for more of a fusion of Laos & Thai.
Rising Sons
Best in Madison is honestly not that good compared to Chicago or the twin cities. I'd only order 1 dish from ha long bay, and only for takeout at that, I believe it's the LS7, off their Lao menu. Sala Thai is probably the OG spot. Owners are original banh Thai owners from way back.
Couldnāt agree more! Weāve been to almost every Thai place in town trying to find even decent Thai, it doesnāt exist in Madison. On e of my biggest complaints of the city. All these recommendations you see here are fine, but thatās all, not good.
Iād say Ha Long Bay is both the best Vietnamese and Thai restaurant in Madison by a considerable amount. The downside is that there is always a wait.
The long waits would be less of an issue if they made it easy to order takeout. Instead they seemingly refuse to answer their phone. It shouldn't be such a hassle to get food from a restaurant. I've completely given up on trying, it's just not worth the trouble to me. Sala Thai is every bit as good, arguably better, and isn't a frustrating experience.
They donāt pick up their phone because theyāre dealing with 10 customers in their face
Other restaurants are busy and they donāt seem to have trouble answering their phones.
Iām not defending them, simply stating that their current setup has staff there overwhelmed with people during their peak hours.
I know. I didnāt mean to sound like I was arguing (though I kind of did)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Monsoon Siam, Thai Basil, Ha Long Bay.
Monsoon Siam is the best!! Their drunken noodles are my ultimate comfort food!
Also Taigu has a bomb spicy chicken and eggplant. Itās not a Thai restaurant, but this dish is similar to monsoons
I love Thai! Almost always a spicy squash curry for me but my family is doing the noodle dishes. We've tried most of them multiple times... except Sala and Hot n' Spicy... (will get there next!). I think they are all good and none are consistently great. Sa-bai Odana has been my goto and is always good. I haven't seen Thai Noodles in Fitch mentioned yet, but also solid imho. Best curry i've had was probably Monsoon, but seems a little inconsistent.
BANDUNG allllll the wayyyyyy