Did you know that The Baan Thai has, over the course of its 12 years in San Anselmo, earned the Thai Select Award multiple times? Awarded by The Royal Thai Government’s Ministry of Commerce, the mark of certification guarantees authentic Thai taste at Thai restaurants in Thailand and overseas. That’s a lot of words to say: The Thai food hits the mark for taste authenticity.
Authentic Thai taste and the resulting flavor of each dish – that special Thai-ness is due, in large part to Saifon Simma, known colloquially as Chef Nina. Manning the restaurant’s stoves since Day One, Chef Nina brings the unique flavors of her home region – Prachuap Khiri Khan Province – and updated the restaurant’s signature dishes when it changed ownership and transitioned from “classic” to “modern” style in 2020.
Chef Nina’s Pad Thai Noodles taste clearly of tamarind and lime, for example, a signature of her home province and one of Thai cuisine’s signature tastes (sour). Spicy – another essential taste – is clearly marked on The Baan Thai menu , dishes in which Chef Nina has added dried or fresh chiles. (Of course, guests can always ask for more.)
Tamarind Chicken, a.k.a. Fried Chicken, is a menu addition that is making waves. Slicked with a sweet-sour sauce, yet somehow gluten-free and crispy, the dish is addictive, the flavor a calling card for what is possible with Thai food. It pairs with anything on the menu but a popular order is Tamarind Chicken with Classic Fried Rice.The egg noodles in Khao Soi, a dish of Northern Thai style noodles, are designed for today’s eaters. Regulars love the noodles ability to amplify the rich savoriness of the sauce. Though prawn is the recommended topper, there are plentiful seafood, meaty, and veggie protein options.
To drink, there is Thai Iced Tea and, for a lighter touch, Lychee Iced Tea,
and wine by the bottle or glass, but fans often stop by for a cold beer. Endorsed by King Rama VIII in the 1930’s, Singha Beer is available on
draft while Los Angeles-born Tom Yum Beer, a wheat beer brewed with
lemon grass, makrut lime leaves, and galanga, is available in a sleek can.
Like the menu, the restaurant interior was also updated with the new ownership. Though the green walls remain, the Thai fabric hangings and sculptures are gone, reflecting a more modern, minimalist aesthetic.
Gone, too, is the plastic. When you order takeout (and a lot of guests do), every piece of serve ware that goes out the door is 100% compostable.
Gold, reflecting a warm welcome and well-being, is found in the tableware and plates. Service staff dress in black and white instead of traditional Thai clothing. No matter the changes, the warmth of Thai culture – its smile, if you will – remains intact. The vibe, while not exactly fast-casual, is more comfortable for everyday dining. There’s chill music playing, the lights are not too low.
Now in its 12th year, the restaurant shows no signs of slowing down. The Baan Thai was once again named Best Thai Restaurant in the Marin IJ Readers’ Choice Awards.
Beyond a thriving dine-in scene, it continues to see robust growth through online ordering and delivery. Along with its sister restaurant, Kuro Nami, the restaurant also offers a convenient Rewards Program. Diners earn points on all takeout and delivery orders placed directly through their website—receiving one point for every $20 spent and unlocking $5 off for every 10 points earned.
The Baan Thai is exactly what a neighborhood restaurant should be: rooted in tradition, refreshed for today, and serving food that makes you want to come back tomorrow.
Be sure to follow the restaurant on Instagram!
