Best Khao Soi in St. Paul (2026)

Ruam Mit works both Thai and Lao dishes from the same kitchen, and the pad thai sauce is mixed with a heavier hand than most competitors attempt. The fried tofu appetizer comes crisp rather than soggy, and portions run generous enough that two people can split an order of pad thai plus mango sticky rice and still leave full. A dependable choice for anyone chasing Lao flavor alongside the Thai standards.

Thai Café keeps its footprint small and its prices lower than most of St. Paul's Thai tier, landing at the most affordable end of this list. Without a deep public record of standout dishes, it reads as a straightforward neighborhood counter rather than a destination room, the kind of place suited to a fast, inexpensive weeknight order rather than a special occasion.

Krungthep Thai's seafood curry draws the strongest praise here, rich enough to distinguish the kitchen from the pad thai and green curry pack that fills most Thai menus. Service moves quickly even when the booths fill up, and the menu carries enough range that a table of picky eaters can each find something without anyone settling for a fallback dish.

Friends Cafe is a family-owned counter built for speed, and the pra ka pao, Thai basil stir-fry, comes out with real heat rather than a tamed version for outside diners. The curry dishes rotate and stay fresh through a lunch rush, making this a reliable stop for takeout after work rather than a sit-down destination. Reasonably priced and unpretentious in setup.

Eastside Thai Restaurant anchors its menu in both Thai and Hmong comfort cooking, and the pad thai and drunken noodles keep regulars coming back on the strength of portion size alone. The catfish curry stands out as a heartier option than the noodle dishes, and street parking makes it an easy stop for a casual weeknight dinner on St. Paul's East Side.

HOT GRAINZ moved to a new location with a lounge area near the entrance, leaning into a street food identity built around pad thai, som tam, and Thai basil chicken. The reputation built on social media has drawn crowds, though the kitchen's execution reads as inconsistent across visits, so it suits diners going in for the vibe rather than guaranteed precision.

YaiGu's duck curry breaks from the standard red curry formula with sweet notes from pineapple and rambutan, a dish distinctive enough to build a following around. Service moves fast even for groups, and the mango rice pairs well against the richer curry. A newer name in St. Paul's Thai scene that has quickly built a strong word of mouth reputation.

Karen Thai Food's Thai style pho draws the loudest praise on the menu, a noodle soup format less common on St. Paul Thai menus, alongside drunken noodles that hold up on their own. The room stays small, and reports on consistency and cleanliness have varied, so diners should treat this as a hit or miss stop rather than a guaranteed favorite.

Lanna Thai Restaurant sits in St. Paul's Saint Anthony Park neighborhood, running a robust menu built around pad thai, green curry, and som tam. The room stays small and the atmosphere leans toward the intimate, making it suited to a quiet dinner rather than a large group outing. Regulars recommend adding a protein to the base dishes for a heartier plate.

On's Kitchen has built a following through repeat delivery orders as much as dine-in visits, with the pad see ew standing out for its char and balance against the more common pad thai. Service runs prompt and the seating stays comfortable even at capacity. A consistent execution across a large volume of orders is the strongest case for this kitchen.

Basil Cafe draws steady weeknight crowds, busy enough on a Thursday afternoon to signal demand well before the dinner rush hits. The spring rolls rate well as a starter, and the room's plant filled interior and wood detailing make it a comfortable stop for a group meal. Waits can run long on weekends, a tradeoff regulars say is worth it for the green curry and pad thai.

Coconut Thai on Grand runs pad thai, curry, and tom yum across two locations, with loyal regulars naming it a favorite in the Twin Cities' Thai tier. Reports on the Grand Avenue room diverge sharply from praise for its Edina sibling, with some diners finding the flavor here flatter and the execution inconsistent. Worth trying with expectations calibrated to that variance.