Ben Thai Cafe Menu – San Francisco, CA

Type : Thai restaurant

Location : San Francisco, CA

Modern spot for Thai, Indonesian & Chinese classics from an open kitchen, plus craft beer & wine. Based on 571 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.4 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No-contact delivery

Ben Thai Cafe 94109

Address:
1331 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Phone: (415) 771-2562

Website:

Social Profile:

Hours

Friday 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM–10 PM
Sunday 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Monday

(Labor Day)
 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM

Hours might differ
Tuesday 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM
Wednesday 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM

Menu

DINNER
Golden Bags
Rice paper stuffed with potato and minced chicken, then fried until crispy and served with cucumber salad.		 $11.50
Chicken Satay
Chicken skewers marinated in herbs and spices, served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad.		 $12.00
Murder Wings
Our unique spicy fried chicken wings sautéed with fresh peppercorn, krachai, herbs and spices and topped with fried basil. To die for!		 $12.00
Paradise Wings
Sweet and savory fried chicken wings sautéed with a touch of garlic and topped with fried basil. The saint to our murder wings’ sinner.		 $12.00
Prawn Rolls
Deep fried marinated prawn wrapped in egg roll skin served with sweet & spicy sauce.		 $11.00
Pork Of The Heavens
Deep fried pork marinated in Thai herbs and spices. Served with sticky rice.		 $11.50
Vegetarian Fried Spring Rolls
Daily wrap deep fried spring rolls serve with sweet homemade ketchup.		 $11.50
Golden Triangle
Golden brown deep fried tofu serve with sweet chili sauce and crush peanuts		 $9.50
Cristpy Cala
Home style deep fried calamari with sweet chili sauce		 $13.50
Fresh Roll
Prawns or tofu, bean sprouts, lettuce, cilantro wrap in rice paper served with peanut and sweet and sour sauce.		 $12.50
Jasmine Rice $3.00
Brown Rice $3.50
Sticky Rice $3.50
Fried Egg $4.00
Roti $4.00
Cucumber Salad $5.00
Peanut Sauce (Small Size) $2.50
Peanut Sauce (Large Size) $5.00
Steamed Vegetables $7.00
Sauteed Vegetables $9.00
Curry Sauce
Coconut milk cooked with choice of Curry paste.		 $9.00
Plain Pad Thai Noodles – Side Order
A side order of blanched Pad Thai noodles. No sauce, no fixings.		 $4.50
Plain Fun Noodles – Side Order
A side order of blanched rice noodles. No sauce, no fixings.		 $4.50
Plain Egg Noodles – Side Order
A side order of blanched egg noodles. No sauce, no fixings.		 $4.50
Hot Sauce $0.50
Plastic Utensil $0.00
Chili In Fish Sauce $1.00
Papaya Salad
Shredded green papaya, tomato, green bean, carrot and ground peanuts tossed in chili-lime dressing.		 $13.50
Larb Salad
Spicy and sour salad with your of ground chicken or minced roasted skin-on fatty duck tossed with chili, red onion, cilantro, toasted rice, and our spicy citrus vinaigrette.		 $14.00
Khao Soi Deluxe (Northern Thai)
Egg noodles in red and yellow coconut milk curry topped with crispy pork skin, cilantro, green onions and red onions, fried shallots, pickle mustard green and a mound of fried egg noodles, This is the next level of Northern Thai Khao soi.		 $20.00
Khao Soi (Northern Thai)
Egg noodles swimming in red and yellow coconut milk curry with your choice of chicken, pork, beef, or tofu, topped with crispy pork skin, cilantro, green and red onion, fried shallots, pickled mustard greens, and a mound of fried egg noodles. This is our mother’s version of this delicious dish from the north of Thailand, made special for her son-in-law.		 $17.50
Salmon Avocado Curry (American Thai)
Red curry paste with Salmon cooked in coconut milk with bell pepper, snap peas and avocado.		 $25.00
Pik-King Swai (Central Thai)
Deep fried Swai mix with spiced curry paste serve with sautéed green bean and bell pepper		 $23.50
Roasted Duck Curry (Chinese Thai)
Red curry cooked in coconut milk with roasted skin-on fatty duck, tomato, snap peas, red bell pepper, zucchini, pineapple and fresh basil.		 $21.50
Roasted Duck Noodle Soup (Chinese Thai)
Your choice of either thin rice stick noodles or flat fun noodles in a rich broth with spinach, cilantro, and bean sprouts. The duck is roasted Chinese style and cut into strips with the skin on, a healthy amount of meat and a tasty layer of fat in between. This is one of our favorite rainy-day comfort foods. (Cannot be Gluten-Free)		 $19.00
Pumpkin Curry (Northern Thai)
Red curry past with prawns (5pcs) cooked in coconut milk with bell pepper, pumpkin and basil.		 $19.50
Chan Pad Poo (Eastern Thai)
Pan-fried rice stick noodles, egg and real crab meat with special house sauce serve with scallions and bean sprouts		 $18.50
Pork Palo (Chinese)
Our mother’s specialty! Pork and egg slow-cooked in a Chinese five spice stew for over three hours; served with a side of pickled cabbage. This dish is often requested at family get-togethers and temple events.		 $17.00
Oxtail Soup (American Thai)
Oxtail slow stewed with carrot, tomato, and cabbage. This dish is rich and hearty, with a great balance between sweet and salty.		 $18.00
Larb White Fish ( Northern-East Thai)
Spicy and sour Larb salad with Swai, chili, red onions, cilantro,toasted rice and our spicy citrus vinaigrette.		 $17.00
Impossible Larb ( Northern-East Thai)
Spicy and sour Larb salad with Fresh tofu, Chili, red onions, cilantro, toasted rice and our spicy vinaigrette. Vegan and Gluten-Free.		 $14.50
Gra-Prao
Spicy minced chicken or your choice of pork or beef sautéed with chopped garlic, bell pepper, onion, bamboo shoots, and fresh basil.		 $14.50
Spicy Eggplant & Basil
Your choice of protein* and eggplant sautéed in chili paste with garlic, bell pepper, onion, and fresh basil.		 $15.50
Peanut Pra-Ram
Your choice of protein* topped with curry peanut sauce, served on a bed of steamed vegetables.		 $14.50
Bbq Chicken
Juicy chicken thigh marinated in a lemongrass curry sauce and grilled. Served with side salad and sweet & spicy sauce. (Cannot be Gluten-Free)		 $16.00
Pik-King
Your choice of protein* sautéed with green beans, bell peppers, onions, snap peas, and lightly spiced curry paste. (Cannot be Gluten-Free)		 $14.50
Bbq Pork
Thin slices of lightly grilled pork marinated in a blend of Thai herbs and spices. Served with side salad and a savory sauce. (Cannot be Gluten-Free)		 $16.00
Tom Yum
Spicy sour soup with your choice of chicken, tofu, or prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass, kaffir and galangal. (Gluten-Free)		 $14.00
Tom Kha
Spicy sour soup with a creamy coconut milk, your choice of chicken, tofu, or prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass, kaffir and galangal. (Gluten-Free)		 $14.00
Keow-Wan
Green curry with your choice of protein* cooked in coconut milk with eggplant, string bean, bell pepper, broccoli, and basil. (Gluten-Free)		 $15.50
Gang-Dang
Red curry paste with your choice of protein* cooked in coconut milk with bamboo shoots, zucchini, bell pepper, snap pea, and basil. (Gluten-Free)		 $15.50
Ka-Ree
Yellow curry with your choice of protein* cooked in coconut milk with potato, carrot, onion, bell pepper, and pumpkin. (Gluten-Free)		 $15.50
Pa-Nang
Panang curry sauce with your choice of protein* cooked in coconut milk with zucchini, bell peppers and kaffir lime leaf. (Gluten-Free)		 $15.50
Roasted Duck Curry
Red curry cooked in coconut milk with roasted skin-on fatty duck, tomato, zucchini, pineapple and fresh basil. (Cannot be Gluten-Free)		 $21.50
Pad-Ta-Lay
Sautéed prawns, calamari, and salmon, cooked with mixed vegetables in spicy sauce.		 $22.00
Garlic Duo
Sautéed prawns and calamari with Garlic sauce and a touch of crispy garlic		 $21.00
Salmon Delight
Salmon cooked in red curry and coconut milk with onions, pine apple and carrot		 $24.00
Seafood Delight
Fawns and Calamari cooked in red curry and coconut milk with onions, pineapple and carrot		 $22.00
Pad Thai
Rice stick noodle with choice of protein*, egg, garlic, tofu, chopped pickled turnip, scallions, ground peanuts, and bean sprouts.		 $15.50
Pad See Ew
Rice noodle with choice of protein*, broccoli, egg, and house soy sauce.		 $15.50
Pad Kee Mao
Rice noodle with choice of protein*, snap peas, broccoli, onion, bell pepper, tomato, and fresh basil in house chili soy sauce.		 $15.50
House Fried Rice
With your choice of protein*, egg, onion, and scallions.		 $15.50
Gra-Prao Fried Rice
With spicy minced chicken or your choice of pork or beef, onion, scallions, and fresh basil in our house chili paste. Topped with a sunny side up egg.		 $16.50
Mango + Sweet Sticky Rice $11.00
Sticky Rice With Ice Cream $9.00
F.B.I $10.00
Thai Crepe + Ice Cream $9.00
Mitchell’s Ice Cream $5.50
Thai Tea Float
Thai tea serve with Mitchell’s Vanilla bean ice cream		 $8.50
Thai Coffee Float
Thai coffee serve with Mitchell’s Vanilla bean ice cream		 $8.50
Coca Cola Float
Coca Cola serve with Mitchell’s vanilla bean ice cream		 $8.50
Beer Float- Maui Porter+Vanilla $10.50
Sweet Sticky Rice $5.50
Brownie Matcha Lava By U:Dessert Story
The ultimate combination of premium Uji Matcha Chocolate Lava Cake serve with cookie crumble, seasonal fruits and Vanilla Bean Mitchell’s Ice Cream.		 $15.50
DRINKS
Coke // Can $3.50
Diet Coke $3.50
Sprite $3.50
Apple Cider $4.00
Sparkling Water $4.00
Thai Ice Coffee
Sweet Thai coffee with a splash of milk.		 $5.00
Thai Ice Tea
Sweet Thai tea with a splash of milk.		 $5.00
Ginger Honey Limeade
Homemade ginger and lime drink sweetened with honey and cane sugar. Has a kick!		 $5.00
Unsweetened Thai Ice Tea
Traditional Thai black tea with no sugar or milk.		 $3.00
Whole Young Coconut
A whole young coconut, cut open and served with the coconut water inside.		 $7.50
Chang $6.00
Maui Brewing Bikini Blonde $7.50
Maui Brewing Coconut Hiwa Porter $7.50
Allagash White $7.50
Oskar Blues IPA $7.50
Pizza Port Swami $7.50
2 Town Cider $7.50
Singha Beer $6.00

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Menu Photos

Photo Gallery

Reviews

Ana Sofía Vázquez
I enjoyed my visit here. I think it’s definitely one of the best places to run when Thai craving comes. The portions are huge and flavorful. Ofc it’s not a fine dining experience.

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Jay Frankera
Opted to try Ben Thai because of the numerous options not typically found in other places. Street parking, although not the safest of areas, was relatively easy on a weekend. The food came out quick which was appreciated since we were quite hungry. The staff was friendly and attentive and offered strong recommendations. I ordered the Khao Soi Deluxe with Oxtail. That dish wasn’t what I expected. The soup was creamy and sweet with a slight kick to it. The egg noodles were chewy enough. And the fried noodles and pork skin gave additional texture to the dish. But the oxtail pieces were IMO the star of the show. They were roasted, tender, and so flavorful. I would definitely come back just for this meal. The rest of the dishes we ordered were good but just average. But we have to try more of their specials probably. There is a Yelp check-in offer for 50% off non-alcoholic drinks. The aesthetics of the place was nice and the bathroom was also nice and clean.

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Josh Sittner
Elegant and quaint restaurant in the Polk Gulch neighborhood. Service was friendly and food came in reasonable time. The food was tasty and the spiciness was not overpowering. This is definitely a return-worthy place.

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Charles Choi
Street parking only. Service is good. Food come out very fast as kitchen is not busy. Satay chicken is good. Pa Nang beef is tender. Pumpkin Curry is good with a bit spice. There is Yelp check in offer for half price non alcoholic drink. Toast is used for payment. Be careful that gratuity on tax. Not just food cost.

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Rahul Pandey
I visited Ben Thai cafe recently for dinner with some friends. The restaurant is located quite conveniently and finding street parking was not a challenge at 7 pm. Not sure if it is always like that, considering parking is always a challenge in SF.

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Mossy Oak
Food was so incredibly delicious and service was really fast too! Dined in and was out in under an hour. Got the green and yellow curries (yellow was vegan!), and they were both so good, better than other Thai restaurants we’ve been too. They also had a ton of other menu items that could be made vegan or vegetarian, and they were clearly marked on the menu!

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Calvin Chang
We’ve been craving thai food all week when we came across this gem in Polk Gulch neighborhood. We walked in as they were just opening for dinner service, but it soon became crowded with waiting line outside. We ordered Khao Soi and Gra-prao. We asked for just regular cut chicken than minced meat and they followed the instructions very well.

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ashley
Great lunch specials. Food is fantastic, ask for Aun for superb service! A definite must!

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Bethy Muzzy
Holy Yum Batman! The green curry makes me filled with all the feels of comfort and joy. I loved their spring rolls and you get 6 in an order!! The pad see ew vegan was so amazing! I love it here, eating in or ordering delivery.

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John Riordan
Best Thai place I’ve been in San Francisco hands down. Pad See Ew was on point, everything cooked perfectly and flavors balanced. Other dishes also tasted and everything looked good, they can cook any Thai food well. A bit on the pricier side for Thai, but still well worth it. It was only a single waiter there for a bunch of groups when we went, so he was struggling to keep up, but trying his best, which in and of itself is pretty good service for Thai food. Mango sticky rice was great presentation, but a little lacking in the rice quality.

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