Koo Thai (Upper West Side)

Just had one of the best meals I've had in a while at this new gem in the neighborhood, and I had to leave a review! I ordered the grilled chicken bánh mì, and wow — talk about fresh and flavorful. The bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, the veggies were crisp and vibrant, and the chicken was so tender and well-seasoned. Every bite had that perfect balance of texture and flavor. I also tried the beef phở, and honestly, it was soul-soothing in the best way. The broth was light, clear, and full of depth — none of that heavy or overly salty stuff you sometimes get elsewhere. As the weather starts to turn into Fall, it was exactly the kind of comfort I didn’t know I needed. The vibe of the place is laid-back but thoughtful — clean, cozy, and welcoming. The staff was super friendly and easygoing, making the whole experience even better. You can tell they genuinely care about the food and the people coming through the door. This spot is a total win for the neighborhood. I’ll definitely be coming back (probably sooner than I should). If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re seriously missing out! Speaking as a Vietnamese, these dishes hit the perfect spot.

Tried this place and honestly everything was sooo good. The lemongrass grilled chicken with vermicelli noodles was super tasty and full of flavor. I also got the chive pancake as an appetizer and it was crispy and delicious. For drinks, I couldn’t stop at one — had both the Thai green tea with boba and the Thai iced tea with boba. Both were amazing and super refreshing. The vibe of the restaurant is really nice too, super cozy and welcoming. Definitely one of those spots I’ll keep coming back to.

Wonderful experience! The crab meat fried rice is amazing, everyone must try it! The staff is so cute and nice. We ordered pork spring rolls, duck, pork chops, crab meat fried rice, soft shell crab. I’ll order one more fried rice if I had another stomach lol. It seems just opening, but the food quality is great!

Delicious and authentic Thai & Vietnamese food! The flavors are fresh and balanced, the restaurant is clean and cozy, and the staff are super friendly. Great value and highly recommended!❤️❤️❤️

I chose to celebrate my birthday dinner here with a few close friends, and it was a wonderful experience. The food is probably the most authentic Thai in the neighborhood—rich flavors, perfectly balanced, and beautifully presented. The dining atmosphere made the night even better: warm, relaxing lighting and a comfortable indoor temperature that set the mood just right. Overall, a fantastic spot for both special occasions and casual nights out.

Finally, amazing Thai food on the west side! No more trekking east—just a quick bus ride and a walk to Columbus Ave, and I’m set. The flavors are bold, fresh, and authentic. The Nam Prik Ong is a must-try, and it goes perfectly with an Oolong Tea or Brown Sugar Milk Tea. Friendly staff, cozy vibe, and food that hits the spot every time. So glad Koo Thai UWS opened—it’s my new go-to!

Fresh and tasty food, polite staff, very clean inside Definitely recommend

Excellent thai & vietnamese food. We ordered two curry dishes (they offer diferent variaties where you can choose your meat), they were really yummy. The service was fast and really nice.

I look at food multiple ways and Koo Thai checks off all the boxes. The tastes, textures and sense of nourishment from the dishes I just experienced were phenomenal and extraordinary. You can NOT go wrong dining here. WONDERUL!

Great service and the place looks nice. Food was good but nothing crazy to get 5 stars.