MIYA มีญ่า
Thai restaurant · Altadena ·
Homestyle Thai favorites: Pad Thai, curries, spicy basil
Homestyle Thai favorites: Pad Thai, curries, spicy basil
"Comforting and savory, the pumpkin curry here hits exactly what I want in fall: mulched spicy red curry paste swirled with fatty coconut milk cloaking chunks of pumpkin, carrots, and string beans that keep their bite, all coming together to lustrous effect. It’s an ideal take-home order for easy dinners in the days before a big family gathering, especially if I’m hosting or cooking for a group, and I like to pair it with the tangy papaya salad and fluffy jasmine rice (though I often just warm up brown rice cups at home)." - Eater Staff
"Dining here feels like eating at your cool Thai aunt’s home, with Thai movie posters on the walls and playful knickknacks peeking from every corner. The two dining rooms bustle with energy as aromas of freshly pounded curry paste and wok-fired noodles drift from the kitchen, and eating the food feels like a balm in a neighborhood still recovering from the 2025 Eaton Fire. The khao soi is the best in the Pasadena area: a rich coconut curry broth with chewy ribbons of egg noodles, roasted chiles, pickled mustard greens, raw red onions, and a bird’s nest of fried noodles for crunch. The tom yum is aromatic and zippy and especially good with tender white fish that absorbs the broth’s flavors, while the panang curry delivers fall-apart braised beef that’s savory and not too spicy, perfect over freshly steamed white rice. Always check the specials board and order a whole fish if one’s listed. Although the menu is already vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, Tuesdays shift to an entirely vegetarian lineup (egg can be omitted), with smart swaps like fried oyster mushrooms in place of fried chicken and pad Thai with tofu. There are two dining areas: one by the kitchen where you order, and a more vibrant room that also feels much cooler temperature-wise — a smart choice if you tend to overheat when eating spicy Thai food." - Kat Thompson
"Miya, named after David Tewasart’s (Sticky Rice) daughter, opened in 2023 and was one of the few businesses on Lake Avenue to survive the Eaton Fire in January 2025. The restaurant specializes in home-style Thai food, which includes comforting bowls of khao soi crowned with fried noodles and pickled mustard greens, stir-fried glass noodles, and a selection of curries that range in level of heat. There are constantly rotating specials written on butcher paper, and each Tuesday, the menu converts to entirely vegetarian fare with plenty of vegan options." - Mona Holmes
"The khao soi at Miya has all the components required for a great bowl of the northern Thai curry soup: bouncy egg noodles, slivers of raw red onion, chopped mustard greens, and a pile of cilantro all crowned with crispy noodles, roasted chile flakes, and a lime wedge for good measure. It’s a symphony of rich, tart flavors and spicy and savory notes that truly embodies the cooking ideology of Thailand and ensures every flavor works in tandem. Ordering it medium to hot is the move — khao soi tends to be sweet, sometimes excessively, thanks to the coconut milk broth, and having an extra kick cuts through the richness with ease (don’t worry, they know how not to go overboard at Miya). Pair a bowl of khao soi with a Thai iced tea, a welcomed balm for especially spicy bites." - Eater Staff
"Operated by seasoned restaurateur David Tewasart (of Sticky Rice), this charming Thai spot pairs a sleek front dining room with a faux-weathered back room that evokes a stylish Bangkok alley. The cooking is generous and well-portioned, exemplified by a crab fried rice studded with large, sweet, tender chunks of crab and wok-fried fluffy grains; leftovers travel well and make for excellent subsequent meals. The lively Sunday crowd suggested the neighborhood is rallying after recent hardship, and the packed dining room felt like a hopeful sign of community recovery." - Eater Staff
