Located on 14th and Geary lies Amphawa Thai noodle house–a hidden gem you’ve probably passed by. Recommended by a Riordan parent, this small space embodies a neighborhood restaurant.  The flow of a ringing bell perched upon the door frame from locals coming in and out greets customers. The faint sound of music by Frank Ocean played in the background creating a warm ambiance. Don’t be deceived by its small interior, as it has been awarded “Best thai restaurant in Bay Area” By San Francisco Chronicle four times.

     Since I went with my family, we had ordered an abundance of dishes. My favorites were the Som Tum Poo (Papaya Salad with Salted Crabs), Pumpkin Curry, Pla Rad Prik (deep fried whole pompano topped with chili sauce and basil), and the thai lemonade.

     Som Tum Poo–the perfect starter–sour, sweet, spicy, created a dance of fire upon my tastebuds. The slight sweetness from the fish sauce cut through the saltiness of the crabs, creating an umami heaven.

     Following the Papaya Salad came the Pumpkin Curry–a medium red curry complex within itself. As I took a bite, I immediately tasted creamy coconut which served as a base–layered with various aromatics. The pumpkin was crumbly, but melted in my mouth, creating a sense of comfort.

     The Pla Rad Prik was a shiny flat white fish, which was crispy on the outside and buttery yet flaky on the inside, and was covered in a spicy sauce with thai basil to freshen it up.

     All of this was washed down with an ice cold thai lemonade, which was a unique mix of thai tea and lemonade similar to an Arnold Palmer–an interesting yet satisfying combination.

     Overall, Amphawa Thai Noodle House is a great place to go. With the staff being extremely friendly and the food being excellent, I would rate it a 4/5 . I would love to go back again.