We ordered crying tiger beef, Tom yum with prawns, some type of egg noodles with pork and a yellow curry. None of it was recognizable to me as actual Thai food. It tasted cloyingly of sugar, in fact the crying tiger beef tasted of maple syrup. I was excited to try this because of all the positive reviews but I left very upset. If you like authentic Thai food, I would stay away from this restaurant.

Thaiku is a Thai restaurant on Phinney Ridge next to El Chupacabra. It used to be on Ballard Ave and was a noodle house in Fremont before that. This location can be tough to park at, especially on weekends since street parking is difficult in this area. They have some tables outside open during nice weather and over a dozen tables inside. The service is great, the staff are super friendly. Their menu isn't massive like most other Thai food restaurants, and you can order directly from their website if you plan on picking it up. For takeout orders, the portion sizes are very small, making the price per size pretty bad. The panang curry was just a little over 1 cup with no vegetables in it, so it was actually more of a soup. The pad see ew had no vegetables in it and was only filled about 1/3 of the container, which was already a smaller container than almost all other Thai food restaurants in the area. The taste was fantastic, but the price should be half of that for the little food you get. Looking at pictures, it seems like you may get larger portions when dining in, which we might try in the future. We won't order takeout again, though, unless the portions change. Other than that, it's a solid place and would get 5 stars easily if not for overpriced/underportioned food.

Our first few meals at Thaiku were great and the takeout was very good. However, recent dinners there have been poor, so much so that it makes me wonder if there has been a change in the kitchen or management. The Tom Ka soup I had this evening had so much finely chopped lemon grass in it that I spent the majority of the meal picking it out. When I pointed out my side dish piled with bits of lemongrass the waitress just said “Yes! Lots of flavor!” The special was very bland and the cocktail was far too boozy and overpowering. Such a shame, this used to be a great little spot, but will not be going back.

With less than an hour before closing: they sat us down, gave us drinks, served us food, and gave us dessert.
This place is phenomenal! Every drink and dish is full of flavor. The staff is kind and attentive. Totally would come back and try everything on the menu.

Has some surprisingly different Thai dishes that you can hardly find in Seattle.

Good vibe and service.

Good price.

FANTASTIC THAI RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE . FRIENDLY SERVICE AND STAFF . GREAT MENU AND PRESENTATION . BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERE AND NICE OUTDOOR SEATING . SHAREABLE DISHES . NICE BAR MENU

Amazing restaurant! Everything we’ve gotten from here has been so delicious, with unique flavors and dishes I haven’t seen elsewhere. Really fun cocktails as well. Love the vibe, cozy indoor seating and a great patio.

The worst dine in experience I ever had!!! Staff was extremely disrespectful and unhelpful. Practically ignored me and my girlfriend the whole time as we watched other customers that came after us receive their food. While I was there they made me feel like a lesser person and when I addressed the manager , they did nothing to compensate. Would never recommend. Worst is customer service in greenwood. Literally had to walk up to the chef to return my food (first time that ever happen) because no one would service our table within a reasonable time. The restaurant was not busy until we had already been waiting for thirty minutes, and they still messed up our order :// one star across the broad

Our first few meals at Thaiku were great and the takeout was very good. However, recent dinners there have been poor, so much so that it makes me wonder if there has been a change in the kitchen or management. The Tom Ka soup I had this evening had so much finely chopped lemon grass in it that I spent the majority of the meal picking it out. When I pointed out my side dish piled with bits of lemongrass the waitress just said “Yes! Lots of flavor!” The special was very bland and the cocktail was far too boozy and overpowering. Such a shame, this used to be a great little spot, but will not be going back.

The worst dine in experience I ever had!!! Staff was extremely disrespectful and unhelpful. Practically ignored me and my girlfriend the whole time as we watched other customers that came after us receive their food. While I was there they made me feel like a lesser person and when I addressed the manager , they did nothing to compensate. Would never recommend. Worst is customer service in greenwood. Literally had to walk up to the chef to return my food (first time that ever happen) because no one would service our table within a reasonable time. The restaurant was not busy until we had already been waiting for thirty minutes, and they still messed up our order :// one star across the broad

We ordered crying tiger beef, Tom yum with prawns, some type of egg noodles with pork and a yellow curry. None of it was recognizable to me as actual Thai food. It tasted cloyingly of sugar, in fact the crying tiger beef tasted of maple syrup. I was excited to try this because of all the positive reviews but I left very upset. If you like authentic Thai food, I would stay away from this restaurant.

Really appreciate the amount of veggies they put in the khao soi. Pumpkin curry also great!

I adore this restaurant. Their food and drinks are always delicious, great atmosphere and good portion sizes, plus friendly staff. Whether I’m ordering takeout or dining in, I’m always satisfied. My favorite Thai restaurant in Seattle.

Thaiku is a Thai restaurant on Phinney Ridge next to El Chupacabra. It used to be on Ballard Ave and was a noodle house in Fremont before that. This location can be tough to park at, especially on weekends since street parking is difficult in this area. They have some tables outside open during nice weather and over a dozen tables inside. The service is great, the staff are super friendly. Their menu isn't massive like most other Thai food restaurants, and you can order directly from their website if you plan on picking it up. For takeout orders, the portion sizes are very small, making the price per size pretty bad. The panang curry was just a little over 1 cup with no vegetables in it, so it was actually more of a soup. The pad see ew had no vegetables in it and was only filled about 1/3 of the container, which was already a smaller container than almost all other Thai food restaurants in the area. The taste was fantastic, but the price should be half of that for the little food you get. Looking at pictures, it seems like you may get larger portions when dining in, which we might try in the future. We won't order takeout again, though, unless the portions change. Other than that, it's a solid place and would get 5 stars easily if not for overpriced/underportioned food.

Food tasted horrible, semi undercooked and lukewarm warm.

Amazing restaurant! Everything we’ve gotten from here has been so delicious, with unique flavors and dishes I haven’t seen elsewhere. Really fun cocktails as well. Love the vibe, cozy indoor seating and a great patio.

I loved thaiku! It was just a bummer that it took forever to sit down (there were empty tables) and also to order/get our food.
Maybe they were short staffed. We loved our tom yum soup, the egg noodles, and the pork belly. I definitely want to come back!

After going to Thaiku my first time I tried the Khao Soi which was ok. I also tried the Pahd Kraplau Kai Dow which was incredible (my fave main dish there) and I tried the crying tiger which was good. On a subsequent visit I tried the NAHM DOK NEUA which is my fave appetizer dish there. Service excellent. Food quality is the best Thai food you are gonna find in Seattle. I will return. You may need to park in residential blocks.

Great food and excellent service; particularly sensitive to food allergies.

Great foot but watch out for the yohimbe cocktails. I had a racing heart rate, insomnia, and anxiety starting about 3 hours after consuming the yohito cocktail that lasted about 4 hours. I’ve since learned that these are documented side effects of yohimbe. I’d never heard of it before coming to this restaurant and I would not have ordered it if I’d known about its potentially dangerous side effects. I don’t have high blood pressure or heart disease, but I would be worried for someone who does based on the wild and unpleasant experience I had. I think it would be wise for the restaurant to put a warning on the menu.

Bra - just go

FANTASTIC THAI RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE . FRIENDLY SERVICE AND STAFF . GREAT MENU AND PRESENTATION . BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERE AND NICE OUTDOOR SEATING . SHAREABLE DISHES . NICE BAR MENU

Portions are somewhat small, and flavor just isn’t really there unfortunately. I ordered the pad see ew. I’m not sure if they offer different spice levels, if so it was not offered to me and I received the equivalent of a level 0

Has some surprisingly different Thai dishes that you can hardly find in Seattle.

Good vibe and service.

Good price.

Decent food

I go here all the time. My favorite thai food in Seattle. Great atmosphere and service. I love the Mieng Kahm as an appetizer whenever I take someone that hasn't been before.

Was good in the past, but now it is terrible. Overpriced and poor quality. 😢

With less than an hour before closing: they sat us down, gave us drinks, served us food, and gave us dessert.
This place is phenomenal! Every drink and dish is full of flavor. The staff is kind and attentive. Totally would come back and try everything on the menu.

Great Thai in greenwood with a nice outdoor patio. Nothing like a rendez vous with friends with authentic food and good vibes.

I live right down the street from this place and am glad to have them in the neighborhood. Their food is great and they have some tasty cocktails as well. My friend and I split khao soi, satay skewers, meatballs and rice noodles with bbq pork. Their portion sizes aren't huge but their flavors are spot on. Their patio is a nice place to hang out and the staff are friendly and efficient.

Food was great. Service and atmosphere left some things to be desired

Not only was the food amazing but the staff was INCREDIBLE! I accidentally left my purse at the restaurant and Jon the manager helped me while on vacation! This place is not only delicious but a great small bussiness to feel amazing about supporting!

Food was ok. Service was ok. Vibe was meh.

Service is always kind and the atmosphere is great. I enjoy the food but will say it’s not the best Thai I’ve ever had. The pad thai lacks some complexity. The authentic Thai dishes like soups are really good though :) the portion sizes are also very small compared to other Thai places in the area with similar pricing and atmosphere.

A deafening environment and decent food. It's a shame because the decor is visually appealing, but there is zero sound dampening and if you go when it is even moderately full the sound level from folks talking is almost painful. This restaurant has the loudest acoustics of any that I've been to in Seattle. If they added some sound dampening - maybe just hang a tapestry or some curtains somewhere it could make it bearable. Otherwise, of the two dishes we tried, both were relatively bland. Even the 'spicy' dish was ~1-2* and the flavor was mostly just salt and/or sugar. Textures were good, however. The place has potential, but it was generally disappointing.

So good as always. Went in tonight, had to wait a while for service after seated but they were at the tail end of a rush it looked like. Food, drinks and the people were great. Best Thai food!

My favorite Thai place in Seattle! The food is always excellent and the drinks are phenomenal

Exceptional restaurant and Thai food reminiscent of the streets of Thailand.

We stopped by tonight on a whim and this place was PACKED. Nonetheless, the staff was wonderful, patient, and kind as we dined with two young kids in tow. Food was delicious. Will be back!

In my top ten. So much flavor here at Thaiku.

This is the best Thai in town, as far as I'm concerned. The kao soi is delightful, crying tiger beef is delish! Real thai touches like pickled veggies and crispy rice. And the house herbal concoctions/drinks are interesting and delicious. The atmosphere is great, like a Thai night market. No screens, but loud with conversation. Not great for romance, but great for drinking with friends. Fun, and delicious!

We have only done takeout but it's been delicious every time. They also have a nice 5 minute food pickup spot right out front which makes pickup really easy

Delicious food and a good cocktail list.

Okay the food was delicious !! So flavorful and interesting, i slurped up all the sauce off the plate.
BUT we went at a very busy time, took probably 0.5-1 hour to get a table. Once we had a table service was amazing and super fast.
Also the portions were very small for their cost, i wish we had twice as much food. We did ask for extra rice to soak up the sauce from the dishes.
Incredibly delicious but next time i’d order as takeout and get extra food!!

We brought visiting parents here last night after hearing good things. It was by far their favorite meal of the trip. We shared everything. The mieng kahm was lovely, light, and interesting. Gaeng panang was described as a "religious experience." I really enjoyed the khao soy. Everyone liked their cocktails, and the Radiant Heart was one of the most interesting and delicious drinks I've had in a long time. The staff were lovely. We want to visit many times in the future.

PS We had a round of great beers at Holy Mountain before dinner. Their space is welcoming and well designed, the bartenders were kind, and their merch awesome. The background music was metal that was NOT blasting. We all loved it.

Yum! What a cute place! Tiny, adorable and great food! We had the salad rolls, chicken satay, green beans & pad Thai & everything was delish! I was torn about getting Thai Tea because it can be too sweet but it was PERFECT! Parking is hard as Al ways in this area but go here anyway!

Really like the location, the seating options, and ambiance. Everyones food was very well prepared and displayed. Very appetizing. Better flavor than just about any Thai restaurant back in Anchorage AK where we traveled from. Was expecting my Pad Thai with shrimp to be a little more zesty tasting (tamarind sauce, yum), but after using all the pepper on the side of the plate, along with leftover spicy peanut sauce from chicken skewers, it was soooo delicious. Our experience was that the food had spice you could taste, which was good. However, many people will want to ask for a bit more kick or get some extra sauces on the side. Drizzle spicy peanut sauce on your Pad Thai. 👌

Very nice low key Thai spot. This place seems great for a date or a chill night out with friends. Order multiple things and share it family style to enjoy all the different dishes.

eyes and mouth both love jt here

I was not impressed. I had been wanting to try this place because their outdoor area looks very inviting. Also, every time I drive by it is very busy so I figured it must be good.

We came in around 6pm and there was no wait at all. There were several open tables both inside and out, though half were dirty.

Perhaps we came on an off night because many reviews say the staff is nice, but I felt like I was bothering them by asking for a table for two. We were seated outside and had to ask three times for glasses for water.

The food portions were surprisingly small for the price. The flavor was very very good, just wish there was a little more. I liked that the rice wasn't white rice, but it was a tad dry.

Phenomenal food and experience, absolute must go-to. The Mieng Kham is always ordered as an appetizer, one of the best things I've ever tried.

My friend lived in Thailand for awhile and swears this is the place that serves the most authentic Thai food in the city

Thaiku was a surprising gem. Not only is the food more nuanced, multilayered and interesting than at typical Thai joints, but the atmosphere is also authentic. It feels like a mini trip to Thailand! Now....if we can get the chefs to switch from flavorless chicken breast to flavorful cuts like chicken thighs.....(most Thai chefs assume Americans will only eat flavorless breast meat, for some reason...)

My favorite Thai!!! Super cute spot with the nicest staff. Very delicious!!

Pretty slow to get service, but the food is always so good!

One of the best outdoor dining spots and the food is really good!

Good drink selection as well. Anything in a martini glass was delicious.

Dang, that Khao Soi was good.

Best Thai food in Seattle that we've tried. Right-sized menu with enough variety to please just about everyone but not so much to be overwhelmed with choices.

Great place

One of the best Thai restaurant in Seattle! It's a go to of mine and always hits the spot. Can't go wrong on the food, it's all good. They've also got some unique variations on their cocktails, which are definitely worth a try. And of course don't forget to save room for some mango and sticky rice for dessert.

I can’t say enough good things about Thaiku. Their food rivals even the best food I had in Thailand (their Khao Soi is just as good as in Chang Mai). I always order the red curry with prawns and pineapple, and mango sticky rice if it’s in season. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu!

Great food, super cute decor!

Service was good, but food was mediocre. The sticky rice was dry, the portions small, and the food was lukewarm. Nice staff and no wait but we’ve had better Thai food elsewhere.

Jon Mat

Great dinner place with a really nice pad thai

Delicious thai food! We had the betel leaf appetizer, pad Thai, and red curry with tofu. Dessert was mango sticky rice with generous portion of mango. Definitely going back soon!

Three out of three of us LOVED our meals. Very nice servers and a lovely setting. My sister took us here because she has gotten many great meals here. The purple sticky rice is the bomb. I got mixed veggies and they were perfectly cooked- fresh and crispy. I got a side of peanut sauce and sticky rice to go with them. YUM!!!

Like the vibe and the food, but the portion size is surprisingly small comparing with its price, just like other reviews say.

It's a cute little place. The staff was super friendly, especially the bartender who meticulously crafted cocktails for guests while I waited. Only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was the small portion size. Normally, my pad Thai is enough for a meal and a half, if not 2. This portion took up only half the box and the rest was a large pile of bean sprouts.

The food my friends and I shared was ... not bad. I enjoyed my phad king, and the prices were good. But each of us thought the dishes we ordered were a little bland. The service was also very slow, almost making us late for the event we were about to attend even though we'd allowed plenty of time. They seemed to be doing a brisk carry-out business, but maybe at the expense of their dine-in customers.

Some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had. Everyone else is in my family is a total foodie, and they were all in agreement. We ordered probably eight or nine dishes total–a couple appetizers and several main dishes–and they were all absolutely delicious. I have a very picky nephew, and they were very sweet and made him a fried egg. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself is cozy with a nice energy; a nice place for a relatively casual yet delicious meal.

Delicious Thai dishes and great service! Everything we had was fantastic!

I would give it a 5 star for food and service and friendly, attentive staff but it is SO loud that you literally can't hear your own group of people talking who are sitting right next to you and across the table. Plus, it was headache provoking. We've been multiple times and this has been the case every time we sit inside. I don't know what the restaurant can do about this honestly, maybe it's the overall acoustics of the small venue. They do have outside seating so maybe go in the warmer months and sit outside.

otherwise, the food is the best so it is worth making this a go to for Thai.

Wonderfully authentic Thai food. Top rate service from friendly staff.

Delicious! When the patio is closed the wait can be a bit but it's worth hanging around for a table.

Best khao soi I’ve had in seattle

We love this place and eat here about once a week. Nice to get fresh vegetables and tasty Thai food

All around a nice setting for a date night, good food, and tasty cocktails.

Update:
The food has lost it's flavor the past few times I've got take out here. Pad Thai tastes burnt every time I've gotten it. The Khao Soi used to be my favorite but tastes staler.... I wish the sauce served with the spring rolls was a peanut sauce or spicier sauce option(what is usually served with spring rolls)…The green goddess sauce served with it is odd...maybe it's to appease the milder taste palette of PNW?

Some of the best thai food in seattle at a fair price. Definitely has the vibe and the not so american dishes!

Food was excellent. So well prepared. The servers were very busy and very competent but the restaurant could have used another server.

One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. Food is consistently high quality; unique craft cocktails from a talented bartender; and service is warm and attentive. Kid friendly but also nice enough for a date night, both casual and upscale.

August 2022 update: dined in (in the outdoor seating) for the first time since the pandemic hit; just as good as I remembered, in every way!

Unique and authentic Thai food, not the usual American-style Thai. I warn you, it will become addictive. One of my favorite restaurants in the city.

We picked this place because of its high rating, and I have to agree with the other reviewers. This place is excellent.

This is a house that was converted into a small Thai kitchen/bar. Food is excellently prepared and served and the drinks were very tasty. I took my wife. We both got a dish and a drink and we spent ~$45 (in 2016). We'll hopefully be returning soon.

A lot of reviews mention portion size, and I want to add to that. The portions aren't huge, but they're definitely satisfying. It's just enough food to fill you up, and I even took a bit home with me.

Ba me moo dang was great!

Best pahd thai I’ve ever had. Drinks were excellent (and strong! Couldn’t even taste the alcohol though). Friendly staff and great service, highly recommend!!

Absolutely the best Thai I’ve ever had and I don’t take that lightly! Definitely a must experience restaurant with some of the best dishes in town! Thank you!

I will never set foot in this place as I have been informed by my granddaughter and her male friend about the mistreatment they received on June 4 2022 while attemptingtodine in your establishment. As a member of an Asian group that have also been victimized and mistreated you all should feel a sense of shame for how you treated my family. It was not OK. Isn't there enough hate in the world without you all adding to it. These young people who have never experience your kind of front of the house disstain for them will take their business else. I understood that you provided them very poor customer care yet you expected to still get paid for an unbelievable level of crulty and disrespect NEVER AGAIN will they or any other persons we know and we know alot will enrich you or others like you who dare to mistreat those of us who do not look like you. Yes we do have to pray for those of you who wrongful persecute us and I will. As a Christian I and we are called to a higher standard of moral conduct. Blessings to you and your house. Only God can change the heart.

Excellent food.

I’ve been here 3 times and it’s always so good! I love the Oolong Teani cocktail, the panang curry, garlicky green beans and any of the noodle dishes. Can’t go wrong with this menu!

Absolutely delicious! Had a sampler of the appetizers and Tom Kha. All delicious

nourriture incroyable. strong cocktails

Been coming here a long time. The food speaks for itself, but the staff is equally tremendous & accommodating. I appreciate your restaurant so much!

These folks have cornered the market in Thai food. Yea there located on a corner but that’s not all. They have great service, amazing food, and a pretty decent selection of Bourbon. The food though… really authentic Thai without any fuss. Perfect portions coupled with delicious spices and smiling faces. Real real Thai, real real good!

Ordered takeout. It was amazing. Very fresh and balanced flavors. Lots of meat too.

Amazing food cant wait to go back.

The best Thai restaurant this side of Bangkok. Every single time.

One of my favorite Thai restaurants in all of Seattle (and there's a lot of competition). Great food and friendly staff. Thrilled to see them still in business despite the pandemic forcing many restaurants to close.

Savory and hot.

Awesomely delicious food and sweet, accommodating staff. I'm glad to say how fabulous this place is and will come again soon

Great meal! Great friendly service!

I don't want you to go there because it's already hard enough to get a table. Just get takeout, it's delicious.

Not your everyday Thai place. They’ve decorated the place with a food cart, a rickshaw and have stainless steel table tops. The aroma of all the food is really appetizing. The food is phenomenal. May not appeal to your to tastes if you’re looking for extremely regular Thai options.

Love this place the larb is delish.

Great food, service and drinks! Highly recommend!

Everything is good.

The freshest food! To be honest, we were waiting to go to the restaurant next door but stayed after we had the most delicious appetizers and cocktails, and excellent and kind service. You have to get the shrimp with the cilantro dip. And the fresh spring rolls with garlic sauce....to die for!!! I should have taken a photo, the plating is beautiful for all the food. The patio is elegant with bamboo plants all around keeping everything private. It's really a hidden gem, we had such a great time!

7/26/2018

very good Thai food

I get the Pad Thai with chicken every time I go here. It is the best Pad Thai I have ever had. I’m sure the rest of the menu is excellent also.

So disappointing. The Pad Thai I received had almost no sauce on it and the noodles were pale and bland. The only ingredients which were actually incorporated into the dish were egg and my protein of choice. Also included (on the side) were some crushed peanuts, dried chili flakes, a pile of raw bean sprouts, and a single sprig of unprocessed Chinese garlic chive - the latter of which was clearly intended to be used as a garnish rather than as a part of the recipe. There were no carrots, cabbage, chives, basil, lime, or any other ingredients present to liven it up. No chopsticks were included, nor even a paper napkin; at this stage in the pandemic, the inclusion of these items should be standard procedure for all take-out orders at every restaurant. For an upscale urban establishment such as Mai Thaiku, especially, I expected much better. And at $14+ for a simple noodle stir-fry, I deserved better. I want my tip back.

So great! Atmosphere as well. The flank steak app was incredible. I played it safe with the chicken curry rice but wished I got my wife’s pork rice thing. (Pahd kraplau Kai Dow) Excellent all around

Tasty

Absolute best pad Thai in Seattle

Some of the best Thai food in Seattle.

Best Thai in the neighborhood, and it’s worth going just for the decor and impossibly cool wait-staff. Unique herbal cocktails and an awesome patio as well - highly recommended.

Excellent owner and very good quality of food. Much more authentic, than the usual Americanized Thai found most places.

We absolutely loved the food! Would highly recommend! Truly a sensory delight.

Disappointing on several levels. Food was average at best. Mango salad arrived with mango strips that were barely edible - the mango was clearly not ripe. tried biting a few times then just gave up and ate around them. Soup stock was bland with noodles that were stuck together. Service - we were standing by the door for a while before anyone approached us (no smiles or greetings) . lastly there were 5 of us at the table. when I tried to order a cocktail I was asked to show ID but because I had an international drivers licence the server refused to order my drink claiming she cant accept it. There were 5 of us and she only asked for mine (not sure why I am 43 and while I am flattered I certainly do not look younger than 21) clearly if she was such a a stickler for the rules she would have asked the rest of the group for their ID but for some reason I was singled out.
I will not be returning to this place.

To spicy and sweet

Too spicy for me.

Best old fashioned. Amazing plates.

Great food great service and fast seating even at peak dinner time!

They do not answer the phone

Phenomenal, authentic food. Wonderful bartender. Thanks for a great experience! I'll definitely be a return costumer.

Good food, friendly service. No fried rice tho? What?!

Always amazing

Very friendly staff & amazing food!!!

Food is fantastic (Penang curry in particular). Go with the expectation of a slow luxurious meal.

The Food is so good

Where have you been my whole life?????? This is amazing, fragrant, flavorful food for gods... Thank you...