Paya Thai

This is my favorite Thai restaurant in the bay area, the tom kha gai soup (coconut I add shrimp) is amazing. I've tried many Thai places in the bay area and have yet to find the same flavors. I'm not sure if these other places are adding too much herb/spices or not enough, they just aren't right. Paya Thai has it down to a science and the owner is really cool. If you like a specific dish that isn't listed on the menu, chances are she can make it. I requested the papaya salad (and the owners favorite, Salman salad) and they were amazing. The stew dish is really good too (cant remember the name, it has potatos, peanuts and some other ingredients, very hearty) Get it to go or dine in, it's relaxed, small, cozy and personable. Plenty of parking on the street or in the neighboring parking lot.

The food here is absolutely tasty and is a treat to the pallette. If only it had more patrons, it would do justice to the quality of service and the food here. Being a vegetarian, I ordered the Oriental rolls and fried rice with tofu and pineapples. My boy friend ordered a spicy bean curry and a soup. Everything was so authentic and had a classical taste. Well worth a visit.

I'll admit, I have a selfish motivation in writing this review. I don't want to see Paya Thai close, like every other favorite resturant of mine in Hayward eventually has. At Paya Thai, the items are all unique and homemade and the menu is relatively short, and nearly everything on the menu is excellent. The owner, Sudtira, is very nice, sociable, and accomodating - and man does she know her awy around the kitchen. I've eaten at Garden Thai and Saiam Palace Thai, both in Hayward, and enjoyed the food there. But after eating at Paya Thai, I'm honestly ruined for other Thai. First of all, don't dare leave without trying the tom kha pak (spicy and sour soup with vegatables, straw mushrooms, galanga, lemon grass, and magrood leaves). It is amazing, and worth the visit alone. So rich and tangy... And if you like curry, you will love the homemade Gang Pak (red or green curry paste with vegetables and coconut milk), at mild, moderate, or hot spiciness. Then I'll get a glass of white wine, which I think is 3 dollars a glass. Very reasonable. My omnivore friend has told me the peanut sauce on the Praram Seafood (cooked combination seafoods and vegetables) is excellent. Paya Thai is tucked away on the wrong side of Foothill on one-way B Street, which is probably why it is always very quiet. I'm really hoping business there will pick up when the movie theater is finished and B Street reverts back to two-way and you'll be able to access it easily from Foothill Expressway. I highly recommend you check it out before then. I'm really looking forward to eating a wonderful meal and getting nicely saused on the wine and stubbling across Foothill to see a movie...

Wonderful food. Quiet setting. Friendly folks. Great Thai ice tea and pad Thai. Excellent curries. This is a lovely little restaurant on B Street in Hayward. You can enjoy a great meal at a great location, in the heart of downtown Hayward, or order take-out and enjoy excellent food at home or work. My new favorite Thai restaurant.