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Chow Thai in Charleston, WV, is an absolute must-visit for anyone craving authentic, high-quality Thai cuisine. Tucked away on Shrewsbury Street, this charming, small eatery lives up to its reputation as one of the best spots in the city, offering a fantastic experience that feels both genuine and welcoming.
My recent visit was centered around two classic choices, and both were executed flawlessly. The Pad Thai is truly a signature dish here. The stir-fried small rice noodles were perfectly cooked—not too oily, with a delightful chewiness—and coated in a balanced sauce that hit all the right notes: sweet, sour, and savory. The dish is generously portioned and comes expertly prepared with egg, Asian chives, and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts and fresh bean sprouts, adding a wonderful textural contrast. It’s a vibrant, flavorful take on a Thai staple that showcases the kitchen’s skill.
To complement the meal, the Thai Tea was the perfect choice. It was rich, creamy, and wonderfully sweet, serving as a refreshing and cooling counterpoint to the savory Pad Thai. It’s clear that the same attention to detail that goes into the main dishes is also applied to their beverages.
Beyond the food, the service at Chow Thai is exceptional—fast, friendly, and attentive, even when the limited seating area is busy. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, making it a great spot for a quick, delicious lunch or a satisfying dinner.
If you’re in the East End area of Charleston and looking for an authentic taste of Thai street food, make a stop at Chow Thai. It’s a local favorite for a reason, and I highly recommend experiencing their excellent Pad Thai and refreshing Thai Tea for yourself. Five stars!
… moreSumiko Clark
A cozy, locally owned restaurant with excellent food and great service. We ordered beef pad mama with medium heat and beef noodle bowl with rice noodles and mild heat (only available on Saturdays). Both were excellent! Medium is a good amount of spice. The Thai tea was delicious. We definitely want to go back. My husband wants to try a curry next time.
… moreAshley Butch
We can to Charlston for my boyfriend’s birthday and he loves Thai food. I found this restaurant and after reading the reviews I knew place was going to be the spot.
It was everything I thought it would be. The food was DELICIOUS! We go to a lot of Thai places. Chow Thai was the best. I got the Pad Thai and he got the Curry and everything was so flavorful. The Pad Thai was the best I ever had and so was his curry.
We went on Tuesday around 5 and unfortunately they were sold out and we were lucky enough to get a table at lunch the next day. We did have to wait 45 minutes for our food and the waitress let us know. It was worth the wait!! You know the food is fresh when it takes that long to cook. It was pipping hot at well. I would go there again if I ever come back out this way.
… moreWesley Rivers
Absolutely delicious food and very affordable prices for the amount and quality ❤️ the girl at the counter is always sweet and accommodating. Honestly think it’s one of the best restaurants in town. The korroke is outrageously tasty, the curry noodle soup is so decadent. I didn’t find one dish I didn’t like at this place.
… moreXavier Shaw
The food is always amazing! Portions are quite large and the price is always on point! I only visit West Virginia every year but when I do I ALWAYS stop here for lunch!
… moreLester Armstead
My favorite restaurant in Charleston. Pretty small so it gets crowded at lunchtime. I always get the Pad Kee Mao with chicken and ramen. Medium heat will make you sweat! A Thai Tea with boba completes the picture. Don’t miss this gem!
… moreErica James
My favorite lunch spot in Charleston!! Food is excellent every time of course, and I’ve tried most of the menu at this point. I’m also obsessed with the honeydew drink, it’s amazing. The service is great too, the server is so nice and very fast!
… moreD. Michl Lowe
I have been going here for years now! This is the best Thai food around, hands down! Its authentic and so tasty! Ive not had a dish here that didnt come off as thoughtful and homemade! They even do Ramen occasionally that really hits the spot! Don’t miss out, this is a place to stop in Charleston for!
… moreMark Burdette
Chow Thai is one of the best restaurants in Charleston, WV. The food is outstanding and the customer service is wonderful. Highly recommend giving them a try whether you have time to sit down or you are on a time crunch and takeout. Also, Charleston 2 Go provides delivery service for them so if you can’t make it to their downtown location you can have Chow Thai delivered right to your door at home. We try to eat there at least once a week because it is just that good. You won’t be disappointed.
… moreBianca Geiger
Some of the worst Thai food I have had. We went here expecting amazing food as the reviews are very good but received chewy hard boba and gray colored Pad Thai with no flavor or sauce. The food looks nothing like the photos and is very bland. The only decent thing was the spring rolls. I felt like I wasted my money here. Disappointed.
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