Kin Thai

The story

Kin Thai in Sacramento: Michelin-Recognized Thai Street Food

The Taste of Bangkok on Sacramento's Streets

At Kin Thai, the streets of Thailand are more than a memory—they are a daily inspiration. This family-owned eatery in downtown Sacramento is the project of sisters Napis and Napak, who grew up surrounded by the vibrant stalls and smoky grills of Thai street food culture. Their mission is straightforward: recreate the original flavors of those streets, using the finest ingredients and the most authentic recipes they know.

The result is a menu that reads like a tour of Thailand’s bustling markets. Start with the Gieow Tod, crispy fried wontons stuffed with quail eggs and served with a sweet-and-sour dip. For something heartier, the Kuay Tiew Tom Yum delivers thin rice noodles in a clear, spicy-sour broth, topped with seasoned ground pork, roasted pork, fish cake, and a soft-boiled egg. The Isaan Lover Combo brings the bold flavors of Thailand’s northeastern region to the table: green papaya salad, crispy fried chicken wings, grilled pork jowl, and black sticky rice. And for a true classic, the Hoy Lai Pad Prik Pao stirs clams in a spicy chili paste with Mama noodles and Thai basil, crowned with a crispy fried egg.

Desserts are equally transportive. The Thai Tea Toffee Cake—a sponge cake infused with Thai tea and topped with caramelized cashew toffee—is a standout, as is the Kluay Ping: grilled Thai Namwah banana with palm sugar syrup and creamy coconut.

Kin Thai is the first and only Thai restaurant in the Sacramento area to be recognized by the Michelin Guide, a testament to the sisters’ dedication to bringing the genuine, nostalgic flavors of Thai street food to California’s capital. It is a place where the spirit of Bangkok’s food scene feels close at hand.