San Antonio, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Thai Esan & Noodle House has opened in San Antonio, introducing diners to the fiery and herbaceous flavors of Isan cuisine from northeastern Thailand. Managed by the Boonphitak family, the restaurant offers a range of regional Thai dishes, focusing on noodles, salads, and grilled meats. The dining atmosphere features a serene setup, and patrons can bring their own beverages as the restaurant does not serve alcohol. With a menu that adapts to local tastes, this establishment promises a unique culinary experience in the heart of San Antonio.
San Antonio: New Family-Run Restaurant Serves Northeastern Thai (Isan) Cuisine
Thai Esan & Noodle House has opened at 9820 Huebner Road, Suite 109 in San Antonio, introducing an emphasis on Isan cuisine, the fiery and herbaceous food of northeastern Thailand. The restaurant opened in November, replacing the previous tenant and operating as a family-run business managed by the Boonphitak family. The establishment aims to present a broad range of regional Thai dishes, with an emphasis on noodles, salads, soups, stir-fries, grilled meats and other Isan specialties.
Key facts
The menu highlights include signature dishes such as tom saap (a spicy soup featuring tripe), laab moo (minced pork salad), nam khao (crispy fried rice salad) and a panang beef curry noted for balancing salty, sweet and spicy flavors. Diners can also order spicy versions of papaya salad with shrimp and a notable mee grob appetizer (fried noodles). While some original menu items were removed due to limited local demand, the restaurant continues to adapt its offerings to local tastes.
The dining room features a serene setup with crisp white tablecloths and ballroom-style lighting. The establishment does not serve alcohol but permits customers to BYOB. Price ranges on the menu are presented as: appetizers from $5.99 to $15.99, soups from $4.49 to $14.99, and entrees from $9.99 to $16.99.
Hours of operation
- Monday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Tuesday–Friday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Context and adaptation
The opening represents a transition from the previous tenant, with the Boonphitak family positioning the restaurant to deliver an authentic representation of Isan regional cooking in San Antonio’s diverse culinary landscape. Early operations included adjustments to the initial menu, removing several items that showed low demand, signaling ongoing adaptation to local preferences. Reviews and customer feedback show some mixed impressions on a few dishes, but the overall direction prioritizes authenticity and an ambitious regional focus.
What diners can expect
Visitors should expect a menu heavy on bold, herb-forward flavors common to Isan cuisine, featuring both familiar Thai items and region-specific specialties less commonly found in mainstream Thai restaurants. The atmosphere aims to be calm and refined, matching the plated presentation and attentive preparation style. Practical considerations include the BYOB policy and a moderate price range intended to accommodate a range of diners.
Background on Isan cuisine
Isan cuisine originates from northeastern Thailand and is known for its vibrant use of fresh herbs, chilies and lime, frequently pairing grilled meats with spicy salads and distinctive soups. Menu selections at this restaurant reflect those hallmarks through dishes such as laab, nam khao and tom saap, translated into a San Antonio setting by a family with roots in that regional culinary tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Thai Esan & Noodle House located?
The restaurant is located at 9820 Huebner Road, Suite 109 in San Antonio.
What type of cuisine does the restaurant serve?
The restaurant specializes in Isan cuisine from northeastern Thailand, as well as a range of Thai noodles, salads, soups, stir-fries and grilled dishes.
When did the restaurant open?
The restaurant opened in November, transitioning from the previous tenant.
What are the hours of operation?
Monday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Are there signature dishes to try?
Signature dishes include tom saap (spicy tripe soup), laab moo (minced pork salad), nam khao (crispy fried rice salad) and panang beef curry, along with spicy papaya salad with shrimp and a mee grob appetizer.
Does the restaurant serve alcohol?
The restaurant does not serve alcohol but allows patrons to bring their own beverage (BYOB).
What are the price ranges?
Appetizers range from $5.99 to $15.99; soups from $4.49 to $14.99; entrees from $9.99 to $16.99.
Who runs the restaurant?
The restaurant is family-run by the Boonphitak family, who developed the menu to reflect an authentic regional approach.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Restaurant name | Thai Esan & Noodle House |
| Address | 9820 Huebner Road, Suite 109, San Antonio |
| Cuisine | Isan (northeastern Thai) and general Thai dishes |
| Signature dishes | Tom saap, laab moo, nam khao, panang beef curry, mee grob |
| Price ranges | Appetizers $5.99–$15.99; Soups $4.49–$14.99; Entrees $9.99–$16.99 |
| Alcohol policy | No alcohol served on site; BYOB allowed |
| Ownership | Family-run by the Boonphitak family |
| Atmosphere | Serene dining room with white tablecloths and ballroom-style lighting |
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before November | Previous tenant operated at the location (Sarika’s Thai & Sushi) | Transitioned |
| November | Thai Esan & Noodle House opened at the site | Open / Operational |
| Ongoing (Post-opening) | Menu adjustments made; some items removed due to low demand | Active adaptation |
Weekly Hours Visual (simple chart)
The chart below shows the distribution of open hours by day as a percentage of total weekly open hours (58 hours total).
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Hosts Month-Long Cultural Events
New Restaurant to Open Near University in San Antonio
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in San Antonio Set for May 2025
San Antonio’s Fiesta 2025: Weekend Celebrations Await
La Panaderia Introduces Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Concha
Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs in San Antonio
Upcoming Events and Activities in San Antonio This January
San Antonio Welcomes Freight Fried Chicken to the Culinary Scene
Additional Resources
- CultureMap San Antonio: Best Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants
- Wikipedia: Isan Cuisine
- San Antonio Things To Do: Best Soups
- Google Search: Best Soups in San Antonio
- CultureMap San Antonio: 8 Best New Cocktail Bars
- Google Scholar: Best Cocktail Bars
- CultureMap San Antonio: Alamo Beer King of Hill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alamo Beer
- CultureMap San Antonio: Black Chapel Opens in Johnson City
- Google News: Black Chapel Johnson City
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
