Bowl Thai

I’m not one to go to a restaurant just for a good atmosphere. I can live with some bad service if I know I’m going to get a good dish in the end. Bowl Thai makes me happy because here is a restaurant where I don’t have to choose between service and quality. I have countless anecdotes of receiving amazingly generous and kind service: free drinks or dessert, accommodations for allergies, an explanation or pronunciation of a dish, or just a nice conversation.

Ba mee nam! yum.

Bowl Thai is in one of the most prime locations in Gardena. Tozai Plaza is a tiny strip mall with an incredible representation of the various cultures of the area. There is Korean soon tofu, Taiwanese hot pot, sushi, udon, Chinese dumplings, pho, Japanese BBQ, boba, ramen, soft serve, Cajun seafood, and of course, Marie Callenders. It is nearly impossible to find a parking spot here, especially weekend evenings. I’ve visited nearly every restaurant in the plaza, many of them excellent, yet Bowl Thai is usually my go-to for the aforementioned reasons of deliciousness, comfort, and community.

I typically divide restaurants into two categories. There are the mom & pop no-frills type food places where English may not be the dominant language; and then there are the more expensive new age places with chic, modern designs that appeal to young people. Naturally there tends to be a tradeoff between focus on food and focusing on design and accessibility. Bowl Thai finds a happy medium. The interior has the look of an Ikea: industrial with a bright pop of color. On one occasion, I began talking to the aunty at the cashier (in Hawaii and in some Asian cultures we tend to call all ladies older than us “aunty”) about where she is from in Thailand and asked her about the food. At the end of my meal, the aunty surprised us with mango sticky rice. These small things, the restaurant’s quality of openness and inclusiveness, is what keeps me coming back.

Pad thai. solid.

My favorite dish is something I haven’t seen at other places: guey thiew nuea hang, or soupless beef noodles. It’s a bowl of rice noodles in a sweet yet intensely savory sauce, topped with brisket, a healthy amount of lettuce and bean sprouts, and fried garlic (my favorite!). There are also containers of house made pickled chilis and hot sauces for those that are inclined to spicy food. Another favorite of mine is the ba mee nam, a light pork soup with egg noodles and wontons if you like (I like). Other popular dishes include tom yum noodle soup, boat noodle soup, satay skewers, as well as your usual options like pad see ew, pad thai, salads, curries, and fried rice.

If you are unfamiliar with the area I’d definitely recommend a trip to Tozai plaza. It’s an excellent taste of what Gardena has to offer in terms of diversity, food, and community. There is a lot of amazing food here, and Bowl Thai’s is no exception. Harder to find is the personal touch—the surprise dessert, the 30-second conversation that lightens your day—that makes a restaurant feel like home.