I have now gotten 2 lunch meetings catered by Saeng Thai House, and both times, they were very easy to work with to get the order set up. The first time, I asked if they could bring plates and napkins and silverware, and they threw them in, plus a few extra orders of some of the dishes at no additional cost. Both times, the food was delivered on time. I remember the food being a little more exciting last year, but both times were very tasty, and I would definitely use them again. The pad thai and the eggplant were especially tasty. They were also great about accommodating dietary restrictions such as vegan and gluten free. They aren't LOSING a star for anything, but I just want to reserve 5-star marks for restaurants where the food and experience are just out-of-this-world amazing, whereas this is just "very good." I don't actually live in Portland, but I'm sure if I did, I would also eat in at the restaurant!
(4)
Bill C.
I wasn't too impressed with what many have called the best thai place in Portland, Maine. I got the pad see-ew with shrimp, and there were about 3 or 4 pieces of shrimp in the dish. The flavor of the pad see-ew was not flavorful like authentic thai cuisine. Don't get me wrong. The Thai food here is solid. But I've had much better in California. Maybe it was just the pad see-ew that I got. Or maybe it was the off-color thai ice tea that tasted a bit like sour milk. Or maybe it was the priciness of the pad see-ew. If I'm ever back, I will definitely try some of the other dishes and appetizers. For now, based on what I had to eat, this place gets 3 stars.
(3)
Aaron P.
Baby and toddler-friendly! Besides having some of the best Thai food I've ever had, and having a busy-but-charming atmosphere, the ladies at Saeng Thai House will basically babysit our toddler for us while we eat. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but they love our little lady (and I'm assuming other kids as well) and will fawn over her when we're there. Considering some restaurants are tolerant of little kids at best, this is very welcome. This isn't to say that we're obnoxious baby people who have no awareness of, or respect for, other diners, but merely that a place where we can go and get amazing food *and* feel warmly welcomed with a young kid is a rarity, and we appreciate it. Alright. The food. It's great! We usually get the chicken sate as an appetizer. They're tender and perfectly-spiced. Each time we've gone I've gotten the volcano ramen soup with pork meatballs. It's just so good that I can't bring myself to try anything else! It's savory and spicy, and the meatballs have a wonderfully firm texture to them. It hits the spot every time. I don't think it's on their regular menu, but it's been available as a special whenever I've been there. The do NOT serve booze here, which is a bummer, but the food is good enough to make you forget about it. Kids or no kids, Saeng Thai House is a must.
(5)
Joey W.
Really friendly service, great pad thai, amaaaazing pad prink khink (I've also seen it called green bean pri king at other places). I've never been disappointed here and they were open during a snowstorm when everyone else was closing early. Instead of an after dinner mint they gave us a guava candy. Yum.
(4)
H P.
I love crispy duck my favorite Thai dish ,my wife likes Pad Thai .First let me say this restaurant is tiny ,with about 5 or 6 tables. It appears to be totally run by one family ,and the service was quite good .After a period of time my crispy duck came out ,unfortunately it wasn't crispy .Whenever I see crispy duck I'm used to browned skin and crispyness .However there was a lot of meat .My wife's Pad Thai was a bit on the spicy side ,she thought it was quite good .Unfortunately I have been spoiled by this Thai restaurant on Hilton Head Island in SC called Rhua Thai ,that is my standard and Saeng Thai house does not rise up to that standard .So while I can say that I had a decent Thai meal here ,it doesn't get me yearning to rush back .Portland is devoid of decent Chinese restaurants especially after the Hu Ke Lau closed many years ago ,today I have to be desperate to eat Chinese in Portland especially when I hail from Boston .The same I think holds true with Thai restaurants.
(3)
Anita B.
Stopped here for a quick lunch when I was in town for the day. So glad I didn't grab my usual lunch at Panera. I had the Volcano Udon soup made with coconut milk and it was luscious. Fresh ingredients with a beautiful, flavorful broth. Friendly service, I most definitely will be back.
(5)
Julie D.
We moved to Freeport a year ago from the intensely multicultural DC suburbs and have been quite disappointed in the closer-to-Freeport Thai restaurants we've tried. We finally decided to head to Portland to try a Thai restaurant there. Wow! The food at Saeng Thai was fabulous--complex, subtle flavors, perfectly done meat, delicate fresh summer rolls. My crispy duck in tamarind sauce was to die for and the leftovers I enjoyed the next day proved my first impression. My husband enjoyed his pad thai as well. We are looking forward to many return visits!
(5)
Matt L.
The best pad thai I've ever had. For about $5, it has shrimp and chicken in it. It's flavorful, fresh, and spicy (if you want it to be). Very, very good. Their spring rolls are also very good - cold and unfried. This is by Maine Med, so expect to see a bunch of doctors come in if you're there around lunch time.
(5)
Ben J.
Bring your own Open Heart. Bring your own Curiosity. Bring your own Booze. You will be rewarded by friendly service, yummy food, and a cheap buzz.
(5)
Morgan C.
This is true authentic Thai cuisine! I grew up in a Thai restaurant owned and operated by my Mother and Aunts. Despite only going into the restaurant for take-out, I was immediately taken back home to my childhood. The food was as they say, "just like Mom used to make." I have just moved to Portland, and was looking for a good place to get Thai food. I am happy that I found this great place! I will most certainly be going back!
(5)
Kathryn D.
We stopped in on a road trip at 8:30 and were slightly worried because the place was empty. Oddly enough though, people kept coming in and the place was packed by the time we left. We had the red curry, and a ginger and scallions steak dish which were both quite good with a solid amount of veggies, but what really stood out was the Basil Pad Thai. It was some of the best Pad Thai I have had.
(4)
Roberta D.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday during our visit to Portland. It's a great little spot. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We started with the vegetable spring rolls which came with peanut sauce. So fresh and delicious. My boyfriend got the volcano noodle soup which was one of the specials of the day. He absolutely loved it! I got the drunken noodle which is my go to at Thai places. It was delicious I would have enjoyed it more if there was some heat to it. Great place, I would definitely stop in if ever in the area again.
(4)
Pritha V.
We stopped here for lunch while driving from Boston to Acadia National Park. I liked the ambience, it is very authentic and the lady at the front desk is also very cordial. We ordered Shrimp and scallops with fresh ginger in thai sauce and red curry with chicken. Food was pretty decent and close to authentic thai food, however I would alter the balance of spices to bring out the true thai flavors.
(3)
Christine L.
On a recent rainy day, a quick yelp search and my handy dandy phone led me to Saeng Thai House for a piping hot Volcano Noodle Soup to go. While I usually don't expect too much from asian soups around town in general, I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and aromatic contents of my bag as I opened it up back home. For a little over $11, I got a pleasantly spiced soup with pork balls, many slices of pork (you can also opt for chicken), veggies, bean sprouts, and rice noodles. As I slurped up the noodles in the comfort of my home, I slowly savored all the flavors in the soup that were simply too great to even describe right now. While I didn't dine-in on this occasion, the service was great when I ate here previously. Ordering take-out is super easy, and the table full of brown bags when I arrived shows that they've got plenty of business. If you do dine here in the winter-time, they've got the heat cranked up high--just the way I like it!
(4)
Derek S.
We came from Virginia, where we have a lot of Thai Restaurants very close to our house...and we found this little space in Portland, which serves one of the best Thai dishes. Don't skip pu-pu plater , you'll be surprised!
(5)
Jessica M.
They have the best food! It is not cheap food and its freshly made. They cook the tofu so well. They have the BEST mango and sticky rice!
(5)
Phi T.
Wow i havent have the best thai food ever in such a LOOOONG time and this place is definitely #1 in the state of maine. Had the chicken pad si ew it was terrific as well as the pineapple fried rice. The presentations were very pretty. Not very fancy.. It's casual but very nice interior and clean. Only complaint, the parking is very difficult. I recommend parking in a place at your own risk, like the shopping center that has the happy nails, subway etc or park at the langs express. Eating here is so worth it so much better than poms thai or orchid thai in falmouth.. This place hits the spot!
(5)
Holly S.
I mean really?! Really? Really that good! Portions huge, nice and attentive service, got takeout and while I was waiting it is byob and I happened to have a bottle with me! Pad Thai,,,,amazing, big portion and I never want a chicken dumpling again after tasting this amazing one. Ground chix,scallion, pan seared deliciously done
(5)
Dave W.
This Thai place really hits the mark. I'm from NYC and a Chinese American, so I'm very picky about Asian food. We started with the shrimp spring rolls (which we call summer rolls in NYC). Nicely cut into 8 pieces, filled with shrimp, cilantro and other goodies. Really good. For our main course I had a spicy pad Thai with duck. Juicy, flavorful and had plenty of spice. Not enough to overwhelm, but just enough to get a good luck. My girlfriend had the spicy bamboo with shrimp. Also really good and came with a side of rice. For dessert we had the mango sticky rice. This is a must have. The rice was nice, hot, sweet and sticky. The mango was fresh, tangy and matched so well with the rice. Service was fantastic as well. It was obviously a family owned restaurant and it really makes you feel welcome. Overall I was really impressed with this place. Would definitely come here again if I'm ever in town.
(5)
Sarah M.
My husband and I went here while on vacation in Portland. The restaurant is small and cozy. The staff immediately greeted us and say us at a table near the kitchen. (We appreciated this table so we could watch orders come out before making out decision!) we ordered Crab Langkoons (we know them as Crab Rangoons). They were the best I have ever had. My husband ordered the Pad Thai, and I ordered the Pad Thai with Basil Special. Both were excellent and filled with flavor. One of the few Thai places I've been to where the chicken wasn't chewy like a balloon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)
Hannah K.
Hands down, my favorite thai place in town. Living so close by, it's all too easy for me to stop in when I don't feel like cooking. Takeout is exceptionally quick (usually 10-15 minutes). The people are great, super friendly and know their stuff! Most importantly, the food is delicious. I was never a pad thai fan (usually opt for a curry) but one day I decided to try the special pad thai basil. I don't think I've ordered anything else since. It has the perfect amount of spice and the basil gives it such a nice flavor. I always fry an egg over the leftovers the next day! The prices are affordable and the portions generous. Also, if you order the pineapple fried rice it comes in a hollowed out pineapple. What more could you want?
(5)
Lindsay W.
The wonton soup was excellent. My date and I both got pad thai but he got the crispy pad thai. I'm happy I stuck with the traditional. It was SO good. But we semi died with our spice levels and I feel I can usually do pretty good with medium spice. I got 2 stars and he got 3 but we tasted no difference. They were both quite spicy. I think he drank 6 glasses of water during his meal. I'll be back!
(4)
Tessa M.
I would like to start by saying that I have had excellent Thai food in the past from Saeng Thai. However, on Friday night (9/11/15) I ordered a yellow curry for delivery and was quoted 45 minutes for it's arrival. After an hour went by I was concerned that the driver did not have my correct address and called to make sure everything was okay, I was told the driver was on his way. I did not receive my food for an hour and 45 minutes. This was discouraging to me as I was certainly not expecting such a long wait. Additionally my food was cold when it arrived. I understand that on a Friday night an additional wait could be expected, and if I was informed of this I would have simply picked up my food instead of having it delivered. Having experienced such a long wait I was still charged my delivery fee. I found the entire experience to be very frustrating and will most likely not order from Saeng Thai again.
(1)
Asa B.
Best Thai food in Portland. I have waited a long time to write this review, because there are a dozen Thai food places in Portland. I have tried them all. Boda Thai is a very good second, but is more Asian Fusion than Thai. Pom's and Seng also make very respectable thai. But when it comes to the best Sang stands alone. Best curry. (Red, Green, Massaman) Best Pad Thai. Other mentionable; Crispy Duck. Volcano Noodle soup ( seriously try it) Closely held secret... Pak Tod (It's Tempora) Best Tempora in the city. Yes I am counting all the Japanese places. I have yet to try better.
(5)
Jacob L.
Fairly typical but better-than-average thai food. I like their dumplings. Pad Thai is decent, nothing mind-blowing but good
(4)
Lacy J.
Fantastic spot, I'll definitely be back again. We had the Panang curry and it was the best I've had in a long time! The veggies were nice and crisp still and the heat level was just right. They also got our food to us in well under 10 minutes! Service was fantastic and the atmosphere was great as well.
(5)
Jessica G.
I love Thai food, and this is some of the best I've ever had. Reasonably priced, with fast, friendly service. A real gem!
(5)
Jeff A.
Braved the Blizzard of 2015 to walk to this place from my nearby hotel. It was so good that I'd do it again if I'm snowed in tomorrow! So glad all the pizza delivery places were closed tonight! I had the Crispy Pad Thai and asked for 3 out of 5 spicy. It was a little hotter than I was expecting, but still full of great flavors and fresh veggie toppings. I got a little bowl of white rice to mix in and it was perfect. The hot tea was delicious.
(5)
PJ L.
Ordered the Crispy Pad Thai and it was a bit too salty. The panang curry was good tho.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
Very fresh food for a very fair price! The pad see-u and crunchy pad Thai are winners. At this little hole in the wall, mom-and-pop shop everything is made to order and it arrives to your table quickly and piping hot. While the restaurant itself is bare-bones, the food and the service are not! Fyi - byob
(4)
Tim R.
Great staff, very friendly and efficient. The food was amazing! Had the Drunken Noodles, they were delicious. The fried ice cream was amazing! Go here!
(5)
Ethan D.
Saeng offers a fantastic variety of traditional Thai dishes perfected with fresh vegetables, meats, and spices. The crab langkoon and drunken noodles with beef were my selections for dinner. The crunchy langkoons were served with a delicious sweet chili garlic sauce that was incredible! The drunken noodles had the perfect amount of spice and came topped with juicy beef and crisp veggies. The waitstaff was helpful and very friendly. Oh, and BYOB!
(5)
Ross C.
The food is fantastic. But to say there's a language barrier is not a mild understatement. And this time it's even not even a case of my having an English (note: not British) accent and having to repeat myself because once the person I was talking to realised I was English, they promptly stopped listening to what I was saying because "oh my goodness, he has a British accent" consumes their mind. It's just a language barrier because they're not yet fluent in the English language. Plus, their credit card payment system was down, which prolonged the process. But let's focus on the food. Have yet to be disappointed after three deliveries to my SoPo workplace.
(4)
Paul d.
I have traveled every week for the last year to Portland, ME for work and Saeng's was my first ever meal in this foodie heaven of a town. However, I do not want to confuse nostalgia with down right quality. This the best Thai food I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Eating at Saeng's was the first time I could differentiate another level of Thai cuisine. In Chicago, almost every neighborhood has a go to Thai joint. Most of them are serviceable while there are some that you'd actually drive to experience. More often than not though, the neighborhood joint will typically suffice. Saeng's is the type of place I would drive through a Chicago snowstorm to get to. It is that good. I've had the following which I highly recommend. Pupu platter (appetizer sampler) Basil Chicken Crispy Duck Spicy Volcano Soup I've also eaten at Pom's Thai and Sabieng extensively and Saeng always takes the cake.
(5)
Lena L.
Inconsistent delivery. They seem to have cooks with very different styles. So the dish that I loved one time, is only okay the next time. Also, they have a lot of take out customers and given how tiny the place is, the constant traffic definitely takes away from the atmosphere.
(3)
Fabian M.
Best pad thai I've ever had! I have lived and worked in Thailand so consider myself an expert on the topic. The only difficult thing is to decide between getting the regular pad thai or the pad thai basil (PTB). The PTB is a little spicier and has a very full and juicy flavor. You'll have to try it to understand what I'm talking about. The service is great and the place is run by really lovely people so definitely a must if you're visiting Portland!
(5)
Mike S.
A typical Thai food venue in a city with few Thai people. The basil pad Thai was great but the rest was tasty but not memorable.
(3)
Mariah L.
Hands down my least favorite thai take out. I've eaten here 4 times and still have yet to find a dish I'm happy to eat. Every piece of meat or veggie is so incredibly overcooked I wonder if it's all just sitting in a pot all day. The noodles are often dry and stuck together in large dry chunks. The sauces seem watery and poorly made too. I care about what I do and appreciate it when people do the same, or at least pair the prices with food quality and preparation. All in all, I haven't even wanted to finish a dish yet. My last review was taken down because it wasn't positive, but I created this account because of my experiences here, and confusion over why their rating is so high. It's a real review, I'm a person who has given them more than a fair shot and I can't waste my money here any more.
(1)
Albert H.
My family visited this place as a part of our vacation from New York, where we have a fair share of Thai restaurants to choose from. I've got to say this place stacks up to any Thai place I've been to. We've got two kids, ages 10 & 9 and they aren't nearly as adventurous with their food as me and my wife are...so we had them split one order of the Chicken Noodle Soup. Our server was very friendly and served the one order in two different bowls, something we didn't ask for, but as parents, really did appreciate. I didn't try the dish myself, but my kids really seemed to enjoy it. It isn't the typical American version of chicken noodle soup, but at the same time, the flavors weren't so strong that my kids would be turned off by it. An added bonus was that it had a healthy serving of veggies and the noodles were rice noodles, so my kids were eating healthy and didn't even know it! As for what the adults ordered, we split an order of the spring rolls as the appetizer. Very generous portions (8 rolls) and very fresh. The plum sauce with peanuts was awesome. One warning about the spring rolls - some places serves the spring rolls that are essentially egg rolls with the crispy skin. These are not those. These are uncooked veggies freshly wrapped in a rice wrapper, served cold. Very different but still delicious! As an entree I ordered the green curry over duck and rice. Again, this stacks up to any green curry dish I've ever had. Just the right amount of heat and creaminess. Green curry is always spicy but I love it because the curry never overwhelms the rest of the dish. I still tasted the duck, which is always my meat of choice when it comes to green curry. My wife ordered the Pad Thai with shrimp. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when she ordered that dish because it's such a "safe" dish. Most every Pad Thai dish I've had before this one tasted the same to me...most of them somewhat dry and the meat of choice is usually overcooked. Don't get me wrong, I do like Pad Thai, but I didn't think this would be any different than the ones I've tried in New York. But was I wrong! When the dish came out it just looked different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. It also tasted different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. The noodles were "wet" rather than dry. Also, the shrimp was succulent and not overcooked at all. A very pleasant surprise. Overall, I would say Saeng Thai House served some of the best Thai food I've ever had. The Yelp reviews are pretty spot on in its praise of this place. It's not a huge place, but we went on a weeknight so it wasn't crowded at all. We noticed a lot of take-out/pick-up orders while we were there. Too bad this place isn't around us or I'd be ordering from there every night! Next time we're in Portland, this a must visit.
(5)
Courtney E.
I didn't think it was possible but Saeng Thai House actually makes my love for Thai burn brighter. Gone are the days when I thought you had to choose between gourmet and affordable. The food was authentic, delicious, abundantly portioned and reasonably priced especially next to it's fancier cousin, Boda. The family who run it are also lovely- friendly and professional. Perhaps the restaurant ambiance and location struggle to compete with other downtown options but the quality of the dishes distinguishes the place from many I've been to from Boston to San Francisco. You really can't argue with amazing food and great service. I am bringing everyone I know here!
(5)
Vaibhav S.
Awesomest Thai food I've ever had. Its a hidden gem. Its family owned and run so the food is also homemade type and healthy. We ordered veggie rolls, Pad thai and Tofu vegie and they were simply amazing. The green tea ice-creme was just incredible.
(5)
Shelly S.
Great service, great food. This place is the real deal. Staff was helpful in ordering. This establishment is BYOB, helping you to keep the average bill down. There is a little liquor store right around the corner.
(4)
Juwon K.
I am visiting Portland, and this made my day. I had spring rolls as an appetizer and mango curry with duck as an entree. And they are both so gooood! It is tasty and healthy! I think I will come back for next visit.
(5)
Noah L.
I have been coming to Saeng Thai House for 12 years and I will never find an acceptable substitute for the delectables that come from this small eatery. I have traveled all around the world, including Thailand, and have yet to find a Pad Thai as good/consistent/juicy/spicy/etc. as the dish from here. After moving to Brooklyn earlier this year, I often wander the streets of NYC craving Saeng Thai House but find myself continuously disappointed when I sample one of the hundreds of Thai restaurants in this gigantic city. Alas, I will have to sustain myself off my once-per-month visit to Portland. Until then, the search continues.
(5)
Unhappy C.
Best Thai in Portland, period. Prices are always great, food has always been amazing. It's been my go-to Thai place for almost ten years.
(5)
Aaron F.
Im really not into the great reviews this place gets. Ive gone three times and was disappointed on each occasion. I had the crispy pad thai and it was overcooked and practically inedible. Also their soup was not that good. Dont know where all the positive reviews are coming from but I wont be returning.
(2)
Tom P.
My first time here was very impressive. The lady, who took care of us, was very helpful in every way. She knows almost everything about Portland. The food was surprisingly excellent. We love everything here. It seems like everybody here is genuinely nice. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Gabrielle L.
This place was delicious. We enjoyed the tastiest spicy basil Pad Thai, a creamy and spicy red curry dish, and tamarind shrimp...all exceptional. The service was excellent and the owner was very friendly and personable. One downside is that there are only a few tables in the restaurant. Even so, the atmosphere was very comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop here!
(5)
George P.
We went to Saeng Thai after reading all the reviews. The food was above average. The Volcano soup was very nice. Beef Pad Thai was excellent. Ginger Pineapple Fried Rice was odd (just average). Tom Yum soup was good. Service was great and the waitstaff/management were exceptional. Had an enjoyable time and prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Phil A.
My wife and I were in South Portland on business from Boston and dropped in at random. She had the Garlic Shrimp and I had the Ocean Cried plate. The meals were both delicious and the presentations lovely. We had a pumpkin custard for dessert which was light and delightful. The restaurant staff is very kind and friendly and patient when ordering or asking about local attractions or even how to prepare a Thai dish. The decor is simple but very quaint and has many Thai elements that are both relaxing and intriguing. We noticed that the local patrons were very dedicated to visiting this restaurant and now we understand why. We plan to revisit ourselves on our next trip up to Portland.
(5)
Mike W.
On a overnight in Portland, I was looking for Nime Chow. (AKA Raw Spring Rolls) The atmosphre is casual yet could be romantic if you BYOB and have your better half with you. I loved the hot Thai Tea served in decorative covered elephant cups on a coaster. Forks are standard fare with the Chop Sticks hidden in a holder on each table. For my main course I had the Chicken Pad Thai which was a large serving of bliss for my tastebuds!
(4)
Fred A.
We were blown away by the great food, how quick and friendly the service was and how inexpensive we felt this place was. The little comp salad before our lunch was a very nice surprise. We'll go back here any time we're in Portland. The only drawback I can see is that the place is smallish and I'll bet there can be a wait at busy times. Others say it's BYOB, which I believe, but we don't drink so it is no problem. Khawp Koon Krap, Saeng Thai!
(5)
Jasmine W.
BYOB! Great little place. Server was extremely friendly and hospitable. We had the Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pork dumplings, thai salad, and crispy duck spicy basil dish. All were great. Would love to eat here again.
(5)
Acacia I.
Best place for Thai I've found in the Portland area. The prices are great too! Also really friendly service and super sweet waitress. They're really good and quick with delivery too! Always love going and always happy when I leave.
(5)
John L.
The place is small with very limited seating, but the food is fresh, delicious and well worth any wait or inconvenience. The BBQ duck made with red curry is outstanding. My daughter has yet to develop a palate that appreciates spice, so they were able to provide a plate of fresh steamed veggies to accompany her fried tofu and fresh spring rolls. It looked and tasted like they had just been picked from a garden. Do yourself a favor and eat here if you want Thai / Asian food in Portland- you won't be sorry.
(5)
Ben J.
Bring your own Open Heart. Bring your own Curiosity. Bring your own Booze. You will be rewarded by friendly service, yummy food, and a cheap buzz.
(5)
Morgan C.
This is true authentic Thai cuisine! I grew up in a Thai restaurant owned and operated by my Mother and Aunts. Despite only going into the restaurant for take-out, I was immediately taken back home to my childhood. The food was as they say, "just like Mom used to make." I have just moved to Portland, and was looking for a good place to get Thai food. I am happy that I found this great place! I will most certainly be going back!
(5)
Kathryn D.
We stopped in on a road trip at 8:30 and were slightly worried because the place was empty. Oddly enough though, people kept coming in and the place was packed by the time we left. We had the red curry, and a ginger and scallions steak dish which were both quite good with a solid amount of veggies, but what really stood out was the Basil Pad Thai. It was some of the best Pad Thai I have had.
(4)
Roberta D.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday during our visit to Portland. It's a great little spot. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We started with the vegetable spring rolls which came with peanut sauce. So fresh and delicious. My boyfriend got the volcano noodle soup which was one of the specials of the day. He absolutely loved it! I got the drunken noodle which is my go to at Thai places. It was delicious I would have enjoyed it more if there was some heat to it. Great place, I would definitely stop in if ever in the area again.
(4)
Pritha V.
We stopped here for lunch while driving from Boston to Acadia National Park. I liked the ambience, it is very authentic and the lady at the front desk is also very cordial. We ordered Shrimp and scallops with fresh ginger in thai sauce and red curry with chicken. Food was pretty decent and close to authentic thai food, however I would alter the balance of spices to bring out the true thai flavors.
(3)
Christine L.
On a recent rainy day, a quick yelp search and my handy dandy phone led me to Saeng Thai House for a piping hot Volcano Noodle Soup to go. While I usually don't expect too much from asian soups around town in general, I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and aromatic contents of my bag as I opened it up back home. For a little over $11, I got a pleasantly spiced soup with pork balls, many slices of pork (you can also opt for chicken), veggies, bean sprouts, and rice noodles. As I slurped up the noodles in the comfort of my home, I slowly savored all the flavors in the soup that were simply too great to even describe right now. While I didn't dine-in on this occasion, the service was great when I ate here previously. Ordering take-out is super easy, and the table full of brown bags when I arrived shows that they've got plenty of business. If you do dine here in the winter-time, they've got the heat cranked up high--just the way I like it!
(4)
Derek S.
We came from Virginia, where we have a lot of Thai Restaurants very close to our house...and we found this little space in Portland, which serves one of the best Thai dishes. Don't skip pu-pu plater , you'll be surprised!
(5)
Jessica M.
They have the best food! It is not cheap food and its freshly made. They cook the tofu so well. They have the BEST mango and sticky rice!
(5)
Phi T.
Wow i havent have the best thai food ever in such a LOOOONG time and this place is definitely #1 in the state of maine. Had the chicken pad si ew it was terrific as well as the pineapple fried rice. The presentations were very pretty. Not very fancy.. It's casual but very nice interior and clean. Only complaint, the parking is very difficult. I recommend parking in a place at your own risk, like the shopping center that has the happy nails, subway etc or park at the langs express. Eating here is so worth it so much better than poms thai or orchid thai in falmouth.. This place hits the spot!
(5)
Holly S.
I mean really?! Really? Really that good! Portions huge, nice and attentive service, got takeout and while I was waiting it is byob and I happened to have a bottle with me! Pad Thai,,,,amazing, big portion and I never want a chicken dumpling again after tasting this amazing one. Ground chix,scallion, pan seared deliciously done
(5)
Dave W.
This Thai place really hits the mark. I'm from NYC and a Chinese American, so I'm very picky about Asian food. We started with the shrimp spring rolls (which we call summer rolls in NYC). Nicely cut into 8 pieces, filled with shrimp, cilantro and other goodies. Really good. For our main course I had a spicy pad Thai with duck. Juicy, flavorful and had plenty of spice. Not enough to overwhelm, but just enough to get a good luck. My girlfriend had the spicy bamboo with shrimp. Also really good and came with a side of rice. For dessert we had the mango sticky rice. This is a must have. The rice was nice, hot, sweet and sticky. The mango was fresh, tangy and matched so well with the rice. Service was fantastic as well. It was obviously a family owned restaurant and it really makes you feel welcome. Overall I was really impressed with this place. Would definitely come here again if I'm ever in town.
(5)
Sarah M.
My husband and I went here while on vacation in Portland. The restaurant is small and cozy. The staff immediately greeted us and say us at a table near the kitchen. (We appreciated this table so we could watch orders come out before making out decision!) we ordered Crab Langkoons (we know them as Crab Rangoons). They were the best I have ever had. My husband ordered the Pad Thai, and I ordered the Pad Thai with Basil Special. Both were excellent and filled with flavor. One of the few Thai places I've been to where the chicken wasn't chewy like a balloon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)
Hannah K.
Hands down, my favorite thai place in town. Living so close by, it's all too easy for me to stop in when I don't feel like cooking. Takeout is exceptionally quick (usually 10-15 minutes). The people are great, super friendly and know their stuff! Most importantly, the food is delicious. I was never a pad thai fan (usually opt for a curry) but one day I decided to try the special pad thai basil. I don't think I've ordered anything else since. It has the perfect amount of spice and the basil gives it such a nice flavor. I always fry an egg over the leftovers the next day! The prices are affordable and the portions generous. Also, if you order the pineapple fried rice it comes in a hollowed out pineapple. What more could you want?
(5)
Lindsay W.
The wonton soup was excellent. My date and I both got pad thai but he got the crispy pad thai. I'm happy I stuck with the traditional. It was SO good. But we semi died with our spice levels and I feel I can usually do pretty good with medium spice. I got 2 stars and he got 3 but we tasted no difference. They were both quite spicy. I think he drank 6 glasses of water during his meal. I'll be back!
(4)
Ross C.
The food is fantastic. But to say there's a language barrier is not a mild understatement. And this time it's even not even a case of my having an English (note: not British) accent and having to repeat myself because once the person I was talking to realised I was English, they promptly stopped listening to what I was saying because "oh my goodness, he has a British accent" consumes their mind. It's just a language barrier because they're not yet fluent in the English language. Plus, their credit card payment system was down, which prolonged the process. But let's focus on the food. Have yet to be disappointed after three deliveries to my SoPo workplace.
(4)
Tessa M.
I would like to start by saying that I have had excellent Thai food in the past from Saeng Thai. However, on Friday night (9/11/15) I ordered a yellow curry for delivery and was quoted 45 minutes for it's arrival. After an hour went by I was concerned that the driver did not have my correct address and called to make sure everything was okay, I was told the driver was on his way. I did not receive my food for an hour and 45 minutes. This was discouraging to me as I was certainly not expecting such a long wait. Additionally my food was cold when it arrived. I understand that on a Friday night an additional wait could be expected, and if I was informed of this I would have simply picked up my food instead of having it delivered. Having experienced such a long wait I was still charged my delivery fee. I found the entire experience to be very frustrating and will most likely not order from Saeng Thai again.
(1)
Asa B.
Best Thai food in Portland. I have waited a long time to write this review, because there are a dozen Thai food places in Portland. I have tried them all. Boda Thai is a very good second, but is more Asian Fusion than Thai. Pom's and Seng also make very respectable thai. But when it comes to the best Sang stands alone. Best curry. (Red, Green, Massaman) Best Pad Thai. Other mentionable; Crispy Duck. Volcano Noodle soup ( seriously try it) Closely held secret... Pak Tod (It's Tempora) Best Tempora in the city. Yes I am counting all the Japanese places. I have yet to try better.
(5)
Jacob L.
Fairly typical but better-than-average thai food. I like their dumplings. Pad Thai is decent, nothing mind-blowing but good
(4)
Lacy J.
Fantastic spot, I'll definitely be back again. We had the Panang curry and it was the best I've had in a long time! The veggies were nice and crisp still and the heat level was just right. They also got our food to us in well under 10 minutes! Service was fantastic and the atmosphere was great as well.
(5)
Jessica G.
I love Thai food, and this is some of the best I've ever had. Reasonably priced, with fast, friendly service. A real gem!
(5)
Jeff A.
Braved the Blizzard of 2015 to walk to this place from my nearby hotel. It was so good that I'd do it again if I'm snowed in tomorrow! So glad all the pizza delivery places were closed tonight! I had the Crispy Pad Thai and asked for 3 out of 5 spicy. It was a little hotter than I was expecting, but still full of great flavors and fresh veggie toppings. I got a little bowl of white rice to mix in and it was perfect. The hot tea was delicious.
(5)
Ethan D.
Saeng offers a fantastic variety of traditional Thai dishes perfected with fresh vegetables, meats, and spices. The crab langkoon and drunken noodles with beef were my selections for dinner. The crunchy langkoons were served with a delicious sweet chili garlic sauce that was incredible! The drunken noodles had the perfect amount of spice and came topped with juicy beef and crisp veggies. The waitstaff was helpful and very friendly. Oh, and BYOB!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Very fresh food for a very fair price! The pad see-u and crunchy pad Thai are winners. At this little hole in the wall, mom-and-pop shop everything is made to order and it arrives to your table quickly and piping hot. While the restaurant itself is bare-bones, the food and the service are not! Fyi - byob
(4)
PJ L.
Ordered the Crispy Pad Thai and it was a bit too salty. The panang curry was good tho.
(3)
Tim R.
Great staff, very friendly and efficient. The food was amazing! Had the Drunken Noodles, they were delicious. The fried ice cream was amazing! Go here!
(5)
Paul d.
I have traveled every week for the last year to Portland, ME for work and Saeng's was my first ever meal in this foodie heaven of a town. However, I do not want to confuse nostalgia with down right quality. This the best Thai food I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Eating at Saeng's was the first time I could differentiate another level of Thai cuisine. In Chicago, almost every neighborhood has a go to Thai joint. Most of them are serviceable while there are some that you'd actually drive to experience. More often than not though, the neighborhood joint will typically suffice. Saeng's is the type of place I would drive through a Chicago snowstorm to get to. It is that good. I've had the following which I highly recommend. Pupu platter (appetizer sampler) Basil Chicken Crispy Duck Spicy Volcano Soup I've also eaten at Pom's Thai and Sabieng extensively and Saeng always takes the cake.
(5)
Lena L.
Inconsistent delivery. They seem to have cooks with very different styles. So the dish that I loved one time, is only okay the next time. Also, they have a lot of take out customers and given how tiny the place is, the constant traffic definitely takes away from the atmosphere.
(3)
Mariah L.
Hands down my least favorite thai take out. I've eaten here 4 times and still have yet to find a dish I'm happy to eat. Every piece of meat or veggie is so incredibly overcooked I wonder if it's all just sitting in a pot all day. The noodles are often dry and stuck together in large dry chunks. The sauces seem watery and poorly made too. I care about what I do and appreciate it when people do the same, or at least pair the prices with food quality and preparation. All in all, I haven't even wanted to finish a dish yet. My last review was taken down because it wasn't positive, but I created this account because of my experiences here, and confusion over why their rating is so high. It's a real review, I'm a person who has given them more than a fair shot and I can't waste my money here any more.
(1)
Albert H.
My family visited this place as a part of our vacation from New York, where we have a fair share of Thai restaurants to choose from. I've got to say this place stacks up to any Thai place I've been to. We've got two kids, ages 10 & 9 and they aren't nearly as adventurous with their food as me and my wife are...so we had them split one order of the Chicken Noodle Soup. Our server was very friendly and served the one order in two different bowls, something we didn't ask for, but as parents, really did appreciate. I didn't try the dish myself, but my kids really seemed to enjoy it. It isn't the typical American version of chicken noodle soup, but at the same time, the flavors weren't so strong that my kids would be turned off by it. An added bonus was that it had a healthy serving of veggies and the noodles were rice noodles, so my kids were eating healthy and didn't even know it! As for what the adults ordered, we split an order of the spring rolls as the appetizer. Very generous portions (8 rolls) and very fresh. The plum sauce with peanuts was awesome. One warning about the spring rolls - some places serves the spring rolls that are essentially egg rolls with the crispy skin. These are not those. These are uncooked veggies freshly wrapped in a rice wrapper, served cold. Very different but still delicious! As an entree I ordered the green curry over duck and rice. Again, this stacks up to any green curry dish I've ever had. Just the right amount of heat and creaminess. Green curry is always spicy but I love it because the curry never overwhelms the rest of the dish. I still tasted the duck, which is always my meat of choice when it comes to green curry. My wife ordered the Pad Thai with shrimp. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when she ordered that dish because it's such a "safe" dish. Most every Pad Thai dish I've had before this one tasted the same to me...most of them somewhat dry and the meat of choice is usually overcooked. Don't get me wrong, I do like Pad Thai, but I didn't think this would be any different than the ones I've tried in New York. But was I wrong! When the dish came out it just looked different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. It also tasted different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. The noodles were "wet" rather than dry. Also, the shrimp was succulent and not overcooked at all. A very pleasant surprise. Overall, I would say Saeng Thai House served some of the best Thai food I've ever had. The Yelp reviews are pretty spot on in its praise of this place. It's not a huge place, but we went on a weeknight so it wasn't crowded at all. We noticed a lot of take-out/pick-up orders while we were there. Too bad this place isn't around us or I'd be ordering from there every night! Next time we're in Portland, this a must visit.
(5)
Fabian M.
Best pad thai I've ever had! I have lived and worked in Thailand so consider myself an expert on the topic. The only difficult thing is to decide between getting the regular pad thai or the pad thai basil (PTB). The PTB is a little spicier and has a very full and juicy flavor. You'll have to try it to understand what I'm talking about. The service is great and the place is run by really lovely people so definitely a must if you're visiting Portland!
(5)
Mike S.
A typical Thai food venue in a city with few Thai people. The basil pad Thai was great but the rest was tasty but not memorable.
(3)
Courtney E.
I didn't think it was possible but Saeng Thai House actually makes my love for Thai burn brighter. Gone are the days when I thought you had to choose between gourmet and affordable. The food was authentic, delicious, abundantly portioned and reasonably priced especially next to it's fancier cousin, Boda. The family who run it are also lovely- friendly and professional. Perhaps the restaurant ambiance and location struggle to compete with other downtown options but the quality of the dishes distinguishes the place from many I've been to from Boston to San Francisco. You really can't argue with amazing food and great service. I am bringing everyone I know here!
(5)
Vaibhav S.
Awesomest Thai food I've ever had. Its a hidden gem. Its family owned and run so the food is also homemade type and healthy. We ordered veggie rolls, Pad thai and Tofu vegie and they were simply amazing. The green tea ice-creme was just incredible.
(5)
Shelly S.
Great service, great food. This place is the real deal. Staff was helpful in ordering. This establishment is BYOB, helping you to keep the average bill down. There is a little liquor store right around the corner.
(4)
Juwon K.
I am visiting Portland, and this made my day. I had spring rolls as an appetizer and mango curry with duck as an entree. And they are both so gooood! It is tasty and healthy! I think I will come back for next visit.
(5)
Puneet M.
Really great Thai food in an unassuming location. We dined in for dinner. The dining room was tiny and looked like it was decorated for Christmas in August. (Kind of reminded me of a Christmas story so I didn't mind.) The people were very friendly inside even though they were very busy with takeout orders. We were the only ones dining in but there was a revolving door of people getting takeout. The food was very good and satisfying. All had a lot of flavor and every dish has it's own uniqueness. The fried rice was out of this world as well. A couple drawbacks were that some of the meet we had was a little tough like the beef in the fried rice. They have a few different duck dishes and the crispy duck with basil sauce special we had was amazing. We also ordered the garlic chicken which was great too. A lot of chicken and fresh veggies that was in a great garlic sauce. We got a vegetable and ground chicken in a pastry shell appetizer which tasted like it has some frozen veggies in it but still tasted great especially with the sweet sauce it came with. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)
David P.
I debated whether to write a review because of all the positive reviews already, but given that most of them are older I thought it would be helpful to know that this place is still fantastic. This is a small maybe 6 table place that definitely cooks one meal at a time. While that may be bothersome for some, it tells me that they are focusing on making each dish special. My friend had the salmon teriiyaki which was incredible. Besides the salmon being extremely fresh, they make their own teriyaki sauce which was sooo good. I had the duck with red curry which you can tell them how spicy you want it. If you are ever in Portland, please try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Bill C.
I wasn't too impressed with what many have called the best thai place in Portland, Maine. I got the pad see-ew with shrimp, and there were about 3 or 4 pieces of shrimp in the dish. The flavor of the pad see-ew was not flavorful like authentic thai cuisine. Don't get me wrong. The Thai food here is solid. But I've had much better in California. Maybe it was just the pad see-ew that I got. Or maybe it was the off-color thai ice tea that tasted a bit like sour milk. Or maybe it was the priciness of the pad see-ew. If I'm ever back, I will definitely try some of the other dishes and appetizers. For now, based on what I had to eat, this place gets 3 stars.
(3)
isabelle m.
OBSESSED. I am an avid Thai fan and this place is on the top of my list. Not only is the food really, really fantastic (I recommend the pad thai + volcano noodle soup) but the staff is sweet and very attentive.
(4)
Aaron P.
Baby and toddler-friendly! Besides having some of the best Thai food I've ever had, and having a busy-but-charming atmosphere, the ladies at Saeng Thai House will basically babysit our toddler for us while we eat. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but they love our little lady (and I'm assuming other kids as well) and will fawn over her when we're there. Considering some restaurants are tolerant of little kids at best, this is very welcome. This isn't to say that we're obnoxious baby people who have no awareness of, or respect for, other diners, but merely that a place where we can go and get amazing food *and* feel warmly welcomed with a young kid is a rarity, and we appreciate it. Alright. The food. It's great! We usually get the chicken sate as an appetizer. They're tender and perfectly-spiced. Each time we've gone I've gotten the volcano ramen soup with pork meatballs. It's just so good that I can't bring myself to try anything else! It's savory and spicy, and the meatballs have a wonderfully firm texture to them. It hits the spot every time. I don't think it's on their regular menu, but it's been available as a special whenever I've been there. The do NOT serve booze here, which is a bummer, but the food is good enough to make you forget about it. Kids or no kids, Saeng Thai House is a must.
(5)
Joey W.
Really friendly service, great pad thai, amaaaazing pad prink khink (I've also seen it called green bean pri king at other places). I've never been disappointed here and they were open during a snowstorm when everyone else was closing early. Instead of an after dinner mint they gave us a guava candy. Yum.
(4)
TeTeDaMouse C.
We liked Saeng so much that we went here for two lunches in a row, so within a 24-hour time frame. First day: We shared scallion pancakes and steamed dumpling for appetizerz. I had their special pad thai with tofu (special meant with basil and a spicier sauce) and the hubby had their chicken yellow curry. Second day: For appetizers, we had their shrimp spring rolls and scallion pancakes. I had their pad kee mao with chicken while the hubby had their garlic chicken. Their food is beautifully arranged, fresh, and delicious. The sauce that accompanies the dishes like the dipping sauces for the pancakes, spring rolls, and dumplings paired beautifully with the food. Food can be ordered on a scale of 1 to 5, but I had a 4, which really wasn't too spicy in my opinion. Also, the service is excellent and to top it off, the prices are very reasonable. What's not to like?
(5)
Jeff R.
Without a doubt the best thai food I've had outside of Thailand. When my wife and I moved to Maine, we were struck by the huge number of thai restaurants...but were quickly disappointed to see that they're mostly pan-asian restaurants (when they sell general tsao and tempura, they're not really thai) and by the horribly bland flavors. Then we went to Saeng Thai. All I can say is WOW. This place is absolutely phenomenal. Flavors are amazing, portions are great, and it is truly authentic thai food. The walls are coated with photos of the Thai King (who is deified in Thailand) and other thai art. The women who own it (or at least are always there) are incredibly friendly, and recognize me on the phone when I order, likely because I'm the only person who orders in Thai (wife and I spent 4 months in thailand). This place is not to be missed.
(5)
Jared B.
The food here is 5star!!! I made a reservation for 8:30 and arrived to a reserved sign on our table. I thought that it was a nice touch even though the place wasn't all that busy. Our host Rosalita was very helpful and pleasant. We had the thai dumplings and shrimp skewers to start and they were amazing!!! For the main course I had the duck and my friend had one of the chicken curries they were both the best. Everything was very fresh and full of flavor, so look no further this is the place you have been looking for!
(5)
Seamus C.
I had to make sure I was reviewing the right place because the overwhelming dose of 4+ reviews doesn't jive with my experience. I ate here for lunch and had a standard Pad Thai, which was extremely sweet and salty and a bit too fishy for my taste, which is in direct disagreement with some of the other reviewers. I mean, it was OKAY, but I couldn't justify the 4 stars, sorry. I really wanted to like it more.
(3)
Sabrina H.
Nearly everything I've had here has been perfect: a crispy pad Thai, larb gai and larb moo (I get one of these two Thai salads every time I go), a spicy duck dish (can't remember the name), fish cake and chicken satay appetizers. Complimentary "tastes" (small salads with yummy dressing and a piece of fried spring roll) have been brought out each time I've visited, which is a really nice touch. Service is extremely friendly. And don't miss the homemade coconut ice cream! It is literally the best I have ever had, and I still order it even when I'm full. It's BYOB here, so bring your own adult beverages if you're in the mood.
(5)
Tiffany T.
One of the better Thai restaurants in Portland. Cute house-style decor and friendly waitstaff makes this one of my more memorable experiences for Thai. We had the Tom Yum Koong and Phad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) w/ tofu. Although we could've used more shrimp in the soup, I thought the soup was balanced with just the right amount of lemongrass, tamarind, and spice. The Phad Kee Mao was yummy too. It had some charred pieces of rice noodles but that's the way I like my stir fry!
(5)
Aaron F.
Im really not into the great reviews this place gets. Ive gone three times and was disappointed on each occasion. I had the crispy pad thai and it was overcooked and practically inedible. Also their soup was not that good. Dont know where all the positive reviews are coming from but I wont be returning.
(2)
Tom P.
My first time here was very impressive. The lady, who took care of us, was very helpful in every way. She knows almost everything about Portland. The food was surprisingly excellent. We love everything here. It seems like everybody here is genuinely nice. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Asya P.
I am so disappointed! Yelp failed me, for the first time ever. I am bewildered by the disparity between my experience here and all the 5 star reviews. I WILL be back to try again, because the menu is huge. Even with 4 people, we only got a small taste of what is offered. 5 stars for atmosphere, friendly and very attentive service (constant water refills), convenient location, easy street parking, short wait for our food. Really enjoyed eating in, though clearly people order take out from here all the time. Prices and portions were very generous. No skimping on vegetables. The presentation of the food was really, really nice! We didn't expect that for a place that has a little bit of a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Plates were laid out thoughtfully, which is just a nice touch. Loved the format of the menu- most things are laid out so that you can pick your protein. Very clear, very convenient. But the food overall.. just fell flat. - Spring Roll Appetizer: no good. just full of iceberg lettuce and little else. Didn't look like that more balanced photo someone else posted. -Pad Thai: Sadly, the worst I have ever tried. I couldn't believe it! and no bean sprouts or wedges of lime to go with it. -Garlic Tofu: We disagreed on this one- I liked it, my partner didn't- but quality-wise it was on par with a lower caliber of generic asian take out that what we were expecting here. - Pineapple chicken: This was a fun surprise- served in a carved out pineapple! But again, it was all veggies and chicken in a slightly generic sauce.... just didn't have that extra little bit that would make it truly good cooking! It was tasty, my boyfriend's dad enjoyed it, but.... the flavor was kind of simplistic, in my opinion. - I loved my own dish- Crispy Duck with Basil. It was spicy to perfection, the crispy duck was really great (not dry! yay!). I very rarely eat meat, so I am always disappointed if it's less than perfect, and this was really good. The sauce was a bit more complex, but the veggies were in big chunks, and kind of simple. None of the dishes had that melding of flavors that you look for, or showed any sign of letting the veggies and protein absorb the sauce flavors. They were all more or less stir fry with different flavored sauces. I really liked that there is no "spice scale" here, and no hot sauce on the table. I think this shows a great level of confidence in the food: "eat it how we serve it", and I like that attitude. We all thought our dishes were right on the money in this particular regard, but as I said above, the pad thai really needed bean sprouts and lime to make it at all palatable... and there were none to be found. Had I gone alone, I probably would have given this place 4 stars, but with four people who sampled 4 dishes and two of them really didn't like their food very much, I have to give it 3. I will return to try the curries and more of the classic noodle dishes! My recommendation is- go try it. If you just want a decent lunch take out, DEFINITELY go here. But if you want a more elevated food quality dinner... I'm not sure that this is the place.
(3)
Kate S.
Pineapple fried rice! And basically everything thing we've tried (except for the papaya salad - surprising let down) is fresh, flavorful & fun. Best Thai in town.
(5)
H P.
I love crispy duck my favorite Thai dish ,my wife likes Pad Thai .First let me say this restaurant is tiny ,with about 5 or 6 tables. It appears to be totally run by one family ,and the service was quite good .After a period of time my crispy duck came out ,unfortunately it wasn't crispy .Whenever I see crispy duck I'm used to browned skin and crispyness .However there was a lot of meat .My wife's Pad Thai was a bit on the spicy side ,she thought it was quite good .Unfortunately I have been spoiled by this Thai restaurant on Hilton Head Island in SC called Rhua Thai ,that is my standard and Saeng Thai house does not rise up to that standard .So while I can say that I had a decent Thai meal here ,it doesn't get me yearning to rush back .Portland is devoid of decent Chinese restaurants especially after the Hu Ke Lau closed many years ago ,today I have to be desperate to eat Chinese in Portland especially when I hail from Boston .The same I think holds true with Thai restaurants.
(3)
Anita B.
Stopped here for a quick lunch when I was in town for the day. So glad I didn't grab my usual lunch at Panera. I had the Volcano Udon soup made with coconut milk and it was luscious. Fresh ingredients with a beautiful, flavorful broth. Friendly service, I most definitely will be back.
(5)
Daniel S.
This place is excellent and my Thai wife agrees. We had the pad Thai, penang curry with duck and chicken, pad kra prow, spicy bamboo, and mango with sticky rice and it was great. The owners are crazy friendly as well. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Ryan T.
Personally this is the best Thai food I have had in the portland area, excellent classics
(5)
Matt T.
Amazing authentic Thai food. Definitely worth a visit love the idea of BYOB and the food matched our store bought (2 min walk) Sam Adams Seasonal. Great Saeng Spring Rolls with Pak Tod (Tempura Veg), followed by Tamarind Duck..... What can I say absolutely perfect. Lovely friendly welcome by the family in a very authentic restaurant .... When in Portland and you want Thai food eat here.....
(5)
Gabrielle L.
This place was delicious. We enjoyed the tastiest spicy basil Pad Thai, a creamy and spicy red curry dish, and tamarind shrimp...all exceptional. The service was excellent and the owner was very friendly and personable. One downside is that there are only a few tables in the restaurant. Even so, the atmosphere was very comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop here!
(5)
George P.
We went to Saeng Thai after reading all the reviews. The food was above average. The Volcano soup was very nice. Beef Pad Thai was excellent. Ginger Pineapple Fried Rice was odd (just average). Tom Yum soup was good. Service was great and the waitstaff/management were exceptional. Had an enjoyable time and prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Phil A.
My wife and I were in South Portland on business from Boston and dropped in at random. She had the Garlic Shrimp and I had the Ocean Cried plate. The meals were both delicious and the presentations lovely. We had a pumpkin custard for dessert which was light and delightful. The restaurant staff is very kind and friendly and patient when ordering or asking about local attractions or even how to prepare a Thai dish. The decor is simple but very quaint and has many Thai elements that are both relaxing and intriguing. We noticed that the local patrons were very dedicated to visiting this restaurant and now we understand why. We plan to revisit ourselves on our next trip up to Portland.
(5)
Mike W.
On a overnight in Portland, I was looking for Nime Chow. (AKA Raw Spring Rolls) The atmosphre is casual yet could be romantic if you BYOB and have your better half with you. I loved the hot Thai Tea served in decorative covered elephant cups on a coaster. Forks are standard fare with the Chop Sticks hidden in a holder on each table. For my main course I had the Chicken Pad Thai which was a large serving of bliss for my tastebuds!
(4)
Fred A.
We were blown away by the great food, how quick and friendly the service was and how inexpensive we felt this place was. The little comp salad before our lunch was a very nice surprise. We'll go back here any time we're in Portland. The only drawback I can see is that the place is smallish and I'll bet there can be a wait at busy times. Others say it's BYOB, which I believe, but we don't drink so it is no problem. Khawp Koon Krap, Saeng Thai!
(5)
Jasmine W.
BYOB! Great little place. Server was extremely friendly and hospitable. We had the Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pork dumplings, thai salad, and crispy duck spicy basil dish. All were great. Would love to eat here again.
(5)
Martha C.
The interior is totally changed from how I remember it in the mid 1990s when it was a basic white-walled, hand-written menus stuck to the wall mainly take-out joint. The spelling is slightly changed too - used to be Seng Thai House. Maybe there was an ownership change. But it still sits down the hill from the mega Maine Med and the food still is perfect Thai. My DC ordered the pad thai 3 stars and it was fairly spicy for our gringo palates. But we perservered. I had the mango curry with tofu and it was attractively presented in a square bowl set atop a square plate. He didn't care for the thai wonton soup and I had a little taste of the broth which resembled sock juice. And the kat tong thong for appetizers - peas, carrots and corn mixed with ground chicken nestled inside petite crunchy shells adorned with a clear, sweet sauce. Pretty good all around. Dinner obviously is more expensive than lunch and probably more relaxed what with all the medical personnel scrambling down the hill to claim their delicious takeout during their lunch break.
(5)
Molly H.
AH-MAZING Thai food, wonderfully friendly staff. They are my weekly take out spot, perfect every time!!
(5)
Mary G.
I've eaten at many Thai establishments in Boston, and the food here was much better than at the majority of those. I had drunken noodles with tofu; the vegetables were cooked tender-crisp, the dish wasn't overly greasy, and it was overall very flavorful. (Not very spicy, which is what happens when a pale girl like me orders such dishes, and is how I wanted it that night; if you look like me and you want it *actually* spicy, make a firm point of it.) My friend had duck and was over the moon. It was roasted in-house and he said it was extremely tender and delicious. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. At this price point it would be hard to do better.
(5)
Maureen Z.
Actually we just tried it last night. It's an authentic Thai restaurant. We ordered a soup Tong Yum Koon, a ground chicken fried with vegetables and a noodle. And you can choose the spicy level to meet your taste.
(5)
Arley S.
I lived in Thailand for a year and try Thai restaurants every chance I get. I've been to about 30 in NYC. The food, service and genuine experience of this place puts it in my top 3. I can't recommend it enough.
(5)
Blaise F.
Massama curry and pad Thai wooaahhh so good
(5)
Julie D.
We moved to Freeport a year ago from the intensely multicultural DC suburbs and have been quite disappointed in the closer-to-Freeport Thai restaurants we've tried. We finally decided to head to Portland to try a Thai restaurant there. Wow! The food at Saeng Thai was fabulous--complex, subtle flavors, perfectly done meat, delicate fresh summer rolls. My crispy duck in tamarind sauce was to die for and the leftovers I enjoyed the next day proved my first impression. My husband enjoyed his pad thai as well. We are looking forward to many return visits!
(5)
Matt L.
The best pad thai I've ever had. For about $5, it has shrimp and chicken in it. It's flavorful, fresh, and spicy (if you want it to be). Very, very good. Their spring rolls are also very good - cold and unfried. This is by Maine Med, so expect to see a bunch of doctors come in if you're there around lunch time.
(5)
TeTeDaMouse C.
We liked Saeng so much that we went here for two lunches in a row, so within a 24-hour time frame. First day: We shared scallion pancakes and steamed dumpling for appetizerz. I had their special pad thai with tofu (special meant with basil and a spicier sauce) and the hubby had their chicken yellow curry. Second day: For appetizers, we had their shrimp spring rolls and scallion pancakes. I had their pad kee mao with chicken while the hubby had their garlic chicken. Their food is beautifully arranged, fresh, and delicious. The sauce that accompanies the dishes like the dipping sauces for the pancakes, spring rolls, and dumplings paired beautifully with the food. Food can be ordered on a scale of 1 to 5, but I had a 4, which really wasn't too spicy in my opinion. Also, the service is excellent and to top it off, the prices are very reasonable. What's not to like?
(5)
Jeff R.
Without a doubt the best thai food I've had outside of Thailand. When my wife and I moved to Maine, we were struck by the huge number of thai restaurants...but were quickly disappointed to see that they're mostly pan-asian restaurants (when they sell general tsao and tempura, they're not really thai) and by the horribly bland flavors. Then we went to Saeng Thai. All I can say is WOW. This place is absolutely phenomenal. Flavors are amazing, portions are great, and it is truly authentic thai food. The walls are coated with photos of the Thai King (who is deified in Thailand) and other thai art. The women who own it (or at least are always there) are incredibly friendly, and recognize me on the phone when I order, likely because I'm the only person who orders in Thai (wife and I spent 4 months in thailand). This place is not to be missed.
(5)
Jared B.
The food here is 5star!!! I made a reservation for 8:30 and arrived to a reserved sign on our table. I thought that it was a nice touch even though the place wasn't all that busy. Our host Rosalita was very helpful and pleasant. We had the thai dumplings and shrimp skewers to start and they were amazing!!! For the main course I had the duck and my friend had one of the chicken curries they were both the best. Everything was very fresh and full of flavor, so look no further this is the place you have been looking for!
(5)
Seamus C.
I had to make sure I was reviewing the right place because the overwhelming dose of 4+ reviews doesn't jive with my experience. I ate here for lunch and had a standard Pad Thai, which was extremely sweet and salty and a bit too fishy for my taste, which is in direct disagreement with some of the other reviewers. I mean, it was OKAY, but I couldn't justify the 4 stars, sorry. I really wanted to like it more.
(3)
Sabrina H.
Nearly everything I've had here has been perfect: a crispy pad Thai, larb gai and larb moo (I get one of these two Thai salads every time I go), a spicy duck dish (can't remember the name), fish cake and chicken satay appetizers. Complimentary "tastes" (small salads with yummy dressing and a piece of fried spring roll) have been brought out each time I've visited, which is a really nice touch. Service is extremely friendly. And don't miss the homemade coconut ice cream! It is literally the best I have ever had, and I still order it even when I'm full. It's BYOB here, so bring your own adult beverages if you're in the mood.
(5)
Martha C.
The interior is totally changed from how I remember it in the mid 1990s when it was a basic white-walled, hand-written menus stuck to the wall mainly take-out joint. The spelling is slightly changed too - used to be Seng Thai House. Maybe there was an ownership change. But it still sits down the hill from the mega Maine Med and the food still is perfect Thai. My DC ordered the pad thai 3 stars and it was fairly spicy for our gringo palates. But we perservered. I had the mango curry with tofu and it was attractively presented in a square bowl set atop a square plate. He didn't care for the thai wonton soup and I had a little taste of the broth which resembled sock juice. And the kat tong thong for appetizers - peas, carrots and corn mixed with ground chicken nestled inside petite crunchy shells adorned with a clear, sweet sauce. Pretty good all around. Dinner obviously is more expensive than lunch and probably more relaxed what with all the medical personnel scrambling down the hill to claim their delicious takeout during their lunch break.
(5)
Molly H.
AH-MAZING Thai food, wonderfully friendly staff. They are my weekly take out spot, perfect every time!!
(5)
Mary G.
I've eaten at many Thai establishments in Boston, and the food here was much better than at the majority of those. I had drunken noodles with tofu; the vegetables were cooked tender-crisp, the dish wasn't overly greasy, and it was overall very flavorful. (Not very spicy, which is what happens when a pale girl like me orders such dishes, and is how I wanted it that night; if you look like me and you want it *actually* spicy, make a firm point of it.) My friend had duck and was over the moon. It was roasted in-house and he said it was extremely tender and delicious. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. At this price point it would be hard to do better.
(5)
Maureen Z.
Actually we just tried it last night. It's an authentic Thai restaurant. We ordered a soup Tong Yum Koon, a ground chicken fried with vegetables and a noodle. And you can choose the spicy level to meet your taste.
(5)
Beat B.
I really can't comment on the food, but the service is horrible. We placed an order for take out on New Year's Day. The woman said it would be ready in 30 minutes. So my husband went down 30 minutes later to pick up the order and was told it would be 5 more minutes. Fine, ok you're busy. Then he was told that they had run out of one of the dishes we had ordered. Fine, you're busy. Then he was told 5 more minutes. Flash forward 30 more minutes of standing there at the counter waiting, and he was told it would be 5 more minutes. My husband had enough and said forget the order. The lady just shrugged her shoulders and said ok, so he left. Very very unimpressed.
(1)
Pope E.
Food was amazing. Huge portions and reasonably priced. Helpful and friendly staff. Curries were fantastic. The pu pu platter was also great. Nice sampling of most of their appetizers.
(5)
isabelle m.
OBSESSED. I am an avid Thai fan and this place is on the top of my list. Not only is the food really, really fantastic (I recommend the pad thai + volcano noodle soup) but the staff is sweet and very attentive.
(4)
Tiffany T.
One of the better Thai restaurants in Portland. Cute house-style decor and friendly waitstaff makes this one of my more memorable experiences for Thai. We had the Tom Yum Koong and Phad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) w/ tofu. Although we could've used more shrimp in the soup, I thought the soup was balanced with just the right amount of lemongrass, tamarind, and spice. The Phad Kee Mao was yummy too. It had some charred pieces of rice noodles but that's the way I like my stir fry!
(5)
Puneet M.
Really great Thai food in an unassuming location. We dined in for dinner. The dining room was tiny and looked like it was decorated for Christmas in August. (Kind of reminded me of a Christmas story so I didn't mind.) The people were very friendly inside even though they were very busy with takeout orders. We were the only ones dining in but there was a revolving door of people getting takeout. The food was very good and satisfying. All had a lot of flavor and every dish has it's own uniqueness. The fried rice was out of this world as well. A couple drawbacks were that some of the meet we had was a little tough like the beef in the fried rice. They have a few different duck dishes and the crispy duck with basil sauce special we had was amazing. We also ordered the garlic chicken which was great too. A lot of chicken and fresh veggies that was in a great garlic sauce. We got a vegetable and ground chicken in a pastry shell appetizer which tasted like it has some frozen veggies in it but still tasted great especially with the sweet sauce it came with. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)
David P.
I debated whether to write a review because of all the positive reviews already, but given that most of them are older I thought it would be helpful to know that this place is still fantastic. This is a small maybe 6 table place that definitely cooks one meal at a time. While that may be bothersome for some, it tells me that they are focusing on making each dish special. My friend had the salmon teriiyaki which was incredible. Besides the salmon being extremely fresh, they make their own teriyaki sauce which was sooo good. I had the duck with red curry which you can tell them how spicy you want it. If you are ever in Portland, please try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Matt T.
Amazing authentic Thai food. Definitely worth a visit love the idea of BYOB and the food matched our store bought (2 min walk) Sam Adams Seasonal. Great Saeng Spring Rolls with Pak Tod (Tempura Veg), followed by Tamarind Duck..... What can I say absolutely perfect. Lovely friendly welcome by the family in a very authentic restaurant .... When in Portland and you want Thai food eat here.....
(5)
Asya P.
I am so disappointed! Yelp failed me, for the first time ever. I am bewildered by the disparity between my experience here and all the 5 star reviews. I WILL be back to try again, because the menu is huge. Even with 4 people, we only got a small taste of what is offered. 5 stars for atmosphere, friendly and very attentive service (constant water refills), convenient location, easy street parking, short wait for our food. Really enjoyed eating in, though clearly people order take out from here all the time. Prices and portions were very generous. No skimping on vegetables. The presentation of the food was really, really nice! We didn't expect that for a place that has a little bit of a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Plates were laid out thoughtfully, which is just a nice touch. Loved the format of the menu- most things are laid out so that you can pick your protein. Very clear, very convenient. But the food overall.. just fell flat. - Spring Roll Appetizer: no good. just full of iceberg lettuce and little else. Didn't look like that more balanced photo someone else posted. -Pad Thai: Sadly, the worst I have ever tried. I couldn't believe it! and no bean sprouts or wedges of lime to go with it. -Garlic Tofu: We disagreed on this one- I liked it, my partner didn't- but quality-wise it was on par with a lower caliber of generic asian take out that what we were expecting here. - Pineapple chicken: This was a fun surprise- served in a carved out pineapple! But again, it was all veggies and chicken in a slightly generic sauce.... just didn't have that extra little bit that would make it truly good cooking! It was tasty, my boyfriend's dad enjoyed it, but.... the flavor was kind of simplistic, in my opinion. - I loved my own dish- Crispy Duck with Basil. It was spicy to perfection, the crispy duck was really great (not dry! yay!). I very rarely eat meat, so I am always disappointed if it's less than perfect, and this was really good. The sauce was a bit more complex, but the veggies were in big chunks, and kind of simple. None of the dishes had that melding of flavors that you look for, or showed any sign of letting the veggies and protein absorb the sauce flavors. They were all more or less stir fry with different flavored sauces. I really liked that there is no "spice scale" here, and no hot sauce on the table. I think this shows a great level of confidence in the food: "eat it how we serve it", and I like that attitude. We all thought our dishes were right on the money in this particular regard, but as I said above, the pad thai really needed bean sprouts and lime to make it at all palatable... and there were none to be found. Had I gone alone, I probably would have given this place 4 stars, but with four people who sampled 4 dishes and two of them really didn't like their food very much, I have to give it 3. I will return to try the curries and more of the classic noodle dishes! My recommendation is- go try it. If you just want a decent lunch take out, DEFINITELY go here. But if you want a more elevated food quality dinner... I'm not sure that this is the place.
(3)
Kate S.
Pineapple fried rice! And basically everything thing we've tried (except for the papaya salad - surprising let down) is fresh, flavorful & fun. Best Thai in town.
(5)
Daniel S.
This place is excellent and my Thai wife agrees. We had the pad Thai, penang curry with duck and chicken, pad kra prow, spicy bamboo, and mango with sticky rice and it was great. The owners are crazy friendly as well. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Ryan T.
Personally this is the best Thai food I have had in the portland area, excellent classics
(5)
Arley S.
I lived in Thailand for a year and try Thai restaurants every chance I get. I've been to about 30 in NYC. The food, service and genuine experience of this place puts it in my top 3. I can't recommend it enough.
(5)
Blaise F.
Massama curry and pad Thai wooaahhh so good
(5)
Acacia I.
Best place for Thai I've found in the Portland area. The prices are great too! Also really friendly service and super sweet waitress. They're really good and quick with delivery too! Always love going and always happy when I leave.
(5)
John L.
The place is small with very limited seating, but the food is fresh, delicious and well worth any wait or inconvenience. The BBQ duck made with red curry is outstanding. My daughter has yet to develop a palate that appreciates spice, so they were able to provide a plate of fresh steamed veggies to accompany her fried tofu and fresh spring rolls. It looked and tasted like they had just been picked from a garden. Do yourself a favor and eat here if you want Thai / Asian food in Portland- you won't be sorry.
(5)
Noah L.
I have been coming to Saeng Thai House for 12 years and I will never find an acceptable substitute for the delectables that come from this small eatery. I have traveled all around the world, including Thailand, and have yet to find a Pad Thai as good/consistent/juicy/spicy/etc. as the dish from here. After moving to Brooklyn earlier this year, I often wander the streets of NYC craving Saeng Thai House but find myself continuously disappointed when I sample one of the hundreds of Thai restaurants in this gigantic city. Alas, I will have to sustain myself off my once-per-month visit to Portland. Until then, the search continues.
(5)
Unhappy C.
Best Thai in Portland, period. Prices are always great, food has always been amazing. It's been my go-to Thai place for almost ten years.
(5)
Beat B.
I really can't comment on the food, but the service is horrible. We placed an order for take out on New Year's Day. The woman said it would be ready in 30 minutes. So my husband went down 30 minutes later to pick up the order and was told it would be 5 more minutes. Fine, ok you're busy. Then he was told that they had run out of one of the dishes we had ordered. Fine, you're busy. Then he was told 5 more minutes. Flash forward 30 more minutes of standing there at the counter waiting, and he was told it would be 5 more minutes. My husband had enough and said forget the order. The lady just shrugged her shoulders and said ok, so he left. Very very unimpressed.
(1)
Pope E.
Food was amazing. Huge portions and reasonably priced. Helpful and friendly staff. Curries were fantastic. The pu pu platter was also great. Nice sampling of most of their appetizers.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
I have now gotten 2 lunch meetings catered by Saeng Thai House, and both times, they were very easy to work with to get the order set up. The first time, I asked if they could bring plates and napkins and silverware, and they threw them in, plus a few extra orders of some of the dishes at no additional cost. Both times, the food was delivered on time. I remember the food being a little more exciting last year, but both times were very tasty, and I would definitely use them again. The pad thai and the eggplant were especially tasty. They were also great about accommodating dietary restrictions such as vegan and gluten free. They aren't LOSING a star for anything, but I just want to reserve 5-star marks for restaurants where the food and experience are just out-of-this-world amazing, whereas this is just "very good." I don't actually live in Portland, but I'm sure if I did, I would also eat in at the restaurant!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Elizabeth S.
I have now gotten 2 lunch meetings catered by Saeng Thai House, and both times, they were very easy to work with to get the order set up. The first time, I asked if they could bring plates and napkins and silverware, and they threw them in, plus a few extra orders of some of the dishes at no additional cost. Both times, the food was delivered on time. I remember the food being a little more exciting last year, but both times were very tasty, and I would definitely use them again. The pad thai and the eggplant were especially tasty. They were also great about accommodating dietary restrictions such as vegan and gluten free. They aren't LOSING a star for anything, but I just want to reserve 5-star marks for restaurants where the food and experience are just out-of-this-world amazing, whereas this is just "very good." I don't actually live in Portland, but I'm sure if I did, I would also eat in at the restaurant!
(4)Bill C.
I wasn't too impressed with what many have called the best thai place in Portland, Maine. I got the pad see-ew with shrimp, and there were about 3 or 4 pieces of shrimp in the dish. The flavor of the pad see-ew was not flavorful like authentic thai cuisine. Don't get me wrong. The Thai food here is solid. But I've had much better in California. Maybe it was just the pad see-ew that I got. Or maybe it was the off-color thai ice tea that tasted a bit like sour milk. Or maybe it was the priciness of the pad see-ew. If I'm ever back, I will definitely try some of the other dishes and appetizers. For now, based on what I had to eat, this place gets 3 stars.
(3)Aaron P.
Baby and toddler-friendly! Besides having some of the best Thai food I've ever had, and having a busy-but-charming atmosphere, the ladies at Saeng Thai House will basically babysit our toddler for us while we eat. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but they love our little lady (and I'm assuming other kids as well) and will fawn over her when we're there. Considering some restaurants are tolerant of little kids at best, this is very welcome. This isn't to say that we're obnoxious baby people who have no awareness of, or respect for, other diners, but merely that a place where we can go and get amazing food *and* feel warmly welcomed with a young kid is a rarity, and we appreciate it. Alright. The food. It's great! We usually get the chicken sate as an appetizer. They're tender and perfectly-spiced. Each time we've gone I've gotten the volcano ramen soup with pork meatballs. It's just so good that I can't bring myself to try anything else! It's savory and spicy, and the meatballs have a wonderfully firm texture to them. It hits the spot every time. I don't think it's on their regular menu, but it's been available as a special whenever I've been there. The do NOT serve booze here, which is a bummer, but the food is good enough to make you forget about it. Kids or no kids, Saeng Thai House is a must.
(5)Joey W.
Really friendly service, great pad thai, amaaaazing pad prink khink (I've also seen it called green bean pri king at other places). I've never been disappointed here and they were open during a snowstorm when everyone else was closing early. Instead of an after dinner mint they gave us a guava candy. Yum.
(4)H P.
I love crispy duck my favorite Thai dish ,my wife likes Pad Thai .First let me say this restaurant is tiny ,with about 5 or 6 tables. It appears to be totally run by one family ,and the service was quite good .After a period of time my crispy duck came out ,unfortunately it wasn't crispy .Whenever I see crispy duck I'm used to browned skin and crispyness .However there was a lot of meat .My wife's Pad Thai was a bit on the spicy side ,she thought it was quite good .Unfortunately I have been spoiled by this Thai restaurant on Hilton Head Island in SC called Rhua Thai ,that is my standard and Saeng Thai house does not rise up to that standard .So while I can say that I had a decent Thai meal here ,it doesn't get me yearning to rush back .Portland is devoid of decent Chinese restaurants especially after the Hu Ke Lau closed many years ago ,today I have to be desperate to eat Chinese in Portland especially when I hail from Boston .The same I think holds true with Thai restaurants.
(3)Anita B.
Stopped here for a quick lunch when I was in town for the day. So glad I didn't grab my usual lunch at Panera. I had the Volcano Udon soup made with coconut milk and it was luscious. Fresh ingredients with a beautiful, flavorful broth. Friendly service, I most definitely will be back.
(5)Julie D.
We moved to Freeport a year ago from the intensely multicultural DC suburbs and have been quite disappointed in the closer-to-Freeport Thai restaurants we've tried. We finally decided to head to Portland to try a Thai restaurant there. Wow! The food at Saeng Thai was fabulous--complex, subtle flavors, perfectly done meat, delicate fresh summer rolls. My crispy duck in tamarind sauce was to die for and the leftovers I enjoyed the next day proved my first impression. My husband enjoyed his pad thai as well. We are looking forward to many return visits!
(5)Matt L.
The best pad thai I've ever had. For about $5, it has shrimp and chicken in it. It's flavorful, fresh, and spicy (if you want it to be). Very, very good. Their spring rolls are also very good - cold and unfried. This is by Maine Med, so expect to see a bunch of doctors come in if you're there around lunch time.
(5)Ben J.
Bring your own Open Heart. Bring your own Curiosity. Bring your own Booze. You will be rewarded by friendly service, yummy food, and a cheap buzz.
(5)Morgan C.
This is true authentic Thai cuisine! I grew up in a Thai restaurant owned and operated by my Mother and Aunts. Despite only going into the restaurant for take-out, I was immediately taken back home to my childhood. The food was as they say, "just like Mom used to make." I have just moved to Portland, and was looking for a good place to get Thai food. I am happy that I found this great place! I will most certainly be going back!
(5)Kathryn D.
We stopped in on a road trip at 8:30 and were slightly worried because the place was empty. Oddly enough though, people kept coming in and the place was packed by the time we left. We had the red curry, and a ginger and scallions steak dish which were both quite good with a solid amount of veggies, but what really stood out was the Basil Pad Thai. It was some of the best Pad Thai I have had.
(4)Roberta D.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday during our visit to Portland. It's a great little spot. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We started with the vegetable spring rolls which came with peanut sauce. So fresh and delicious. My boyfriend got the volcano noodle soup which was one of the specials of the day. He absolutely loved it! I got the drunken noodle which is my go to at Thai places. It was delicious I would have enjoyed it more if there was some heat to it. Great place, I would definitely stop in if ever in the area again.
(4)Pritha V.
We stopped here for lunch while driving from Boston to Acadia National Park. I liked the ambience, it is very authentic and the lady at the front desk is also very cordial. We ordered Shrimp and scallops with fresh ginger in thai sauce and red curry with chicken. Food was pretty decent and close to authentic thai food, however I would alter the balance of spices to bring out the true thai flavors.
(3)Christine L.
On a recent rainy day, a quick yelp search and my handy dandy phone led me to Saeng Thai House for a piping hot Volcano Noodle Soup to go. While I usually don't expect too much from asian soups around town in general, I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and aromatic contents of my bag as I opened it up back home. For a little over $11, I got a pleasantly spiced soup with pork balls, many slices of pork (you can also opt for chicken), veggies, bean sprouts, and rice noodles. As I slurped up the noodles in the comfort of my home, I slowly savored all the flavors in the soup that were simply too great to even describe right now. While I didn't dine-in on this occasion, the service was great when I ate here previously. Ordering take-out is super easy, and the table full of brown bags when I arrived shows that they've got plenty of business. If you do dine here in the winter-time, they've got the heat cranked up high--just the way I like it!
(4)Derek S.
We came from Virginia, where we have a lot of Thai Restaurants very close to our house...and we found this little space in Portland, which serves one of the best Thai dishes. Don't skip pu-pu plater , you'll be surprised!
(5)Jessica M.
They have the best food! It is not cheap food and its freshly made. They cook the tofu so well. They have the BEST mango and sticky rice!
(5)Phi T.
Wow i havent have the best thai food ever in such a LOOOONG time and this place is definitely #1 in the state of maine. Had the chicken pad si ew it was terrific as well as the pineapple fried rice. The presentations were very pretty. Not very fancy.. It's casual but very nice interior and clean. Only complaint, the parking is very difficult. I recommend parking in a place at your own risk, like the shopping center that has the happy nails, subway etc or park at the langs express. Eating here is so worth it so much better than poms thai or orchid thai in falmouth.. This place hits the spot!
(5)Holly S.
I mean really?! Really? Really that good! Portions huge, nice and attentive service, got takeout and while I was waiting it is byob and I happened to have a bottle with me! Pad Thai,,,,amazing, big portion and I never want a chicken dumpling again after tasting this amazing one. Ground chix,scallion, pan seared deliciously done
(5)Dave W.
This Thai place really hits the mark. I'm from NYC and a Chinese American, so I'm very picky about Asian food. We started with the shrimp spring rolls (which we call summer rolls in NYC). Nicely cut into 8 pieces, filled with shrimp, cilantro and other goodies. Really good. For our main course I had a spicy pad Thai with duck. Juicy, flavorful and had plenty of spice. Not enough to overwhelm, but just enough to get a good luck. My girlfriend had the spicy bamboo with shrimp. Also really good and came with a side of rice. For dessert we had the mango sticky rice. This is a must have. The rice was nice, hot, sweet and sticky. The mango was fresh, tangy and matched so well with the rice. Service was fantastic as well. It was obviously a family owned restaurant and it really makes you feel welcome. Overall I was really impressed with this place. Would definitely come here again if I'm ever in town.
(5)Sarah M.
My husband and I went here while on vacation in Portland. The restaurant is small and cozy. The staff immediately greeted us and say us at a table near the kitchen. (We appreciated this table so we could watch orders come out before making out decision!) we ordered Crab Langkoons (we know them as Crab Rangoons). They were the best I have ever had. My husband ordered the Pad Thai, and I ordered the Pad Thai with Basil Special. Both were excellent and filled with flavor. One of the few Thai places I've been to where the chicken wasn't chewy like a balloon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)Hannah K.
Hands down, my favorite thai place in town. Living so close by, it's all too easy for me to stop in when I don't feel like cooking. Takeout is exceptionally quick (usually 10-15 minutes). The people are great, super friendly and know their stuff! Most importantly, the food is delicious. I was never a pad thai fan (usually opt for a curry) but one day I decided to try the special pad thai basil. I don't think I've ordered anything else since. It has the perfect amount of spice and the basil gives it such a nice flavor. I always fry an egg over the leftovers the next day! The prices are affordable and the portions generous. Also, if you order the pineapple fried rice it comes in a hollowed out pineapple. What more could you want?
(5)Lindsay W.
The wonton soup was excellent. My date and I both got pad thai but he got the crispy pad thai. I'm happy I stuck with the traditional. It was SO good. But we semi died with our spice levels and I feel I can usually do pretty good with medium spice. I got 2 stars and he got 3 but we tasted no difference. They were both quite spicy. I think he drank 6 glasses of water during his meal. I'll be back!
(4)Tessa M.
I would like to start by saying that I have had excellent Thai food in the past from Saeng Thai. However, on Friday night (9/11/15) I ordered a yellow curry for delivery and was quoted 45 minutes for it's arrival. After an hour went by I was concerned that the driver did not have my correct address and called to make sure everything was okay, I was told the driver was on his way. I did not receive my food for an hour and 45 minutes. This was discouraging to me as I was certainly not expecting such a long wait. Additionally my food was cold when it arrived. I understand that on a Friday night an additional wait could be expected, and if I was informed of this I would have simply picked up my food instead of having it delivered. Having experienced such a long wait I was still charged my delivery fee. I found the entire experience to be very frustrating and will most likely not order from Saeng Thai again.
(1)Asa B.
Best Thai food in Portland. I have waited a long time to write this review, because there are a dozen Thai food places in Portland. I have tried them all. Boda Thai is a very good second, but is more Asian Fusion than Thai. Pom's and Seng also make very respectable thai. But when it comes to the best Sang stands alone. Best curry. (Red, Green, Massaman) Best Pad Thai. Other mentionable; Crispy Duck. Volcano Noodle soup ( seriously try it) Closely held secret... Pak Tod (It's Tempora) Best Tempora in the city. Yes I am counting all the Japanese places. I have yet to try better.
(5)Jacob L.
Fairly typical but better-than-average thai food. I like their dumplings. Pad Thai is decent, nothing mind-blowing but good
(4)Lacy J.
Fantastic spot, I'll definitely be back again. We had the Panang curry and it was the best I've had in a long time! The veggies were nice and crisp still and the heat level was just right. They also got our food to us in well under 10 minutes! Service was fantastic and the atmosphere was great as well.
(5)Jessica G.
I love Thai food, and this is some of the best I've ever had. Reasonably priced, with fast, friendly service. A real gem!
(5)Jeff A.
Braved the Blizzard of 2015 to walk to this place from my nearby hotel. It was so good that I'd do it again if I'm snowed in tomorrow! So glad all the pizza delivery places were closed tonight! I had the Crispy Pad Thai and asked for 3 out of 5 spicy. It was a little hotter than I was expecting, but still full of great flavors and fresh veggie toppings. I got a little bowl of white rice to mix in and it was perfect. The hot tea was delicious.
(5)PJ L.
Ordered the Crispy Pad Thai and it was a bit too salty. The panang curry was good tho.
(3)Elizabeth M.
Very fresh food for a very fair price! The pad see-u and crunchy pad Thai are winners. At this little hole in the wall, mom-and-pop shop everything is made to order and it arrives to your table quickly and piping hot. While the restaurant itself is bare-bones, the food and the service are not! Fyi - byob
(4)Tim R.
Great staff, very friendly and efficient. The food was amazing! Had the Drunken Noodles, they were delicious. The fried ice cream was amazing! Go here!
(5)Ethan D.
Saeng offers a fantastic variety of traditional Thai dishes perfected with fresh vegetables, meats, and spices. The crab langkoon and drunken noodles with beef were my selections for dinner. The crunchy langkoons were served with a delicious sweet chili garlic sauce that was incredible! The drunken noodles had the perfect amount of spice and came topped with juicy beef and crisp veggies. The waitstaff was helpful and very friendly. Oh, and BYOB!
(5)Ross C.
The food is fantastic. But to say there's a language barrier is not a mild understatement. And this time it's even not even a case of my having an English (note: not British) accent and having to repeat myself because once the person I was talking to realised I was English, they promptly stopped listening to what I was saying because "oh my goodness, he has a British accent" consumes their mind. It's just a language barrier because they're not yet fluent in the English language. Plus, their credit card payment system was down, which prolonged the process. But let's focus on the food. Have yet to be disappointed after three deliveries to my SoPo workplace.
(4)Paul d.
I have traveled every week for the last year to Portland, ME for work and Saeng's was my first ever meal in this foodie heaven of a town. However, I do not want to confuse nostalgia with down right quality. This the best Thai food I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Eating at Saeng's was the first time I could differentiate another level of Thai cuisine. In Chicago, almost every neighborhood has a go to Thai joint. Most of them are serviceable while there are some that you'd actually drive to experience. More often than not though, the neighborhood joint will typically suffice. Saeng's is the type of place I would drive through a Chicago snowstorm to get to. It is that good. I've had the following which I highly recommend. Pupu platter (appetizer sampler) Basil Chicken Crispy Duck Spicy Volcano Soup I've also eaten at Pom's Thai and Sabieng extensively and Saeng always takes the cake.
(5)Lena L.
Inconsistent delivery. They seem to have cooks with very different styles. So the dish that I loved one time, is only okay the next time. Also, they have a lot of take out customers and given how tiny the place is, the constant traffic definitely takes away from the atmosphere.
(3)Fabian M.
Best pad thai I've ever had! I have lived and worked in Thailand so consider myself an expert on the topic. The only difficult thing is to decide between getting the regular pad thai or the pad thai basil (PTB). The PTB is a little spicier and has a very full and juicy flavor. You'll have to try it to understand what I'm talking about. The service is great and the place is run by really lovely people so definitely a must if you're visiting Portland!
(5)Mike S.
A typical Thai food venue in a city with few Thai people. The basil pad Thai was great but the rest was tasty but not memorable.
(3)Mariah L.
Hands down my least favorite thai take out. I've eaten here 4 times and still have yet to find a dish I'm happy to eat. Every piece of meat or veggie is so incredibly overcooked I wonder if it's all just sitting in a pot all day. The noodles are often dry and stuck together in large dry chunks. The sauces seem watery and poorly made too. I care about what I do and appreciate it when people do the same, or at least pair the prices with food quality and preparation. All in all, I haven't even wanted to finish a dish yet. My last review was taken down because it wasn't positive, but I created this account because of my experiences here, and confusion over why their rating is so high. It's a real review, I'm a person who has given them more than a fair shot and I can't waste my money here any more.
(1)Albert H.
My family visited this place as a part of our vacation from New York, where we have a fair share of Thai restaurants to choose from. I've got to say this place stacks up to any Thai place I've been to. We've got two kids, ages 10 & 9 and they aren't nearly as adventurous with their food as me and my wife are...so we had them split one order of the Chicken Noodle Soup. Our server was very friendly and served the one order in two different bowls, something we didn't ask for, but as parents, really did appreciate. I didn't try the dish myself, but my kids really seemed to enjoy it. It isn't the typical American version of chicken noodle soup, but at the same time, the flavors weren't so strong that my kids would be turned off by it. An added bonus was that it had a healthy serving of veggies and the noodles were rice noodles, so my kids were eating healthy and didn't even know it! As for what the adults ordered, we split an order of the spring rolls as the appetizer. Very generous portions (8 rolls) and very fresh. The plum sauce with peanuts was awesome. One warning about the spring rolls - some places serves the spring rolls that are essentially egg rolls with the crispy skin. These are not those. These are uncooked veggies freshly wrapped in a rice wrapper, served cold. Very different but still delicious! As an entree I ordered the green curry over duck and rice. Again, this stacks up to any green curry dish I've ever had. Just the right amount of heat and creaminess. Green curry is always spicy but I love it because the curry never overwhelms the rest of the dish. I still tasted the duck, which is always my meat of choice when it comes to green curry. My wife ordered the Pad Thai with shrimp. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when she ordered that dish because it's such a "safe" dish. Most every Pad Thai dish I've had before this one tasted the same to me...most of them somewhat dry and the meat of choice is usually overcooked. Don't get me wrong, I do like Pad Thai, but I didn't think this would be any different than the ones I've tried in New York. But was I wrong! When the dish came out it just looked different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. It also tasted different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. The noodles were "wet" rather than dry. Also, the shrimp was succulent and not overcooked at all. A very pleasant surprise. Overall, I would say Saeng Thai House served some of the best Thai food I've ever had. The Yelp reviews are pretty spot on in its praise of this place. It's not a huge place, but we went on a weeknight so it wasn't crowded at all. We noticed a lot of take-out/pick-up orders while we were there. Too bad this place isn't around us or I'd be ordering from there every night! Next time we're in Portland, this a must visit.
(5)Courtney E.
I didn't think it was possible but Saeng Thai House actually makes my love for Thai burn brighter. Gone are the days when I thought you had to choose between gourmet and affordable. The food was authentic, delicious, abundantly portioned and reasonably priced especially next to it's fancier cousin, Boda. The family who run it are also lovely- friendly and professional. Perhaps the restaurant ambiance and location struggle to compete with other downtown options but the quality of the dishes distinguishes the place from many I've been to from Boston to San Francisco. You really can't argue with amazing food and great service. I am bringing everyone I know here!
(5)Vaibhav S.
Awesomest Thai food I've ever had. Its a hidden gem. Its family owned and run so the food is also homemade type and healthy. We ordered veggie rolls, Pad thai and Tofu vegie and they were simply amazing. The green tea ice-creme was just incredible.
(5)Shelly S.
Great service, great food. This place is the real deal. Staff was helpful in ordering. This establishment is BYOB, helping you to keep the average bill down. There is a little liquor store right around the corner.
(4)Juwon K.
I am visiting Portland, and this made my day. I had spring rolls as an appetizer and mango curry with duck as an entree. And they are both so gooood! It is tasty and healthy! I think I will come back for next visit.
(5)Noah L.
I have been coming to Saeng Thai House for 12 years and I will never find an acceptable substitute for the delectables that come from this small eatery. I have traveled all around the world, including Thailand, and have yet to find a Pad Thai as good/consistent/juicy/spicy/etc. as the dish from here. After moving to Brooklyn earlier this year, I often wander the streets of NYC craving Saeng Thai House but find myself continuously disappointed when I sample one of the hundreds of Thai restaurants in this gigantic city. Alas, I will have to sustain myself off my once-per-month visit to Portland. Until then, the search continues.
(5)Unhappy C.
Best Thai in Portland, period. Prices are always great, food has always been amazing. It's been my go-to Thai place for almost ten years.
(5)Aaron F.
Im really not into the great reviews this place gets. Ive gone three times and was disappointed on each occasion. I had the crispy pad thai and it was overcooked and practically inedible. Also their soup was not that good. Dont know where all the positive reviews are coming from but I wont be returning.
(2)Tom P.
My first time here was very impressive. The lady, who took care of us, was very helpful in every way. She knows almost everything about Portland. The food was surprisingly excellent. We love everything here. It seems like everybody here is genuinely nice. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Gabrielle L.
This place was delicious. We enjoyed the tastiest spicy basil Pad Thai, a creamy and spicy red curry dish, and tamarind shrimp...all exceptional. The service was excellent and the owner was very friendly and personable. One downside is that there are only a few tables in the restaurant. Even so, the atmosphere was very comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop here!
(5)George P.
We went to Saeng Thai after reading all the reviews. The food was above average. The Volcano soup was very nice. Beef Pad Thai was excellent. Ginger Pineapple Fried Rice was odd (just average). Tom Yum soup was good. Service was great and the waitstaff/management were exceptional. Had an enjoyable time and prices were very reasonable.
(4)Phil A.
My wife and I were in South Portland on business from Boston and dropped in at random. She had the Garlic Shrimp and I had the Ocean Cried plate. The meals were both delicious and the presentations lovely. We had a pumpkin custard for dessert which was light and delightful. The restaurant staff is very kind and friendly and patient when ordering or asking about local attractions or even how to prepare a Thai dish. The decor is simple but very quaint and has many Thai elements that are both relaxing and intriguing. We noticed that the local patrons were very dedicated to visiting this restaurant and now we understand why. We plan to revisit ourselves on our next trip up to Portland.
(5)Mike W.
On a overnight in Portland, I was looking for Nime Chow. (AKA Raw Spring Rolls) The atmosphre is casual yet could be romantic if you BYOB and have your better half with you. I loved the hot Thai Tea served in decorative covered elephant cups on a coaster. Forks are standard fare with the Chop Sticks hidden in a holder on each table. For my main course I had the Chicken Pad Thai which was a large serving of bliss for my tastebuds!
(4)Fred A.
We were blown away by the great food, how quick and friendly the service was and how inexpensive we felt this place was. The little comp salad before our lunch was a very nice surprise. We'll go back here any time we're in Portland. The only drawback I can see is that the place is smallish and I'll bet there can be a wait at busy times. Others say it's BYOB, which I believe, but we don't drink so it is no problem. Khawp Koon Krap, Saeng Thai!
(5)Jasmine W.
BYOB! Great little place. Server was extremely friendly and hospitable. We had the Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pork dumplings, thai salad, and crispy duck spicy basil dish. All were great. Would love to eat here again.
(5)Acacia I.
Best place for Thai I've found in the Portland area. The prices are great too! Also really friendly service and super sweet waitress. They're really good and quick with delivery too! Always love going and always happy when I leave.
(5)John L.
The place is small with very limited seating, but the food is fresh, delicious and well worth any wait or inconvenience. The BBQ duck made with red curry is outstanding. My daughter has yet to develop a palate that appreciates spice, so they were able to provide a plate of fresh steamed veggies to accompany her fried tofu and fresh spring rolls. It looked and tasted like they had just been picked from a garden. Do yourself a favor and eat here if you want Thai / Asian food in Portland- you won't be sorry.
(5)Ben J.
Bring your own Open Heart. Bring your own Curiosity. Bring your own Booze. You will be rewarded by friendly service, yummy food, and a cheap buzz.
(5)Morgan C.
This is true authentic Thai cuisine! I grew up in a Thai restaurant owned and operated by my Mother and Aunts. Despite only going into the restaurant for take-out, I was immediately taken back home to my childhood. The food was as they say, "just like Mom used to make." I have just moved to Portland, and was looking for a good place to get Thai food. I am happy that I found this great place! I will most certainly be going back!
(5)Kathryn D.
We stopped in on a road trip at 8:30 and were slightly worried because the place was empty. Oddly enough though, people kept coming in and the place was packed by the time we left. We had the red curry, and a ginger and scallions steak dish which were both quite good with a solid amount of veggies, but what really stood out was the Basil Pad Thai. It was some of the best Pad Thai I have had.
(4)Roberta D.
My boyfriend and I stopped in yesterday during our visit to Portland. It's a great little spot. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We started with the vegetable spring rolls which came with peanut sauce. So fresh and delicious. My boyfriend got the volcano noodle soup which was one of the specials of the day. He absolutely loved it! I got the drunken noodle which is my go to at Thai places. It was delicious I would have enjoyed it more if there was some heat to it. Great place, I would definitely stop in if ever in the area again.
(4)Pritha V.
We stopped here for lunch while driving from Boston to Acadia National Park. I liked the ambience, it is very authentic and the lady at the front desk is also very cordial. We ordered Shrimp and scallops with fresh ginger in thai sauce and red curry with chicken. Food was pretty decent and close to authentic thai food, however I would alter the balance of spices to bring out the true thai flavors.
(3)Christine L.
On a recent rainy day, a quick yelp search and my handy dandy phone led me to Saeng Thai House for a piping hot Volcano Noodle Soup to go. While I usually don't expect too much from asian soups around town in general, I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and aromatic contents of my bag as I opened it up back home. For a little over $11, I got a pleasantly spiced soup with pork balls, many slices of pork (you can also opt for chicken), veggies, bean sprouts, and rice noodles. As I slurped up the noodles in the comfort of my home, I slowly savored all the flavors in the soup that were simply too great to even describe right now. While I didn't dine-in on this occasion, the service was great when I ate here previously. Ordering take-out is super easy, and the table full of brown bags when I arrived shows that they've got plenty of business. If you do dine here in the winter-time, they've got the heat cranked up high--just the way I like it!
(4)Derek S.
We came from Virginia, where we have a lot of Thai Restaurants very close to our house...and we found this little space in Portland, which serves one of the best Thai dishes. Don't skip pu-pu plater , you'll be surprised!
(5)Jessica M.
They have the best food! It is not cheap food and its freshly made. They cook the tofu so well. They have the BEST mango and sticky rice!
(5)Phi T.
Wow i havent have the best thai food ever in such a LOOOONG time and this place is definitely #1 in the state of maine. Had the chicken pad si ew it was terrific as well as the pineapple fried rice. The presentations were very pretty. Not very fancy.. It's casual but very nice interior and clean. Only complaint, the parking is very difficult. I recommend parking in a place at your own risk, like the shopping center that has the happy nails, subway etc or park at the langs express. Eating here is so worth it so much better than poms thai or orchid thai in falmouth.. This place hits the spot!
(5)Holly S.
I mean really?! Really? Really that good! Portions huge, nice and attentive service, got takeout and while I was waiting it is byob and I happened to have a bottle with me! Pad Thai,,,,amazing, big portion and I never want a chicken dumpling again after tasting this amazing one. Ground chix,scallion, pan seared deliciously done
(5)Dave W.
This Thai place really hits the mark. I'm from NYC and a Chinese American, so I'm very picky about Asian food. We started with the shrimp spring rolls (which we call summer rolls in NYC). Nicely cut into 8 pieces, filled with shrimp, cilantro and other goodies. Really good. For our main course I had a spicy pad Thai with duck. Juicy, flavorful and had plenty of spice. Not enough to overwhelm, but just enough to get a good luck. My girlfriend had the spicy bamboo with shrimp. Also really good and came with a side of rice. For dessert we had the mango sticky rice. This is a must have. The rice was nice, hot, sweet and sticky. The mango was fresh, tangy and matched so well with the rice. Service was fantastic as well. It was obviously a family owned restaurant and it really makes you feel welcome. Overall I was really impressed with this place. Would definitely come here again if I'm ever in town.
(5)Sarah M.
My husband and I went here while on vacation in Portland. The restaurant is small and cozy. The staff immediately greeted us and say us at a table near the kitchen. (We appreciated this table so we could watch orders come out before making out decision!) we ordered Crab Langkoons (we know them as Crab Rangoons). They were the best I have ever had. My husband ordered the Pad Thai, and I ordered the Pad Thai with Basil Special. Both were excellent and filled with flavor. One of the few Thai places I've been to where the chicken wasn't chewy like a balloon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)Hannah K.
Hands down, my favorite thai place in town. Living so close by, it's all too easy for me to stop in when I don't feel like cooking. Takeout is exceptionally quick (usually 10-15 minutes). The people are great, super friendly and know their stuff! Most importantly, the food is delicious. I was never a pad thai fan (usually opt for a curry) but one day I decided to try the special pad thai basil. I don't think I've ordered anything else since. It has the perfect amount of spice and the basil gives it such a nice flavor. I always fry an egg over the leftovers the next day! The prices are affordable and the portions generous. Also, if you order the pineapple fried rice it comes in a hollowed out pineapple. What more could you want?
(5)Lindsay W.
The wonton soup was excellent. My date and I both got pad thai but he got the crispy pad thai. I'm happy I stuck with the traditional. It was SO good. But we semi died with our spice levels and I feel I can usually do pretty good with medium spice. I got 2 stars and he got 3 but we tasted no difference. They were both quite spicy. I think he drank 6 glasses of water during his meal. I'll be back!
(4)Ross C.
The food is fantastic. But to say there's a language barrier is not a mild understatement. And this time it's even not even a case of my having an English (note: not British) accent and having to repeat myself because once the person I was talking to realised I was English, they promptly stopped listening to what I was saying because "oh my goodness, he has a British accent" consumes their mind. It's just a language barrier because they're not yet fluent in the English language. Plus, their credit card payment system was down, which prolonged the process. But let's focus on the food. Have yet to be disappointed after three deliveries to my SoPo workplace.
(4)Tessa M.
I would like to start by saying that I have had excellent Thai food in the past from Saeng Thai. However, on Friday night (9/11/15) I ordered a yellow curry for delivery and was quoted 45 minutes for it's arrival. After an hour went by I was concerned that the driver did not have my correct address and called to make sure everything was okay, I was told the driver was on his way. I did not receive my food for an hour and 45 minutes. This was discouraging to me as I was certainly not expecting such a long wait. Additionally my food was cold when it arrived. I understand that on a Friday night an additional wait could be expected, and if I was informed of this I would have simply picked up my food instead of having it delivered. Having experienced such a long wait I was still charged my delivery fee. I found the entire experience to be very frustrating and will most likely not order from Saeng Thai again.
(1)Asa B.
Best Thai food in Portland. I have waited a long time to write this review, because there are a dozen Thai food places in Portland. I have tried them all. Boda Thai is a very good second, but is more Asian Fusion than Thai. Pom's and Seng also make very respectable thai. But when it comes to the best Sang stands alone. Best curry. (Red, Green, Massaman) Best Pad Thai. Other mentionable; Crispy Duck. Volcano Noodle soup ( seriously try it) Closely held secret... Pak Tod (It's Tempora) Best Tempora in the city. Yes I am counting all the Japanese places. I have yet to try better.
(5)Jacob L.
Fairly typical but better-than-average thai food. I like their dumplings. Pad Thai is decent, nothing mind-blowing but good
(4)Lacy J.
Fantastic spot, I'll definitely be back again. We had the Panang curry and it was the best I've had in a long time! The veggies were nice and crisp still and the heat level was just right. They also got our food to us in well under 10 minutes! Service was fantastic and the atmosphere was great as well.
(5)Jessica G.
I love Thai food, and this is some of the best I've ever had. Reasonably priced, with fast, friendly service. A real gem!
(5)Jeff A.
Braved the Blizzard of 2015 to walk to this place from my nearby hotel. It was so good that I'd do it again if I'm snowed in tomorrow! So glad all the pizza delivery places were closed tonight! I had the Crispy Pad Thai and asked for 3 out of 5 spicy. It was a little hotter than I was expecting, but still full of great flavors and fresh veggie toppings. I got a little bowl of white rice to mix in and it was perfect. The hot tea was delicious.
(5)Ethan D.
Saeng offers a fantastic variety of traditional Thai dishes perfected with fresh vegetables, meats, and spices. The crab langkoon and drunken noodles with beef were my selections for dinner. The crunchy langkoons were served with a delicious sweet chili garlic sauce that was incredible! The drunken noodles had the perfect amount of spice and came topped with juicy beef and crisp veggies. The waitstaff was helpful and very friendly. Oh, and BYOB!
(5)Elizabeth M.
Very fresh food for a very fair price! The pad see-u and crunchy pad Thai are winners. At this little hole in the wall, mom-and-pop shop everything is made to order and it arrives to your table quickly and piping hot. While the restaurant itself is bare-bones, the food and the service are not! Fyi - byob
(4)PJ L.
Ordered the Crispy Pad Thai and it was a bit too salty. The panang curry was good tho.
(3)Tim R.
Great staff, very friendly and efficient. The food was amazing! Had the Drunken Noodles, they were delicious. The fried ice cream was amazing! Go here!
(5)Paul d.
I have traveled every week for the last year to Portland, ME for work and Saeng's was my first ever meal in this foodie heaven of a town. However, I do not want to confuse nostalgia with down right quality. This the best Thai food I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Eating at Saeng's was the first time I could differentiate another level of Thai cuisine. In Chicago, almost every neighborhood has a go to Thai joint. Most of them are serviceable while there are some that you'd actually drive to experience. More often than not though, the neighborhood joint will typically suffice. Saeng's is the type of place I would drive through a Chicago snowstorm to get to. It is that good. I've had the following which I highly recommend. Pupu platter (appetizer sampler) Basil Chicken Crispy Duck Spicy Volcano Soup I've also eaten at Pom's Thai and Sabieng extensively and Saeng always takes the cake.
(5)Lena L.
Inconsistent delivery. They seem to have cooks with very different styles. So the dish that I loved one time, is only okay the next time. Also, they have a lot of take out customers and given how tiny the place is, the constant traffic definitely takes away from the atmosphere.
(3)Mariah L.
Hands down my least favorite thai take out. I've eaten here 4 times and still have yet to find a dish I'm happy to eat. Every piece of meat or veggie is so incredibly overcooked I wonder if it's all just sitting in a pot all day. The noodles are often dry and stuck together in large dry chunks. The sauces seem watery and poorly made too. I care about what I do and appreciate it when people do the same, or at least pair the prices with food quality and preparation. All in all, I haven't even wanted to finish a dish yet. My last review was taken down because it wasn't positive, but I created this account because of my experiences here, and confusion over why their rating is so high. It's a real review, I'm a person who has given them more than a fair shot and I can't waste my money here any more.
(1)Albert H.
My family visited this place as a part of our vacation from New York, where we have a fair share of Thai restaurants to choose from. I've got to say this place stacks up to any Thai place I've been to. We've got two kids, ages 10 & 9 and they aren't nearly as adventurous with their food as me and my wife are...so we had them split one order of the Chicken Noodle Soup. Our server was very friendly and served the one order in two different bowls, something we didn't ask for, but as parents, really did appreciate. I didn't try the dish myself, but my kids really seemed to enjoy it. It isn't the typical American version of chicken noodle soup, but at the same time, the flavors weren't so strong that my kids would be turned off by it. An added bonus was that it had a healthy serving of veggies and the noodles were rice noodles, so my kids were eating healthy and didn't even know it! As for what the adults ordered, we split an order of the spring rolls as the appetizer. Very generous portions (8 rolls) and very fresh. The plum sauce with peanuts was awesome. One warning about the spring rolls - some places serves the spring rolls that are essentially egg rolls with the crispy skin. These are not those. These are uncooked veggies freshly wrapped in a rice wrapper, served cold. Very different but still delicious! As an entree I ordered the green curry over duck and rice. Again, this stacks up to any green curry dish I've ever had. Just the right amount of heat and creaminess. Green curry is always spicy but I love it because the curry never overwhelms the rest of the dish. I still tasted the duck, which is always my meat of choice when it comes to green curry. My wife ordered the Pad Thai with shrimp. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when she ordered that dish because it's such a "safe" dish. Most every Pad Thai dish I've had before this one tasted the same to me...most of them somewhat dry and the meat of choice is usually overcooked. Don't get me wrong, I do like Pad Thai, but I didn't think this would be any different than the ones I've tried in New York. But was I wrong! When the dish came out it just looked different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. It also tasted different than any Pad Thai I've ever had. The noodles were "wet" rather than dry. Also, the shrimp was succulent and not overcooked at all. A very pleasant surprise. Overall, I would say Saeng Thai House served some of the best Thai food I've ever had. The Yelp reviews are pretty spot on in its praise of this place. It's not a huge place, but we went on a weeknight so it wasn't crowded at all. We noticed a lot of take-out/pick-up orders while we were there. Too bad this place isn't around us or I'd be ordering from there every night! Next time we're in Portland, this a must visit.
(5)Fabian M.
Best pad thai I've ever had! I have lived and worked in Thailand so consider myself an expert on the topic. The only difficult thing is to decide between getting the regular pad thai or the pad thai basil (PTB). The PTB is a little spicier and has a very full and juicy flavor. You'll have to try it to understand what I'm talking about. The service is great and the place is run by really lovely people so definitely a must if you're visiting Portland!
(5)Mike S.
A typical Thai food venue in a city with few Thai people. The basil pad Thai was great but the rest was tasty but not memorable.
(3)Courtney E.
I didn't think it was possible but Saeng Thai House actually makes my love for Thai burn brighter. Gone are the days when I thought you had to choose between gourmet and affordable. The food was authentic, delicious, abundantly portioned and reasonably priced especially next to it's fancier cousin, Boda. The family who run it are also lovely- friendly and professional. Perhaps the restaurant ambiance and location struggle to compete with other downtown options but the quality of the dishes distinguishes the place from many I've been to from Boston to San Francisco. You really can't argue with amazing food and great service. I am bringing everyone I know here!
(5)Vaibhav S.
Awesomest Thai food I've ever had. Its a hidden gem. Its family owned and run so the food is also homemade type and healthy. We ordered veggie rolls, Pad thai and Tofu vegie and they were simply amazing. The green tea ice-creme was just incredible.
(5)Shelly S.
Great service, great food. This place is the real deal. Staff was helpful in ordering. This establishment is BYOB, helping you to keep the average bill down. There is a little liquor store right around the corner.
(4)Juwon K.
I am visiting Portland, and this made my day. I had spring rolls as an appetizer and mango curry with duck as an entree. And they are both so gooood! It is tasty and healthy! I think I will come back for next visit.
(5)Puneet M.
Really great Thai food in an unassuming location. We dined in for dinner. The dining room was tiny and looked like it was decorated for Christmas in August. (Kind of reminded me of a Christmas story so I didn't mind.) The people were very friendly inside even though they were very busy with takeout orders. We were the only ones dining in but there was a revolving door of people getting takeout. The food was very good and satisfying. All had a lot of flavor and every dish has it's own uniqueness. The fried rice was out of this world as well. A couple drawbacks were that some of the meet we had was a little tough like the beef in the fried rice. They have a few different duck dishes and the crispy duck with basil sauce special we had was amazing. We also ordered the garlic chicken which was great too. A lot of chicken and fresh veggies that was in a great garlic sauce. We got a vegetable and ground chicken in a pastry shell appetizer which tasted like it has some frozen veggies in it but still tasted great especially with the sweet sauce it came with. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)David P.
I debated whether to write a review because of all the positive reviews already, but given that most of them are older I thought it would be helpful to know that this place is still fantastic. This is a small maybe 6 table place that definitely cooks one meal at a time. While that may be bothersome for some, it tells me that they are focusing on making each dish special. My friend had the salmon teriiyaki which was incredible. Besides the salmon being extremely fresh, they make their own teriyaki sauce which was sooo good. I had the duck with red curry which you can tell them how spicy you want it. If you are ever in Portland, please try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Bill C.
I wasn't too impressed with what many have called the best thai place in Portland, Maine. I got the pad see-ew with shrimp, and there were about 3 or 4 pieces of shrimp in the dish. The flavor of the pad see-ew was not flavorful like authentic thai cuisine. Don't get me wrong. The Thai food here is solid. But I've had much better in California. Maybe it was just the pad see-ew that I got. Or maybe it was the off-color thai ice tea that tasted a bit like sour milk. Or maybe it was the priciness of the pad see-ew. If I'm ever back, I will definitely try some of the other dishes and appetizers. For now, based on what I had to eat, this place gets 3 stars.
(3)isabelle m.
OBSESSED. I am an avid Thai fan and this place is on the top of my list. Not only is the food really, really fantastic (I recommend the pad thai + volcano noodle soup) but the staff is sweet and very attentive.
(4)Aaron P.
Baby and toddler-friendly! Besides having some of the best Thai food I've ever had, and having a busy-but-charming atmosphere, the ladies at Saeng Thai House will basically babysit our toddler for us while we eat. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but they love our little lady (and I'm assuming other kids as well) and will fawn over her when we're there. Considering some restaurants are tolerant of little kids at best, this is very welcome. This isn't to say that we're obnoxious baby people who have no awareness of, or respect for, other diners, but merely that a place where we can go and get amazing food *and* feel warmly welcomed with a young kid is a rarity, and we appreciate it. Alright. The food. It's great! We usually get the chicken sate as an appetizer. They're tender and perfectly-spiced. Each time we've gone I've gotten the volcano ramen soup with pork meatballs. It's just so good that I can't bring myself to try anything else! It's savory and spicy, and the meatballs have a wonderfully firm texture to them. It hits the spot every time. I don't think it's on their regular menu, but it's been available as a special whenever I've been there. The do NOT serve booze here, which is a bummer, but the food is good enough to make you forget about it. Kids or no kids, Saeng Thai House is a must.
(5)Joey W.
Really friendly service, great pad thai, amaaaazing pad prink khink (I've also seen it called green bean pri king at other places). I've never been disappointed here and they were open during a snowstorm when everyone else was closing early. Instead of an after dinner mint they gave us a guava candy. Yum.
(4)TeTeDaMouse C.
We liked Saeng so much that we went here for two lunches in a row, so within a 24-hour time frame. First day: We shared scallion pancakes and steamed dumpling for appetizerz. I had their special pad thai with tofu (special meant with basil and a spicier sauce) and the hubby had their chicken yellow curry. Second day: For appetizers, we had their shrimp spring rolls and scallion pancakes. I had their pad kee mao with chicken while the hubby had their garlic chicken. Their food is beautifully arranged, fresh, and delicious. The sauce that accompanies the dishes like the dipping sauces for the pancakes, spring rolls, and dumplings paired beautifully with the food. Food can be ordered on a scale of 1 to 5, but I had a 4, which really wasn't too spicy in my opinion. Also, the service is excellent and to top it off, the prices are very reasonable. What's not to like?
(5)Jeff R.
Without a doubt the best thai food I've had outside of Thailand. When my wife and I moved to Maine, we were struck by the huge number of thai restaurants...but were quickly disappointed to see that they're mostly pan-asian restaurants (when they sell general tsao and tempura, they're not really thai) and by the horribly bland flavors. Then we went to Saeng Thai. All I can say is WOW. This place is absolutely phenomenal. Flavors are amazing, portions are great, and it is truly authentic thai food. The walls are coated with photos of the Thai King (who is deified in Thailand) and other thai art. The women who own it (or at least are always there) are incredibly friendly, and recognize me on the phone when I order, likely because I'm the only person who orders in Thai (wife and I spent 4 months in thailand). This place is not to be missed.
(5)Jared B.
The food here is 5star!!! I made a reservation for 8:30 and arrived to a reserved sign on our table. I thought that it was a nice touch even though the place wasn't all that busy. Our host Rosalita was very helpful and pleasant. We had the thai dumplings and shrimp skewers to start and they were amazing!!! For the main course I had the duck and my friend had one of the chicken curries they were both the best. Everything was very fresh and full of flavor, so look no further this is the place you have been looking for!
(5)Seamus C.
I had to make sure I was reviewing the right place because the overwhelming dose of 4+ reviews doesn't jive with my experience. I ate here for lunch and had a standard Pad Thai, which was extremely sweet and salty and a bit too fishy for my taste, which is in direct disagreement with some of the other reviewers. I mean, it was OKAY, but I couldn't justify the 4 stars, sorry. I really wanted to like it more.
(3)Sabrina H.
Nearly everything I've had here has been perfect: a crispy pad Thai, larb gai and larb moo (I get one of these two Thai salads every time I go), a spicy duck dish (can't remember the name), fish cake and chicken satay appetizers. Complimentary "tastes" (small salads with yummy dressing and a piece of fried spring roll) have been brought out each time I've visited, which is a really nice touch. Service is extremely friendly. And don't miss the homemade coconut ice cream! It is literally the best I have ever had, and I still order it even when I'm full. It's BYOB here, so bring your own adult beverages if you're in the mood.
(5)Tiffany T.
One of the better Thai restaurants in Portland. Cute house-style decor and friendly waitstaff makes this one of my more memorable experiences for Thai. We had the Tom Yum Koong and Phad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) w/ tofu. Although we could've used more shrimp in the soup, I thought the soup was balanced with just the right amount of lemongrass, tamarind, and spice. The Phad Kee Mao was yummy too. It had some charred pieces of rice noodles but that's the way I like my stir fry!
(5)Aaron F.
Im really not into the great reviews this place gets. Ive gone three times and was disappointed on each occasion. I had the crispy pad thai and it was overcooked and practically inedible. Also their soup was not that good. Dont know where all the positive reviews are coming from but I wont be returning.
(2)Tom P.
My first time here was very impressive. The lady, who took care of us, was very helpful in every way. She knows almost everything about Portland. The food was surprisingly excellent. We love everything here. It seems like everybody here is genuinely nice. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Asya P.
I am so disappointed! Yelp failed me, for the first time ever. I am bewildered by the disparity between my experience here and all the 5 star reviews. I WILL be back to try again, because the menu is huge. Even with 4 people, we only got a small taste of what is offered. 5 stars for atmosphere, friendly and very attentive service (constant water refills), convenient location, easy street parking, short wait for our food. Really enjoyed eating in, though clearly people order take out from here all the time. Prices and portions were very generous. No skimping on vegetables. The presentation of the food was really, really nice! We didn't expect that for a place that has a little bit of a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Plates were laid out thoughtfully, which is just a nice touch. Loved the format of the menu- most things are laid out so that you can pick your protein. Very clear, very convenient. But the food overall.. just fell flat. - Spring Roll Appetizer: no good. just full of iceberg lettuce and little else. Didn't look like that more balanced photo someone else posted. -Pad Thai: Sadly, the worst I have ever tried. I couldn't believe it! and no bean sprouts or wedges of lime to go with it. -Garlic Tofu: We disagreed on this one- I liked it, my partner didn't- but quality-wise it was on par with a lower caliber of generic asian take out that what we were expecting here. - Pineapple chicken: This was a fun surprise- served in a carved out pineapple! But again, it was all veggies and chicken in a slightly generic sauce.... just didn't have that extra little bit that would make it truly good cooking! It was tasty, my boyfriend's dad enjoyed it, but.... the flavor was kind of simplistic, in my opinion. - I loved my own dish- Crispy Duck with Basil. It was spicy to perfection, the crispy duck was really great (not dry! yay!). I very rarely eat meat, so I am always disappointed if it's less than perfect, and this was really good. The sauce was a bit more complex, but the veggies were in big chunks, and kind of simple. None of the dishes had that melding of flavors that you look for, or showed any sign of letting the veggies and protein absorb the sauce flavors. They were all more or less stir fry with different flavored sauces. I really liked that there is no "spice scale" here, and no hot sauce on the table. I think this shows a great level of confidence in the food: "eat it how we serve it", and I like that attitude. We all thought our dishes were right on the money in this particular regard, but as I said above, the pad thai really needed bean sprouts and lime to make it at all palatable... and there were none to be found. Had I gone alone, I probably would have given this place 4 stars, but with four people who sampled 4 dishes and two of them really didn't like their food very much, I have to give it 3. I will return to try the curries and more of the classic noodle dishes! My recommendation is- go try it. If you just want a decent lunch take out, DEFINITELY go here. But if you want a more elevated food quality dinner... I'm not sure that this is the place.
(3)Kate S.
Pineapple fried rice! And basically everything thing we've tried (except for the papaya salad - surprising let down) is fresh, flavorful & fun. Best Thai in town.
(5)H P.
I love crispy duck my favorite Thai dish ,my wife likes Pad Thai .First let me say this restaurant is tiny ,with about 5 or 6 tables. It appears to be totally run by one family ,and the service was quite good .After a period of time my crispy duck came out ,unfortunately it wasn't crispy .Whenever I see crispy duck I'm used to browned skin and crispyness .However there was a lot of meat .My wife's Pad Thai was a bit on the spicy side ,she thought it was quite good .Unfortunately I have been spoiled by this Thai restaurant on Hilton Head Island in SC called Rhua Thai ,that is my standard and Saeng Thai house does not rise up to that standard .So while I can say that I had a decent Thai meal here ,it doesn't get me yearning to rush back .Portland is devoid of decent Chinese restaurants especially after the Hu Ke Lau closed many years ago ,today I have to be desperate to eat Chinese in Portland especially when I hail from Boston .The same I think holds true with Thai restaurants.
(3)Anita B.
Stopped here for a quick lunch when I was in town for the day. So glad I didn't grab my usual lunch at Panera. I had the Volcano Udon soup made with coconut milk and it was luscious. Fresh ingredients with a beautiful, flavorful broth. Friendly service, I most definitely will be back.
(5)Daniel S.
This place is excellent and my Thai wife agrees. We had the pad Thai, penang curry with duck and chicken, pad kra prow, spicy bamboo, and mango with sticky rice and it was great. The owners are crazy friendly as well. Would highly recommend.
(5)Ryan T.
Personally this is the best Thai food I have had in the portland area, excellent classics
(5)Matt T.
Amazing authentic Thai food. Definitely worth a visit love the idea of BYOB and the food matched our store bought (2 min walk) Sam Adams Seasonal. Great Saeng Spring Rolls with Pak Tod (Tempura Veg), followed by Tamarind Duck..... What can I say absolutely perfect. Lovely friendly welcome by the family in a very authentic restaurant .... When in Portland and you want Thai food eat here.....
(5)Gabrielle L.
This place was delicious. We enjoyed the tastiest spicy basil Pad Thai, a creamy and spicy red curry dish, and tamarind shrimp...all exceptional. The service was excellent and the owner was very friendly and personable. One downside is that there are only a few tables in the restaurant. Even so, the atmosphere was very comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop here!
(5)George P.
We went to Saeng Thai after reading all the reviews. The food was above average. The Volcano soup was very nice. Beef Pad Thai was excellent. Ginger Pineapple Fried Rice was odd (just average). Tom Yum soup was good. Service was great and the waitstaff/management were exceptional. Had an enjoyable time and prices were very reasonable.
(4)Phil A.
My wife and I were in South Portland on business from Boston and dropped in at random. She had the Garlic Shrimp and I had the Ocean Cried plate. The meals were both delicious and the presentations lovely. We had a pumpkin custard for dessert which was light and delightful. The restaurant staff is very kind and friendly and patient when ordering or asking about local attractions or even how to prepare a Thai dish. The decor is simple but very quaint and has many Thai elements that are both relaxing and intriguing. We noticed that the local patrons were very dedicated to visiting this restaurant and now we understand why. We plan to revisit ourselves on our next trip up to Portland.
(5)Mike W.
On a overnight in Portland, I was looking for Nime Chow. (AKA Raw Spring Rolls) The atmosphre is casual yet could be romantic if you BYOB and have your better half with you. I loved the hot Thai Tea served in decorative covered elephant cups on a coaster. Forks are standard fare with the Chop Sticks hidden in a holder on each table. For my main course I had the Chicken Pad Thai which was a large serving of bliss for my tastebuds!
(4)Fred A.
We were blown away by the great food, how quick and friendly the service was and how inexpensive we felt this place was. The little comp salad before our lunch was a very nice surprise. We'll go back here any time we're in Portland. The only drawback I can see is that the place is smallish and I'll bet there can be a wait at busy times. Others say it's BYOB, which I believe, but we don't drink so it is no problem. Khawp Koon Krap, Saeng Thai!
(5)Jasmine W.
BYOB! Great little place. Server was extremely friendly and hospitable. We had the Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pork dumplings, thai salad, and crispy duck spicy basil dish. All were great. Would love to eat here again.
(5)Martha C.
The interior is totally changed from how I remember it in the mid 1990s when it was a basic white-walled, hand-written menus stuck to the wall mainly take-out joint. The spelling is slightly changed too - used to be Seng Thai House. Maybe there was an ownership change. But it still sits down the hill from the mega Maine Med and the food still is perfect Thai. My DC ordered the pad thai 3 stars and it was fairly spicy for our gringo palates. But we perservered. I had the mango curry with tofu and it was attractively presented in a square bowl set atop a square plate. He didn't care for the thai wonton soup and I had a little taste of the broth which resembled sock juice. And the kat tong thong for appetizers - peas, carrots and corn mixed with ground chicken nestled inside petite crunchy shells adorned with a clear, sweet sauce. Pretty good all around. Dinner obviously is more expensive than lunch and probably more relaxed what with all the medical personnel scrambling down the hill to claim their delicious takeout during their lunch break.
(5)Molly H.
AH-MAZING Thai food, wonderfully friendly staff. They are my weekly take out spot, perfect every time!!
(5)Mary G.
I've eaten at many Thai establishments in Boston, and the food here was much better than at the majority of those. I had drunken noodles with tofu; the vegetables were cooked tender-crisp, the dish wasn't overly greasy, and it was overall very flavorful. (Not very spicy, which is what happens when a pale girl like me orders such dishes, and is how I wanted it that night; if you look like me and you want it *actually* spicy, make a firm point of it.) My friend had duck and was over the moon. It was roasted in-house and he said it was extremely tender and delicious. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. At this price point it would be hard to do better.
(5)Maureen Z.
Actually we just tried it last night. It's an authentic Thai restaurant. We ordered a soup Tong Yum Koon, a ground chicken fried with vegetables and a noodle. And you can choose the spicy level to meet your taste.
(5)Arley S.
I lived in Thailand for a year and try Thai restaurants every chance I get. I've been to about 30 in NYC. The food, service and genuine experience of this place puts it in my top 3. I can't recommend it enough.
(5)Blaise F.
Massama curry and pad Thai wooaahhh so good
(5)Julie D.
We moved to Freeport a year ago from the intensely multicultural DC suburbs and have been quite disappointed in the closer-to-Freeport Thai restaurants we've tried. We finally decided to head to Portland to try a Thai restaurant there. Wow! The food at Saeng Thai was fabulous--complex, subtle flavors, perfectly done meat, delicate fresh summer rolls. My crispy duck in tamarind sauce was to die for and the leftovers I enjoyed the next day proved my first impression. My husband enjoyed his pad thai as well. We are looking forward to many return visits!
(5)Matt L.
The best pad thai I've ever had. For about $5, it has shrimp and chicken in it. It's flavorful, fresh, and spicy (if you want it to be). Very, very good. Their spring rolls are also very good - cold and unfried. This is by Maine Med, so expect to see a bunch of doctors come in if you're there around lunch time.
(5)TeTeDaMouse C.
We liked Saeng so much that we went here for two lunches in a row, so within a 24-hour time frame. First day: We shared scallion pancakes and steamed dumpling for appetizerz. I had their special pad thai with tofu (special meant with basil and a spicier sauce) and the hubby had their chicken yellow curry. Second day: For appetizers, we had their shrimp spring rolls and scallion pancakes. I had their pad kee mao with chicken while the hubby had their garlic chicken. Their food is beautifully arranged, fresh, and delicious. The sauce that accompanies the dishes like the dipping sauces for the pancakes, spring rolls, and dumplings paired beautifully with the food. Food can be ordered on a scale of 1 to 5, but I had a 4, which really wasn't too spicy in my opinion. Also, the service is excellent and to top it off, the prices are very reasonable. What's not to like?
(5)Jeff R.
Without a doubt the best thai food I've had outside of Thailand. When my wife and I moved to Maine, we were struck by the huge number of thai restaurants...but were quickly disappointed to see that they're mostly pan-asian restaurants (when they sell general tsao and tempura, they're not really thai) and by the horribly bland flavors. Then we went to Saeng Thai. All I can say is WOW. This place is absolutely phenomenal. Flavors are amazing, portions are great, and it is truly authentic thai food. The walls are coated with photos of the Thai King (who is deified in Thailand) and other thai art. The women who own it (or at least are always there) are incredibly friendly, and recognize me on the phone when I order, likely because I'm the only person who orders in Thai (wife and I spent 4 months in thailand). This place is not to be missed.
(5)Jared B.
The food here is 5star!!! I made a reservation for 8:30 and arrived to a reserved sign on our table. I thought that it was a nice touch even though the place wasn't all that busy. Our host Rosalita was very helpful and pleasant. We had the thai dumplings and shrimp skewers to start and they were amazing!!! For the main course I had the duck and my friend had one of the chicken curries they were both the best. Everything was very fresh and full of flavor, so look no further this is the place you have been looking for!
(5)Seamus C.
I had to make sure I was reviewing the right place because the overwhelming dose of 4+ reviews doesn't jive with my experience. I ate here for lunch and had a standard Pad Thai, which was extremely sweet and salty and a bit too fishy for my taste, which is in direct disagreement with some of the other reviewers. I mean, it was OKAY, but I couldn't justify the 4 stars, sorry. I really wanted to like it more.
(3)Sabrina H.
Nearly everything I've had here has been perfect: a crispy pad Thai, larb gai and larb moo (I get one of these two Thai salads every time I go), a spicy duck dish (can't remember the name), fish cake and chicken satay appetizers. Complimentary "tastes" (small salads with yummy dressing and a piece of fried spring roll) have been brought out each time I've visited, which is a really nice touch. Service is extremely friendly. And don't miss the homemade coconut ice cream! It is literally the best I have ever had, and I still order it even when I'm full. It's BYOB here, so bring your own adult beverages if you're in the mood.
(5)Martha C.
The interior is totally changed from how I remember it in the mid 1990s when it was a basic white-walled, hand-written menus stuck to the wall mainly take-out joint. The spelling is slightly changed too - used to be Seng Thai House. Maybe there was an ownership change. But it still sits down the hill from the mega Maine Med and the food still is perfect Thai. My DC ordered the pad thai 3 stars and it was fairly spicy for our gringo palates. But we perservered. I had the mango curry with tofu and it was attractively presented in a square bowl set atop a square plate. He didn't care for the thai wonton soup and I had a little taste of the broth which resembled sock juice. And the kat tong thong for appetizers - peas, carrots and corn mixed with ground chicken nestled inside petite crunchy shells adorned with a clear, sweet sauce. Pretty good all around. Dinner obviously is more expensive than lunch and probably more relaxed what with all the medical personnel scrambling down the hill to claim their delicious takeout during their lunch break.
(5)Molly H.
AH-MAZING Thai food, wonderfully friendly staff. They are my weekly take out spot, perfect every time!!
(5)Mary G.
I've eaten at many Thai establishments in Boston, and the food here was much better than at the majority of those. I had drunken noodles with tofu; the vegetables were cooked tender-crisp, the dish wasn't overly greasy, and it was overall very flavorful. (Not very spicy, which is what happens when a pale girl like me orders such dishes, and is how I wanted it that night; if you look like me and you want it *actually* spicy, make a firm point of it.) My friend had duck and was over the moon. It was roasted in-house and he said it was extremely tender and delicious. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. At this price point it would be hard to do better.
(5)Maureen Z.
Actually we just tried it last night. It's an authentic Thai restaurant. We ordered a soup Tong Yum Koon, a ground chicken fried with vegetables and a noodle. And you can choose the spicy level to meet your taste.
(5)Beat B.
I really can't comment on the food, but the service is horrible. We placed an order for take out on New Year's Day. The woman said it would be ready in 30 minutes. So my husband went down 30 minutes later to pick up the order and was told it would be 5 more minutes. Fine, ok you're busy. Then he was told that they had run out of one of the dishes we had ordered. Fine, you're busy. Then he was told 5 more minutes. Flash forward 30 more minutes of standing there at the counter waiting, and he was told it would be 5 more minutes. My husband had enough and said forget the order. The lady just shrugged her shoulders and said ok, so he left. Very very unimpressed.
(1)Pope E.
Food was amazing. Huge portions and reasonably priced. Helpful and friendly staff. Curries were fantastic. The pu pu platter was also great. Nice sampling of most of their appetizers.
(5)isabelle m.
OBSESSED. I am an avid Thai fan and this place is on the top of my list. Not only is the food really, really fantastic (I recommend the pad thai + volcano noodle soup) but the staff is sweet and very attentive.
(4)Tiffany T.
One of the better Thai restaurants in Portland. Cute house-style decor and friendly waitstaff makes this one of my more memorable experiences for Thai. We had the Tom Yum Koong and Phad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) w/ tofu. Although we could've used more shrimp in the soup, I thought the soup was balanced with just the right amount of lemongrass, tamarind, and spice. The Phad Kee Mao was yummy too. It had some charred pieces of rice noodles but that's the way I like my stir fry!
(5)Puneet M.
Really great Thai food in an unassuming location. We dined in for dinner. The dining room was tiny and looked like it was decorated for Christmas in August. (Kind of reminded me of a Christmas story so I didn't mind.) The people were very friendly inside even though they were very busy with takeout orders. We were the only ones dining in but there was a revolving door of people getting takeout. The food was very good and satisfying. All had a lot of flavor and every dish has it's own uniqueness. The fried rice was out of this world as well. A couple drawbacks were that some of the meet we had was a little tough like the beef in the fried rice. They have a few different duck dishes and the crispy duck with basil sauce special we had was amazing. We also ordered the garlic chicken which was great too. A lot of chicken and fresh veggies that was in a great garlic sauce. We got a vegetable and ground chicken in a pastry shell appetizer which tasted like it has some frozen veggies in it but still tasted great especially with the sweet sauce it came with. Can't wait to try it again!
(4)David P.
I debated whether to write a review because of all the positive reviews already, but given that most of them are older I thought it would be helpful to know that this place is still fantastic. This is a small maybe 6 table place that definitely cooks one meal at a time. While that may be bothersome for some, it tells me that they are focusing on making each dish special. My friend had the salmon teriiyaki which was incredible. Besides the salmon being extremely fresh, they make their own teriyaki sauce which was sooo good. I had the duck with red curry which you can tell them how spicy you want it. If you are ever in Portland, please try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Matt T.
Amazing authentic Thai food. Definitely worth a visit love the idea of BYOB and the food matched our store bought (2 min walk) Sam Adams Seasonal. Great Saeng Spring Rolls with Pak Tod (Tempura Veg), followed by Tamarind Duck..... What can I say absolutely perfect. Lovely friendly welcome by the family in a very authentic restaurant .... When in Portland and you want Thai food eat here.....
(5)Asya P.
I am so disappointed! Yelp failed me, for the first time ever. I am bewildered by the disparity between my experience here and all the 5 star reviews. I WILL be back to try again, because the menu is huge. Even with 4 people, we only got a small taste of what is offered. 5 stars for atmosphere, friendly and very attentive service (constant water refills), convenient location, easy street parking, short wait for our food. Really enjoyed eating in, though clearly people order take out from here all the time. Prices and portions were very generous. No skimping on vegetables. The presentation of the food was really, really nice! We didn't expect that for a place that has a little bit of a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Plates were laid out thoughtfully, which is just a nice touch. Loved the format of the menu- most things are laid out so that you can pick your protein. Very clear, very convenient. But the food overall.. just fell flat. - Spring Roll Appetizer: no good. just full of iceberg lettuce and little else. Didn't look like that more balanced photo someone else posted. -Pad Thai: Sadly, the worst I have ever tried. I couldn't believe it! and no bean sprouts or wedges of lime to go with it. -Garlic Tofu: We disagreed on this one- I liked it, my partner didn't- but quality-wise it was on par with a lower caliber of generic asian take out that what we were expecting here. - Pineapple chicken: This was a fun surprise- served in a carved out pineapple! But again, it was all veggies and chicken in a slightly generic sauce.... just didn't have that extra little bit that would make it truly good cooking! It was tasty, my boyfriend's dad enjoyed it, but.... the flavor was kind of simplistic, in my opinion. - I loved my own dish- Crispy Duck with Basil. It was spicy to perfection, the crispy duck was really great (not dry! yay!). I very rarely eat meat, so I am always disappointed if it's less than perfect, and this was really good. The sauce was a bit more complex, but the veggies were in big chunks, and kind of simple. None of the dishes had that melding of flavors that you look for, or showed any sign of letting the veggies and protein absorb the sauce flavors. They were all more or less stir fry with different flavored sauces. I really liked that there is no "spice scale" here, and no hot sauce on the table. I think this shows a great level of confidence in the food: "eat it how we serve it", and I like that attitude. We all thought our dishes were right on the money in this particular regard, but as I said above, the pad thai really needed bean sprouts and lime to make it at all palatable... and there were none to be found. Had I gone alone, I probably would have given this place 4 stars, but with four people who sampled 4 dishes and two of them really didn't like their food very much, I have to give it 3. I will return to try the curries and more of the classic noodle dishes! My recommendation is- go try it. If you just want a decent lunch take out, DEFINITELY go here. But if you want a more elevated food quality dinner... I'm not sure that this is the place.
(3)Kate S.
Pineapple fried rice! And basically everything thing we've tried (except for the papaya salad - surprising let down) is fresh, flavorful & fun. Best Thai in town.
(5)Daniel S.
This place is excellent and my Thai wife agrees. We had the pad Thai, penang curry with duck and chicken, pad kra prow, spicy bamboo, and mango with sticky rice and it was great. The owners are crazy friendly as well. Would highly recommend.
(5)Ryan T.
Personally this is the best Thai food I have had in the portland area, excellent classics
(5)Arley S.
I lived in Thailand for a year and try Thai restaurants every chance I get. I've been to about 30 in NYC. The food, service and genuine experience of this place puts it in my top 3. I can't recommend it enough.
(5)Blaise F.
Massama curry and pad Thai wooaahhh so good
(5)Acacia I.
Best place for Thai I've found in the Portland area. The prices are great too! Also really friendly service and super sweet waitress. They're really good and quick with delivery too! Always love going and always happy when I leave.
(5)John L.
The place is small with very limited seating, but the food is fresh, delicious and well worth any wait or inconvenience. The BBQ duck made with red curry is outstanding. My daughter has yet to develop a palate that appreciates spice, so they were able to provide a plate of fresh steamed veggies to accompany her fried tofu and fresh spring rolls. It looked and tasted like they had just been picked from a garden. Do yourself a favor and eat here if you want Thai / Asian food in Portland- you won't be sorry.
(5)Noah L.
I have been coming to Saeng Thai House for 12 years and I will never find an acceptable substitute for the delectables that come from this small eatery. I have traveled all around the world, including Thailand, and have yet to find a Pad Thai as good/consistent/juicy/spicy/etc. as the dish from here. After moving to Brooklyn earlier this year, I often wander the streets of NYC craving Saeng Thai House but find myself continuously disappointed when I sample one of the hundreds of Thai restaurants in this gigantic city. Alas, I will have to sustain myself off my once-per-month visit to Portland. Until then, the search continues.
(5)Unhappy C.
Best Thai in Portland, period. Prices are always great, food has always been amazing. It's been my go-to Thai place for almost ten years.
(5)Beat B.
I really can't comment on the food, but the service is horrible. We placed an order for take out on New Year's Day. The woman said it would be ready in 30 minutes. So my husband went down 30 minutes later to pick up the order and was told it would be 5 more minutes. Fine, ok you're busy. Then he was told that they had run out of one of the dishes we had ordered. Fine, you're busy. Then he was told 5 more minutes. Flash forward 30 more minutes of standing there at the counter waiting, and he was told it would be 5 more minutes. My husband had enough and said forget the order. The lady just shrugged her shoulders and said ok, so he left. Very very unimpressed.
(1)Pope E.
Food was amazing. Huge portions and reasonably priced. Helpful and friendly staff. Curries were fantastic. The pu pu platter was also great. Nice sampling of most of their appetizers.
(5)Elizabeth S.
I have now gotten 2 lunch meetings catered by Saeng Thai House, and both times, they were very easy to work with to get the order set up. The first time, I asked if they could bring plates and napkins and silverware, and they threw them in, plus a few extra orders of some of the dishes at no additional cost. Both times, the food was delivered on time. I remember the food being a little more exciting last year, but both times were very tasty, and I would definitely use them again. The pad thai and the eggplant were especially tasty. They were also great about accommodating dietary restrictions such as vegan and gluten free. They aren't LOSING a star for anything, but I just want to reserve 5-star marks for restaurants where the food and experience are just out-of-this-world amazing, whereas this is just "very good." I don't actually live in Portland, but I'm sure if I did, I would also eat in at the restaurant!
(4)