St. Louis foodies have been lining up at this popular food stand at the Tower Grove Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings & Saturday mornings, as well as at the Boulevard Farmers Market on Sunday mornings. Tee Rak Thai just opened a brick-and-mortar in the Shaw neighborhood in the former home of Sweet Art. While the location has changed, the dishes that loyal followers have lined up for are still present and there are plenty of new additions for you to fall in love with.
What to Order — And Why It Stands Out
🍲 Signature Northern Thai & Market Favorites
We all know Pad Thai is the "famous" dish to order at a Thai restaurant, and it is absolutely amazing here, but I'm encouraging your to brand out and order something new during your visit. In a city where Thai cuisine is often limited to staple dishes, Tee Rak Thai’s commitment to Northern-Thai authenticity plus their fresh-made sauces & noodles make it stand out. For locals looking for more than just Pad Thai, here's where to start.
The menu is divided into sections, so that you can find exactly what you are looking for:
- Starters: Tee Rak is the only place in St. Louis you'll find Sai Oua. This aromatic, slightly spicy traditional North-style sausage is made in house. Their fried chicken potstickers are served with a ponzu dipping sauce. Tee Rak Wings are fried in their house sauce and can be made as spicy as you wish - carrots are served on the side to help cut the heat, if needed.
- Soups: My favorite soup is Tom Kha. It's a coconut milk-based soup with herbs and spices like galangal, kaffir leaves, served with chicken, mushrooms and onions. They also have Tom Yum Goong (a hot and sour soup with shrimp) and Tom Yum Talay (a hot an sour soup served with scallops, squid, mussels & shrimp).
- Salads: Salads are my go-to dish when I want something filling, but not too heavy. Som Tum is a papaya salad with shredded carrots, green beans & Thai chilis in a house-made dressing with peanuts. Their Glass Noodle Salad includes ground chicken, Thai chili, lime juice, tomatoes, cilantro & red onion mixed with a house sauce. Both are light and fresh.
- Curries: You'll recognize a few of these curries as menu staples at Thai restaurants in the area. Try the ones you've nver had before. Like their Khao Soi with a chicken leg quarter slow cooked with egg noodles and topped with crispy noodles. They also have Yellow Curry, Green Curry, and Massaman
- Entrees: Drunken Noodles, Pad Kra Pow, Thai Fried Rice, Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, Tom Yum Noodles, Larb Moo/ Larb Gai, Crying Tiger Beef, Cashew Nut Chicken. Check out the full menu and descriptions on their website.
final thoughts
Tee Rak Thai offers more than a meal. The food is flavorful & rooted in tradition, while the atmosphere, service teams, and owners invite community & conversation. Whether you’re diving into a steaming bowl of Tom Kha soup, savoring pad see ew, or enjoying their fried chicken wings, it’s easy to see why fans of their market stall are so loyal.
If you’ve been hunting for Thai food in St. Louis that goes beyond the usual, add Tee Rak Thai to the top of your must-try list!
