Khao Sen — Restaurant in Fuquay-Varina

We went here for the first time 6/24 at 6:00pm. The restaurant was decently crowded for a Monday and we were seated immediately.

My husband had their special beer, a rice lager from Holly Springs and I had a Thai Tea with Crystal Boba, recommended from our amazing server Becca. My only gripe is that the tea had too much ice and it was a little difficult to get to the boba.

This is not your typical take-out Thai. This menu is special! We ordered the Salmon Yum to start. The sauce is SPICY in a a good way! The food here definitely packs heat. The salmon was so fresh and buttery. My husband order the Khao Soi and I ordered the Ba Mii Moo Daeng. His sauce reminded me of Panang Curry but 100 times better. The medium spice packs quite a bit of heat, especially when the dish itself came out piping hot (as it should)! I was not able to finish my dish because of the tea, but it was still incredible the next day. The pork broth was smooth and savory and the pork itself was cooked to perfection. The dumplings in my dish were incredible. I will definitely be getting the Kanom Jeep as an appetizer next time. We ordered the Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango to go and ate it about two hours later. It was by far the best sweet sticky rice I've ever had. I think Bekah said the mangos were from Mexico. They were so sweet and not stringy at all.

I can't wait to go back and try more. Fuquay has been in desperate need of a good Thai food place and Khao Sen fills that void perfectly. This is so much better than our previously favorited Thai place in Holly Springs.

To top of the review, I really want to point out how great our server, Becca was. (I apologize if I'm spelling the name wrong!!) She was so kind and helpful with menu recommendations. She took care to ask about dietary restrictions. We genuinely had a great time talking to her during our meal. We will certainly ask for her the next time...

I don’t usually leave reviews, but this restaurant is very special to me, so I decided to write one.

I am an immigrant from an Asian country, and I have loved Thai food for as long as I can remember. I’ve eaten a lot of it since my time in my home country. I found this restaurant purely by chance, but I cannot begin to express how much it has enriched my life here in NC. I have already visited many times, and I frequently order takeout as well. Their food might not be the typical Thai cuisine that most people in America are familiar with—and that’s exactly why I love this place! I had been searching for this kind of authenticity for so long! Every dish I’ve ordered has been absolutely top-notch. Truly delicious. It’s not overly Americanized; it’s real, authentic Asian flavors. If you’re someone who wants to enjoy genuinely delicious food, this is the perfect spot for you. Every dish is amazing! My personal favorites are the Khao Soi Curry (it’s the best!!), Tom Kha Goong, and BBQ Pork. As long as I live in NC, I will keep coming back to this restaurant—no question about it! (Even though it takes me almost an hour to drive there, it’s absolutely worth it.) On top of that, everyone who works here is so kind. They always greet me with a warm smile and are incredibly welcoming. Sometimes, I feel a little nervous walking into certain places because, racially speaking, I often find myself in the minority. However, I’ve noticed that this restaurant has a very diverse customer base. This, to me, is proof that people from all backgrounds love and appreciate this place—not just Asian people. As a bonus, they also have a fantastic kids’ menu! The flavors are simple and appropriate for children, which I really appreciate.

I truly hope this restaurant stays here forever. I’ll be back again...

A Truly Elevated Dining Experience at Khao Sen

We had an incredible meal at Khao Sen that left us absolutely impressed and feeling great. The food was not only beautifully presented but also incredibly clean and nourishing. There was none of that heavy, sluggish feeling you often get after dining out. In fact, the experience reminded me of eating in Europe, where quality ingredients and balance are at the forefront of every dish.

The Moonlit Matcha was a standout. It was creamy, lightly sweet, and refreshing with coconut and pandan flavors that linger just enough to keep you reaching for more. It was unlike anything I’ve had locally.

The Khao Soi was a knockout and absolutely hit. Comforting, rich, and perfectly spiced with bold yet smooth flavors that wrapped around every bite.

The vegetarian soup bowl was also delicious. The broth was deeply satisfying and the variety of ingredients was great. If I had one recommendation, it would be to add a bit more seasoning or complexity to the vegetables themselves, but the dish as a whole was still a winner.

And don’t even get me started on the mango sticky rice…WOW! The mango was incredibly fresh, sweet, and ripe. Paired with the beautifully hued sticky rice and coconut drizzle, it was the perfect finish to a thoughtful meal.

The ambiance was welcoming, the presentation elegant, and everything felt intentional, from the food to the tea service. This is a place that clearly takes pride in both quality and experience....