ME SEN Thai Noodle Shop — Restaurant in San Diego

Curiosity had brought us to the Me Sen Thai Noodle Shop which is located inside of 99 Ranch Market on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. When we got there, there was one customer waiting for his food and drinks. The hostess/waitstaff was on the phone by the counter. She was very engaging that one phone call for over 5 minutes. She never looked our way, approx. 2-4 feet distance, to acknowledge our presence. There was a sign on the counter which stated “wait to be seated” and so we did. However, after 7 minutes passed and no one at the shop acknowledged us, we took a seat by the entrance of the shop. There were 4 waitstaff there at the time of our visit but not one person made eye contact or approached us. After we sat down for a few minutes, a waitress finally came to take our order. We ordered their signature Thai beef boat noodle soup (pho rice noodle). To our surprise, our food came out within 2-3 minutes after ordering. The dark broth tasted on the sweeter side so we added the vinegar and fish sauce to balance the broth. The rice noodle was a bit on the well-cooked side as noodles stuck together. Once the noodles were stirred,there was not enough broth to eat this dish like a bowl of noodle soup. It’s more like eating a bowl of beef stew noodle soup. Not a big fan. The portion was on the smaller side if you compared it to a bowl of pho for the same price point. We did enjoy having a good piece of the tendered beef brisket and a generous piece of the beef tendon which was the star of the dish. We also tried their hibiscus tea but after a few sips we didn’t want it any more as it was too sweet. We really wanted to like this new Thai shop but our experience today was a bit...

I stumbled upon Me Sen Thai Noodle Shop while wandering through Ranch 99 Market on Clairemont Mesa on a Friday night, and what a lucky find! Convoy Street is my usual go-to for Asian food, but the hour-long waits can be brutal when the craving hits. This little gem had open tables, and I was seated right away.

The restaurant is cozy, just five or six tables, with a warm, casual vibe. The two women running the place were welcoming, friendly, and clearly proud of the food they serve. The menu is small but mighty, focused on authentic Thai noodle soups.

I ordered the flat noodle soup in a dark soy sauce broth with a mix of beef cuts (tendon, tripe, liver, the good stuff!). The broth was incredible, rich, savory, full of depth, but not too salty like some dark broths can be. The meats were perfectly tender, and the noodles were unique, thin but rolled into think tubes, giving them a satisfying texture. The dish came with a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg, fresh cilantro, and just a hint of sweetness to balance the umami. I added chili flakes (because, of course, you have to add spice!) and it was absolutely perfect.

Service was quick and attentive, the restaurant was spotless, and the whole experience felt like finding a hidden secret. This is hands-down one of the best casual Asian meals I’ve had in San Diego lately.

If you love Thai food, or even if you’ve never tried Thai noodle soup, this place is a must-visit. It’s comforting, flavorful, and hits the spot without the long wait of Convoy. I can’t wait to go back and try the rest...

Authentic Thai food for the adventurous.

This place opened just last week inside the 99 Ranch Market building and is already packed with customers. The staff and owner are friendly. What sets it apart is the authentic Thai flavors—not your typical curry or Pad Thai dishes.

Beef Boat Noodles – 4/5 ($15.95) A flavorful broth with a big piece of tendon, tripe, liver, some beef slices, and a few crispy pork pieces that soak up the broth nicely. The dish is similar to pho, but the broth is heartier and packed with flavor. Only minor note is that I wish it came with more broth for the to-go portion. Seems like there’s just enough broth to mix with the noodles.

Pork Leg Stew Rice – 4/5 ($14.95) Also very flavorful. There’s something satisfying about trying different cuts of meat you don’t usually get. It comes with a side of vinegary sauce—which I didn’t enjoy as much, since the meat already tastes great on its own. The rice is cooked just right—unlike many places in San Diego that tend to overcook it, even though rice is such a key part of the dish.

There are only a few tables inside, but ordering to-go isn’t bad. I ate a bit at their nearby tall counter while standing, and it was a decent experience.

The menu could be more user-friendly, but that’s not a dealbreaker.

Give this place a try and see...