Thai Chaiyo Tustin — Restaurant in Tustin

My experience here was so good, I want to come back again!

My favorite entrees that was unique to me was the Chaiyo Chicken specialty that had a combination of a crispy orange chicken that had the texture of honey walnut shrimp infused with a sesame or peanut and lemon sauce you can taste in one bite!

Roasted duck in red curry was also my second fave, because it was the first time I’ve had it and the meat was so juicy succulent and good that paired so well with the curry and rice.

Spicy Pad Kee Mao with Seafood was delicious, because it was like pad seew with a kick to it that I love.

Super lump crab fried rice was also amazing and tastes even better with spritz of lemon that brings out the crab flavor.

Mango with sweet sticky rice (seasonal) was also really delicious since the coconut rice was soft, warm, sticky and mixed really well with the mangoes.

Tom Yum soup with shrimp was also a classic that tasted yummy.

Thai Tea Sunrise is Thai tea mixed with orange juice that was a perfect blend that you can really taste.

Thai Tea Sunset is Thai tea mixed with lemon juice that was also a flawless blend that you can taste.

Overall, this was one of the best experience ever and I would come back next time we’re in town again and would highly recommend you all to stop by and check them out!

Lots of parking in the...

Friday night dinner cravings brought us into Thai Chaiyo, parking was easy to find, and there was not a wait at 6 pm. Tables filled up quickly as soon as we sat down. Small and humble space with sticky menus a and a waiter that didn't seem to know when or how to cut in to take our order, drink refills, or basic check-ins. Service and atmosphere were left lukewarm, just like my water.

Coconut Shrimp ($10.50) - Avoid at all costs. The star for specialty means nothing. As soon as the appetizer was placed, I thought, "Wow, generous serving." Only to be left underwhelmed. All you taste is coconut, the small side of sweet and sour sauce for dipping does nothing to accompany the screaming coconut flakes. Shrimp, where? All batter. Not to mention the color of the fry on this.

Pad See Ew ($13.95) - With chicken. Delicious. Really good, tasted like every other pad See ew I've ever had which is great.

Yellow Curry ($13.50) - With Beef, please don't order beef. It was chewy and hard, pieces were oblong and non consistent. Curry tasted good though.

Overall, it was an underwhelming dining experience, had a Thai craving and this place but a bandaid over it, but I won't be...

This is one of those rare occasions that I felt compelled to write a review. The following was inspired by Thai Chaiyo's Crab Fried Rice. For context, as an Asian person, you best believe I've had many fried rices in my lifetime. As such, you must also know, that this was by far the worst fried rice I have ever had. Entire dish was totally unsalted and unseasoned. It consisted of egg, rice, onion, with some more unseasoned egg, green onion, and a bit of crab on top. But not one single dash of salt, pepper, or spice. I can not believe one of the easiest dishes to make was so soulless and bland. I even found myself thinking wistfully of the flowery, fluffy flavors of plain, steamed jasmine rice.

Like a survivor with PTSD, I am shell shocked writing this review because the other dish I had here, Tom Yum soup, was absolutely delicious and packed with complex flavor. It was night and day! Overall, before today, I simply did not think it was even possible to mess up fried rice. Unfortunately, a stark lesson was seared into my memory. I will never forget you, Thai Chaiyo. ...