Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar

The name of this sorry joint is apt. The food is empty of flavor. The kitchen does not bother to approximate the real Thai deal. I ordered the pho (not Thai - bahahaha - too sour, broth with no depth). The pad Thai: no balance, too sweet but lacking the tamarind, the nam plaa tamed for a farang. Ditto the salad. The salad had the advantage of good produce but it lacked the lime tang and lacked the balance of salty-sweet. The duck in buns lacked proper marinating; the meat itself was tough. And the service? Empty of efficiency and, worse, the folks at the front put on arch, passive-aggressive airs. The wait for the food was long. Very long. Caveat emptor: empty! Empty Bowl indeed. For Asian flavors, try Wabi Sabi instead: on-point flavor profiles.

Truly authentic Thai boat noodles. The spice, noodles, tangy and spicy soup, and meat were almost perfect to what you get on the streets of Thailand. Well done. The atmosphere was nice too in the SBPM

The Empty Bowl has been one of my favorite spots for a long time. Whether it was grabbing lunch during work, dinner during my college days at Westmont, or just a casual lunch with friends, it has always been one of those go-to places that never disappoint. The food is consistently good, and the prices are fair for the quality and amount you get. The Drunken Noodle, Hangover Noodle, and Tom Yum Noodle are packed with flavor and the perfect amount of heat. You get a solid portion that usually leaves you feeling full, and if not, their dumplings, egg rolls, or even their seasonal wings are great add-ons to round out a satisfying meal. Their Thai tea is definitely on the sweeter side, maybe a bit too sweet at times, but it pairs perfectly with the spice from the noodles and helps balance everything out. It is one of those combos that just works. The place is always busy, with the staff moving fast in such a tight space, but they still manage to keep things flowing smoothly. And being in the Santa Barbara Public Market adds to the whole vibe. It is a fun, social area that is always clean and full of energy. If you have not been to The Empty Bowl yet, do yourself a favor and go. It is the kind of spot that becomes a regular in your rotation once you try it.

Great Thai food in an amazing setting. Food was the right amount of spiceiness and sweetness, with generous portions. Definitely would come back.

Khao soi is the best. The soup is so flavorful with perfectly cooked noodles. The chicken breast in it is so tender and juicy. It is topped with crispy noodles that perfectly complement the dish.

Thai fusion food court fare with a bar type counter that caters to the local taste of Sta Barbara tourists. The food sizes are a bit small in servings while some of the main Thai ingredients may be lacking. All in all it still has a varied rotating menu with daily specials that satisfies your craving for Asian cuisine. Counter service is casual and quick. Food court seating all throughout the complex which is very well maintained and consistently cleaned. Mostly tourists, youngsters, groups, and family diners around the complex.

The best Thai noodle place in Santa Barbara. The hangover noodle is a must and the Thai curry noodle which comes in a large bowl is also very good along with the Papaya Salad. All very flavorful dishes. Highly recommend Empty Bowl. You’ll love it!