One Waan Thai: Chef Alex’s Passion for Fresh, Authentic Thai Cooking
Explore how Chef Alex of One Waan Thai transformed his passion for cooking into a thriving San Francisco restaurant, serving authentic Thai dishes made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients.
In the heart of San Francisco’s Diamond Street, One Waan Thai offers more than just traditional Thai dishes; it’s a reflection of Chef Alex's unique journey. Originally from Bangkok, Alex didn’t start his career in the kitchen. He was a product design student at the Academy of Art University, and cooking was only a passion he explored while working part-time. “I didn’t go to culinary school,” Alex admits, “but I always loved cooking and knew I wanted to do something different.”
In 2016, Alex took the leap and started looking for a location to bring his culinary dreams to life. He landed on the space formerly occupied by OSHA Thai and began crafting authentic dishes from scratch, breaking away from the common practices of pre-made sauces in many Thai restaurants. “Everything is made step by step,” he explains, “We don’t have a ready-made Thai sauce; we build the flavors from scratch, like in our Pad Thai and Drunken Noodle.”
Signature Dishes and Unique Techniques
At One Waan Thai, you won’t find shortcuts. Each dish is a labor of love, from the Drunken Noodle with fresh beef to the slow-cooked, aromatic Yellow Curry. Alex’s meticulous approach to Thai cuisine means that even simple dishes are crafted with care. “We don’t use generic noodles for our Pad Thai. Instead, we cook with original Thai noodles and follow traditional cooking steps to get that perfect texture,” he shares.
Alex’s personal favorite? The Drunken Noodle with Beef. “We use premium beef cuts and cook it until the flavors blend perfectly. It’s a simple dish, but with the right technique, it’s amazing.” Another standout is the One Waan Curry Noodle, a twist on classic yellow curry served with noodles instead of rice, giving it a rich, satisfying taste.
Quality Over Everything
Beyond the menu, what sets One Waan Thai apart is Alex's dedication to quality. "I wake up at six in the morning every day to personally select vegetables," he says. “If something isn’t perfect, we throw it out. That’s our commitment to our customers.”
Even during the pandemic, Alex remained committed to maintaining quality and adapting to changes. "We almost closed, but we kept going with takeout orders and stayed connected with our customers through social media. Now that people are dining in again, we’re grateful they’ve returned.”
What’s Next for One Waan Thai?
Looking ahead, Alex hopes to expand with another location. "We’re searching for the right spot," he shares. His advice for aspiring restaurateurs? “You need a good perspective and genuine care for your customers and the quality of your food. That’s what keeps us going.”