An inexpensive Thai noodle shop serving Thai and Vietnamese noodles, some curries, and "Thai-style pasta."

Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Metropolitan Plaza 7F. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Great, cheap noodles and crowds of Waseda students. Noodles are served in several different thicknesses and styles.

Nishi-Waseda 2-18-25. Open 11am-1am daily.

The main branch of this popular Thai restaurant is simply called Khun Mae and is located a few doors down the road; the confusingly named Khun Mae 1 handles some of the overflow. (Perhaps their numbering system starts at zero?)

Hyakunincho 1-10-11. Open 11:30am-11pm (LO) daily.

One of Okubo's better Thai restaurants; budget around Y3000-4000 at dinnertime.

Hyakunincho 1-10-7, Omori Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-3, 3-11pm (LO) daily.

This casual spot offers simple market-style Thai food with good, authentic flavors, plus an inexpensive wine list.

Shinjuku 2-12-4. Open 11:30am-midnight (3am weekends). Closed Mondays.

A conveniently located Thai spot with good food, pleasant decor and nice prices. The lunch menu is bigger than average, and starts at around Y800.

Shinjuku 3-38-1, Lumine EST Shinjuku 7F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is the specialty of this Bangkok-based chain.

Shinjuku 3-38-1, Lumine EST Shinjuku 8F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

The dining room is pleasantly decorated and the food here is very well prepared - including some excellent grilled chicken - but the dinner menu is too small and limited to get excited about. Lunch is a better bet, with a Y1600 buffet. Dinner averages around Y2500 without drinks.

Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5, Lumine 1 7F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Good Bangkok street-stall food in this department-store basement, including dishes like Nam Phrik Kapi (shrimp and chili paste with vegetables), stir-fries and spicy salads. Most of the menu is available for take-out, and popular items like curries and pad thai are ready to go immediately.

Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5, Lumine 1, B1F. Open 10am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

This branch of the ubiquitous budget Thai chain has a larger-than-average menu, good food and take-out service. The decor is also a cut above the norm.

Minami-Aoyama 5-1-25, Kitamura Bldg B1F. (on Aoyama-dori a few doors down from Andersen) Open 11am-9pm (lunch to 2) daily.

Standard Thai fare in pleasant surroundings; there are a few California wines as well as the usual Thai beer. Desserts are above average.

Ebisu 4-20-4, Yebisu Garden Place Glass Square B1F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Accessible, inexpensive Thai cooking in a pleasantly modern venue.

Hiroo 5-2-25, Hongoku Bldg B1F. Open 11am-3:30, 5:30-11pm daily.

Very high-quality "Imperial" Thai cuisine, popular with Thai customers. Highlights from the huge menu include an encyclopedia of soups, creative seafood dishes (like kipper stuffed with shrimp in chili sauce), and Isan barbecue items from northeast Thailand. [See FULL REVIEW.]

Kami-Osaki 2-14-9. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed some Mondays.

The popular lunchtime buffet is Y1800 and offers a nice selection of Thai classics and original dishes. There's also a cafe-style menu all through the afternoon with stir-fries, noodles and Thai salads. The decor is simple and utilitarian, with baskets under each seat where you can stow your gear while you eat.

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is the specialty of this Bangkok-based chain, along with a decent assortment of street-stall fare.

Yurakucho 2-1-11. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Thai-style "sukiyaki" (fish balls and other delicacies boiled in a broth at your table) is one of the specialties of this Bangkok-based chain. They also serve a selection of standard street-stall dishes with fairly authentic flavors. Open all afternoon.

Yurakucho 1-11-1, Bic Camera 6F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Upscale, sophisticated Thai cuisine in a fun, brightly colored setting. Budget around Y4500 for dinner, or Y1800 for the 20-item buffet lunch.

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 10F. Open 11am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

Standard-issue Thai curries in a convenient location. They do a lunchtime buffet for Y945.

Ginza 3-1, Ginza INZ #1, 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

All their set menus are Y600, and the atmosphere is just like dropping into some night stall in Bangkok - loud pop music, fantastic cooking aromas, and minimal decor.

Marunouchi 3-7-11. (under the Yamanote-sen tracks next to Tokyo International Forum) Open 11am-11pm daily.

A rarity in Tokyo - a fancy, upmarket Thai restaurant with a skyscraper view. The buffet lunch is Y2500.

Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 35F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

A reasonably priced menu of Thai standards served in a pleasant dining space. Lunch sets (until 3pm) from Y650 and prix-fixe dinners from Y2880.

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO; 1hr earlier Sat/Sun) daily.

A branch of a popular Thai chain. Lunch is served until 4pm.

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Very good, authentic Thai cuisine in an unpretentious setting. Full-course dinners start at Y2500, and there's an extensive a la carte menu. Terrace seating is available in summer.

Iidabashi 3-10-9, i-Garden Terrace 2F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

A small neighborhood joint (it would be hard to find if you didn't stumble across it) with about a dozen seats and authentic Thai food. They serve good curries and some unusual regional Thai dishes; they also offer Thai cooking classes.

Asagaya-Kita 2-9-5. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

There are several Thai restaurants in the neighborhood, but this sprawling shop stands out for its comfortably laid-back, ethnic-cafe atmosphere. There's a menu of Thai standards along with plenty of desserts and exotic drinks, all at very reasonable prices.

Kichijoji Honcho 2-17-12. Open noon-2:30, 5-10:20pm (LO) daily.

Excellent, spicy Thai and Laotian food. Dinners Y2,500-5,000. [See FULL REVIEW.]

Kichijoji Honcho 1-32-9, Motohashi Bldg. #202. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Inexpensive Thai noodles and curries from this popular budget Thai franchise.

Horikawacho 72-1, Lazona Kawasaki Plaza 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Cheap, casual Thai and Vietnamese noodle dishes, plus Asian desserts and tea in the afternoon.

Minami-Saiwai 1-1-1, Yokohama Cial 6F. Open 11am-5, 5-10:30pm daily.

Good, fast Thai food in a food court setting.

Minato-mirai 2-3-2, Queen's East B1F. Open 11am-8pm daily.