A hidden Thai spot for travelers craving rice and rice noodles
Monday afternoon… While most people were getting back into work mode and heading into their offices, I, as a traveler spending my days in Michigan, was wandering around downtown on my last day in Birmingham, craving something a little closer to Japanese comfort food for lunch.
And guess what—again—Sushi Japan, the place I was expecting to finally be open today, was closed😲! After a few days of happily indulging in sausage patties, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls at the Holiday Inn Express, my body was seriously starting to miss rice. I had my heart set on sushi, but at this point, I decided to switch gears and look for any kind of Asian food instead.
I was already starving by then. Then it hit me—I had noticed an Asian-style restaurant when I was exploring earlier—so I started walking in that direction.
SY THAI CAFÉ
315 Hamilton Row Birmingham, MI 48009
Phew, I made it in time for lunch! Lunch is served daily here from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Since this is Thai food, there should be rice noodles on the menu, right? 😊
Rice noodles, they were here🎉 I was so happy. I think the dish I ordered was a curry noodle with plenty of mixed vegetables. You can choose one from “chicken, pork, tofu, vegetables, beef, shrimp, squid, scallop, or imitation crab” and add it to your bowl. I went with scallops!
When the staff member asked me what spice level I’d like, I hesitated between mild and medium.
I asked, “How spicy is medium?” and he replied, “Can you handle spicy food?” When I said I don’t usually like it too spicy, he recommended mild instead.
In the end, I realized mild was actually perfectly spicy for me. I told the staff member that his recommendation of “mild” was just right. I also liked how calm and easy to talk to he was.
Through the glass windows, I could see the downtown street clearly, and it made for such a relaxing and enjoyable lunchtime.
Sy Thai Cafe has a casual, simple interior that felt very comfortable, and the food was delicious.
If you’re in Birmingham and want to enjoy an Asian-style meal while soaking in the town’s atmosphere, this little spot is definitely worth trying—it’s a hidden gem, offering thoughtful flavor and value without feeling expensive 🥢 ✨
