Reviews for Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar in Santa Barbara, CA

So much flavor. That was just what I needed. I loved all the spicy condiments and trying different combinations with each bite... was a flavor sensation. Read more

Great place for some good Thai food. The roasted duck buns and hangover noodles are delicious. Highly suggest counter service if... the seats are available. Read more

Located in the SB PUBLIC MARKET and their bar is first come first serve. I got the Khao Soi and they knocked it out of the park.... The chicken was flavorful and juicy. The broth was hearty and had a fair amount of spice but I dumped their pickled peppers inthere for more :) Their Thai Iced Tea is brewed fresh and it was DELICIOUS! I saw a couple other peoples dishes and they lookedawesome, as well. Read more

This place is located in the middle of the Santa Barbara Public Market. Like all of the places in the Public Market you can take... your food and eat at the market?s tables, but they also offer a limited number of seats right at the noodle bar. If you?re luckyenough to score a seat there, your food will be served in real bowls with real utensils. We weren?t so lucky and had to eat oursout of the to-go containers. My husband ordered the Long Tail Boat Noodle and I had the Larb Lettuce Tacos. He wasn?t tooimpressed with the broth in his dish, thought it needed more salt or fish sauce or something. But, he did think the amount ofbeef and the quality of the beef were very good. Also, his dish was clumsy to eat out of the to-go container. I, on the otherhand, really enjoyed the Larb Tacos. The ground chicken was tender and the seasoning was spot-on with a nice balance between thesalt, acid, and heat. Yes, it had a delightful little kick to it! I?d go back, my husband not so much. But, if you go, doyourself a favor and wait for a spot at the bar, especially if you?re ordering a bowl of noodles. Read more

???? every time ???????????? last time I went the forgot the toppings on my khao soi. This most recent time the chicken was over... cooked and the noodles were under cooked, sticking together. 86 spring rolls and coconut water when ordered. Gone downhill sincethe pandemic. Food is rushed and service is not great. Also noticed that I felt dried out and salty afterward. Not sure aboutsodium use or msg. Probably won't go back. Want to keep the good memories of the food I've had here many times before. Thinkit's reached it's peak. Read more

Had the hangover noodle and khao soi and ate it just outside the market. Hangover noodle was absolutely delicious and spicy. ... Nice garlicy and basil flavours. The chicken in the khao soi was juicy and like melt in your mouth. Coconut milk flavour wasgood. Washed it all down with a pear cider from the market. Very good experience. Read more

Decent portion for lunch, ordered mild spicy for Hangover Noodle and the sauce is not strong at all, even my... 4-year-not-eating-spicy toddler can handle it??????? They do offer only one kind of kid menu- Pancit Noodle on kids size. Thaitea is great. Server can be more welcoming. Read more

My Boyfriend and I came here over the weekend, they have extremely fast service. We ordered the chicken pad Thai and he got the... Tom Yum Soup, they were both delicious. The only one thing we had trouble finding the place because it was INSIDE the FreshMarket not it?s own building. But staff is very friendly and efficient! Read more