Some restaurants sit on my list so long they start to feel like a dare, and Mali Thai in Glen Burnie was one of those. I’m a little mad at myself for waiting, honestly, because the food here is the kind of Thai I’d happily drive back for. It’s a local, family-owned spot tucked into the Glen Burnie Town Center, and from the first bite of the crispy chicken basil I understood why it had been on my list so long.
Deke and I basically ordered half the menu, and almost everything landed. If you want the short version, the crispy chicken basil is a must-order, the drunken noodle’s a forever-order for me, and the whole spread came in way more reasonable than I expected. For anyone hunting down good Thai food in the Glen Burnie area, this is the one I’d send you to first!
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Mali Thai Special?
Glen Burnie’s quietly stacked with good Asian food right now, and Mali Thai’s one of the few proper sit-down Thai spots holding it down in the neighborhood. It’s family-owned and leans into traditional, authentic Thai cooking, so you get the whole range here: flaky fried starters, those big glazed chicken dishes, and noodle plates I can’t stop ordering.
Nothing felt dialed-in or phoned-in. The flavors are bold where they should be, the portions are generous, and the pricing stays grounded even when you go a little overboard like we did. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot that rewards you for exploring the menu instead of playing it safe.
What to Order at Mali Thai
Crispy Chicken Basil ($17.95)
This was the dish that sold me on the whole meal. It’s fried chicken glazed in a basil sauce with onions, peppers, basil and other veggies, and the texture’s the whole point, crispy perfection on the outside and juicy inside. It’s a 10 out of 10 for me, and it’s exactly the kind of thing you want to get for the middle of the table so everybody can fight over the last piece. Do not skip this one!
Crispy Chive Cake ($6.95)
Deke talked me into this and I was genuinely on the fence. Not anymore. Think a crispy, deep-fried chive cake served with a sweet soy dipping sauce, and the texture’s what got me. I liked it more the more I ate, and the sauce complemented it so well that I’d order it again without thinking. A sleeper hit if you’ve never had one.
Chicken Curry Puff ($6.95)
I will ALWAYS order curry puffs, and these are a great example of why. They come stuffed with spiced chicken, veggies and potatoes, and they’re served with a yum cucumber sauce that cuts the richness. Flavorful and delicious, and that cucumber sauce keeps them from feeling heavy. A perfect starter to split.
Drunken Noodle ($15.99)
I will never not get drunken noodle, ever, and Mali Thai’s version is really delicious! If you like heat, this is where I’d ask for the spice rack and build it up to where you want it. It’s the dish I’d reorder on autopilot every single visit.
Mango Sticky Rice ($6.95)
Another one I always order, and it was on point as expected. The mango was so ripe and the rice came out nice and warm, which is exactly how you want it. A proper way to close the meal out. For next time, I’ve got my eye on the Kaprow Kai Dow, so if you beat me to it, plz report back.
What’s a Thai Curry Puff?
A Thai curry puff is a small fried or baked pastry filled with a mildly curried mix, usually something like chicken, potato and onion, folded into a crimped half-moon. It’s typically served with a cucumber relish on the side to keep it bright and balance the richness, which is exactly how Mali Thai plates theirs.
The Vibe and Experience
The space is cute and has a nice ambiance, the kind of easy sit-down room that works for a casual dinner with a friend without feeling fussy. Service was prompt and the staff was so friendly, which always makes me want to come back. Deke and I never felt rushed the whole time. There are a handful of parking spots right next to the restaurant, and if those fill up there’s a lot nearby plus a county garage across the street, so you’re not circling the block. It’s a great fit for a low-key date night, a family dinner, or a solo takeout run.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 7477 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Suite 111, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, in the Glen Burnie Town Center.
- Hours: Su-Th 11:30am-8:30pm, Fr-Sa 11:30am-9pm (the kitchen stops about 30 minutes before close, so don’t cut it too fine).
- Price range: moderate. Starters run around $6.95 and most mains land in the mid-teens, so it’s easy to feed two well without blowing the budget.
- Parking: a few spots beside the restaurant, a nearby lot, and a county garage across the street with plenty of room.
- Reservations and takeout: call 410-412-2916 to reserve a table, or order carryout online through their website.
- Dietary: there’s a solid set of vegetarian options (spring rolls, veggie pot stickers, tofu, a veggie curry puff), the spring rolls are vegan, and some dishes can be made gluten-free on request.
- Pro tip: ask for a spice rack if you want to kick the heat up to your own level.
Would I Go Back to Mali Thai?
Absolutely, and it’s now my go-to recommendation for Thai food in Glen Burnie. It’s the kind of family-owned neighborhood spot I want to see win, the prices are fair, and there are still dishes on the menu I’m itching to try. If you’re working your way through Glen Burnie’s Asian spots, pair a visit with Ramenya for a ramen fix or Ja Kum Sung for a Korean lunch, because this little stretch is eating really well lately.
Have you guys been to Mali Thai yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you’ve got a friend who’s always down for Thai, send this their way so you can plan a table.