Houston • Thai brunch buffet
Makiin Houston: Thai Brunch Buffet, Drunken Noodles & Papaya Salad
A Thai buffet in Houston? I was excited before I even walked in. Makiin had a beautiful interior and a brunch spread with some of my Thai favorites, including papaya salad, pad Thai and tom yum soup. The beef drunken noodles ended up being my favorite noodles of the meal.
What I ate
Papaya salad
I was so happy to see papaya salad on the buffet. The papaya was fresh and crunchy, and I thought this was better than some versions I’d had at other Thai restaurants. My tip from this visit: get some of that dressing from the bottom with your serving.
Beef drunken noodles
The noodles had a nice chewy, bouncy texture. The beef surprised me, too—it was more tender than I expected from a buffet. These were my favorite noodles here, and I would go back for another serving.
Chicken pad Thai
I always gravitate toward pad Thai, but the batches weren’t quite consistent during our meal. My first serving was too sour, while Thomas’s tasted sweeter. I tried it again when a fresh batch came out, and that one had a much better sweet-and-sour balance.
Tom yum soup
The soup was hot and fragrant with a nice spicy kick. I liked the mushrooms, but it was sweeter than I prefer. I wanted more sourness to balance it out.
Vegetables, rice and curries
The stir-fried vegetables still had a nice crunch. The Brussels sprouts were nicely charred, with sweet-and-sour flavor soaked into them. I also liked that the fried rice wasn’t mushy; I could taste the individual grains.
I sampled the pumpkin curry and green tofu curry, too. The pumpkin curry had good flavor and a coconut-milk taste, although it wasn’t one of my personal favorites. I’d save more room for the noodles and papaya salad.
How much was it?
- Thai brunch buffet: $29 per person during my March 2025 visit
Confirm the current brunch price, schedule and reservation requirements before going. This is the buffet price, not a confirmed total with drinks, tax or tip.
What would I order again?
The beef drunken noodles and papaya salad would be my first stops, followed by the Brussels sprouts. I enjoyed being able to try so many Thai dishes in one meal, and several of them were better than I expected from a buffet.
Restaurant details
Restaurant: Makiin
Area: Houston
Address: 2651 Kipling St, Ste 101, Houston, TX 77098
Cuisine: Thai
Best for: A Thai brunch with plenty to sample
Use the map to plan your visit and confirm its hours.