Jo's Modern Thai

"This Laurel District Thai spot has an $80 dinner menu that serves two. The three-course, family-style meal includes your choice of appetizers, entrees, and a dessert. Expect dishes like crispy rice cakes with tuna laab crudo, drunken noodles, and fried banana rolls." - julia chen 1

"Jo’s Modern Thai is a prominent restaurant in Oakland's dining scene. Over three-and-a-half years, it built a strong reputation, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation and recognition as one of the Bay Area’s top Thai restaurants. Its head chef, Intu-on Kornnawong, was a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California in 2023. However, in October 2023, the restaurant faced significant challenges. Staff were notified of a closure in less than two weeks, leading to a shutdown due to understaffing. Allegations arose from the staff about mistreatment and poor management by part-owner Kao Saelee. These grievances were documented in an anonymous blog post by 14 staff members, highlighting issues like harassment, poor communication, and lack of employee welfare. Despite these challenges, the staff praised Kornnawong's leadership and vision, emphasizing her commitment to creating a supportive work environment. The issues at Jo’s reflect broader challenges within the restaurant industry, particularly concerning fair wages and employee treatment. The restaurant temporarily closed for upgrades, but the staffing and management issues remain a significant aspect of its recent history." - Lena Park

"Punchy, bold, bright, and “we have romantic feelings" are what come to mind when we think about Jo’s Modern Thai. The Laurel District restaurant is the party dinner spot, and the middle ground between roll-up-in-sweats casual and fancy. Colorful touches like a tropical back patio oasis, a hanging neon monkey, and bright purple cocktails keep things loose. And the Thai classics with seasonal, Californian twists are also two steps above casual. Thick shrimp toast is buttery and drizzled with a sweet-sour mayo. Drunken noodles are leveled up with fatty-salty slices of locally smoked brisket. And oysters get the special treatment of chili jam and strawberries. Birthdays, flirty dates, and catch-ups with friends who are in town for 36 hours are all happening here. " - lani conway, julia chen 1

"Chef Intu-on Kornnawong is cooking their own style of “Thai-Californian cuisine” and it’s turning heads, landing the restaurant on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list this year. The pork laab burger is worth a spin, as is the massaman curry, if you’re looking for something more vegetable-forward. And don’t skip out on the drink menu; try the Phuket Fizz, made with mango-infused vodka, mezcal, coconut condensed milk, butterfly pea tea, and soda." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

"Jo’s might not be the obvious option for a burger, given its focus on chef Intu-on Kornnawong’s Thai-Californian cuisine. Still, the restaurant’s pork laab burger is worth pausing over while perusing the menu. It features a fried pork laab patty with lettuce, cucumber, and shallots, plus a laab dressing and makrut lime mayo." - Dianne de Guzman, Luke Tsai