Top Pad Thai dishes in San Jose

The benchmark dish here — tamarind-tangy noodles with a proper wok char, not the overly sweet version common at lesser spots

Classic wok-tossed rice noodles with tamarind tang and a proper char — served without the cloying sweetness common at lesser spots

The benchmark dish — tamarind-tangy and properly balanced, served with the usual accompaniments on the side

Stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind base, egg, and crushed peanuts — the menu anchor that most regulars default to

The benchmark dish — tamarind-tangy with a proper balance of sweet and savory, topped with crushed peanuts and a lime wedge

The crowd-pleasing rice noodle stir-fry with tamarind, egg, and crushed peanuts — a standard menu anchor

Workmanlike version — hits the notes but errs toward the sweeter, Americanized profile; fine, not a standout here

Competent but conventional — tamarind-sweet with bean sprouts and crushed peanuts, safe rather than standout