Local Profile | Brian Ashcraft
Nov 4, 2025
It was raining the evening we went to Brya Zan Thai Noodle + Brew, but that didn’t seem to matter. Even under drizzly gray skies...
It was raining the evening we went to Brya Zan Thai Noodle + Brew, but that didn’t seem to matter. Even under drizzly gray skies, the new restaurant at Park and Preston in Plano was packed: a full house of people discovering what Braden and Yasmin Wages have been quietly building for years.
The couple, known for Malai Kitchen, which has four locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, have long balanced bold flavors without excess, polish without pretension. With Brya Zan, they’ve found a new rhythm: the fast-casual heart of Collin County.
What To Expect
At its core, Brya Zan is about accessibility without compromise. Every noodle is made in-house. They even brew the beer, with four distinct expressions priced between $5.75 and $6.75: Malai Samuir Pilsner, Malai Peach Tea Wheat, Malai Thai-P-A (IPA) and Malai Doppel Bock. Cocktails are only $8.75, and the place is outfitted with a full bar. Other prices ($11 to $15 for most dishes) make Brya Zan feel approachable but never cheap.
“We focus on grab-and-go, but we also offer an elevated dining experience,” says Tony Tran, the restaurant’s general manager.
He’s right. For all its convenience, Brya Zan still feels like a restaurant meant to be enjoyed, not rushed. Food and drinks are brought to your table, unlike some other elevated fast-casual places where diners still must pick up their food.
Designed by Dallas firm JonesBaker, the restaurant’s interior is a kinetic blend of industrial chic and market energy. Near the counter, one phrase glows overhead in bold lettering: "Cheewit Cheema," Thai for "Live Lively."
It’s more than décor. It’s the restaurant’s mantra.
Flavor First
The menu reads like a love letter to Southeast Asia: pad Thai, drunken noodles, pineapple fried rice and green curry that hums with coconut and spice.
Tran explains the shift that defines Brya Zan’s philosophy. “We used to use noodles made in factories, but they have so many preservatives, which is unhealthy,” he says. “So we started making them in-house. It’s better for the guest, better for the flavor, better for everyone.”
For Those With Dietary Restrictions
The self-serve kiosks have an "Allergy" tab, where you can customize your order based on dietary restrictions. It's rather extensive, whether it's gluten-free, vegetarian (egg, fish sauce and oyster sauce, okay!), vegetarian (no fish or sauce, but egg is okay!), vegan, peanut allergy, shellfish allergy, seafood allergy, soy allergy, dairy allergy, sesame allergy, low salt or even light sauce.
The kitchen is then notified, and steps are taken to clean and prevent cross-contamination.
Do Not Skip Dessert
We repeat. Do not. The house-made soft serve is good. Real good. We tried the Vietnamese Coffee and Pandan flavors, each one as delicate as it was distinct. You could imagine a stand-alone shop built around just this dessert.
Brya Zan Thai Noodle + Brew
Follow: @bryazanVisit: 1909 Preston Road, Plano, TX
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