Looking for a tasty Southeast Asian meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Southeast Asian restaurants around Raleigh, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fill the bill.
1. Bida Manda
Topping the list is Bida Manda. Located at 222 S. Blount St. downtown, the Laotian spot is the most popular Southeast Asian restaurant in Raleigh, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,140 reviews on Yelp.
Bida Manda — the sanskrit ceremonial term for father and mother — is a thoughtful gathering place designed to celebrate the diverse food traditions of Laos, the company explains on its site. Yelpers praise the spot's array of fresh seafood, chicken curry and crispy pork belly soup, with a nod to the eatery's friendly service and cozy atmosphere. (You can view the full menu here.)
2. Mama Jee
Next up is Mama Jee, situated by North Carolina State University at 105 Friendly Drive, Suite 101. With four stars out of 100 reviews on Yelp, the sushi bar and Thai spot has proven to be a local favorite.
The Asian eatery comes courtesy of chef and owner Jeerawan Bessinger (Mama Jee) and says it "brings heart and soul from Thailand to Hillsborough Street," per its website. Menu items feature imported and locally sourced ingredients, and range from sushi and specialty cocktails to fresh Thai classics like duck noodle soup and chicken curry.
3. Saigon Grill and Bar
Hillsborough's Saigon Grill and Bar, located at 222 Glenwood Ave., Suite 103, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the bar and Vietnamese spot four stars out of 34 reviews. The restaurant is the creation of restaurateur John Tang and chef Richard Fong, according to its Yelp page, and features Vietnamese-inspired seafood and street food.
Menu offerings include items like classic bánh mì with lemongrass chicken and avocado, as well as grilled swordfish with jalapeño and mango slaw. (You can check out the full menu here.)
