If you're in the mood for a fiery and fragrant adventure, San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood just added a spot that's bound to satiate your desires. According to Eater, Spicy Lao Kitchen is the newest gastronomic addition to the Spectrum Village Shopping Mall. Offering traditional Lao and Thai cuisines, this restaurant is a true ray of Southeast Asian flavour. Linda and Joe Lou, from the online business JL Jerkys, are the proud faces behind this venture.
The restaurant is currently functioning from Monday to Saturday, with service hours stretching from noon till 8 p.m. They seek to extending business hours the following month, catering to the increasing demand.
Guests can spice their dishes according to their own preference, with the heat scale ranging from one to five - five being the real Lao spicy. The additional fresh Thai chilies served on the side takes the whole spicy experience to entirely another level. The starters include a melange of Lao and Thai-style papaya salads, refreshing tuna fish larb, and wholesome Lao sausage resembled jeow mak len - a signature tomato and chili dipping sauce. Driven to tantalize your palate, additional choices include tom yum seasoned chicken wings.
Other unique Lao delicacies feature nam khao, a crispy rice entree with cured pork, coconut and peanuts, and the khao piek sen - a comforting shredded chicken soup completed with thick noodles, chicken skin, and unexpected cubes of pork blood.
Linda Lou has shared their plan to use the cafeteria-style counter of Spicy Lao Kitchen, to promote takeout orders. What's more, the menu will be expanding and they are aiming to introduce beer and wine soon. Despite being a recent addition, Spicy Lao Kitchen delivers on its promise of authentic Lao and Thai cuisine, bringing exciting options for local food enthusiasts.
According to their Yelp page, Spicy Lao Kitchen has received a promising 4.4 stars out of 5 from 9 reviews, with negative comments mostly focused on the wait time due to newfound popularity. There is always room for improvement and development, especially as the restaurant is in its early stages. If you're a lover of spice and oriental flavors, then give Spicy Lao Kitchen a try. Who knows, you might discover your new food paradise.
