"The little kitchen in the back of the Thai-Lao King Market has been serving Nashville’s Southeast Asian community (and beyond) since 2012. Dishes can’t help but inspire reverence from everyone who walks in over a decade later—conversation remains at a low hum, interrupted only by satisfied noodle slurps and the squeak of shopping carts passing by. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin You’ll see the usual suspects on the menu (spring rolls, pad thai, pad kra pao, and a variety of curry soups) alongside Lao-style kao soy and its bouncy rice noodles swimming in a rich beef broth with spiced pork. Also, the fried pork sausages are perfect with a bit of spicy coconut sauce. We’re all about the crunchy papaya salad, too, a savory side that lights those tastebuds on fire (in a good way). Food Rundown photo credit: Casey Irwin Kao Soy If you order a noodle soup at King Market, make it this one. The beef broth delivers heavy doses of umami without being too salty, while the noodles are perfectly cooked—you won’t find them at all sticky or soft. The touch of veg offers just the right amount of brightness and crunch. This soup tastes like it can cure whatever ails you, physically or spiritually. Dry Sukiyaki If you crave noodles without all the broth, the dry sukiyaki is a nice choice. A scramble of stir-fried bean thread noodles, cabbage, eggs, beef, and shrimp, this dish is a filling take on the soupier classic, and it pairs well with lighter salads and apps. photo credit: Casey Irwin Papaya Salad This crunchy accoutrement can be ordered in both Thai and Lao-style varieties. The Lao-style salad is very spicy and fish-sauce-forward, while Thai-style is a bit lighter—both are so good that we’re divided on which one we like best. Order it with a little sticky rice to bring it all together." - Bailey Freeman
