Mandalay Kitchen

Burmese restaurant · Thomas-Dale

Mandalay Kitchen

Burmese restaurant · Thomas-Dale

5

383 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103

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Mandalay Kitchen by Justine Jones
Mandalay Kitchen by Justine Jones
Mandalay Kitchen by null
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Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null
Mandalay Kitchen by null

Highlights

Burmese & Thai cuisine, tea leaf salad, chapli burger, pumpkin curry  

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383 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103 Get directions

mandalaykitchenstp.com
@mandalay_kitchen

$10–20 · Menu

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383 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103 Get directions

+1 651 219 5887
mandalaykitchenstp.com
@mandalay_kitchen

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 17, 2025

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@eater

The Best Burgers Minneapolis and St. Paul | Eater Twin Cities

"Frogtown’s Mandalay Kitchen, from chef Chris Tunbaw, weaves together Burmese, Thai, and Karen cuisines, dishing up fermented tea leaf salad and steaming bowls of mohinga. But one gem on this menu is the chapli Juicy Lucy, an homage to Tunbaw’s childhood memories of eating chapli patties in Myanmar. The spiced beef patty is stuffed with ample American cheese and smeared with avocado-Dijon kewpie mayo with a side of hand-cut fries. Orders can be placed online and the restaurant accepts reservations through its website." - Cinnamon Janzer

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-burgers-minneapolis-st-paul-twin-cities
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The Best Restaurants for Juicy Lucy Burgers in Minneapolis and St. Paul | Eater Twin Cities

"Mandalay Kitchen, the newest Burmese restaurant to open in Frogtown, serves a mean Juicy Lucy. The chapli-spiced patties pair a classic, oozy cheese filling with a smear of creamy avocado-Dijon mayo." - Serena Maria Daniels

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-juicy-lucys-in-minneapolis-st-paul
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The Best Lunch Restaurants in St. Paul | Eater Twin Cities

"Mandalay Kitchen weaves together Burmese, Thai, and Karen cuisines, throwing in a chapli Juicy Lucy for good measure. During the lunch hour, come for tea leaf salad, Bangkok-style boat noodles, crispy samosas, and steaming bowls of mohinga (a peppery catfish chowder, the unofficial Burmese national dish)." - Justine Jones

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-lunch-restaurants-saint-paul
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The Best Way to Staycation in St. Paul, Minnesota - Eater Twin Cities

"Offers Bangkok-style boat noodles and fermented tea leaf salad." - Justine Jones

https://twincities.eater.com/24183447/st-paul-staycation-guide-restaurants-hotels-minnesota
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15 Fantastic Cheeseburgers in Minneapolis and St. Paul

"Frogtown’s Mandalay Kitchen, from chef Chris Tunbaw, weaves together Burmese, Thai, and Karen cuisines, dishing up fermented tea leaf salad and steaming bowls of mohinga. But one gem on this menu is the chapli Juicy Lucy, an homage to Tunbaw’s childhood memories of eating chapli patties in Myanmar. The spiced beef patty is stuffed with ample American cheese and smeared with avocado-Dijon kewpie mayo, served with hand-cut fries." - Eater Staff

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-cheeseburger-burger-minneapolis-st-paul-twin-cities
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Maihlee Y.

Google
Came here on a Friday, around 1:30pm. Not too busy. Parked in the parking lot behind the business, and it’s very small that’ll fit like 4 vehicles. However there is street parking available. Interior is very cute and more modern looking. Pretty cool to see that they have upstairs seatings too. We got the Burmese stuffed tofu (spiciest), the chicken Yangon samosa, along with the ground pork pad kaprow (spiciest) and the zaap crispy (medium spice). We wanted the zaap crispy with the chicken and added pork belly but then I think the waitress misunderstood so the meal only came with Pork belly. We also got the iced Vietnamese coffee drink. First off, let me say that everytime I go to a restaurant I will usually order medium spice, and it never really comes out spicy. I’m Asian so I love spicy food, and a lot of restaurants tend to not make their food as spicy so that is why I ordered two dishes to be the spiciest. I used to eat a lot of spicy food, but now I only eat it now and then but can still tolerate spicy food. When I say the spiciest level was spicy, it was spicy! If you eat spicy food on a regular, this level of heat might be ok. However, if you only eat it every now and then - you may not be able to finish or enjoy your food because it’s too spicy. The Burmese stuffed tofu spice tasted like it had dried chili flakes along with chili oil. The appetizer overall was ok to me, however my partner thought it was good. Although I am not mad that the appetizer was cold (I’m not sure if this was intentional because of the spice level), this wasn’t an extraordinary appetizer. They just cut the tofu and stuff it with some cut up veggies. The samosa came out hot. Overall it was ok to me. Not a lot of chicken meat, there was very minimal grounded chicken meat in the so when you bite into it and look, it almost looks like pieces of scrambled egg. The samosa wasn’t very flavorful to me, it was a little bit on the dry side. The ground pork pad kaprow (spiciest) was good, but it was too spicy for me to enjoy the dish for what it is. If you love spicy and eat spicy food everyday, this would be a great option. However since I only eat spice every now and then, the wasn’t really a smart idea. The spice seemed to consist more of fresh Thai peppers. As mentioned, we wanted the zaap crispy with the chicken and added pork belly (medium spice) but then I think the waitress misunderstood so the meal only came with Pork belly. This was good meal, as we didn’t make this meal too spicy. The pork belly had flavors of dry rub laab. Did not taste any spice. We also got the iced Vietnamese coffee drink. I’m not sure what we were expecting, but it literally just tasted like the “Mr. Brown Ice coffee” in a cup with ice. The food was ok to me, but if you’re looking for a place with bigger portion to fill your stomach because you’re hungry, and you can really eat, I’d say this place may not be it since it’s a bit on the medium pricer side, esp with it being a bit more modern. However if you are wanting to try new stuff (stuffed tofu and samosa), this would be a nice place to visit.

Jay Shen

Google
I feel blessed to say that one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in the United States is literally right here in the Twin Cities, because the food here is heavenly to the point of me consistently returning despite living far from the establishment. In terms of food, there is a mixture of Burmese, Thai, and Karen dishes, and each one that my friends and I have ordered has been a hit. The tea leaf salad has amazing texture because of peanuts and fried garlic, which provide crunchiness, and has amazing flavor because of lemon juice, fish sauce, and tomatoes. The noodle salad has a light taste without adding the given lime piece, and then the rich nutty taste gets evoked and elevated upon adding lime juice. The zaap crispy has very well-seasoned fried chicken pieces, and medium spice level gives it a good amount of flavor. The shan khao soi is so creamy and tasty that even tasting the curry broth itself is a sensational experience, and the chicken leg included literally has "fall off the bone" meat. The boat noodle has a mixture of sweetness and savor, while the sweet flavor does not overpower anything at all. Finally, the mohinga clearly has fish cake flavor and texture fully infused, making it authentically delicious. We also ordered the knyaw iced salad, which was a mixture of ice along with crackers and other types of sweet ingredients. I thought it was very similar to a type of Vietnamese dessert called chè ba màu (three color pudding), and fully enjoyed it. The establishment only had one dessert, and I thought that was sufficient. While the street contains many excellent restaurants, I personally believe that this establishment stands out in terms of taste. I must also mention that since my friends and I arrived when barely anyone else was there each time we had gone there, we never experienced any service delays that some have mentioned in their reviews. I probably will give this place a 5 rating anyway even if I experience slowness, although I hope I don't.

Leena Aurora

Google
Absolutely incredible and special spot. The food was fantastic- I got the tea leaf salad, Knyaw pumpkin curry with tofu, and a jasmine tea. Great for a vegetarian/ vegan. Everything came out very quickly and all of the servers were great. Even more special is the heart behind the place- the owner, Christopher, is incredible. He brought out an extra complimentary dish of curry and flatbread for a table over, saw me smiling and curious and brought out the same- but it had meat, so he then went back and fried me up fresh parathas. That was also all on the house!!! Make sure you look at his dedication to his inspirational grandmother (towards the back on the wall!). And if you don’t already know about the Knyaw (also called Karen) people, please look that up to appreciate even more. Even if you don’t get to meet Christopher, you will feel his warmth and joy in the food and the atmosphere. I will definitely be back!!

Eve Henadez

Google
The Crab Rangoon is a crispy, golden appetizer with a creamy, flavorful filling that perfectly balances the savory taste of crab. Burmese Stuffed Tofu is a standout favorite, with tofu delicately stuffed with aromatic herbs and spices, offering a unique and satisfying bite. I've recently ordered **Burmese Stuffed Tofu** for a work catering, and it was an instant hit with everyone. The dish is flavorful, hearty yet light, and loved by both tofu enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The combination of textures and rich flavors makes it an unforgettable choice for any occasion.

Kerry Chou

Google
An absolutely amazing find! The owner Chris was phenomenal in providing an additional wine tasting, and high praise to the Great Wave Sauvignon Blanc! What I love is that Mandalay Kitchen does not shy away from flavors and textures. There's always a fascinating combination of crunch, acidity, and sweetness. The Burmese Stuffed Tofu is a perfect example of spicy and sweet, pairing crunchy and soft. The pumpkin curry was a delicious sweet curry, and the pad see ew was perfectly executed! My only constructive criticism would be the Tea Leaf Salad was just a tad salty, but I also get the authenticity of having a dish with fermented tea leaf - though the crunch from all the fried garlic, peanuts, and sesame was such an incredible aspect of the dish. The environment and servers are incredible! Definitely worth checking it out!

Thuy Kim

Google
Really enjoyed the tea leaf salad. Highly recommend! I wanted to try the boat noodles but they said they were out of it. We were there an hour after they opened on a Saturday and there were only 3 other parties there. I guess they don't have it consistently. The yellow curry was pretty good. I also e joked the pad thai. I like that they can make some things vegetarian/vegan. I'd come back.

Bailee Shoeman

Google
This place was delicious. We ordered the Nan tok laab, tea leaf salad, and the tofu appetizer. For beverages we had the pink milk and the thai tea. All of it was excellent. Service was wonderful, would highly recommend.

Willow

Google
Awesome place for some tasty burmese food. Highly recommend the shan khao soi, the chicken fell right off the bone. The noodles and flavor were so good and the spice level was just right! My boyfriend enjoyed the pumpkin curry. Delicious food and good portions. Update: came back and tried some new dishes and everything was so good! One of my favorite restaurants in msp

James L.

Yelp
Nice little neighborhood restaurant . Great food, friendly service and casual atmosphere.
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Eric L.

Yelp
First time trying Burmese food and it did not disappoint. The tea leaf salad is definitely unique and did not take me long to like the flavor. We also ordered Zaap Crispy and Tom Yum noodle. Portion was huge and they are tasty.
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Tiana D.

Yelp
Stopped in with some coworkers on a Wednesday for lunch. Parking was pretty easy to find on the street and there were a ton of available tables inside. The inside decor is so cute! There is a second level as well. I had such a hard time deciding what to eat. The menu is great and everything looked so good! I ended up getting the beef curry with added paratha. It was good but it tasted kind of flour-y to me. Our table split the tea leaf salad - I loved this! Something I've never tried before but something I'd love to have again! Our server was great! He was the only one working and was super efficient.
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Lisa V.

Yelp
I have a friend who is Karen, and she told me about this Karen/Thai restaurant. I was so excited to try it with her. Vibes & Aesthetics The restaurant had a lot of real plants and had a dining vibe. It didn't seem to match the cuisine, but it was fine. There is also a second floor. We went on a weeknight and it wasn't busy. Service The server was good. We didn't have any complaints. We paid at our table with our server. My Order We were afraid the portions would be small, so we ordered a few items to share. However, the portions are quite large. Plan to take leftovers home. * Mohinga - It's like kapoon, but Karen style. * Steak laab - It was well done. I wished it was medium. * Stuff tofu - I was curious how this would be. They just cut a whole and stuff cabbages inside. It is quite good though! * Pad Kapraw - A Thai classic. We thought it had a little too much oyster sauce or salt, but it was good! Parking It's limited in this area. We found parking on the side of the building during the time it was allowed. I don't remember the times though.
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Shamir W.

Yelp
The wife and I stopped by here on a Saturday night. Her dad's family is from Burma . Myanmar so we were super excited to find out that there was a legit Burmese restaurant in town. Our favorite is Burma Superstar in San Francisco but it's not like we can go there all the time :) The place is small but clean with cute decor and a great atmosphere. We were seated right away and the staff was super friendly and courteous. We ordered the tea leaf salad, the Khao Soi and the chapli burger (which didn't seem particularly Burmese but looked interesting). The tea leaf salad was good. Nicely spiced and fresh. Maybe a touch extra fish sauce then I would have liked but enjoyable. The khaoi soi was well balanced and what I expected. Not like her grandma's but still pretty good. The chapli burger was good but nothing special. Had a few spices that you don't expect in an American burger which made it unique. Overall, it was a good experience and I would go back to try some other items and give it another go. Even though the experience didn't meet the excitement I had, I would give this place another try and I am happy that we have a Burmese restaurant to add to the list of cuisines available to Minnesotans.
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Pauline C.

Yelp
What We Ordered - Cream Cheese Wontons - Tea Leaf Salad - Samosa Salad - Onh No Khao Swe - Knyaw Pumpkin Curry with Chicken - Chaplin Burger - Zaap Chicken - Tom Yum Hot Pot - Pad Kraow Chicken This was the best place I ate during my most recent trip to MN. Pumpkin Curry was my favorite dish! The curry tasted like crab eggs (which is my favorite thing about crab) but it was a chicken pumpkin curry! How did they do it? I ate every last dip. Tied for second best items were the Tom Yum Hot Pot and the Tea Leaf Salad. The Tea Leaf Salad was very unique and tasty. The Chaplin Burger reminded me of pho but in a good way. I think I came to the conclusion I am not a fan or any version of juicy lucy as it requires the meat to be more on the well done side. I enjoyed all the dishes except for the Cream Cheese Wontons. There was little filling so mainly just fried wrappers. Please make sure to check your receipt! They charge 18% for large parties but I didn't catch it prior to tipping.
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Elizabeth W.

Yelp
Mandalay Kitchen is the first Burmese restaurant I have been to, and if this is what Burmese food is like I am all in. The space has been through several iterations of restaurants and is pretty modern and spare, but food is fantastic. I split a variety of dishes with a friend. Most excellent with one meh. I really liked the stuffed tofu, the pumpkin curry and the rice salad. It was quite busy the night we were there, but the food still came fairly quickly. I will definitely be back.
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Kedar D.

Yelp
Mandalay Kitchen is a friendly and spectacular Burmese spot in St. Paul with a focus on dishes from the Kayin state in southeastern Burma. It earns a rare 5-star review from me. The food is exquisite---beautifully presented, wonderfully seasoned and with a wide variety of textures. They also label their vegetarian dishes, most of which are vegan by default. The Yangon samosa ($9) is a light and simple samosa, with a thin and crispy wrapper filled with lightly cooked potatoes and peas. Compared to an Indian/Punjabi samosa, it's less starchy and bready. The bayar kyaw ($8) is described as Burmese falafel and it tasted superb. It was more moist and savory than a Middle Eastern falafel and had a brightness to it that I loved. The lahpet thoke (tea leaf salad) ($13) is vegan by default and the best I've had in the United States. While Burma Superstar in San Francisco popularized this dish, Mandalay Kitchen's rendition is much better: it's savory, crispy, addictive and has a new surprise in every bite. The Yum nam khao tod ($12) can be made vegan and is a crispy rice salad with a variety of herbs. I loved this dish and, by coincidence, had had a much less interesting version at a different restaurant in St. Paul one day earlier. Mandalay's version blew the other one out of the water. Lastly, the Thai red curry ($14) can be made vegan and was good. It didn't wow me, but it was respectable. Next time I'll get the kabocha squash Burmese curry. The service was friendly and though the restaurant was understaffed, the food came within a reasonable time (we were warned about delays) and was still prepared with care and delicacy. Stop by Mandalay Kitchen for something special.
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Gita B.

Yelp
Enjoyed dinner here! Take out ordering and pick up was smooth and easy. The Yum Nam Khao Tod crispy rice cake salad/lettuce wrap was quickly devoured. Ordered as "very spicy" but it was overall mild to medium, but very flavorful nonetheless. I was a bit disappointed in the Burmese stuffed tofu. The stuffing is a melange of veggies that lacked in flavor. It would taste better with more sauce, or something to dip it into. Nice to have a vegetarian appetizer though. Also ordered the Knyaw Pumpkin Curry with tofu at a medium spice level. This is a unique curry not found on other menus! It was a-okay. I would like to come back and try a few other items on the menu. It's nice to see some unique traditional Burmese dishes in a classy modern restaurant!
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Jenae C.

Yelp
We tried five different dishes that were all amazing-- the pad see ew and pad krapow with chicken were my favorites. Very flavorful and filling. Everything seemed cooked to order so it was super fresh. The portions were large, so great for leftovers! The prices were also cheaper than other comparable restaurants, which is appreciated. The inside is really cute and there's plenty of seating for big or small groups. There's street parking nearby as well. The server was nice and told us about the already included 18% tip on the bill, although we still misunderstood and double tipped on the machine, so fair warning for that.

Lou R.

Yelp
Fantastic food, prepared and served with great care and joy. A real gem. (And...Yelp will not let me post this with fewer than 85 characters, so.....here you go.)
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Thang T.

Yelp
Beautiful Thai-Burmese fusion restaurant in St. Paul. With this being my first time trying Burmese cuisine, I had high expectations and I was happily surprised. Unfortunately the star dish of Myanmar, Mohinga, was unavailable when we had visited, so we ordered the Yangon Beef curry with Paratha, tea leaf salad, and pad see ew. Beef was a little dry but well seasoned, paratha perfectly crisp. Pad see ew was ok, but the star was definitely the lahpet thoke. I wasn't expecting too much from a salad but the flavor was so good it was life-altering. I would definitely come back just for the salad.
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Cindy D.

Yelp
Came here on a weeknight and it was not busy, there was one waiter. He seemed new and still learning what is in the menu. We ordered 4 dishes and some tea. I forgot name of the dishes but one of them is their tea leaves dish which was very good, the beef tartare was a little bland, needed more lime or salt. I would try this place if you have not had Burmese food.
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Kate D.

Yelp
We stopped in after a visit to the Hmong Cultural Center museum. Delicious food with a variety of dishes I wasn't familiar with from a typical Thai menu. We liked the Burmese Stuffed Tofu appetizer, Shan Khao Soi soup, and the Yangon Beef Curry... say Yes! to the Kachin Paratha (flaky flat bread) that comes with that beef curry - sooo yummy! Chef Chris came out after our meal to check on us. Great guy. Go eat here!
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Daniel K.

Yelp
Not a bad dining experience. Dining area is simple and a bit disjointed. We were the only people in restaurant, yet service was pleasant but slow. Food was good but fairly undifferentiated at not outrageous but also not value pricing. Not a destination but acceptable choice in area.
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Alice S.

Yelp
Where do I start with the good? I am still feeling like I enjoyed this meal several hours later! It's an unassuming little spot in the old Marc Heu location. The food is amazing! The big winner of the night was the tofu appetizer, which was tangy and crispy and a treat for the whole family. But also the Burmese falafel was amazing! The tea leaf salad was so light and delicious. The boat noodle and mama Tom yum soups were also great. The boat noodle has a nice star anise flavor and the Tom yum is like Thai Tom yum but with noodles. Be aware that the kitchen is not a well-oiled machine: food comes out when it's ready, not necessarily when you want it. Other than that, it's a perfect restaurant and I'm rounding up from 4.5 stars.

Karen E.

Yelp
Had the pictured salad and it was fantastic!! Service was great and servers were friendly. Cute decor.
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Ngan N.

Yelp
What a wonderful addition to St.Paul! I came here for dinner at 7pm with a large group of 8. We made a reservation and were seated upstairs. The decorations and overall ambiance of the restaurant were great! They put a lot of attention to details in terms of decorations on the lower floor. Since it is a brand-new restaurant, I'm guessing the upstairs is a work in progress. However, there were cool displays of traditional clothing. Service was friendly and accommodating. They were all so kind. It seems as though they were still working out some kinks, but I think it will improve as time goes on. Food-wise, we ordered a bunch of dishes to try. We got the cream cheese wontons, tea leaf salad, mandalay samosa salad, khao soi, mohinga, pad krapow, Zaap Crispy, pumpkin curry, tom yum, and chapli burger. I really enjoyed the tea leaf salad, super flavorful and the different texture made it even more enjoyable. The server informed us that they were out of mohinga, so I was a little disappointed we didn't get to try. The chapli burger was smaller than I thought, but still good. The star of the night was the pumpkin curry! IT WAS SO GOOD! That was a fave amongst the of us. It was sweet, but also deeply flavored at the same time. Great with rice too. Zaap crispy was also a crowd favorite. I will definitely get the pumpkin curry again and hopefully be able to try the mohinga next time!
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Npauj T.

Yelp
A new restaurant that is still trying to figure things out. On new day we went they ran out of some dishes we wanted to try, but the flavors were good in the dishes we ordered. I'll have to go back and try again to get a better sense of the place.
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Stacy M.

Yelp
My fiancé and I tried out this place for the first time and we will be back. This replace Marc Heu's and the interior was changed to such a simple and elegant little place to have a meal. We were seated downstairs so we did not see how the seating upstairs was. We got seated quickly and gave lots of time to decide what to get. Sadly we got there at 6 and they ran out of their Khao Soi and boat noodle. So we ended up getting Nam Khao and the Zaap Crispy Chicken dish. The Nam Khao has so much favor but I think a little too Krispy. Most Nam Khao I had before had nam sausages but this one didn't. But we still loved it. The crispy chicken dish was amazing. Almosted tasted like fried pork belly laab. We love both dishes that we got. The prices were reasonable and service was great and quick. I recommend this place to anyone who wants a smaller quieter place with great food and service. Would return to try new items.

Poonam R.

Yelp
Excellent food . Very friendly staff and cut ambiance . Service was very fast Will definitely some again !!
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Travis T.

Yelp
This restaurant is underrated since the tra leaf salad exceeded my expectations and was better than expected. The Yangon beef curry, Kachin paratha, and the chicken pad see ew were also delicious. The Burmese tea is worth trying, but it was only alright.
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T K P.

Yelp
I dream about Mandalay Kitchen's tea leaf salad now. It was listed on a food critic review as notable and I took a risk trying it because the ingredients didn't seem to be something I would like. So glad I was wrong. The unique taste, texture, and combination of flavors is incredible. Also have had the khao soi and boat noodle--both solid.
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Autumn O.

Yelp
I placed a pickup order this past week for an order of tea leaf salad and Burmese tea. I showed up a bit earlier than my scheduled time and the staff were all extremely gracious and I got my food in a very timely manner. The owner even came out to talk to me and shook my hand. You can tell he really cares about his business. The interior was also gorgeous and I am excited to go back and dine-in soon.

Wendy G.

Yelp
I saw a recommendation for Mandalay Kitchen on social media, so my friends and I decided to check it out about two weeks ago. We were a group of six, and we ordered different dishes to share. We loved all the food--it was amazing, especially the deep-fried pork belly! Definitely worth trying. The service was good, and they added an 18% gratuity for parties of five or more, which was reasonable. The only thing we didn't enjoy was the dessert--it might just be that we're not used to the taste.
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James L.

Yelp
This is a great restaurant. Good service, and really great combination of Burmese and Thai food. I had the seafood hot pot, and it was delicious. Good and spicy!
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Cat P.

Yelp
For being a brand new restaurant, sometimes my personal biases come into play and I expect errors in service, food orders getting messed up, etc, but coming here, you would have never known that they have just opened within the last month or so! General, service was fast, our food came out very quickly and was clearly made to order. We came in on a weeknight for dinner, and the restaurant was medium packed, there were a handful of tables open that we made a reservation to be safe. To start off for appetizers, we did the Yangon samosas, which were essentially egg roll wrappers, with a samosa-like filling. Nothing to dislike there, they were hot, fresh, perfectly crunchy. The flavor profile is approachable especially if you are newer to Burmese food! Then, we did the tea leaf salad. It was definitely more other things besides just mixed lettuce - there were a bunch of crunchy bits, and there wasn't a lot of dressing on it - it was different than the standard salad and it's worth trying, and the flavors in general are not very strong so it was just a little bit less memorable than the other dishes we got. For entrees, we did Khao Soi and Khao Ka Moo - both of these dishes were excellent. The Khao Soi was piping hot, the curry broth was bursting with umami without being too salty, the crispy noodles became soaked in the broth, and the noodles at the bottom we're not overcooked either. I've had my fair share of Khao Soi in the past and I would say this bowl ranks for sure above average! The Khao Ka Moo was also a tasty, hearty dish. There is more than enough braised pork to go around, and for me personally, I grew up being used to pieces of pork with fat on them that get rendered down in whatever they're stewing in, but for folks who aren't used to that, that can be kind of jarring (though I find it to be remarkably tasty). I loved the pickled greens that came with the dish, because they are perfect complement to cut through the fattiness of the pork. My only regret is having eaten a few hours prior, because I wish I could have ordered more dishes! The ambience is open, two stories, and there is some history on the walls. I would definitely met anyone give this place a try and try something new in the meantime as well!

Joe S.

Yelp
Food was excellent! Service the same! Tea leaf salad and green curry so so good! Cute little space friendly staff!

Jen H.

Yelp
Fabulous new restaurant with a wonderful community vibe, great service and delicious food! We love the very spicy, flavorful and perfectly fried laab dry rub wings, and would come just for those alone, but also have really enjoyed curries, zaap crispy, pad thai, stuffed tofu, and more. Food arrived fast. We appreciate that there are vegan and gluten free options as well. The chef/owner Chris is an amazing human, dedicated to his community and I'm sure his mom is equally remarkable! (Below in photo)

Tee V.

Yelp
Small corner joint that lolks to have upper level seating. Bar sitting is available. Service was good, waiter was very accommodating and tentative. Had the boat noodles with beef for an extra $1. Flavor was ok, a tad on the sweeter side. There was a good amount of meat to noodle ratio. Fyi seems like anything extra is seems to be an additional cost.

joey s.

Yelp
4.5. Very delicious authentic food. The samosas and Zaap Crispy were both very good. Extremely nice staff and a chill environment.

Ta S.

Yelp
I went to visit St. Paul MN a couple weeks ago. I'm from Seattle WA. I tried out a new restaurant's Mandalay Kitchen. I have been to many places west coast such as Burma Superstar in San Francisco Cali and Top food and Burmese delight in OR. I would say Mandalay kitchen's has one of the most delicious food. Tea leaf salad and Chaplin burgers are 2 of my favorites. I went with my family. My nephew ordered additional juicy Lucy burger because it was so good. **Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad:** Located in the heart of St. Paul, Mandalay Kitchen offers a delightful rendition of the classic Burmese Tea Leaf Salad. This dish is a beautiful marriage of bold flavors and contrasting textures. The fermented tea leaves, a signature element of this salad, provide a unique earthy and slightly tangy base. Tossed with crunchy peanuts, fried garlic, and sesame seeds, each bite offers a satisfying crunch. What sets Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad apart is its well-balanced dressing. The combination of lime juice, fish sauce, and shrimp paste adds depth without overwhelming the palate. Fresh lettuce and tomatoes provide a cooling contrast to the robust flavors. This salad is a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and nutty notes that leaves a lasting impression. For those looking to explore authentic Burmese cuisine in Minnesota, Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad is a must-try. It's a refreshing and flavorful introduction to the diverse flavors of Southeast Asia. **Mandalay Kitchen's Chapli Burger:** One of Mandalay Kitchen's standout offerings is the Chapli Burger, a fusion of Pakistani flavors with a classic American twist. This burger features a generously sized beef patty seasoned with traditional spices like cumin, coriander, and chili. The patty is cooked to perfection, boasting a robust and aromatic flavor profile. What makes the Chapli Burger unique is its inclusion of sliced tomatoes, onions, and a tangy yogurt-based sauce, all sandwiched between soft burger buns. The combination of savory beef, spicy seasonings, and cooling yogurt creates a delightful culinary experience. Mandalay Kitchen's Chapli Burger is a testament to creativity and culinary innovation. It's a perfect blend of East-meets-West flavors, served with a side of crispy fries or a fresh salad. Whether you're a burger aficionado or simply curious about global cuisine, the Chapli Burger at Mandalay Kitchen is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Pair it with their Tea Leaf Salad for a complete and memorable dining experience.

Peter V.

Yelp
Snuggled in a little corner of University and Western in Saint Paul's Frog Town, you can find that this spot has taken over what used to be Marc Heu Patisserie Paris. If you've been, you would know prior that the space was very small. However, I love what they did with the place and how they expanded the space. I love the vibe and decors, especially the overhanging plants *chef kiss* it also seems they have opened up the upstairs as well, sadly, we were seated on ground floor. Went during lunch hours and it was definitely busy. From what I can tell, it seems like they're still a very small team so do expect some delays. However, I'd like to say the food makes up for it! I was able to acquire the beef boat noodle with beef bone *chefs kiss* it did not disappoint. Eggrolls were good and fresh out the fryer. I do have to say thoou, khao soy was good, but I've definitely had better. Anyways, I definitely recommend this spot.

Padee V.

Yelp
A lovely decorated restaurant with fun jazzy background music and neat artwork that adds a personal touch. We order the Chicken Laab and Beef Pad See Ew. We added an order of Mohinga recommended by the staff. All items were tasty, just wished the dishes had that extra punch of flavor to take it to the next level. My 65 year old mom said the laab's spice level was quite low for medium spice but still liked her dish. The owner is warm and friendly as if you are friends dining in his home. Looking forward to seeing the future of this restaurant. Would come back to try more dishes.

Catherine P.

Yelp
Delicious, colorful, mouthwatering food with rich flavor! Great service. Welcoming atmosphere. Wonderful place to support! I can't wait to eat here again!

Jim O.

Yelp
We ordered Pad Thai for entrees and they were so greasy, we've renamed the place Oil of Olay Kitchen. My wife and I couldn't eat it. While they had a cool jazzy music track playing, it was drowned out by a persistent high pitched squealing sound that our waitress suggested was "the wind ". All of this disturbing environment was not only cold and unheated, it was bathed in the harshest fluorescent lights that could only have come from Menards. My son, bought a generous gift card for this oily place, obviously fooled by the specious gushing reviews that hyped up this joint and led us to this gastronomical abyss.

海闻

Yelp
Fabulous food and service! Local special from southeastern Asia. Cris the owner is very friendly and thoughtful. Definitely a worthy meal

Clara H.

Yelp
Run! Do not walk here. This is some of the best food I've had on University. Our server made excellent suggestions and took such good care of us. The pumpkin curry, red curry and the Zaap crispy chicken were all so full of flavor and perfectly spicy. Will be making special trips to St. Paul for this place. Get a good meal before the soccer games down the road.

Justin Tyler C.

Yelp
Been back many times, food has remained consistently delicious! Our favorite is still the khao ka moo.

Aaron B.

Yelp
Very good service and food! We were served very fast. Good vibes all around, Our server Carl was amazing and funny and awesome

Thaldinho D.

Yelp
Their 6pc fried chicken wings are super good along with their mohinga. Amazing service and a beautiful atmosphere. A good place to go with friends or families.

Ed C.

Yelp
Top notch restaurant offering unique Burmese flavors. Tea Leaf Salad and Pumpkin Curry are my favorites.

Wade D.

Yelp
Excellent food and service. I had a large take out order for noon on a Saturday, and it went smooth. I'll go there again soon.

Cheryl B.

Yelp
This food is absolutely amazing! Everything is so fresh and the flavors are Blended nicely. I would highly recommend the salad and the green curry. The service is also fantastic!

Kevin B.

Yelp
Stopped in on a Friday afternoon - excited to find a Burmese restaurant in St Paul! There's a good combination of Burmese and Thai dishes on the menu. Our table of three split the laphet thoke, laab, and zaap crispy chicken, which were all excellent. We asked for a medium spice level - wasn't quite as spicy as we had expected. The ambience was nice, too; it's comfortable and has a natural feel with hanging plants, decorative bamboo basketry, etc. Will definitely come back to try some other items on the menu (like the Lao style papaya salad)!