Spicy Lao Kitchen

Family run Laotian restaurant with very friendly staff and some unique dishes among. They also have packs of pork rinds, their own instant noodles, and other specialty items for sale. The boat noodles we got had two kinds of beef, one of which a little dry. Unfortunately the soup was a bit salty, and despite the ingredients, the flavor was a little one dimensional. Maybe it’s because they did not put in the usual pork blood found in typical Thai restaurants. The Lao pho had the better kind of beef in the boat noodles.

Got some yummy take out from Spicy Lao Kitchen! Ordered chicken pad Thai and beef pad see ew and waited for about 15 minutes. Very friendly staff and loved the aesthetic of the restaurant. Recommend, they have a large menu so will have to come back.

This place is really good! Loved the fat little spicy sausages, the Lao salad, the crying tiger beef, the Mok fish and the heavenly jerky. So flavorful, warmly spicy but with lots of lemongrass and herbal flavors. Not a fancy place, but you can definitely feel the love.

Parking: Plenty of parking in plaza Atmosphere: fast pace indoor outdoor dining Service: Welcoming family business environment. Our server thoroughly offered great recommendations. Food: Spicy Lao Sausage: Very tasty. They are a must try when visiting. Pad sei: very flavorful and filling Lao Pho: It was my first time trying this and unfortunately it was not comparable to the Vietnamese pho. Supports Military: No Discount yet… Overall: I dine around that area pretty frequently and was excited to finally see that this place has open its doors. It did not disappoint. I would definitely return and try other items on their menu.

One of the best Laotian food in town!! So sad they closed. Can't wait till they open again. 🇱🇦❤️ The only cons is this place is not that big given its popularity. During peak ⏰ it'll be full with only 1 💁🏻‍♀️. But the food🥗 is amazing! So don't come super hungry! 🔥🥵😡🤬 I love the Laotian menu the one with tritip. 🥩🧆🍋🥒🍅So fresh!! I really hope they improve when they reopen!

Ordered delivery at the brewery next door. Pork skewers with dipping sauce. Omg. These skewers are flavorful and savory. The dipping sauce is spicy and fresh. Delicious. I will definitely order again. Wow.

Great food and friendly staff! Nice spot for a filling lunch. Definitely recommend the the crying tiger

My favorite dish growing up was khao piak sen, which is also listed on their menu as an udon soup. Food here is definitely authentic, traditional Lao food. I've tried many items on their menu which is pretty good, but by far khao piak naturally is my go to. It comes as a hot, fresh 32 oz authentic, homemade chicken soup with freshly prepared tapioca udon noodles, plenty of chicken. The great thing is they use a combination of traditionally prepared white and dark chicken meat. The white meat is not dry and is all savory. I personally like to add 3 slices of lime for a hot and sour flavor. Truly no other spices needed, other than crispy chili oil and sriracha if you want spicy and sweet. I mainly stick to the chili oil. It also comes with long bean sprouts and finely chopped greens you can add. A great dish for any occasion, especially perfect for cold and rainy days. Their khao piak is a perfect ratio of soup, noodles, and meat. I've been to most Lao places in San Diego, and I definitely recommend this place to anyone. People here are great, and my coworkers love the Lao sausages, and this pairs perfectly with sticky rice and tomato chili dip.

My husband and I were visiting SD for the weekend and wanted to try something new. We stumbled upon spicy lao kitchen and decided to dine here for lunch. The restaurant is located in a plaza and had plenty of parking space. There were a lot of things on the menu we wanted to try. We ended up ordering the pho lao, the broth was good and tastes sweeter to me compared to Vietnamese pho. They also have fried garlic as a topping and came with similar veggie condiments as viet pho. We ordered the crying tiger with white rice, this was my favorite dish. The beef was cooked perfectly, it was tender and seasoned well. Perfect mix of spicy, sour and paired well with the chilies, onions and cilantro. The tom yum wings were fine, the batter was a tad too thick for our liking but we did enjoy the seasoning on it regardless. They also sell beef jerky near the cashier, we bought a few bags and love it. Will definitely be back when we're visiting SD!

I went here as a first stop of the night for only appetizers and they were all saporous! 11/21/2024. Tom Yum chicken wings ($13.95): crispy and well-seasoned with a hint of lime, 4/5 stars. Beef on a stick ($13.95): tender with a sweet marinade. Would have improved with more fat content, as fat is flavor, 3.5/5 stars. Moo Tod (fried pork belly) $13.50: surprisingly only slightly crispy but the bacon was tender and had me hooked, 4.5/5 stars! Onto the service, as our cup of waters were delivered shortly after being seated; however, the server took about twelve minutes to take our order and only another customer was there. Regardless, this is a casual joint that deserves recognition for their tasty dishes. Check them out!

Came in on a Saturday afternoon, and I'm surprised the place wasn't more packed. But I'm glad it wasn't because we were promptly seated and right away I knew what I wanted to order. There aren't too many Lao restos that I know of so definitely check this place out. Notable dishes - the Tom yum wings, nice and crispy with the right amount of Tom yum seasoning. The Lao sausage, cute little chunky things filled with flavor accompanied by the perfect jeow. Everything was delicious! No complaints about any of the dishes we ordered. I would definitely order them all again. And make it a point to stop by here when I'm in the SD area. Let's not forget that they also sell beef jerky! They have a plethora of flavors and even separate the types into lean and fatty. Bring cash because you get $2 off each bag you purchase

One of my friends suggested Spicy Lao Kitchen for dinner and although I live only 10 minutes away, I had yet to try it! - PARKING - Shares a parking lot with other businesses in this small strip mall, but there's a decent amount of spaces! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - There are actually a good amount of tables inside, with varying table sizes. I did feel like it wasn't the cleanest restaurant, and even found a bug inside of the menu. The server was very nice though, and was attentive throughout our entire meal. She also let us know about the check-in offer for a free drink! After ordering, we got our food fairly quick, and it all looked really good. - FOOD - Chicken Wings (6pc): Crispy, crunchy skin, and pretty moist meat inside! The powdered flavoring was yummt too! Lao Papaya Salad: More pungent than other Papaya salads, so be mindful if you can't handle it! We got a level 4 which is supposed to be mild, but it did tingle! Pad See Ew: A classic and favorite, but I think I have had better Pad See Ew at other spots. Still a good tasting dish! - OVERALL - I'm glad I finally got to try this neighborhood spot, but I think I have my go-tos for Lao/Thai food.

Good for 2-6 people groups. Service was a bit slow as there were only one person running the business in the front so be patient when you go. We ordered Lao sausage, meatball skewers, sticky rice, and bowl of soup for the day. I really love their green thai tea!

San Diego has a pretty Lao community, finally got a chance to support the locals and try out a spot. Here's a spot my friend recommended. AMBIANCE: Parking: Plaza parking, I generally have no issues. Seating: Inside seating. Good for groups, room for about 30 people. Feels: You're in the outer area of Convoy, which makes it parking friendly. It's a spacious place that's clean that pays homage to Lao culture. I dig the hip hop music in the background and the sports on the television. Great for a food adventure or going out with family FOOD: Tom Yum Chicken Wings (Recommend) Crunchy with a subtle kick from that tom yum seasoning. It's not as strong but it's gives a nice touch to it. The crunch and freshness of the chicken was perfection. Nam Khao (Recommend) Basically, it's like fried rice but crunchy rice. I enjoyed the mixed flavors of the cilantro, cured pork, and peanuts. I also appreciated the lettuce to serve as a wrap. Make sure to eat ASAP so it doesn't get stale. Thai Lemon Ice Tea (A-Ok) This is certain not your regular iced tea. It's a bit sour and sweet but a little something extra on the sour side. Maybe it's an acquired taste but at the moment, not the greatest. Heavenly Beef Jerky (Recommend) Great! Rough, savory with a nice kick! CUSTOMER SERVICE: Diamond was great! Friendly and professional. TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. Awesome! Reasonable prices, good flavors, and pleasant experience. I appreciated the food and the people. For those looking for Lao food, this is a great introductory place with a good range. Best wishes to the Lou family and their business! TIPS: * They close on Mondays. * Check out their jerky shop, JL Jerkys.

I came here for lunch and got the heavenly beef jerky, crying tiger, and a Thai tea. My friend opted for the lunch special and ordered the pad kra pow. The lunch special comes with soup and salad! I enjoyed everything I ordered, although it did take over 20 minutes to get the first item ( beef jerky). The flavors were there and food was authentic. My friend didn't like their food that much though. They do play some loud r and b, so it may be hard to hear your friends talking. Haha. Overall, a good place to get some delicious Lao food!

Wanted to try food from here for the first time. I asked if a lot of their food is spicy. The lady said no. Ordered 2 appetizers. The crispy pork belly didn't taste anything special. It was crispy & hard st the same time. The fried crispy wings didn't have much flavor and has a hint of spice. We were disappointed and spent almost $30.00. We won't be back. Waste of $$.

I have never had Laotian food before this, but growing up with Southeast Asian food, the flavors were definitely familiar. I mostly wanted to write this review because the Nam Khao dish changed my life, and I think about this dish a lot. It's basically a crispy rice salad, and they give you lettuce to make lettuce wraps. Its such a light refreshing dish, but simultaneously so flavorful, textural, and addicting. The other food I tried was good, but I'd like to come back for this dish specifically.

First impression - small family run restaurant with a food stacked counter. It was during lunch yesterday when I came in but it wasn't busy. There were only three tables but the service was slow and only one server. Overall, the beef salad, tom yum soup with squid and shrimp, and the raw shrimp salad with lime juice dressing were all good on flavor and heat. This place can deliver heat if you ask for it spicy. They have levels to their heat. One thing to note, we didn't know that we could request the raw shrimp to be blanched so it doesn't come out raw. The server told us after we asked but it was too late so we were given lemon wedges to squeeze onto the shrimp. Wish they could've offer to add the extra dressing in for us. I would come back to try their other dishes. I think they have good food choices on their menu that I would want to try.

Amazing, excellent nam khao. Good crunchy texture, powerful flavors, nice and light lettuce wrap. Good portion size for a person after lunch time who only had a banana all day. No leftovers to take home though. Love the lime forward flavor. Would absolutely come back. $17.

We've had Spicy Lao a couple of times now and overall really enjoyed it: - Crying Tiger "Seen Nam Tok": excellent rare beef salad, everything we like this dish to be - bright, spicy, herbal. - Crispy Rice Salad "Nam Kaho": not a huge fan of the coconut-forward nature of this one, but otherwise still rather delicious! - Lao Jerky: thick chunk strips of beef, not sweet but well seasoned and with a great dipping sauce - Tom Yum Chicken Wings: great fried wings with a mouth watering tom yum seasoning powder - Chicken Laap: a bit disappointing (especially in contrast to the seen nam tok). shredded rather than minced chicken, and with more skin and cartilage than we'd prefer, our least favorite dish - Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mow: both solid versions of these dishes, nothing mindblowing but if you're craving these you won't regret it.

Bomb.com Fiancé and I really enjoyed our visit here. Was pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon and we waited for quite a bit......but the wait was well worth it. The girls who operate the restaurant were very friendly and transparent in answering all our questions. On to the good stuff: Crying Tiger "Seen Nam Tok" - our favorite dish. Very refreshing with the perfect amount of zest. Super flavorful but be careful with the spice level you choose. If you're sensitive to spice I would tone it down. We got a level 4 and it was perfect for my lady. Tom Yung Wings - crispy, juicy and whatever the seasoning is..... it's crack. In a good, non drug-addict way. Pad See Ew - def one of the better pad see ews we've had. Very flavorful and their noodles are wider and soak the sauce well. Crispy Rice Salad - Solid. Make sure to eat this as soon as it comes it out cause it's best when it's still hot. Use the lettuce to wrap a bundle and eat it like that. I think they found the secret: Play RnB music while cooking so you can cook that sh*t with love. Kudos to the fam that runs this place, they doing it right. Already looking forward to eating my pad see ew at work tomorrow lol

This spicy Lao kitchen is truly a hidden gem! Their pad thai is absolutely amazing--perfectly cooked noodles with just the right amount of heat and a nice balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. The beef salad is another standout. The meat is tender and juicy, with fresh herbs and a spicy kick that wakes up your taste buds. The flavors are bold, tangy, and perfect if you like a bit of heat in your meal. Great service and thai tea.

Finally! We have been eyeing this restaurant since their store name was posted! I felt it took than over a year to open this restaurant, so we are excited to try it! The menu is impressive. Lots of different dishes for Thai and Lao food. It took us a while to decide what to eat because there are so many interesting dishes. We ended up ordering three dishes. My favorite was Crying tiger "Seen Nam Tok". I loved the flavors and tenderness of the beef. I ordered the spicy level 3 so It's not too spicy although there were many peppers on it. Crispy rice was interesting. I am not sure if I would order again. The pad kra pow was pretty good, but similar to other places. Food was pretty good. However, the service was kinda lacking. Only one waitress and she was pretty busy serving the tables. I hope they get more server to improve the service.

I'm happy I changed things up to try out Laotian pho. I enjoyed every sip and bite of the pho. The strong garlic taste complimented the pho incredibly well, and the thinly sliced beef and meatballs were equally flavorful and tender. As an avid eater of pho and soups in general, I'm looking forward to adding this place to my list of go-to restaurants. Also, the tom yum wings were crispy. The wings were delicious, tasting sour and sweet with the perfect touch of heat. It's my first time eating tom yum style wings, and all I can say is that I'll be thinking about these wings for a while! The server suggested I try the tom yum soup next time, and I am confident it's going to taste excellent. I'm already planning on brining some friends over with me to explore more of the menu. Regarding service and ambiance, my server was attentive, quick, and personable. I have no complaints, and her kind energy complimented the ambiance which exuded an intimate small business vibe. 5/5 - Make your way here if you love soup, wings, and supporting small businesses with heart and delicious food.

A small store front style Laotian/Thai food restaurant. Simple clean decor. Server friendly, Service fast. I ordered the Lao sausage and Lao style papaya salad with sticky rice. I enjoyed the crunchy salad and the tangy, funkier style of flavor with the papaya salad. I only wish the pork cracklings were broken into smaller pieces or crushed and sprinkled on top. The sausages were crispy skin and soft inside, sticky rice perfectly steamed. I enjoyed my lunch and will return to try other dishes. Very tasty.

I really enjoyed the food we ordered. They were loaded with so much flavor. We ordered the Lao sausage, crispy rice salad, and the fried 3 flavor fish. There was only 1 very nice lady who ran the register at the counter for snacks as well as be the server for all the tables. The food was definitely authentic and I'd return as there's so many more items to try like their noodle soups.

Authentic Lao food that satisfies every palate! This restaurant has such a home feel, the staff provides outstanding customer service, they're friendly, and inviting and they treat you like family. And the vibe! They play all the jams that got you dancing and singing in your seat. We ordered the bomb platter and OMG! It was exactly what I've been craving, perfect for sharing, generous portions. The chicken wings were so good too, crispy with the perfect amount of flavor. I had to stop myself from ordering more. The dessert, honestly one of the best I've had in so long, that alone I crave. This restaurant has so much to offer, one of my favorites is their house made beef Jerkey, the best! They have so much variety on the their menu. I only ordered a fraction, I cannot wait to go back and explore the rest of the menu.

If you're a fan of Lao food, try this restaurant! We ordered 1) Lao papaya salad 2) nam khao 3) chicken pad Thai. The Lao papaya salad was dark, funky, and had a stronger taste profile than Thai style papaya salad. It tasted fresh and authentic. The nam khao was very flavorful with crispy rice bits that added a wonderful texture. This was probably our favorite dish that we tried! The chicken pad Thai had good flavor, just a bit dry and not as saucey. Their spice level is authentic and even a medium could be spicy for the average person. They have a tray of spices including chili oil, dry chili powder, and fried garlic. Loved their chili oil- very spicy! Service was kind and efficient, very friendly. It is clean and modern inside. The front also offers some snacks like beef jerky, etc. Free parking in their shared lot.

I was excited to try SLK due to loving TLC (Thai, Lao, and Cambodian) cuisine. We got the Lao Style Papaya Salad, Nam khao, and Drunken Noodles. All 3 dishes were pretty good but the Nam Khao was pretty salty. Not sure if it's regularly like that but we had to combine it with our other dishes to make it more bearable to eat! I did feel that the prices dishes were a bit more expensive compared to other TLC focused restaurants that I've been to. So not sure if I'll be coming back. Mostly due to not living close to the area, but overall the food is great if you're in the area and want some Lao food!

To start off, the staff is amazing. It's a family owned restaurant, and it turns out they also own JL JERKRYS INC in the same plaza! I saw their Tom Yum chicken wings online, and that's what sold me on giving this place a try. Well, they're a win, and I've been back twice since. The food is delicious, and if you want spicy, they'll definitely deliver on those chili peppers. Everything has been delicious and herbaceous. Besides the wings, the dishes I still think about are: * Goong nam pla, the raw marinated shrimp, was amazing. It was really fresh, and the raw shrimp still had a nice firm texture. *Seen nam tok, the crying tiger beef salad was great. You pick how cooked you'd like your steak, and they slice it up and mix it with onions, lime juice, peppers, mint, and other herbs. Super refreshing. I'll definitely be back because I have a few more things I want to try!

Spicy Lao Kitchen in Clairemont is a total gem for anyone who loves bold, flavorful food! The *larb* is fresh and perfectly spicy, and the *papaya salad* with sticky rice is a must-try combo. The *crying tiger salad* blew me away with its tender beef and tangy, spicy kick, while the *moo tod* (crispy fried pork) is super crunchy and seriously addictive. The portions are generous, the flavors are on point, and the friendly staff makes the experience even better. If you're into spicy, authentic Lao food, this spot should be at the top of your list! Don't forget to order a bag of pork or chicken skins for later!

They've turned my opinion around! We've gotten take-out from Spicy Lao Kitchen twice, and both times the food has been good. And service has been at a reasonable speed! We always get a noodle like Pad See Ew or Pad Thai, and it's flavorful, noodles are soft and chewy and vegetables are fresh. I also still enjoy the Green Thai Tea which has been consistent with the matcha tea flavor. Mango sticky rice was very cutely packaged. I was impressed they managed to get fresh mango in the off season. Sticky rice was a bit too chewy for me but they did make cute ball shapes with the rice so perhaps it could not be made with more water and still hold shape. I also like to bath my sticky rice in coconut milk, whereas this mango sticky rice only had a drizzle of coconut milk. On Valentine's Day, the straws for the drinks were pink and heart-shaped -- what a nice touch! I'm now a fan and will be back!

I've been waiting for this place to open and excited I finally got to try it. My friends and I stopped in for lunch Saturday and really enjoyed it. We ordered: * Moo Tod app (fried pork belly) - really tasty but they were out of the tomato dip sauce (jeow) that usually comes with it which I was excited to try * Tom Yum wings - crispy and really good flavor, but didn't taste too much Tom yum (which was fine to me tbh) * Papaya salad lao style - I really liked their version of this; we ordered a level 5 spice and it had a great kick but was not overbearing. I would tread carefully if you're not used to spice though. Flavors were really well balanced with perfect amount of umami and sourness * Nam Khao - one of my fave dishes and they did it justice. Perfectly crispy and great flavors! * Crying Tiger - also delicious and spice was good - wish the steak was sliced a tiny bit thinner but steak was cooked well * Pad Kee Mao noodles - pretty tasty and had a good kick at a 3/5 spice Service was very friendly and we left very satisfied. Some of the items took a bit longer to come out than others, but it's not a big deal if you're not in a hurry. The restaurant got a bit busier as our lunch went on and I noticed some people waiting a bit longer for their Togo orders, but they seem to be working on this as they just opened recently. Will definitely be back to try some of their soups and other items!

Parking: Plenty of parking in plaza Atmosphere: fast pace indoor outdoor dining Service: Welcoming family business environment. Our server thoroughly offered great recommendations. Food: Spicy Lao Sausage: Very tasty. They are a must try when visiting. Pad sei: very flavorful and filling Lao Pho: It was my first time trying this and unfortunately it was not comparable to the Vietnamese pho. Supports Military: No Discount yet... Overall: I dine around that area pretty frequently and was excited to finally see that this place has open its doors. It did not disappoint. I would definitely return and try other items on their menu.

I came from the North Eastern Thailand and I can tell this place the test of food very similar to my country.This restaurant is best of Lao food in San Diego

Kearny Mesa's Spectrum Village Shopping Mall was the home of a Subway for the longest time. Spicy Lao Kitchen recently debuted in this plaza after many months of refurbishing the former corner space of the sandwich shop. I didn't notice much of a difference except more tables added to the dining area which could seat about 30 customers. There were also three small round-top tables available on the sidewalk in front of the suite. During the soft opening period, a set of menus were placed near the entranceway. You could take a seat and order from the waitstaff. Eventually, the cafeteria-style service counter will become operational to process takeout orders. The offerings were a combination of Lao and Thai cuisine. Spiciness was on a one to five scale with three being medium heat. Checking in on the app yielded one complimentary drink (soda, Thai tea, Green Thai tea, or Thai iced coffee). I did notice some unique dishes like Khao Piek Sen. This was a chicken udon noodle soup with chicken feet, pork blood cubes, shredded chicken, chicken skin, and greens. One of my friends ordered this item on a separate visit but did not have a positive experience because the kitchen did not have some of the ingredients on hand. From the list of seven appetizers, I chose the Beef on a Stick. Three skewers of BBQ beef were served with a side of pickled papaya and carrots. I thought this was executed well as the meat was cooked medium rare. For an entree, I selected the Pad Kee Mow (Thai Drunken Noodles) with shrimp added which cost $3 more. Soft rice noodles were stir fried with blended spices, Thai chili, eggs, basil leaves, and green and red bell peppers. I counted six pieces of shrimp in the dish. The flavor was okay for my palate as I requested level one for spiciness. The food was worthy of four stars, however what dragged down my rating was the kitchen's preparation time. There were only a handful of customers when I visited yet it took at least 20 minutes after I received a free Thai green tea before the appetizer was ready. The cooks will have to speed up to handle a larger volume of orders, otherwise the feedback will continue to note this as an area for improvement. I did appreciate that they were upfront about automatically including 18% gratuity for parties of six or more. Checks could also be split into two ways at most with a 4% service surcharge added.

Been waiting for this place to open for almost a year. :-) So happy they finally had a soft opening, and while they are working out the kinks the food is freshly made, flavorful, and great service to boot! Some things were a bit too spicy for me but my buddy loved the pure capsaicin flavors. Out of all of the dishes that I ordered my ultimate favorite was the Nam Khao (crispy rice salad) and I can't quit thinking about it. Will for sure be back when the final menus are in place and I can tone down the spice index a few notches. LOL

Order as take out. Food delicious. Followed instructions correctly which was a relief! Driving friendly and efficient. Found my location. Only wish for $35, servings size, small.

I decided to give this place another try hoping 3rd time is better. I was WRONG. I only ordered 2 item in the menu. The appetizer pork belly chips and their new Boat noodles soup. I was the only customer there, waited 35 minutes for my food. Once it arrived, first thing I tasted was the Boat noodles broth, OMG it was disgusting . You can smell the old meats that was sitting in the refrigerator for many days. Then I tasted the meat and meatballs . Sorry to say that a cup of ramen noodles have more flavor. I took 3-4 bites and I couldn't go in further. I went to pay and left and never to look back ever again. Sorry I've tried. ‍

The pictures can speak for itself! The food is ALWAYS good. This time they had a different seasoning than the tom yum seasoning and it was still fireeee. I think they should add that to the menu too but be aware its pretty spicy Anyways, its like my mom and I's tenth time here and we always get the same oh same oh (pad see ew, pad thai noodles, tom yum wings and chicken egg rolls) Well this time I wanted the poke (i forgot the ethical name so my apologies) but it was so good it had a perfect balance of citrus and savory. My dad loved his Tom Kha soup as well. We will definitely be back for the eleventh time LOL Lastly, customer service is always 10/10 and the music definitely sets the tone/vibes

Heard there was a new Lao spot in SD and I had to try it. Compared to other places in the Convoy area, parking in the area the restaurant is located in is fairly easy. It's important to note that although they may be similar, Thai and Lao food taste fairly different. I think I came in expecting Pad Thai to taste like what traditional Pad Thai would taste but their version is more similar to a Pad See Ew. Also, I would also keep in mind that their spice level is pretty spicy. My friend got their seafood salad at level 3 and was dyyyyyyyyying.

Their papaya salad is tasty and fresh, a must try (lao style). Tom yum chicken wings didn't really have a bold punch Tom yum flavor as we expected. The wings were dry and 6 little wings for $13 was not worthy. The beef skewers were yummy with sticky rice. Overall it was a decent experience at this place. Service can be slow since there is usually just a server or two on the floor. It's a chill place to dine in.

Spicy Lao Kitchen, is a recent addition to the Kearny Mesa area, its a refreshing find for those seeking authentic and flavorful Lao cuisine. The location is pretty relaxed and has a chill vibe, making it a great spot to unwind and savor some tasty dishes. They also have a TV up to watch football games while you dine-in! Now, let's talk spice. They offer a scale from 1 to 5 to cater to different heat preferences. In hindsight, I might have gone for the no spice or low low level 1 option, as the level I chose was definitely on the spicier side (which was a 1! I gotta step it up!! Just FYI - my spice level tolerance is hot Cheetos!) However, it's a testament to their authenticity in delivering bold Lao flavors. The food here is where Spicy Lao Kitchen truly shines. We kicked off our meal with a delightful trio of appetizers - the chicken sauté, sai oua, and the tom yum chicken wings, all bursting with bold, aromatic flavors. Moving on to the main course, we indulged in a flavorful Papaya salad Lao-style, which offered a delightful balance of textures and heat. The khao poon gai, nam khao, and chicken larb showcased the depth of Lao culinary traditions, each dish brimming with distinct flavors and a sense of home-cooked authenticity. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or prefer milder flavors, this spot has something to offer, and it's definitely worth exploring their menu for a unique and satisfying dining experience. This spot is a promising newcomer for all you lovers of Southeast Asia cuisine, offering a taste of Laos which is authentic and so fiyaaaah! I am defintiely coming back to try more of the menu! You should too! Just be ready to spice up those taste buds!!!!

My friend treated me here for my bday and I am so glad we went! The food was very flavorful and indeed spicy. We did ask for mild and level 3 for our dishes lol! Not pictured are the spring rolls and panang curry. The fried chicken was probably my favorite dish. My friend and I enjoyed all the food very much. Definitely would return to try other dishes.

Just opened Lots of parking Strong flavors Friendly staff Family own Small business 6 or more automatic 18% 4% surcharge to every check to cover cost and minimum wage spikes

The owners of Spicy Lao Kitchen, the Lou family, are not new to the food industry. They transitioned from running JL Jerkys, an online business known for lemongrass and Thai chili-infused beef jerky, to opening this restaurant where they also sell Lao products. The family-operated establishment features Linda Lou, who expertly manages the front of the house, while her husband Joe is among the chefs who bring the fiery Lao dishes to life. Lao Sausage with lemongrass flavor Authentic Lao Cuisine with a Scale of Spice One of the unique aspects of Spicy Lao Kitchen is the ability to choose your spice level. Most dishes can be ordered on a heat scale from one to five, with five offering the full "Lao spicy" experience, complete with extra fresh Thai chilies. This scale allows everyone from the spice-averse to the chili connoisseurs to enjoy the rich, bold flavors of Lao cooking. A Glimpse into the Menu Diners can start their culinary journey with a variety of appetizers like the Lao and Thai-style papaya salads, raw tuna Laotian fish larb, and Lao sausage accompanied by a tomato and chili dipping sauce known as jeow mak len. The crispy nam khao, with its combination of cured pork, shallots, coconut, and peanuts, and the comforting khao piek sen--a shredded chicken soup with thick noodles and traditional accompaniments like chicken feet, chicken skin, and cubes of pork blood--represent the heartiness of Lao cuisine. Laab From Full-Service Dining to Takeout While Spicy Lao Kitchen provides a full-service dining experience, Linda Lou has expressed plans to utilize the cafeteria-style counter for efficient takeout orders. The restaurant's goal to expand menu options and offer beer and wine ensures that diners will always have something new to look forward to. Lao Cuisine: The Cultural Fabric of Laos Lao cuisine is an essential part of Laos' cultural fabric. Sticky rice, consumed more in Laos than anywhere else in the world, is not just a staple food; it's a symbol of national identity. It binds the Lao community together, representing a connection to their culture and homeland, often described as the 'children or descendants of sticky rice'.

Service- there's only one person holding down the fork here. She's was sweet and apologetic for the wait. - Lao pho - authentic. 5 out of 5 -chicken laap- overly salty. Portion was small 2 out of 5 - pad seew- Was great! Cooked perfectly. 5 out of 5 -spring roll -shrimp. I feel ripped off with this. All veggie and no shrimp ugh. 1 out of 5 -beef stick- you get 3 small sticks: flavored well just a little dry 3 out of 5 Super small tight place. Parking was great. Area looked like it wasn't the greatest.

If you want to experience real good version of Thai food, you have to try Laos version. I am bias as I was born in Laos but it's nothing more authentic. The cook here is Laos and she can cook!! Wow an Asian cook version of Gordon Ramsey! It's clean and absolutely adorable restaurant!

Our first time at this place and our server was more than happy to give some good recommendations. Tasty papaya salad Lao style. See Nam Tok, Three Flavored Fish all of them Delicious and nothing like we've had in a very long time. The front was managed well. Steady and Mellow, all the dining tables were maintained and clean, and very much pleased with the entire service. Thank you!!

There aren't that many Lao restaurants in San Diego. Thai & Vietnamese, yes. I can count on one hand the amount of Lao restaurants in San Diego. Good ones? Even less. Every Asian country has its own flares. For example: Thai is sweet & sour, Cambodian/Filipino is salty, Lao food is spicy. So the name of the restaurant definitely is fitting for the Lao dishes they are serving. What's crazy is a lot of ppl don't know what or where Lao is. A majority of ppl I speak to I have to explain Lao is a southeast Asian country. I've been here a few different times on different occasions, each time to try new dishes. Spice level can be adjusted on a number of dishes. I love spicy so I always order a 5. They have a 1-5 spice level. Don't be afraid to take the kiddos though, a lot of dishes are kid-friendly as well. I've brought my toddler son to eat here. But like mother, like father, he loves spicy too! Lol. A classic that I recommend is the drunken noodz. & if you're new to trying Lao food, that'll be a great first dish to try. If you want more spice, they offer condiments to garnish your dishes. I love their kaopiek sen. It comes with chicken feet & blood. You can request it with neither as well. I also like their nam khao. It's like fried rice but not fried rice if that makes sense. Lol. Always crunchy & fresh. They offer different varieties of papaya salad that can accommodate your taste buds. They even have thum kaopiek & thum mee wai wai which you won't get at any other Lao restaurants! I have yet to try the thum mee wai wai but that's next on my list! Their thum is dark & spicy, how I like. As far as service & timing from order to table, service was great. I am greeted each time when I walk in & seated immediately. They give you some time to look over the menu. Our serving time is pretty quick. Not sure why there's other reviews stating otherwise. But that may also be due to us going around non-rush hours. We're usually in & out fairly quickly. Service is friendly. If you're indecisive like me, ask the server for their recommendations. They will always accommodate your wants & needs. They also have off/secret-menu dishes that I have yet to try. The restaurant itself has a clean, fresh feeling. Everything is new & not outdated compared to other Asian restaurants. Parking, there's a whole lot shared with other businesses with parking spots all throughout the restaurant. I hate going to crowded places with no parking. So that's a plus! Definitely recommend. Will be coming back to try new dishes/drinks. Their strawberry milk is pretty good! I like the green one better though.

Hubby and I were just in town for the weekend, and he came across Spicy Lao Kitchen. He knows how much I love my Lao food. The location was less than a few mins from our hotel. Parking lot was full but we got lucky this Saturday night. Restaurant itself is cute and cozy. They had a good choice of music playing while we waited, that took me back to the 90's ha ha. We opted to order take out, the gal upfront made the process pretty easy as we knew what we wanted. We order sai oua aka Laos sausages which came W tomato pepper dipping sauce and Laab beef w a spice level of 3 and two order of sticky rice. We were very pleased with the entree items and the serving size was perfect for us two. We were offered a side of free steam rice but we didn't want to be wasteful so I declined seeing we had order sticky rice instead. My hubby who is Mexican was super pleased. I liked it as well but I thought the sai oua was on the salty / sweet side and not so much spicy as we order.Also the sticky rice baggy could have been a bit bigger. Thats why the 4 stars and not 5. If we are ever back in San Diego I will be back to try the tum som... but I like mine dark and stanky, so I hope they make it like that. I added a few pictures after we had already dug in! Hubby said it's just that good we forgot to take pictures ha ha !' Overall we were pleased with our dinn

The culinary landscape of San Diego has become even more vibrant with the opening of Spicy Lao Kitchen, a restaurant that brings the traditional flavors of Laos and some Thai influences to the food scene. Located in the Spectrum Village Shopping Mall, this gem offers an authentic taste of Southeast Asian cuisine and is quickly becoming a go-to spot for those in pursuit of spicy delights. The Founders' Journey from JL Jerkys to Spicy Lao Kitchen The owners of Spicy Lao Kitchen, the Lou family, are not new to the food industry. They transitioned from running JL Jerkys, an online business known for lemongrass and Thai chili-infused beef jerky, to opening this restaurant where they also sell Lao products. The family-operated establishment features Linda Lou, who expertly manages the front of the house, while her husband Joe is among the chefs who bring the fiery Lao dishes to life. Lao Sausage with lemongrass flavor Authentic Lao Cuisine with a Scale of Spice One of the unique aspects of Spicy Lao Kitchen is the ability to choose your spice level. Most dishes can be ordered on a heat scale from one to five, with five offering the full "Lao spicy" experience, complete with extra fresh Thai chilies. This scale allows everyone from the spice-averse to the chili connoisseurs to enjoy the rich, bold flavors of Lao cooking. A Glimpse into the Menu Diners can start their culinary journey with a variety of appetizers like the Lao and Thai-style papaya salads, raw tuna Laotian fish larb, and Lao sausage accompanied by a tomato and chili dipping sauce known as jeow mak len. The crispy nam khao, with its combination of cured pork, shallots, coconut, and peanuts, and the comforting khao piek sen--a shredded chicken soup with thick noodles and traditional accompaniments like chicken feet, chicken skin, and cubes of pork blood--represent the heartiness of Lao cuisine. From Full-Service Dining to Takeout While Spicy Lao Kitchen provides a full-service dining experience, Linda Lou has expressed plans to utilize the cafeteria-style counter for efficient takeout orders. The restaurant's goal to expand menu options and offer beer and wine ensures that diners will always have something new to look forward to. Lao Cuisine: The Cultural Fabric of Laos Lao cuisine is an essential part of Laos' cultural fabric. Sticky rice, consumed more in Laos than anywhere else in the world, is not just a staple food; it's a symbol of national identity. It binds the Lao community together, representing a connection to their culture and homeland, often described as the 'children or descendants of sticky rice'. Read more https://davidsguide.com/spicy-lao-kitchen-a-taste-of-laos-in-the-heart-of-san-diego/

Stopped here for a quick bite to eat. Got the moo tod and fresh spring roll. Quick service and the music playlist was fire. Very nostalgic. My usuals when I come here is the nam khao and pork sausage. Try it.

I have been in a big Lao food kick lately and this place is SO GOOD. I saw it recently opened and placed an order to-go. They are still new so working through a few things like organizing orders etc. However the food we had...BOMB. I got the Crying Tiger (which I have gotten from so many different places), but this was by far the best I have ever had. The steak was perfectly tender, just the right amount of sauce, and it was def spicy (we only got 3/5 spice too). Me and my bf KILLED IT. Their menu is still small but I prefer that since it feels like they sever dishes they would be pretty good at. I will 10000% come back and recommend anyone to try. So happy this place opened up :)

My best friend is Laotian, visiting from Colorado and found this place. We were super satisfied with our experience! The food is very authentic and the flavors were absolutely incredible! The service was was exceptional-- she was very sweet, friendly, & attentive. The ambience was equally impressive, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere with a some fun R&B throwback tunes. A fantastic spot for an enjoyable meal!

Came here because a friend forwarded the Eater article to me and because some friends love spicy food. So we stopped by for dinner on a Monday and got seated right away. There were two servers and they got us going with some water and menus. The menu didn't have too many items listed but enough options for everyone to choose from. The price point is fair enough and the portions were decent sized. You can definitely do either family style or order individual entrees. Btw the servers were super nice and plenty of parking. Now onto the food. One of my friend's ordered the drunken noodles, level 4 spice. The noodles had a nice chew to them and the flavor was nice and spicy. They don't play with the spice! There was a good amount to chicken and the veggies were bite size which I appreciate. It was really good. The husband and I ordered the nam khao and it was delicious. The crunchy bits were welcomed and the flavors were well balanced. A little bit of spice and a little bit of sour, plus again, the different texture from the som moo and the bright herbs. It was really really delicious. We also ordered the papaya salad, Lao style. I ordered it with sticky rice so I can soak up more of that funky, zesty sauce. I love that funk! I ordered a level 2 and it was just right for me. They also added some cabbage on the side and that added more crunchy texture to the already semi-crunchy salad. It was also delicious. I seriously would have drank that juice! Haha. My other friend ordered the chicken satay, egg rolls and Tom yum wings. We wanted the sausage but they ran out for the day. That just means we have to come back another day. I did try the wings and they were piping hot and flavorful. You can definitely taste the familiar flavors of Tom yum in the wings. I think the only gripe I had was that things came at different times but I get it, it's their soft opening, so no big deal at all. I still appreciate the great service and the delicious food. But it was a good pace so we got to enjoy each item as it came out. Overall, I would definitely come back again to try other items on the menu. I'll probably also do take out in the future.

This place is fairly authentic and honestly so so so spicy LOL But I am weak when it comes to spice as a failed jungle Asian due to personal choice, however I do my best to power through when the food is good. This place is one of those places. We ordered the larb tuna , crying tiger steak and the papaya salad and mok. Probably spice level 2-3 and I was still hurting. I do wish the portion sizes were a tad bit bigger at that price point but it will do.