Visited on July 2, 2026 Service: The service was phenomenal. The waiter gave a tour of the menu - recommending what to get. Ambiance: The inside was quite busy during the dinner hours, but the patio was calmer. The weather was nice so the patio was perfect. Food: The Nam Khao was full of flavor and the crunchiness was perfect. Peeng Seen was flavorful, but the least favorite dish. Chuen Gai was the best part of the meal. Incredibly bold flavor with a crunchy texture. For dessert, the Naam Vahn was refreshing, light, and not overly sweet. Overall, the food-to-cost ratio is not the strongest, but the quality of food and service is top tier. read more

So happy I found a very authentic spot for Lao food during my stop in OKC. Everything did not disappoint! Even though weather was pretty warm, we enjoyed sitting outside under the covered patio. Food: everything was delicious. Be warned, though, the original papaya salad at "light spice" is incredibly spicy, even for a thai person. Sai Oua (sausage) is exactly how it should taste and I loved this nice little side dish. One star off for service - not only was the service really really slow (had to walk inside to ask for the server to come out and take our order), but we ordered the fried chicken and never received it because our server forgot to put in our order. So sad, especially since the fried chicken is supposed to go with our salads and sticky rice we ordered! And the fact that we don't plan on coming back to OKC in the near future. Street parking wasn't that hard for us during late lunch hours. read more

Finally got to try Ma Der out, and I was so excited! I've heard so many good things from so many different people. This restaurant is located in the Plaza District in the old Goro Ramen location. Upon being seated, our server gave us the rundown on the menu as well as their recommendations. The space is still quite small, but I loved the ambiance. We opted for the crispy rice salad and the papaya salad to start. The papaya salad was way too spicy for me, and we even asked for the lowest level, but it sure was addicting! I couldn't stop eating it even if my mouth was on fire. The crispy rice salad was also very tasty and fun. For our entrees, we ordered the chicken wings, the beef skewers, and the Lao sausage hot dog to have family style. Everything was really easy to split and share amongst our group of 4. The chicken wings were an absolute must! They were so crispy and seasoned so well. I was expecting the beef skewers to be underwhelming, but I was pleasantly surprised at how tender and flavorful it was! The hot dog also surprised me-- it was a flavor bomb with a definite kick! It's a must order if you stop in during their happy hour as that is the only time it's served. My mouth was feeling it after our meal. We also ordered a side of their sticky rice with a couple different sauces. I would pass on the side noodles if they ask (it was just vermicelli noodles). We opted out of dessert this time as we were surprisingly full, but the next time I stop by I will definitely give it a try. I did order a refreshing drink called the Ms. Jasmine that was fruity and non-alcoholic! It was really good! Service was pretty fast and friendly. I would definitely try to get in during happy hour to beat the dinner rush because as we left, the restaurant was packed inside and out! read more

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Food here was great. We came at an off hour on a Saturday and there was no wait (but I was told that usually there always is a wait). We got the Saturday special chicken noodle soup. I loved the flavor and consistency of the soup but didnt really love the noodles. Flavor was great though. The popular rice salad was a touch sour. Our favorite item was by far the skewers and the chicken wings! We found free parking on a side street around the corner, but there also is a paid lot. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Rice salad - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Wow wow wow!!! I wish I had pictures. But the food was so amazing, I wish I'd remembered to take more pictures... The wait staff was so informative and kind. They gave us recommendations because we really needed to know what to order since it was our first time in. Everything hit perfectly. From drinks, to sides, to dessert. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Dessert. I can't even begin to describe. Cake and mousse and FLAVORS - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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We dined on a Saturday night at around 6:00 pm. Restaurant was packed but we got lucky and only waited about 10 min to be seated. Our server gave amazing recommendations and went with every single one. We were not disappointed! Every dish listed below is a must so just do yourself a favor and order them all! Crispy Rice Salad - seasoned crispy rice, chopped cured pork sausage, medley of mint, cilantro, and green onions. Ground chili, lime, and peanuts, served with lettuce. Khao Piak Sen (Saturday special) - Lao style chicken noodle soup. Add chili for another layer of flavor! Lao Sausage - house-made savory and herbaceous Lao sausage. If you share this dish you will fight over the last piece! Grilled Beef Skewers (2 pieces) - tender lemongrass marinated beef rib fingers, toasted rice powder, jaew som, pickled shallots, and herb medley Steamed Catfish - local catfish with bean thread noodles, fresh herbs, aromatics, and spices steamed in a banana leaf read more

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Haven't been here in over a year, but I'm so glad I came back to meet a friend. Great venue, very helpful servers, and fresh flavor-filled food. My friend and I ended up sharing the fried chicken, fried rice, mushroom soup, and sticky rice... and when your servers ask if you want the sauces, say yes! Everything was gluten and dairy free, so it was definitely a win for me! In fact, I got so excited and was consumed with how tasty everything was that I completely forgot to get pictures! I'll do that next time, because I'm definitely coming back. I also appreciate the customizable spice options as well as the sense of community and family inspired by the seating and family-style vibe. read more

Just have to add a note about their new banana cheesecake dessert - it's amazing and its deliciousness is through the roof! It also features charred bananas and a creamy pudding component. Excellent service and super cool atmosphere as well. Definitely check it out! read more

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45min wait time when there are more than 8 tables empty? Do they purposely keep the appearance of this place as "busy" by giving long wait times when there are tons of empty tables? See pictures. Food was good.. unique but nothing over the top. Pretty much a version of Thai food. They have Khao Soi which is only offered on thursdays! Most recommended: beef jerky, fried chicken, and salad. Salad was crispy and unique and good. Ambiance- so many empty tables and long wait times for no reason! read more

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I have been waiting to try Ma Der for months and the time has finally come. I honestly could not have been more excited. Our server was super sweet and gave us a lot of great recommendations since it was our first time here. We ended up ordering the crispy rice salad and pork ribs and some other small rice side dishes. I loved the family style meal concept and everything we ate was so delicious and full of flavor. I can't believe this exists in OKC and you definitely have to try it as soon as possible. read more

Visiting family for the holidays and am so glad we returned to Ma Der Lao Kitchen - the food is delicious, flavorful, and feels so comforting. They don't take reservations so we came right at opening and were seated right away. Food is served family style aka perfect for sharing and one of my favorite ways to enjoy a mea. There is a daily special that rotates each day - we were bummed that we weren't able to come on the duck porridge day because we had loved it the first time we came here, but were excited to try the Khao Piek Sen (Lao chicken noodle soup). The Khao Piek Sen lives up to its description - it tasted like a warm hug, comforting rice noodles with a thick broth, and a balance of umami and salty with the crispy garlic, green onions, and quail egg. Recommend squeezing the lime to add some bright, refreshing acidity to the dish. This was my favorite dish we had this meal. We also shared the crispy rice salad which was my husband's favorite. The salad is served at room temperature and you can turn it into lettuce wraps. The mint adds a sweetness to the dish and we enjoyed the crispiness of the rice and pork sausage. The third dish we had was the fried pork spare ribs - deep fried but not greasy and comes with a tasty dipping sauce. Overall, a delicious meal - definitely added to our list for go-to restaurants the next time we're in OKC. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Khao Piek Sen - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Vegetarian options are limited to one item and dessert. I wasn't interested in a salad that evening, so I tried the dessert which was divine. The servers were attentive and knowledgeable, and I like that you can see right into the cooking and prep area from the bar. It's a lovely, friendly community vibe, too. Definitely worth trying. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Coconut soup - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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This place is busy but their service was quick!! Hesitated coming on a Saturday night thinking we would've had to wait but ultimately didn't have to. The food was very good, their main dish is the nam khao, which was not the best I've had (it was slightly cold) but was good. Fried kitchen, beef kabobs and everything else was very good! Did not care for their drinks and the bar was backed up, so drinks arrived when we were almost done with our meal. read more

Ma Der is an incredible spot for authentic, bold, and delicious Lao food! It definitely lived up to its hype. Both indoor and outdoor seating are well attended to, and the outdoor tables are warm and cozy even in the cold winter weather! Servers were super friendly and gave great recommendations. Crispy rice salad - super delicious dish! The rice had just the right amount of bite, and there was a tangy lemongrass flavor mixed in as well. The meat was juicy and tender. Comes with lettuce wraps that make for a perfect bite! Easy to share and definitely left me wanting more. Grilled beef skewers - most memorable plate for sure. The beef is sooo tender, with an amazing charred flavor. My only complaint is the portion size! My family couldn't get enough and even contemplated getting a second one. Steamed catfish - definitely a strong lemongrass flavor, also with some tangy undertones. This was one of my favorites as well! The fish is cooked til soft and the flavors are bold, perfect to pair with the sticky rice! Khao Piek Sen - the Saturday special soup! It's described as a take on chicken noodle soup, but I'd definitely describe the flavor as more mild and aromatic. I absolutely love the way the "noodles" are done which are more like bites; reminds me of a classic Chinese soup as well! I can't wait to come back to Ma Der when I'm back in OKC! read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Crispy rice salad - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Great Laotian food We tried - fried chicken Crispy rice salad Grilled beef skewers All incredible! Great flavor for the chicken wings and perfectly cooked Skewers had incredible char taste and cooked perfectly as well The crispy rice salad is amazing - comes with lettuce for serving too! I tried the Jasmine mocktail - very refreshing! Cute indoor space and nice patio as well! Service was great, food came out quickly! We were able to eat and drink and head out an hour or so. Amazing food!! read more

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This is hands down my favorite restaurant in the entire world. Everything on the menu is packed with flavor and made with care. Our waiter Jamil was awesome! The crispy rice is my absolute favorite dish- it's unreal. Perfect texture, perfectly balanced, insane flavor. Wish I lived in OKC so I could eat here all the time! The atmosphere is laid back, the service is always friendly, and the whole experience just makes you happy to be there. Try anything on the menu- we've never had a bad dish here, and every time we go, we somehow love it even more. If you haven't been, just go. Trust me! read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Chef Jeff's pop-up in Denver was absolutely incredible! Lao cuisine is seriously slept on here, and this meal proved why it deserves so much more love. I made our reservation weeks in advance because my husband is Lao and we rarely get to enjoy truly authentic Lao food -- it was worth the wait. I'm Korean and we brought his best friend, who's Chinese, and all three of us were blown away. Every dish tasted thoughtful, vibrant, and deeply authentic. If this pop-up was just a glimpse of what he creates, then Ma Der Lao Kitchen must be one of the best Lao restaurants in the country. Five stars, no question. read more

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This spot had been on my "must-try" list for weeks thanks to glowing recommendations from multiple circles, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! From the flavorful food and refreshing drinks to the vibrant music and welcoming service, I totally get why everyone urged me to go. The crispy rice salad came highly recommended and was tasty, but my personal standouts were the beef sticks and the wings (with the sauce on the side...chef's kiss!). The orders come family style and eating with your hands is the full experience of the restaurant and culture. I'm so proud that OKC's culinary scene celebrates such rich cultural diversity. If you haven't yet, "come thru" or "Ma Der" and experience the beauty of Laotian cuisine! read more

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This fried chicken is top 5 best in Oklahoma. That flavoring is unmatched. Servers are always making sure I have everything I need.

Who do I need to speak to, to buy the sweet chili dip (jaew bong) in a take home bottle? That stuff was ADDICTING. All the items we ordered were so tasty! And the staff was incredibly kind to us. Glad to see OKC having great Asian eats! read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Crispy Rice Salad (nam khao) - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Stopped by Ma Der Lao kitchen on a visit to OKC and I have not stopped thinking about it since. This place features both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as seating at the bar too. Everything about this place is impeccable. Our server, Brandon, was very helpful guiding us through the menu. We shared 3 plates which were delicious. But my favorite was the crispy rice salad. It was packed with flavor. The cocktails were wonderful as well as the dessert. Definitely one of my favorite spots I tried in the city. read more

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Service was fine but it got kind of loud to have decent conversation. Food was good. I finally tried the beef jerky - great flavor but I prefer the beef skewer. read more

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Came here for the third time last night and brought my mom who had never been. Our server was kind and explained some of the items on the menu as she has never had Laotian food before. We ordered the crispy rice, fried chicken and pork spare ribs. The crispy rice came out first and we really enjoyed it! same with the fried chicken and the sauce on the side. The pork spare ribs were flavorful but extremely overcooked almost burnt and hard to enjoy. We decided to order dessert which was explained to us as a "strawberry cake" and when it came out it was quite small and had a small dollop of coconut cream on the side. It was a little disappointing to say they were charging $8 for this. Overall it's a nice very popular restaurant, seems like you just have to know what to order. If I were to come back I would definitely order the crispy rice, fried chicken and beef kebabs. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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The food was incredible! It's a family style restaurant which makes it easier to try more things we ordered beef skewers and it came with 2 sticks with a few pieces so we all got to try some. The duck porridge was in a larger bowl so we could dish it among ourselves. I loved the crispy rice it was flavorful and textually delightful. The service was great and the outdoor seating was great it was warm and you could still hear music playing but it wasn't overpowering our voices. I would definitely recommend this place it's one of my favorite spots in OKC. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Crispy rice with duck porridge - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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This place is packed all the time! Luckily I came by myself and was able to snatch the last seat at the bar. It was a super lively restaurant for a Wednesday night. I've never had Laos food before so I decided to come here for a quick dinner. I ordered the two of the most popular dishes on the menu - crispy rice salad and the fried chicken. The crispy rice salad was humongous and the fried chicken came with 5-6 pieces of wings/drumsticks. Both dishes were tasty and full of herb flavors, which I love. All the flavors paired together perfectly and it wad sooo good. Parking was a bit tricky for me. There was a parking lot nearby and residential street parking, but it was packed. I circled around a few times and managed to get a spot in the parking lot for $6. Overall, great place to try if you're in the area. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Crispy rice salad - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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I would come here every day if I lived here full time. The food is spectacular and served family style. The service was outstanding and we were well cared for. I tried a mocktails with coconut milk that was fruity and delicious. For entrees, we had the crispy rice salad, the wings, and beef skewers. Everything we tried was mind-blowing. It's rare that everything on the menu is a star, and you can't go wrong with anything you order here. read more

Ummmm. Loved it! Everything about this place I loved. The intimate space where I didn't feel cramped but still room to talk and breathe and relax. Our server was amazing and great recommendations for us. We did get there early to have a seat as it was eight of us. Loved the paintings on the wall outside. Great location with parking to the back of the building. The food was excellent. We tried most things out on our table. Will definitely be back. read more

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Ma Der Lao is Flavor Town! Chef Jeff Chanchaleune's food boast lots of enticing flavor, from their sauces to beef jerky. The servers are extremely educated on the menu and will guide you through menu selections! Our server suggested ordering the Crispy Rice Salad & Aromatic Chicken Salad- interesting combination of spices & herbs was tantalizing in every bite, especially with a sprinkling of their sauces! Beef Jerky marinated in lemongrass - citrusy, grilled & very tender. The daily special was dumplings- yum! Ma Der means "Come. Eat"- so appropriate! Definitely will be back, but will take pics next time! read more

Friends brought us to this restaurant for lunch this past weekend. The food was delicious. We ordered the Crispy rice salad (crispy fried rice on a lettuce leaf); Fried pork spareribs; Lao Sausage; Grilled Beef skewers; and Sticky Rice. All of it was absolutely delicious. I didn't see too many vegetables on the menu, that is something that I thought was lacking. The idea is that you will share all of the plates with the table, so you get a little of everything. Our table was spacious. There were plenty of tables when we sat down. There were patio tables with heat lamps but it was a little too chilly for me, even though there were some folks sitting outdoors when we arrived. Our server was friendly and explained the menu well. There are alcohol drinks, but we chose jasmine tea. Highly recommend trying this restaurant. read more

They don't take reservations so get there early! Get cozy in the small space and be prepared for great food. We came specifically for the crispy rice salad and it did not disappoint--we bought an order to take home and eat for breakfast the next day. We also got the fried chicken, which was amazing as well, along with grilled beef skewers and fried pork spareribs. Dishes are perfect for sharing which is great so you can try a bit of everything. Definitely recommend! read more

Without a doubt one of my favorite, for sure my favorite Asian restaurant in OKC. I love the steamed catfish, but it definitely has a kick to it. That and the mushroom stew were my old faithfuls, until I had the crispy ricefaithful, it says "To Share", but i don't!!!! I don't eat pork, so I had mine without. It's so good, so flavorful, the aromatics are strong in this dish. I love to pair the crispy rice with the fermented cabbage and wrap it in the lettuce leaf with a tiny pinch of Thai chili. For dessert, I finish it off with a bowl of coconut soup..BOMB! The photos could be better, but I tried to cover up the fact I dove right in, in the car. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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The food was fantastic! The service was impeccable. Very helpful with menu suggestions as well as knowledged on ingredients, etc. Fun ambiance! read more

From the moment we walked in and were greeted by the most wonderful humans to when we left every single person we encountered was such a fantastic representation of this restaurant!! I had picked up a book at a little store that said the top 100 things you must do in Oklahoma City before you die and coming to Ma Der Lao Kitchen was #1 and I now know why! Neither my friend or I had ever had Lao Food and our server walked us through the menu and then we told him to surprise us! Wow wee what a dinner!! The Crispy Rice salad was so delicious! We had some chili sauces to add to them that were so tasty but really had some kick! Next thing you know another server swooped in with little cups of the Coconut Soup to calm & cleanse our pallets. The Grilled Beef Skewers were my favorite! The marinade was so tasty & then we used the sauce from it to dip our sticky rice in. This restaurant does not take reservations and it was so worth the wait to get the table. The food was so delicious and the staff was so warm. I'm just so excited. I opened up that book and we made the effort and went. The area around is so cute and great little bars & stores to go look around. read more

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It was an amazing experience. In OKC for work and grabbed a colleague to hit this spot. I love when food is authentic and unpretentious- this spot doesn't disappoint. Amazing fare shared was absolutely reasonably priced and accessible. We wanted everything on the menu so we let our server pick our fare for us! Had some amazing drinks "snake in the grass" was just lovely, Smokey and well mixed. The Laab stole the show as the first dish to hit the palate- as soon as we recovered from that flavor bomb, the next small plate arrived. We had the Saturday special chicken soup, beef, sausage, and sticky rice. All amazing. The sausage was like hot aromatherapy in a casing. The lemon grass was infused into the pork. I'd like this for my next cookout- It was probably top 15 dinners of my life. An amazing experience from start to finish. I will be singing praise for a while. Unique, flavorful, you could taste the care in the preparation. Intentional. Bold. This place will make me want to come back to OKC. Can't wait till the next reason I have to be here so I can come back! read more

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Ma Der Lao Kitchen is a cool, hip spot to try Laotian food. I came with 2 friends on a Wednesday night. The place was crowded so we opted for bar seating. My favorite was the skewers and crispy rice salad. If you order the fried chicken, you MUST get the sauce. The chicken is dry otherwise. I also thought the papaya salad was fishy. Overall service was great and I liked the casual cool vibe. Not my favorite, but a decent dinner spot. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Crispy Rice Salad - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The way Ma Der Lao has captured my heart. The vibe is always unmatched, the playlist is always jamming, and the food makes you want to keep ordering! I hope they don't ever change their service or the impeccable flavors the kitchen puts out so they can ever be in my OKC fav spots rotation! read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

A cozy restaurant with food originating from Laos. If you like experiencing the flavors of Southeast Asia, this is the best place. You can start with grilled beef jerky, spicy noodles soup, followed by a cold rice salad wrapped in fresh lettuce. Complemented with fried chicken and fried pork ribs, which you can savor with a lime sauce that pairs perfectly. While you wait for your table to be ready, you can have a drink on the side. It's recommended to call to reserve. It's always busy. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Menu - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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This is one of our favorite places to go eat. We love the crispy rice salad!! That is a must for everyone to get. I love going during their Friday specials. It's always a nice treat. The service is usually pretty good but it does get packed quickly! read more

Ma Der Lao knows how to bring the heat--both in the kitchen and with the lively atmosphere. We hit it up on a Saturday at 3:30 PM (prime time, apparently!) with a group of six and waited about 30 minutes. No reservations here, but they use Waitlist.me so you can track your spot and wander while you wait. Bonus: there's an outdoor waiting area, though no heaters, so bundle up if it's chilly. Now, the food. Buckle up, because it's a wild ride: * Chicken soup (special of the day): A solid favorite. Big enough to share and packed with flavor. * Beef jerky + sticky rice: YES. Perfect pairing and a must-order. * Lao sausage: So good we had to get a second round. Complex, interesting, and impossible to stop eating. * Grilled beef: Crowd-pleaser. If you're indecisive, go with this. * Spicy mushroom stew: Least favorite. Heavy on mushrooms, light on everything else. Not much eggplant or balance to the flavor. * Papaya salad: Mixed reviews. If you love fish sauce and pickled cabbage (I do!), you'll vibe with it. * Fried chicken: A table favorite--crispy, flavorful, and absolutely worth it. * Crispy rice salad: Another star. Wrap it in lettuce for the perfect bite. * Sticky rice: The unsung hero--pairs beautifully with almost everything, especially the beef jerky Service was a highlight. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and gave great pairing suggestions. No rush, just solid guidance. The vibe inside is cute and cozy: bright, flowery wallpaper, small space (by Oklahoma standards), and loud. Hard surfaces amplify the bustle, but it's all part of the charm. Ma Der Lao has the accolades to back it up--NYT's Top 50 and a James Beard nominee--but it's the food and vibe that will bring me back. Just don't skip the sausage, jerky, or crispy rice salad. Pro tip: go early or late, and be ready to wait--good things take time, but here, it's worth it. read more

Ma Der Lao Kitchen - Drinks menu. Happy hour is Tuesday - Friday 3-6 pm - Laotian Near Me - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Grabbed an early dinner after 5PM on a Saturday. Camp Counselor Kyle is waiting on us tonight. Ordered the Ms. Jasmine, Spice Girl, club soda, crispy rice salad, green and red chili dip, house spice papaya salad, spicy mushroom stew and crispy chicken and aromatic chicken too. Canceled the papaya salad as the waiter said it's very fishy. My husband isn't a fan of it being too fishy. $76.05. Kyle forgot our jasmine drink at first until we ordered the second spice girl drink after most of our food was already at our table. The crispy rice is good with the red chili, a bit plain on its own though. Not for me. The spicy mushroom and eggplant stew is simple, but good. The fried chicken is okay, definitely crispy. Dipping sauce is so-so with it. The aromatic chicken salad is lack luster for me, extremely salty. It's also very gristly as well. The two chilies aren't bad, the red chili is better with some dishes. The green chili with jalapeño is good with the fresh cucumbers. Ms. Jasmine drink is quite refreshing and delicious. I could easily chug down a pitcher of this stuff, it's good. The spice girl was average, not special. read more

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