I've been wanting to eat at Bida Manda for so long (reservations are hard to get unless you plan ahead), and I thought an early Valentine's Day dinner would be the perfect time to try it out! All of their Laotian food was superb, and we cannot wait to come back again. Definitely hoping to try the pork belly soup next time as it was just rated top 50 soups on Yelp! I would highly recommend the crispy rice lettuce wraps (the crunch and flavor was amazing) and pad thai (has such a deep color which translated into its deep flavor)! Those were both unbelievable. The green papaya salad with crispy dill & lemongrass trout was also amazing - I got it medium heat which was perfectly spicy for me. The crispy trout was perfectly crispy, even the skin! I also loved the atmosphere here. The low lighting, exposed brick, and bamboo-like NC wood accents were beautiful! read more

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We visited on a quiet Monday night. The ambience is calm and romantic. We started with the pork spring rolls and had the pork belly soup and Pad Thai for entrees. Everything was delicious. We were given complimentary shrimp chips with our drink order and a coconut/pineapple palate cleansing drink at the end of our meal. Both were very nice touches! Service was solid. read more

While visiting, I was excited to hear Raleigh had Loatian food! Bida Manda is a must try! I love the old brick style building downtown Raleigh. Upon opening the doors we were greeted by such wonderful staff. The decor and ambiance are inviting and cute. Romantic enough for dates and warm and welcoming for large groups. We were lucky enough to get seated by the "lucky" table with the painted hummingbird on the wall. Our server was top notch, friendly, accommodating, and she truly made our experience. She brought us complimentary shrimp chips to start the meal, which I love! They are so light and crunchy. The cocktails are fun and delicious. We ordered a variety including the "Dill With It - Gin, lemon/lime juice, pickle juice, honey", the "Pina Colada", the "Lilac Lotous - gin, elderberry, cucumber, fresh lime juice" and my personal favorite, the "Spicy Khiaw (Green) - tequila, cointreau, pineapple, lime, cilantro-jalapeno." I always over order because I get excited and want to try so many things on the menu. For our appetizers we got the Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps (5/5), Chicken Wings which come with some great sauces including Panang Curry Sauce, Hot Sweet Chili Sauce, and Lao Spicy Roasted Habanero Peanut Sauce (5/5). For our mains we ordered the Chicken Curry which was quite tasty and a special dish, Khao Soi that I had really high hopes for that I rated a 2.5/5. I had this dish in Thailand which was one of the best meals I've ever had. Maybe the Lao one is different but I expected a creamy broth with noodles and it was clear broth. I was just really let down by that. Overall a great experience and I look forward to going back. read more

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Bida Manda is hands down one of my all-time favorite places in Raleigh. Every time I go, I'm reminded why I keep coming back--absolutely phenomenal Lao food, warm service, and an atmosphere that feels both cozy and elevated. Some must-try favorites: The crispy rice lettuce wraps - packed with flavor and texture, these are a perfect way to start the meal. Spring rolls - fresh, light, and delicious with a dipping sauce that hits just right. The crispy pork belly soup - rich, comforting, and loaded with flavor. And of course, the shrimp pad Thai - perfectly balanced and always satisfying. The service here is consistently excellent--friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The staff really makes you feel welcome. And the ambiance? Beautifully designed, peaceful, and perfect for everything from casual dinners to special nights out. If you're in Raleigh and love Southeast Asian food (or are curious to try something new), Bida Manda is a must. It's a place I always recommend and will continue to return to time and time again. read more

My wife and I came here on a whim because we were out and I happened to see there was an open reservation at 5:45 on OpenTable. However, after I booked the reservation, I got a call immediately from the hostess letting me know that it was a mistake on OpenTable's part and there was not actually availability at 5:45. (OpenTable can be slow to update sometimes and causes conflicts. I've had this happen before.) She apologized but said there were some open seats at the bar if we still wanted to come. We love sitting at that bar, so no complaints from us! We arrived and she was very apologetic and thanked us for understanding. We were greeted as we sat by the bartenders. They actually sent out the crispy rice lettuce wraps as an appetizer for the OpenTable mixup (very kind considering it wasn't even their fault!) I had the Nutty Negroni cocktail. Really delicious and interesting. Classic Negroni flavor with a little more complexity and sweetness. My wife had the roselle freezy, which was also very good. A nice balance of tartness and sweetness. We got the soft shell crab with papaya salad, which was a special, and the crispy pork belly soup. If they have it when you go, GET IT. We're suckers for some soft shell crab and this one was really good. The papaya salad was a perfect pair with it. The pork belly soup was also delicious. Very warm and comforting. (We had just walked 10 blocks in the freezing cold, so we were quite happy with it.) We got all of it medium spicy, which I think is the way to go if you're somebody who likes spicy and has a good but maybe not great tolerance for it. If you don't like spicy or aren't the best with it, then mild is probably what you want. Now let's talk about prices. Yes, it's a little more expensive but the value is there. Most apps $15-20, entrees $20-30, and drinks $8-16 at the time of this writing. All very very delicious AND the portions were large. We finished the crab but had a little bit of the papaya salad left, and while we tried to work on the soup, we didn't make much a dent at all. When we asked for a box, they didn't bring us one. They took all of the dishes away, boxed it up neatly for us, and brought it back bagged and ready to go. Just outstanding service. Truly exceptional hospitality and food. Can't recommend Bida Manda enough! read more

Bida Manda is one of my friends go to spots. She and her partner love this place and were talking it up. I'm happy to report it passed with flying colors! From my experience it's uncommon to come across a Laotian restaurant, let alone of all places in a small town in North Carolina! I gotta say I was impressed. Bida Manda is a ritzy restaurant with a bar. The food was delicious and our waitress was awesome. #adulting: ~ LILAC LOTUS - 4.5/5 Very well done. Refreshing and light, I do wish it wasn't served in a tiny wine glass. Tasty Laotian Eats: ~ CRISPY RICE LETTUCE WRAPS - 5/5 It's all about the rice ball in the middle. Dig in, break it up, devour and enjoy the complex mesh of flavors from the herbs, fried garlic, shallot crisp, peanuts, eggs and lime. Don't forget the house-made caramelized sweet chili sauce... Brilliant! It's actually big enough to be an entree if you aren't all that hungry. ~ LUANG PRABANG LEMONGRASS SAUSAGE - 5/5 I wasn't too sure about this one. The presentation looked good in the pics. I was ecstatic the taste matched the presentation. Delicious Pork Sausage with fresh herbs made in house. ~ CRISPY PORK BELLY SOUP - 5/5 The star of the show! The Crispy Pork Belly was cooked to perfection! The flavor of the soup was just divine! I'm not usually a fan of Coconut curry broth, but this one knocked it out of the park. Perfectly balanced, not too creamy or coconutty. There is a Chicken version of this as well. I'll get to it the next time...maybe. ~ CHICKEN FRIED RICE - 4/5 A solid fried rice dish with chicken. The flavor just got overshadowed by every other dish we ordered. ~ MANDA'S HERB SALAD (w/ Shrimp) - 5/5 Dayumn! Bring an appetite for this one...talk about generous portions! The gigantic bowl of deliciousness is fairly intimidating. You won't leave disappointed. Just a perfectly done "Salad" with vermicelli noodles & so much more. Added Shrimp to this one! Stop by for some delicious exotic Laotian eats at Bida Manda when you are in the area...you won't be disappointed! read more

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I enjoyed our dinner at Bida Manda in downtown Raleigh. This restaurant is fairly unique, especially in North Carolina, because it specializes in Lao food. Lao cuisine is similar to Thai cuisine, but it's not exactly the same. Generally, I thought the food and drink here were good and service was great. I recommend this place. Bida Manda opened on September 5, 2012. It's next door to Brewery Bhavana, across from Moore Square. Both businesses, which are popular and have become Raleigh staples, have the same owners: brother and sister, Vansana ("Van") and Vanvisa Nolintha. Brewery Bhavana opened on March 29, 2017. A fellow Yelper recommended Bida Manda to me years ago, but also made me aware of the employee allegations that came out against Van: https://carolinas.eater.com/21611662/bida-manda-bhavana-brewery-misconduct-sexual-assault-allegations-van-nolintha-raleigh During our visit, Bida Manda appeared alive and well. My coworkers and I had a Monday night reservation at 7:30pm. Around that time, the place was completely packed - bar and dining room. It was really loud. It looked like there were other work groups there too. Due to the popularity of this place, even on a Monday night, I recommend making a reservation. Bida Manda is on OpenTable and awards dining points (not all OpenTable restaurants do), so that's a plus. You can park on the street or in the nearby Moore Square Station parking deck. During my visit, street parking was metered Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm. I couldn't find street parking, so I parked in the deck. The deck is located behind the restaurant, in the same block. Its address is 233 S Wilmington St. It was free to park in the deck outside of Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm. Note: If you park in the deck, you have to walk by the bus station, which can have some sketchy characters. Bida Manda means "father mother" in Lao. The restaurant was named in honor of the Nolinthas' parents. Large black and white photos of the parents are suspended above the hostess stand and are among the first things you'll see upon entry. The interior has exposed ceilings, pendant lighting, concrete floors, and Tolix chairs. Below is a list of what four of us ordered and shared, plus my single cocktail (the others got drinks too, but I didn't document them). This list should give you a decent idea of what Bida Manda offers and how much it costs. Cocktail * Berry Old Fashioned ($15.00) - bourbon, blueberry, cinnamon syrup, bitters Appetizers * Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps ($16.90) - "served as afternoon snack in Laos, this is our most beloved appetizer at Bida Manda," hand-tossed crunchy coconut rice with fresh herbs, fried garlic, shallot crisp, peanuts, eggs, lime, and baby romaine lettuce; served with housemade caramelized sweet chili sauce * Luang Prabang Lemongrass Sausage ($16.90) - aromatic housemade pork sausage with fresh herbs, jasmine rice, ground pork belly, and served with pickled ginger * Lao Beef Jerky - Seen Savahn ($15.90) - housemade fried dehydrated beef with peppercorn, sesame seeds and spices, served with charred tomato jeow, and a side of sticky rice Entrees * Crispy Pork Belly Soup ($26.90) - "traditionally served as breakfast in Laos," coconut curry broth with lime leaf, julienned vegetables, peanuts, eggs, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crispy pork belly * Green Papaya Salad ($16.90) - hand-julienned unripe papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, housemade tamarind dressing, and sticky rice; with fresh Thai chili added to heat preference * Duck Laab ($26.90) - hand-tossed meat salad with fresh local herbs, spicy lime and fermented Padek fish sauce, shredded galangal, toasted rice powder, and sticky rice * Sea Bass Mok ($40.90) - eight ounces of aromatic sea bass marinated in a housemade curry with coconut cream, wrapped in a banana leaf and baked; served with sticky rice * Kua Mee Lao - Pad Lao ($24.90) - caramelized fried rice noodle, julienned egg omelette, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, peanuts, and fried tofu (can also choose pork belly or shrimp for your protein) Dessert * Purple Rice ($10.90) - "traditional Laotian dessert" with purple sticky rice, fresh mango, coconut custard, and palm sugar tamarind caramel sauce Overall, I thought all of the food and drink were fresh and tasty. There wasn't a single bad item. Everything was presented beautifully as well. For me, the standouts were the Lemongrass Sausage, Crispy Pork Belly Soup, Green Papaya Salad, Duck Laab, and Purple Rice. That said, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the items listed above. They were all enjoyable in their own unique way. For example, I thought the quality of the Sea Bass was very good. It was tender and flavorful. Service was exceptional. Two examples: (1) Our server neatly packed and labeled my leftovers. (2) One of my coworkers wanted some of the local cookies, but they were sold out. The manager got my coworker's name so he could set aside free cookies for her the next time she visited. How nice and thoughtful of him. read more

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First of all, Gwen is a superstar. Excellent service the entire night. The food - high level opinion is that it's very tame and safe; flavors were good but not strong across every dish except the sausage appetizer which had great, strong, distinct flavors. The Summer rolls were nice and fresh with the wrapper nice and soft so you can tell it wasn't sitting there. But nothing mind blowing. The Tom Khem, pad lao, and chicken curry was the same - mild in flavor, nothing really standing out. But still satisfying and comforting. Pricey for what it is, but you'll have a good night out here in a place that does have nice ambiance if you care about that. read more

Not sure I remember what led us to visiting this restaurant on June 8th but whatever the reason I sure am glad. We love the location of this place. It was quaint and staged like you were entering someone's home. It had that Thai, or Laotian vibe that isn't so different from other southeast Asian homes. Being Filipino it felt really homey for me. I wish we had more time to sample their fare but I believe we were on a tight schedule we just ordered one dish to share as well as their dessert sampler. The Phad Thai dish was flavorful but needed a tad more acid. Unfortunately the dish only had one lemon wedge. I wish I asked for more. I ordered the Thai iced tea and that tasted nice but it wasn't memorable. The desserts were good but the Creme brûlée banana cake needed a little moisture. Everything else was above average. My only gripe was the price of the dish. While the serving size was ample but charging close to $26 for it was a little too expensive. I've had amazing phad thai in Los Angeles for half the price and 10 times cheaper in Bangkok yet will blow your mind to kingdom come. This dish while tasty did not rise up to amazing. So would I come back? Maybe. I'll likely sample the other menu options to see the range of the chef. But I'll definitely save up a little more to pay for the dishes because they're definitely on the pricey side, even for LA or San Francisco standards. And mind you these places offer up the best southeast Asian cuisine that matchup to the ones in Thailand and Laos. I'm still struggling if the dish is worth the price. Dessert Trio - B+ Phad Thai - B+ read more

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The place was amazing and so was our server! He was patient with us as we asked many questions and he gave us recommendations on drinks and food. The drink I loved the most was the Mekong Sunrise! The food had so much flavor and just the right amount of spice. The setting was a bit dark in there but the atmosphere was lovely! I definitely recommend this place if you are looking to try some pretty authentic Laotian food! read more

Bida Manda - Mekong Sunrise - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Clean delicious- run well by the owners. Definitely a great spot. Came to eat something different, and was happy that I went here to eat.

Okay - I had to come back and fix my review from 8 years ago! Since then, Bida changed the decor a little bit, but the place looked the same after all this time. I loved the thought that went into the decor; it made it feel more warm and inviting. Very intimate. The service was top notch - shoutout to Noel! She gave great suggestions, answered our questions, and gave a palate cleanser drink at the end of our meal. She gave amazing service! The food was AMAZING. We ordered two appetizers: the crispy rice lettuce wraps and the fried chicken wings. Both came with sauces, but I have to say the sauces with the wings were my favorite. Each one was super flavorful and one was crazy spicy, so beware. For entrees we got the pad lao with pork belly, the manda curry with chicken, and the crispy pork belly soup. DUDE. I'm glad I came back because not only was the food way better this time around, but the portions are more substantial than I thought. You know the food was good when you're excited to eat the leftovers haha. 10/10!! Would def recommend for a night out for dinner and drinks with friends! read more

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Sadness. I want you all to know that I came to the opening of this place and I would get lunch here a coupe of times a month and come to dinner when I wanted to impress people. The menu was perfect. Now the menu has changed. When I read that I told myself "well, there goes one of the best if not the best place to eat down the drain." I noticed lunch today wasn't as bustling as before. The new noodle dishes/which have broth on a 98 degree day are not lovely. I had one with coconut milk and it was OK-Noodles are inexpensive and not great for you. I would've preferred the Herb salad but they've removed the great ingredients and hiked the price way up as if we were on Park and 73rd. This was the best place to eat but I can no longer come back to it. I think that soon it'll fade b/c of prices and changes to the once perfect menu. read more

Absolutely delicious!! Years ago we were passing through Raleigh and had dinner here and I have always said this was the best restaurant!! We went again last night and I still say they have the best Food! Great portion size, friendly staff, cute decor. and the appetizers and dinners are so delicious. Menu has a great variety of appetizers and main course. Highly recommend! read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Everything here so delicious flavorful, and fresh it delighted my taste buds. I think my biggest disappointment in this whole meal was the drink. It was just average for the price, whereas the seafood salad that I got was delightful and refreshing and full of seafood, the papaya and duck salad that I had was enough for two people. It was filling it. It was well executed the flavors and the melody was delicious and refreshing. You didn't feel heavy after the meal which I think is amazing. my companion had the curry dish and said it tasted just like homemade she portions are big enough to share. read more

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We went to Bida Manda on a Monday night to attend a friend's birthday dinner and had a really enjoyable meal. The ambiance of the restaurant is very hip and calm. Our food was delicious and we consumed a variety of some starters and popular entrees. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Pad Thai. The only unfortunate part of our experience was the service - our group of nine had a longer table and the waitress only spoke to one half of the table, or was very quiet when speaking to the other end. We missed out on any recommendations or specials she may have shared. Our waitress also mixed up our dessert orders, causing further delay. We still had a great time but were there much longer than expected. read more

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Came in on a Friday with a 5 pm resso for 8 people. The space looks really nice. It's dark but not too dark, and not too loud either - would be a nice spot for date night. We ordered way too much food for the 8 of us (5 adults + 3 kids) but that also meant we got to try a little bit of everything. For drinks, I got Dill With It (gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, pickle juice, honey) but asked them to swap it to vodka instead because I don't do gin. It tasted more salty than pickly. This was a mistake and maybe it would have tasted better with gin, so that's probably my fault. But they happily made a new drink for me. I went with something safe, a piña colada, and it was good. As for food, here is everything we ordered: Chicken wings (six crispy chicken wings served with panang curry, hot sweet chili sauce, and Lao spicy roasted habañero sauce on the side) - this was probably my favorite dish of the night. The wings were perfectly crispy and the sauces were great Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps (crunchy coconut rice with fresh herbs, fried garlic, shallot crisp, peanuts, eggs, lime, and baby romaine lettuce with caramelized sweet chili sauce on the side) - this was probably my second favorite. I love the crispiness and all the fresh herbs Chicken Fried Rice (fried rice with chicken, shallots, carrots, herbs with house sweet soy sauce and fried egg) - not bad but kind of basic. Seems like something you can easily make at home Sea Bass Mok (sea bass marinated in a house made curry with coconut cream, wrapped in a banana leaf and baked. Served with sticky rice) - the fish tasted fresh and was cooked perfectly. The rice could have used some extra sauce on the side Tom Khem (caramelized pork ribs and pork belly in aromatic sweet soy and ginger sauce; served with hard boiled soy eggs and jasmine rice) - this wasn't bad but a bit salty. You definitely need the rice with it Crispy Pork Belly Soup (coconut curry broth with lime leaf, julienned vegetables, peanuts, eggs, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crispy pork belly) - loved the pork belly! The broth was a bit too rich for me Pad Lao (caramelized fried rice noodle, julienned egg omelette, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and peanuts) - this reminded me of a pad Thai but sweeter and saltier. I loved the julienned egg omelette. The dish was good but I can't imagine eating all of this myself because of that reason. We added pork belly to it, which was a mistake because I think it was just slice leftover pork belly the restaurant didn't use up from the night before, because it tasted old. Overall, it was a good experience and it was nice to try some new Lao dishes I've never had before. It is a bit pricey though - pretty much NYC prices but in Raleigh. It's good for a once in while splurge. read more

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Very good food, great ambience, excellent service. Staff takes a lot of pride in the family heritage of the restaurant. Great appetizers (spring rolls, lemongrass sausage), and excellent meals (pork belly soup with noodles, stir fry, pad Thai). Great location, great vibe. Excellent choice when in downtown Raleigh. read more

What a fantastic meal. Busy Friday and full house with a great atmosphere that you could still hold a conversation in thanks to thoughtful design of the space. The food was fantastic, especially the stuffed banana peppers and the crispy fried rice wraps. We also ordered 3 other appetizers for our table of 3 and had a lot left over to enjoy later. The only real ding was the Berry old fashion was small and nothing to speak of tasting mostly of bitters...but at least it was expensive. I'd go back. You should try it. read more

Met up with some new friends for dinner at this cute Laotian restaurant. The service was fantastic! We received our food quickly and at the end of our meal she brought us a tasty pallet cleanser. I went with the expectation that it was similar to Thai food and ordered my go to and favorite dish, Pad Thai. The Laotian Pad Thai was tasty but not what I was expecting. I will definitely go back to try something else. Overall had a lovely experience. read more

I joined a friend who invited me here. Nice to try something new. I'm grateful to have dinned here to add to my go-to lists. The staff here is pleasant and professional. The restaurant is clean, and the decor is nice. The couch in the waiting area is comfortable. Seating: I squeeze my curvy body between two tables very close. The other table was of people dining. I'm lucky not to have knocked their drinks from the table. Within the first few seconds of being seated at our table, I knew my dining (seating-wise) would be uncomfortable as the seating was hard and unsupportive to my bum and my back. Our waiter Sarah approached and started assisting us. Sarah was polite and attentive during our dining experience. I ordered the Stir-fry cashew ginger chicken without cashews. The chicken was with ginger, vegetables, and mushrooms served with jasmine rice. The menu wasn't descriptive of the type of vegetables. The chicken, onions, and sauce with herbs were bursting with flavor and just overall amazing. There were green beans in this entree as well, and the green beans were a bit undercooked and way too crunchy for my liking. For my cocktail, I ordered the Lilac Lotus, which I enjoyed. read more

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Delicious food. Unique menu. Always have a great experience. Quiet for conversations while remaining lively.

Bida Manda is simply, not good. The restaurant itself is chic, spacious and inviting. My husband and I came here on a Friday evening at 8:30pm, and we were promptly seated at the bar. You're greeted with some crispy shrimp chips which were a treat to snack on. Ordering the food was easy and the food came out timely. We ordered the Lao sausage, crispy rice lettuce wraps, vermicelli bowl and curry pork belly soup. Lao sausage was $16 for a single sausage. Sausage was flavorful but dry. Crispy rice lettuce wraps $16, decent portion, well flavored crispy rice. The sauce was overly salty though and was quite bitter. We had to request extra lettuce to finish the rice. Herb salad vermicelli bowl, $25, this was overly offensive, the lettuce was wilted and mushy, there was not that much vermicelli and the sauce, like the crispy rice dish was overly salty and fishy. It was inedible. Curry pork belly soup, $27, this soup was watered down lukewarm coconut water with slivers of pork belly in it and was rather tasteless. Like the herb salad, we ended up not finishing this. Sitting at the bar you'd think that you could flag down a bartender, but it took us over 30 minutes to get our check, pay and leave. I'm surprised this restaurant is so celebrated given its inferior service and terrible food. Save yourself time and money by running over to an Asian deli and grabbing some of the food there. +0.5 Vibe +0 Taste +1 Presentation +0.5 Service +0 Value read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Took visitors from out of town here with my fingers crossed it would be everything people said it was.. it definitely delivered! Gwen was our server and she was amazing from start to finish. Very interactive, brought a free appetizer out, and gave great recommendations. The food was really unique and flavorful and you cannot find another place to compare to the flavor pallet here. read more

Bida Manda - Cocktails - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We didn't have reservations and this place was already packed at 6 on a Wednesday, so we were happy to get seated at the bar. The bartender mentioned some of his favorite dishes, and he definitely knew what he was talking about. The pork belly soup reminded me of tom yum, but had some different flavors going on and was very good. They offered to let us split it and brought two bowls. We also split the saffron crepe, and it was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten anywhere. Ton of great textures and flavors. I'll be going back to try more next time I'm in Raleigh. read more

Bida Manda - Saffron Crepe Crispy Pork Belly Soup Dinner (split portion) - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Overall, great higher end Thai fusion. Although the flavors were milder and less interesting than I was hoping, it was nonetheless a delicious meal and highly recommend splitting the soups/curries between two people. The portion sizes made it easy to split and surprisingly great value meal if going with a group. - Lao jerky - A sweet and savory appetizer, packed with flavor like an umami candy - this was a nice start to the meal, but very pricey for a few small pieces for $16. - Lettuce wraps - The lettuce wraps were also a decent starter, but the toasted rice was lacking in flavor. I wish they provided more herbs too, there wasn't enough for our party to split. Seems one of their popular appetizers though. - Pork belly soup - The crispy pork belly soup featured a complex broth with creamy coconut. I tasted charred nuances and a light peanut flavor. It was deliciously creamy with a light touch of herbs, although I wish I came with a side of fresh herbs as well. The pork belly was indeed ultra crispy, and the texture held up despite being in a steaming hot broth. There were rich bits of fat and a decent amount of meat. - Manda amphone curry - My favorite was actually the pumpkin curry. Specifically getting the Amphone's curry with pumpkin. It was a little sweeter, with a similar rich coconut broth. I loved the soft bits of bamboo and savory pumpkin. Not as peanut-flavored as the pork belly curry, but somehow the mix of veggies added more complexity to this dish. read more

4 words: crispy rice lettuce wraps (5/5). You may be asking - lettuce wraps? Really? The answer is yes. These joyous wraps are the perfect combination of flavor, texture, and experience all at once. Best lettuce wraps I've ever had. We also got the green papaya salad with sea bass (4.5/5) - this was done very well. My partner got the pork belly soup and really enjoyed it. I also got the green spicy rum pineapple drink which was refreshing. Overall my expectations of the food were exceeded. I managed to get a reservation the day before by walking in and asking. read more

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My boyfriend and I drove out from Durham to try Bida Manda, and it was worth the trip. The food was delicious all around-- flavorful, generously portioned and customizable (with a range of spices provided on the side). We were seated at the bar and the service was excellent. Even though it was packed, the food came out quickly. I would come back and recommend Bida Manda to anyone looking for upscale Laotian/Asian fusion cuisine. read more

This place earns its hype. I've been twice - the first time I got the pork belly soup, the second time I got the basil stir fry with beef. Both dishes were phenomenal. I also strongly recommend the naturalized margarita. It's so refreshing and tasty! The staff is very friendly and professional. My only complaint is that it was incredibly hot in there. I know the summers are hot but there was no relief upon entering the building and I was sweating through the whole meal. read more

Jerry (our waiter) was exceptional, steered us to what to order and it was amazing. Starting with the seasonal drink. Lettuce wraps were hard to put down so I ate it all. The pork belly soup.... Damn! Papaya salad was the best I've ever had. Then to finish it all perfectly the purple sticky rice that had a hint of chocolate. Delish!!!! read more

Disappointed... after reading all the rave reviews I drove half an hour to try Bida Manda. The food was fine, but only marginally better than your local thai place except in an aesthetic setting. I was hoping for some unique Laotian flavors but the Crispy Pork Belly Soup just tasted like any other coconut curry I've had but with a very very mild flavor. My partner and I both took a couple sips and didn't touch it after. We weren't even compelled to take it home, so that was a definite pass. The Pad Lao with tofu was our favorite dish. It tastes pretty much like pad see ew with a different noodle shape. The Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps were okay. It tastes great with the sauce, but the rice itself doesn't have much flavor. The Thai Tea cocktail was really novel and tasted great albeit strong. Portions were generous so you'll likely have leftovers to take home. Our server was also great and offered to have the soup brought out in 2 separate bowls for sharing. Many dishes on the menu are more generally Southeast Asian rather than Laotian specific (Pad thai, Thai papaya salad, Vietnamese lettuce wraps, spring rolls, summer rolls, etc). I think this place would be better appreciated by someone less familiar with SE Asian cuisine. Otherwise, it's pretty run of the mill. read more

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It was amazing that my wife was able to secure reservations here for my birthday. What a great dinner. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and made some great recommendations. We started with the crispy rice lettuce wraps, a surprisingly tasty vegetarian option for an appetizer. Both my wife and I had to try the Crispy Pork Belly Soup that was, simply put, AMAZING. One of the tastiest heartiest bowls of wonderful yumminess I've had in years. Fantastic flavors infused into a coconut milk curry broth. I'm salivating just thinking about it. The crypt pork was just that, with a crunchy pork skin. Everything tasted super fresh. Our daughter enjoyed the Khua Mee/ Pad Lao with tofu. She enjoyed the dish but wished she'd asked for some chili add on to spice it up a little. She did that with her generous leftovers and enjoyed it even more. Our bad. Not theirs. The service was top notch. A solid quality meal that made us at we have to return to try other things on the exciting and varied menu. We were not disappointed, and neither will you. read more

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Some things fell flat, but overall the hype is deserved. Definitely make a reservation if you can. I tried: + Complimentary shrimp chips - these were like the best shrimp chips I've ever had?? + Lilac lotus cocktail - great + Up in smoke cocktail - ok + Crispy rice lettuce wraps - best dish we had + Khao soi - ok - not what I was expecting; broth was clear rather than opaque and tasted totally unlike every other khao soi I've had to the point where I thought they'd given us the wrong thing + Duck laab - good + Sweet purple sticky rice - best thing we ate, period Need to try the pork belly soup and spring rolls next time. 4.5 stars. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Rice Lettuce Wrap Dinner - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I love Bida Manda. Specifically, I love the lettuce cups on the appetizer menu. I could eat it as a meal and I could probably eat it every day. It's SO good. My go-to dinner is the salmon, which is also incredible. This is a great spot, food is excellent, just make sure you make a reservation because this place gets packed! read more

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The reviews led us here, and the food will bring us back on our next trip. We were told there was a 2 hour wait for a table and let me tell you, the food and vibes are very much worth the wait. We were seated at the bar, and it the service was a bit slow at first, the food made up for it. Decor-lots of bamboo, and its got Asian accents everywhere. The vibes are great, it's a great date night spot, and the sitting lobby area is decorated nicely. Service-almost gave them four stars due to the sluggish start that we had. It took them a good 5-10 minutes to even acknowledge us at the bar, but I know it was due to how busy they were. They made up for it and were very friendly. Food-they nailed it when it comes to food. The food is fresh, well seasoned, well presented,and for the most part a pretty decent price. The portions are large, and all dishes are shareable. Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps-A great way to start your meal here, it's well seasoned, and the rice is nice and crispy, and the dipping sauce that comes with the meal is fantastic. Salmon-this was a fantastic entrée, the salmon is cooked perfectly at medium rare, the sauce that it comes with is amazing. The spinach and sliced onion give it another level of texture and crunch. Chicken Fried Rice-Huge serving of rice and the seasoning is done right. Although this wasn't the best fried rice I've ever had, the chicken was tender and was very filling. Will be back! read more

Bida Manda - Chicken Fried Rice-huge portions - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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so good! i came here for dinner alone, no rez and got seated at the bar. service was excellent, everyone so friendly, and food was really thoughtful. everything i ate was tasty and fresh. ordered: crispy rice lettuce wraps, crispy pork belly noodle soup, purple sticky rice. noodle soup was SO good. i loved the lettuce wraps as well. the guy who boxed up my leftovers told me he accidentally dropped my lettuce wrap and rice and he gave me a whole new dish to go! i literally had only 1 lettuce piece and about 2 bites of rice left. very kind service! would definitely highly recommend this place read more

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Seafood salad on app menu is PHENOMENAL. They have Chartreuse, which is always a good look. Would skip the pork belly soup - thick broth + thick noodles = a little much. The actual pork belly is good. If you sit at the bar and a young, thin Asian woman with long hair and small tattoos is waiting on you...be patient. She's incredibly incredibly forgetful. I couldn't figure out if it was weaponized or not, so I just gave her the benefit of the doubt. Would visit again if I wanted a surefire good meal. read more

I appreciate it being such a unique place. It was intimate yet very busy on a Thursday evening. Service was not the best, it took on the longer side. Especially towards the end, trying to get desserts & checks. I got the crispy lettuce wraps, & they were decent. For dessert I got the purple sticky rice which was also alright, but I was envisioning more of a taro flavor. The sauce was bitter, & I'd prefer traditional sticky rice. Some of the items are definitely on the pricier side too. I appreciated the complimentary palate cleanser. It was basically a flavored lemonade. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Rice Lettuce Wrap Dinner - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Service was great with our waitress giving many recommendations and being very helpful. She also told us a bit about the history of the restaurant as it was our first time here. The food was amazing. I had the crispy pork belly soup -- award winning, and it was the perfect blend of textures from the silky noodles with the crunchy pork belly slices. We also shared the crispy rice lettuce wraps and the crispy rice was the best soul healing food, reminding me of post kbbq fried rice on the hotplate. The portions were also on the bigger end for lunch! The drinks and dessert looked amazing, and I will be coming again to try something out! The tiny Laotian coffee was *chef's kiss*, a sweet treat to end the meal. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Rice Lettuce Wrap Lunch - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Very vanilla... not a lot of flavor. Had the pad Thai and curry. Both were just meh. The Kao poon soup was pretty good though.