We came here for a dinner reservation on a Friday night. Shrimp chips were served automatically as a starter (they were addicting!). We ordered the crispy rice lettuce wraps for appetizer. It was similar to fried rice mixed with sausage but crispy with every bite. Put a small spoonful on your lettuce, then add some fish sauce for the perfect bite! Be careful, the red peppers were hot! For the entrees, we ordered the crispy pork belly soup and green papaya salad with duck breast. The soup was hearty with strong coconut flavor, similar to a curry. The rice noodles paired well with the purple cabbage and bean sprouts. The pork belly was indeed still very crispy and tender! We chose to make the papaya salad mild spicy and village style and we were not disappointed! The papaya salad had a nice funk from the fermented fish paste. The duck breast was very tender and had a nice char on the skin. It also came with sticky rice in a bamboo basket. Lights were dimmed with a candle on each table creating an ambience that was great for celebrating our 1 year anniversary. It would also be great for birthdays or any other special occasions. Overall, the food, service, and ambiance were all 5/5! Highly recommend! read more

Bida Manda - Sticky rice and extra spicy pepper paste on the side - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Bida Manda came highly recommended, so I was excited to get the chance to drop by recently. It's a Lao restaurant, which is a rare find in general much less in NC. We arrived right at opening and were seated quickly for weekend lunch. By the time we left, the restaurant was packed. She is popular!!! The dining space is quite spacious and has a good vibe, with fresh flowers on each table. Service was friendly. I had the lychee butterfly gin drink and she was STRONG. I wish it was a bit better balanced but truthfully all I could taste was gin. We got the crispy rice lettuce wrap as appetizer, and then I ordered the papaya salad with lemongrass pork, which came with sticky rice. I'll talk about what I disliked first; mainly that the food was way too salty. Both the crispy rice for our appetizer wraps and the pork in my papaya salad were painfully salty. And the wraps didn't come with that many pieces of lettuce, but the rice was too salty to eat in large quantities, so we still had a good amount left after our lettuce was gone. Our server came by to ask if we wanted more lettuce and we thought it was complimentary, but once we got the bill it turns out we were charged $4 I believe. I always dislike when places are not transparent about prices. The pork in my papaya salad suffered similarly from excess salt. I think it's important to note that both of these dishes were already insanely flavorful. Had they been less salty, my review would have been much more positive. But the saltiness really impacted my dining experience. Similarly, a member of my party ordered the beef broth as a side for the banh Mi, and we all weren't really a fan of the spices. This could just be a difference in palette, since I adore Vietnamese pho, but the Laos version tasted like a Michael's store in autumn, wayyyy too over spiced for me. Saltiness and spice aside, the food was fantastic. You know the food is legit when you can smell the pungency. Bida Manda doesn't shy away from strong flavors like fish sauce, and that is always a plus in my book. I opted for a medium spicy for my papaya salad, and it was actually a good level of spicy. The rice was also great, incredibly fragrant, not mushy, and served in cute bamboo woven baskets. I really really wanted to like Bida Manda, and they were so close to knocking it out if the park. However, the saltiness of my food combined with the high prices means I likely won't eat here in the future. read more

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Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded. Ok, this is a placeholder review. I did go, but was turned away as I had no reservation :( I was solo & could've eaten at the bar, but I understand their policy. I travel to Raleigh quite often for business & will make it a point to get to BM sometime in the near future. I'm hoping to rave about how outstanding this restaurant is. In the meantime, be sure to have a reservation. read more

I've had my eye on this place for several months. I was so happy to finally experience dining at Bida Manda. Reservations: Getting a reservation the week of is like finding a needle in the haystack. The first time I reserved my table, it was 2 months out. I unfortunately had to cancel my reservation. The second reservation was made at least a month in advance. With that being said, don't expect to walk in, or get reservations the week of. Inside Decor: Simple decor but intimate. Dark lighting and I loved the vibe. Not a big place but enough space. Customer Service: Excellent! Grace was our waitresses and she was down to earth and patient. She answered all of our first time experience questions and was pleasant. Food: I loved everything! We tried a lot off the menu and I liked the flavor and presentation of everything. The shrimp chips were surprisingly tasty. The crispy pork belly soup was amazing and when I warmed it up the next day, it was even better. The pork was incredibly crispy in the broth and it was packed with flavor. The lettuce wraps were good and the chicken wings were fresh but lacked seasoning. I would be more than happy to return here to try other items off their menu. read more

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We came here in 2019 for dinner and it was amazing. We came this year 2022 to celebrate at lunch time and it was still amazing!!! Good quality, presentation, quantity, atmosphere, decorations, friendly staff. All incredible!!! We miss the duck on the menu, but we understand some menu items change. Happy to see they made it thru pandemic times and are still thriving!! So good!! Btw parking garages and street parking or lots are close by. Make a reservation, it's worth it! read more

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The chicken lettuce wraps were so good we ordered two more!!! The broccoli was like fair food meets culture, so so so good. The sprouts were also delish. We had 6-7 mains for the group and not one person was disappointed. Our server was prompt and did a great job if you're looking for a great dinner in Raleigh THIS IS IT! read more

Ok so.... Just go here. The service, top notch, the food, unreal. I'll keep this short like I wish my yelp friends would do more often (cough, you're not a good critic, tell it like it is). Crispy rice lettuce wraps, doooo it- don't ask, just go for it. Pork belly soup, freaking amazing (call me cray but I didn't like the actual pork cause it was a little chewy but the soup is 10000% worth it regardless)- the flavor of the coconut and pork melded into an amazing broth with light rice noods. When I go back- summer roles, pho are on my list. I'm summary, just go here.! read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Pork Belly Soup Dinner- do it!! - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Food is amazing and loved the ambience! The Crispy Pork Belly soup, spring roll, and the crispy rice lettuce wraps are a must. Highly recommend. read more

The most important thing to remember is that this is a Laotian Restaurant. So I don't judge their Pad Thai against Thai restaurants. Their strength is they make LAOTIAN NOODLE DISHES! Regarding their service, they were very kind and attentive, but don't expect New York City pace! The ambiance and decor has a blend of modern and eastern feel, so the atmosphere feels like stepping into another continent. Unlike Thai and Vietnamese, the dishes are more subtlely savory, not spicy or Thai basil or cilantro. The appetizer menu is also a delightful change of flavor. The dessert menu is small, but a fair change from standard American options. Overall, I plan to come back regularly, and it is well worth a try when you need a more mild but exotic change of pace. read more

Fantastic ambiance, waiter Emma was great. The beef moon cakes small plates were fantastic - would order several of those just for my meal next time. (The char siu bao were okay in comparison) Quick service! Loved the hot masala chai and great selection of beers. Got the soy chicken came out super hot and server poured the sauce to keep it crispy as possible. I would recommend like mixing the chicken a bit so it gets fully covered but so good! read more

Bida Manda - Sweet soy chicken - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

OMG, I'm back for round two and it's just as delicious as the first! The papaya salad, pork belly soup, and spring rolls were all winners. And who knew the cheesecake would be so good? Definitely a must-try in the RDU area read more

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Had a lovely meal here at Bida Manda! We ordered the crispy rice lettuce wraps, chicken wings, pad lao, and crispy pork belly soup. Each dish was super flavorful and delicious. Finished off the meal with the purple sticky rice which I really enjoyed. Will for sure be back again! read more

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Ate dinner here which serves elegant Laotian and Thai food! Portion sizes were pretty big and shareable. Here is what we tried: Crispy pork belly soup - Loved this entree! The coconut curry broth was comforting and flavorful. Fresh summer rolls - I liked the vegetables and peanut sauce, but the noodles themselves didn't taste fresh and were kind of hard. Sweet chili salmon - Recommend this entree as well! I liked the caramelized sweet chili coating on the tender and flaky salmon. Crispy rice lettuce wraps - Yummy appetizer. Coconut rice was crunchy and I felt like it could have been an entree because of how much they gave Pad thai - I had high expectations for this, but this was not it...$22 and didn't even taste like pad thai Cocktails - Naturalized margarita, pina coladas, and dill with it We were not a fan of the pina coladas but the rest of the drinks were fine! Would recommend booking a reservation because it's a pretty busy spot. In terms of atmosphere, I liked the intimate/dark space with warm lights and wood furniture. However, a quick Google search seems to suggest that the work culture here is/was a bit susl read more

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AMAZING!!! Literally one of the best restaurants I've been to in the triangle area. My boyfriend and I came here for date night and had a wonderful experience. Our server was very chatty and attentive, and catered towards my gluten-free restrictions very well. The menu has so many delicious items to choose from. Definitely would love to come back here soon with my family. read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Cuisine - Laotian Food - Excellent Drinks - Excellent Service - Excellent Ambience - Different and welcoming Seating - Indoors Ordered Food : Pad Thai Lunch & Amphones Chicken Curry Lunch I would say the best Laotian did I ever had its close to Thai style but amazing taste. It's close to couple good other restaurants and bar nearby. read more

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

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We went here for our anniversary dinner and everything was amazing !!! The decor made you feel like you had stepped outside of Downtown Raleigh! We started with the lettuce wraps which were amazing ! I got a noodle soup dish and my husband got the salmon. We recommend both!! The palette cleanser was a surprise and then they gave us a sparkling wine toast and the purple rice dessert as a treat for our anniversary! I do not eat dairy and my menu options were endless !!!! Our waitress was so sweet, easily engaged in conversation and regularly he led in! 5 of 5 read more

Tried Laotian food for the first time here before the Hozier concert! Got the Crispy Pork Belly Soup (coconut curry broth with lime leaf, julienned vegetables, peanuts, eggs, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crispy pork belly). I'm a sucker for crispy pork belly & that was done well with a good balance of crunchy, fatty, and tender. The soup was coconuty & creamy and noodles had good bite. Personal preference, I would have enjoyed a bit more spice; squeezing in the lemon was necessary for me to provide contrast to the creaminess. Good portion; enjoyed the free fried prawn crackers. Pretty expensive but I guess that's downtown Raleigh for you. Friendly service, aesthetic upscale ambiance, we did not have to wait long to seat 3 at the bar. 8/10 would recommend! read more

Bida Manda instantly transports you to the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, without having to fly out of RDU. Prior to visiting I had never tried Laotian cuisine. It's very similar to Thai a favorite of mine and whose country is their neighbor. I made a reservation on Open Table for a Friday evening at 8:45. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated ahead of our reservation time. The restaurant was not too busy but many were dining. The dining room is very compact with seating and the noise level is high. I would not recommend this for a date or intimate dinner to catch up with someone. The dining space pays homage to the owner's homeland of Laos with beautiful artwork and inspiration from Buddhism. Earth tones fill the room with modern light fixtures and soft romantic candlelit lighting reminiscent of many Thai restaurants I have visited. We scanned the QR code and I decided on the crispy pork belly soup everyone has raved about. Traditionally this gluten free soup is served as breakfast in Laos. It features Coconut curry broth with lime leaf, julienned vegetables, peanuts, eggs, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crispy pork belly. The purple cabbage and rice noodles in the coconut broth paired harmoniously with the very crispy pork. It was so rich and truly comforting. I'm drooling right now thinking of it. My friend ordered the stir fry ginger chicken dish without the cashew. That was delicious as well. I enjoyed the spring onion and sauce it was cooked in but the green beans needed to be cooked down more. Too crunchy. Our waitress was attentive and we enjoyed our meal. I am all about quality interior design for dining spaces. I wish the dining furniture matched the aesthetic of the restaurant and was carried out consistently. The chairs we sat in were hard red metal and a wood bench. This was Uncomfortable. They could have been dark colored and plush to match the restaurant's vibe. This would make for a more cohesive aesthetic. Bida Manda stands out as a main attraction downtown Raleigh for dining. I hope that many other restaurant owners will take a page out of their book with the aesthetic they bring to dining downtown. I look forward to the owner's next venture in downtown Cary. read more

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This is hands-down, some of the best Asian food I have ever eaten. And it's from Laos. A country that I know very little about. I highly recommend any of the soups. They are all delicious. The spring rolls are crunchy and have great flavor. I enjoy the service and the ambience. When I am in Raleigh and have some free time, this is the very first place I think about eating. read more

Really good Laotian food in Raleigh, was excited to have friends get a reservation when we were visiting the area. It is very moody, very dark and relaxed atmosphere, but lots of excited energy and full of people on a Friday evening. I had the pad Thai which was pretty standard for pad Thai, but very flavorful. My husband had one of the Laotian curries which was good but not out of this world or anything. Everything was very flavorful and herby. The lettuce wraps for apps were very good as well. Mint tea made a great side. Service was quick and friendly. A little bit overpriced for what you get but I think I would come again for a fancy dinner! read more

I. Was. So. Impressed! The depth of flavor for each dish was exceptional. Our server Gwen was knowledgeable and passionate about the food. Her recommendations were on point! We got the summer rolls, the chicken wings, pad Thai, pad loa, Tom khem, ginger chicken, purple sticky rice and the macaroons.... We took zero photos because we were too busy savoring every single bite. The plates we were able to empty, we then licked our fingers. We got the wonderful little window seats, but the rest of the atmosphere was just lovely and cozy too!!! I nearly forgot!! If you are GF, this place is a MUST. Nearly the entire menu IS GF without modifications! read more

Went here for my husbands birthday! Loved all the food. Drinks were strong. Server was a little awkward. Parking is hard to find. If you are looking for a great spot to drink and eat this is the place to be. My husband also loves brewery bhavana which is also owned by the same people. read more

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Fabulous spot for a cozy intimate dinner. Had no idea you needed a reservation but got lucky with seats at the bar which is first come first serve. Make sure you make a reservation ahead of time if dining at the bar isn't your thing. Friendly, professional service from the bartenders and loved watching them create their gorgeous cocktails. Get the margarita; it's "different" yet absolutely amazing and far from a traditional margarita and that's what makes it so special! Enjoyed the summer rolls, crispy pork belly soup and chicken pad thai. All the food was delicious, but the pork belly soup was the star. The pork belly was tender and salty while the broth was rich and comforting. The pad thai was very tasty and the chicken was cooked well. Both dishes warmed up perfectly the next day for leftovers at home. Really enjoyed the experience here and would happily come back. Especially for the cocktails! read more

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Decided to dine here last minute and there wasn't availability until 9pm so we sat at the bar which was still full service. It was well worth it! Our waitress was friendly and great with menu descriptions. The restaurant itself was beautifully designed but a bit small. We settled on the Fresh Summer Rolls to start and our entrees included Duck Larb and Tom Khem. We loved them all! read more

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Bida Manda is an upscale Laotian restaurant with a bar. When I first sat down, they gave me a bowl of fried shrimp chips as I looked at the menu and waited for my dish. It was a really nice light and crispy appetizer as I awaited what's next. I ended up ordering the crispy pork belly soup served with a coconut curry broth, rice noodles, and pork belly. The soup reminded me a little bit like laksa. I asked for a few more lime which I think elevated the dish and cuts through some of the fattiness of the curry. The pork belly was a little bit on the lean side but still very tender and flavorful. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Pork Belly Soup Dinner - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Food is always amazing, and the service is perfect . The ambiance is great if entertaining clients, which is why I typically go here. read more

Bida Manda - Been here a bunch and always wonderful ! - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Their fried chicken is soooooo damn good that it's still crunchy after microwaving it! It's good even room temperature. Just get it! you will understand as you are chewing. It's a whole mood by itself The rest of the food is tasty too but that chicken!!! Wheewwwwwwww(Rick Flair!!) read more

I should have reviewed this spot the last time I came to Raleigh. I had the crispy rice lettuce wraps & they are a must have on your first visit. That being said, My Wednesday night meal here was fantastic! The crispy pork spring rolls were perfect, especially after a dip in their peanut sauce, but the star of the night was the Papaya salad with crispy trout. I ordered it funky which means they add their home made fermented fish sauce, and the flavor on my taste buds was like listening to Led Zeppelin on a quadrophonic stereo. It races around in a circle in your mouth. Pretty cool venue & the cocktails are inventive. Enjoy! read more

Bida Manda - Papaya salad with crispy trout. Funky style! - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I've wanted to try this place for a while but rarely venture to downtown Raleigh. We decided to go for a last dinner before moving out of state and it was definitely worth the hype. If we're ever back in town we would consider coming back. Great food good service nice atmosphere read more

This place is incredible. It's never let me down. The food is so good, and it has such a unique, warm atmosphere. Get the chicken wings. It might seem like a strange thing to order off this kind of menu, but no. They're perfect. Some of the best chicken wings I've ever had. You can tell that the owners and staff take pride in this place. I can't wait to return. read more

So went to dinner at Bida Manda and place is nice for an asian fusion place, food was a bit pricey for what it was ... like seriously $10 for summer rolls ? You can get the same quality and amount of summer rolls anywhere else for half that price .. The papaya salad with lemongrass chicken wasnt bad ... total for that was $20 . The chicken was moist and tender and the papaya salad was nice . The local whole fish was not bad but also very pricey at Marker price which was over $30 It was fried whole but didnt retain its crispness since it sat in a pool of sweet chili sauce .. So overall.... dont judge me ... but it was a bit over rated and have had better ... it was decent but not like mind blowing.. Guess people go here for atmosphere??? read more

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This is place is VERY popular so we knew that we might not be able to get a reservation during the short time we were there. I kept checking in but the weekend came so we decided to try and come early for when they opened for dinner at 5PM. When we got there right before 5, there was already a line. We couldn't get a table but were able to be seated at the bar. What we ordered: DRINKS: - NATURALIZED MARGARITA (Tequila, Cointreau, hibiscus, fresh lime juice) - PIÑA COLADA (Rum, fresh squeezed pineapple, coconut added Passionfruit) APPETIZER: - CRISPY LETTUCE RICE WRAPS (hand-tossed crunchy coconut rice with fresh herbs, fried garlic, shallot crisp, peanuts, eggs, limes, and baby romaine lettuce - served with house-made caramelized sweet chili sauce) ENTREES: - CRISPY PORK BELLY SOUP (coconut curry broth with lime leaf, julienned vegetables, peanuts, eggs, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crispy pork belly) - PAD LAO/KHUA MEE (caramelized fried rice noodle, julienned egg omelette, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and peanuts - added shrimp) While waiting on our food, we were given complimentary shrimp chips to snack on. They were a much appreciated different twist to other places and their bread and butter offerings. A great light and tasty snack to have on the side while enjoying our drinks and waiting for our food. While everything was wonderful, the star of the show is definitely that CRISPY PORK BELLY SOUP. The very nice couple who was sitting at the bar beside us raved about it so we knew that we had to order it. It was everything they said it would be. The restaurant actually was nice enough to split the soup into two bowls for us since we were sharing everything. Even split up it was a good portion. The coconut curry broth was flavorful and had many great layers to it and the crispy pork belly slices were amazing having stayed crispy even in a soup. If we are ever back in the area, we look forward to trying out other dishes as well as having that soup again. read more

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Bida Minda is a Laotian restaurant nestled conveniently in downtown Raleigh, offering an elevated dining experience. The ambience is intimate and inviting, with tables decorated with wide flowers and candles, and surrounded by unique bamboo walls. Our server Holly and the restaurant management were very warm and attentive throughout our visit. We were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful gesture of multiple staff members congratulating us (since we came for an anniversary) and treating us to a complementary purple rice dessert. Most importantly, the food was delicious! I do not know much about Laotian cuisine, but every dish we ordered was well executed and sophisticated. The crispy pork belly was a standout for me; and the Khua Mee fried noodles were wrapped in caramelized sauce perfectly. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here and look forward to retuning! read more

Bida Manda is an exceptional experience, from the service, food and atmosphere. When a restaurant can consistently deliver on all three of those categories, you know it's a home run location. While the wife and I have been to plenty of restaurants in the Raleigh Downtown area, Bida Manda remains a a solid top five location for us to this day because of that consistency. Now one thing to mention is that this is definitely a pricier dinner than your average casual outing, and that's something to consider. It's the absolute perfect kind of place to go for a anniversary, birthday or other bigger occasion because you know you're in for a fantastic experience for the price; that's the best way I can put it. During our last visit, we went for the Pad Thai dinner, the Stir-Fry Cashew Ginger Chicken, the Curry, and the Chicken Wings - which are a staple and absolutely top notch. As usual, everything was simply incredible and delivered as it always does. Verdict: Consistency is king! For me, a 5 star review is one that is meant exactly for places like Bida Manda, that not only knock it out of the park in terms of food quality, service and atmosphere, but do so on a consistent basis. That's how you establish a new favorite spot that you can recommend to anyone, and I absolutely do! Rating: 5 read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We've wanted to try this place for a while now. Last year we attempted walk in and the place was packed, they take reservations so I highly recommend making one ahead of time. We went for lunch, following items were ordered. - Sao Noys Crispy Spring Rolls ($15.80): perfect level of crunch and flavor. The sauce was yummy too. Highly recommend! - Manda Amphones Curry (with pumpkin) ($19): this came with a side or rice. Overall the curry was good, would I get it again? Probably not... not a fan of pumpkin but I tried it because our server suggested it. The price is same as veg or meat which is very pricey imo. - Green Papaya Salad Lunch (chicken) ($21): husband enjoyed this salad. Flavors were prominent and chicken was well cooked/soft. Overall, I recommend this place. We went for lunch (which is cheaper), the same dishes are a few bucks more for dinner (typically the case anywhere).... But I do feel for the ambience and overall experience the place is very pricey. I would save this place for special occasions. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh! The ambiance was wonderful! We sat at the bar for dinner! The bartender was amazing! No drinks for us, but the drinks others were drinking looked yummy! The soup was the right amount of spice, the fried rice, yum, and the shrimp pad Thai had tons of flavor and shrimp! I woulddef recommend this restaurant! It's a few doors down from Watts and Ward, a fav bar of mine! read more

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Bida Manda is an all-time favorite for me. I like Asian food, and Bida Manda has some great dishes representing the cuisine. The ambiance and service are outstanding. I have had several dishes there. The Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps are fresh. The way it is served needs a minor assembly, but it is an easy and quick dish. It only lasts for a short time on the table. The same is true with the summer rolls. The green papaya salad was exceptional. There are so many vegetarian dishes that I do not need to indulge in eating chicken. read more

Absolutely awesome experience! Food, service, quality and uniqueness made for a memorable dining experience. Definitely recommend and will return. read more

Our anniversary was punctuated by a spectacular dinner at Bida Manda. Starting with the salad and then taking delight in ordering (almost) every single vegetarian dish I could order in one meal! It was an exquisite meal- with each dish delicious and distinct from the previous and the next. We loved everything about the meal, helpful and knowledgeable service(I always appreciate someone who knows the history of both the restaurant and the cuisine , the cozy but not cramped dining area, and the beautiful decor that enhances not clobbers the mood of the space. A beautiful meal - a full experience of culinary delight and a very lovely evening out. read more

The level of service I experienced here was great. Gwen was extremely attentive and detailed. Unfortunately, half of the crispy pork belly strips (3 of appx 6) were overcooked. It was dry to a degree like jerky and hard to chew. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Pork Belly Soup Dinner - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina