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Cafe Costa Rica

4.9 (8 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

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2 years ago

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9 years ago

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6 years ago

Hands down the best food I've ever had in Madison. Probably the most unique flavor profile you will find in the city. Tastes home cooked

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8 years ago

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Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

4.6(46 reviews)
0.1 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol
•$

You won't EVER be disappointed with this food. PERIOD. As a college student, I would consistently…read moreswitch between their spicy tofu squash curry and their spring rolls as timeless classics. Among their other items, their mango sticky rice is AMAZING. Having origins from Southeast Asia as well, this food cart has done me a great service of bringing me closer to home especially on the toughest days. In addition to that, the woman who works tirelessly in the cart has recognized me and we've had many familiar conversations. I'm amazed that she can continue to shine as radiantly as she does despite always working so hard! People might complain about the wait, which I understand, but why don't you try rolling a fat spring roll seamlessly without tearing the delicate rice paper and see how long that would take you? I have mad respect for the incredible woman who is in their cart throughout the week, creating tasty and authentic lunch and in a quick and efficient manner as it can for a fresh spring roll. If you're trying to get food from the food carts on the State Street Mall, you won't regret this one, even if you have to wait a little bit. Luang Prabang, you have never failed me!

I visited Luang Prabang, a Lao-Thai cart on Library Mall, a few times earlier this year. They had a…read moreregular menu that included curries, noodles, and salads, but also a rotating daily menu, all at very affordable prices. The people working at the cart were really nice and accommodating, and were happy to modify any dish they could for ingredients that you can't or don't eat. The first thing I tried was the squash curry, which was a really generous portion size for $7, consisting of rice topped with a rich coconut milk-based curry filled with chicken, kabocha, and zucchini. It was really filling and tasty. But the real winner from the cart after a few visits was the avocado spring roll, which was $3.50 and the size of a burrito. It was basically a giant fresh roll filled with avocado, lettuce, cabbage, mint, rice noodles, cucumber, carrot, and peanut sauce. We got the medium spicy sauce, and it had a fantastic kick to it. Still can't believe something so large was only a few dollars, as it was such a great deal. Definitely worth trying this cart if you're looking for something to eat on campus.

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Luang Prabang - Mmm avocado spring roll always hits the spot

Mmm avocado spring roll always hits the spot

Luang Prabang - The glorious insides of the avocado spring roll

The glorious insides of the avocado spring roll

Luang Prabang - Avocado springroll

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Avocado springroll

Kakilima Food Cart - Not that authentic.

Kakilima Food Cart

4.2(17 reviews)
0.1 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol
•$

After a study session in the Historical Society, I strolled up to this food cart and wasn't sure…read morewhat to expect, so I asked the owner what he recommended. I asked for something with tofu, to which she responded that the number 4 is good. With an empty stomach, I accepted and was impressed. Upon a fluffy bed of white rice, there was a pile of firm tofu in a creamy, peanut sauce with vegetables and a side of lightly pickled vegetables and some chips that reminded me of some shrimp chips I had as a kid. Definitely use the sauces offered on the side, one of them is sambal and I'm not sure what the other is, but they add some medium spice to the meal. Truly, a filling, but not too heavy meal that makes me want to come back for more to try the other dishes!

This is my favorite food cart in Madison. It is very delicious and it's filling but you don't feel…read moregross after eating it. I have had a few menu items in the past, but at this point I only order the Oseng Tahu because it is so good! I'm not vegetarian, so I usually opt for meat dishes, but here, the tofu is too delicious to resist! Every dish comes with a side of acar, which is a salad made of carrots and cucumber. It's very refreshing and nicely contrasts the warm curries of the entrees. Every dish also comes with krupuk, which are tapioca chips. I need to find a place to buy these, because they're a great snack! Kakilima is cash only, so make sure you have cash on you when you go!

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Kakilima Food Cart - Number four, delicious tofu dish!

Number four, delicious tofu dish!

Kakilima Food Cart
Kakilima Food Cart

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Library Mall - Marchers bumping hips together, on Boom Box Parade on State Street.  See marcher holding child's hand. Photo by Tom Brody.

Library Mall

4.8(8 reviews)
0.1 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol
•$

I could eat lunch here everyday for the rest of my life, and I am probably well on my way to doing…read morejust that. I was not sure to just review the carts individually, but like the Madison Farmers Market, I believe the whole collection of vendors is part of the experience. The food carts are all placed on the space between the Library and the University Bookstore. Lunch in an outdoor setting and fantastic people watching, occasionally even music. One of the best days I had last summer was accidentally coming across a mariachi band while hunting for lunch. And I never tire of the food. I can sample a new meal each day without trouble. By the time I go through everything available, a new cart is usually up and running and testing out the waters. The longest lines are always at Buraka, Jamerica, and Sukhothai (when they are there). Which is fine, because I can get lunch quickly at my favorites the Local Stanley or FIB's. FIB's used to serve a meatball sandwich with balls the size of oranges. They've reduced them to the size of golf balls, which makes lunch slightly disappointing but is probably better for my arteries. Be warned, currently the Library Mall has gaping hole across most of it where water main work is being done. And campus construction projects always last a long time, making a crowded space far more crowded.

The new Library Mall isn't all that different from when I was a student, but I'm excited for all…read morethe kids who finally know what the mystery object under the metal cone is - it's a fountain! Classes of UW students have graduated without ever seeing it, and when the weather warms up they can finally enjoy food cart heaven with a lovely water feature view. Lighting is significantly brighter at night now, and the little standing tables they've installed are great for when you want to enjoy your food cart fare without having to balance it on your own lap. In the evenings you might happen across a drum circle, fire dancers, or passionate students gathering for their cause of choice. It's a convenient way to cut through campus, connecting the Memorial Union to Memorial Library and out through to the southeast dorms and State Street. If you've spent any significant amount of time on campus, you've also likely spent a significant amount of time walking through library mall. Looking forward to the grass regrowing as the lawn is a nice spot for catching some midday sunshine!

Photos
Library Mall - A beautiful morning view of the Wisconsin State Capitol building from Library Mall.

A beautiful morning view of the Wisconsin State Capitol building from Library Mall.

Library Mall - Boom Box Parade, Leon Varjian on far right.  This parade ended at Library Mall.  Photo by Tom Brody.

Boom Box Parade, Leon Varjian on far right.  This parade ended at Library Mall. Photo by Tom Brody.

Library Mall - Boom Box Parade on State Street.  This parade ended at Library Mall. --Tom Brody

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Boom Box Parade on State Street. This parade ended at Library Mall. --Tom Brody

Umami Buns - Pork bun- pork belly, pickled cucumbers, scallion, hoisin sauce on a very soft bun. Yums!

Umami Buns

4.2(20 reviews)
0.1 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol
•$

Can't get enough of your love, babe…read more And there is certainly lotsa love to be had with an Umami pork bun. Oven roasted pork belly, scallions, hoisin sauce, and pickled cucumbers. Yep, it's love. The steamed bun is warm, fluffy and scrumptious, the meat tender. Flavorfully wonderful.

I finally, finally tracked down the Umami cart at the farmers market!! My friend and I split 3 buns…read moreplus a side (edamame or wonton chips) for $10; pretty pricey for a food cart, but not so bad when you are splitting with another person. We got the pork belly bun, the bulgogi bun, and the spicy tofu bun. Of the three, I was only very impressed with the pork belly and bulgogi buns. The meats are marinated well and cooked even better. I thought the additional condiments (hoisin sauce, cucumbers, etc.) were a nice touch that helped add a different flavor dimension (and crunchiness!) to the buns. I, however, did not like the spicy tofu bun. I'll give them credit for offering a vegetarian option, but the slices of tofu are way too thick and way too bland for the spicy sauce (which is really just mayo + sriracha) to counteract. Nice try, but I'll pass. I was also not very impressed by the buns themselves - they were way over steamed, which made them difficult to chew. My biggest gripe was with the slow, slow service. I understand that they make each bun to order, which is great, but if that is the case, there really needs to be more than one person in the cart. One person taking orders and one person putting the buns together would make the process go much more smoothly and quickly! Five stars for the bulgogi and pork belly buns and three stars for the service averages to a nice, even four stars for Umami Buns.

Photos
Umami Buns - Menu!

Menu!

Umami Buns - Too: pork belly. Bottom: beef.

Too: pork belly. Bottom: beef.

Umami Buns - Pulled pork

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Pulled pork

Cafe Costa Rica - foodtrucks - Updated October 2026

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