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    Sala Thai Restaurant

    3.9 (173 reviews)
    ModerateThai
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    Sala Thai Restaurant Photos

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    SALA THAI RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sala Thai Restaurant

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    The taste was off even though the food looks good. The pad Thai was way too sweet we couldn't even finish it. Same with the Thai tea, way too sweet and tasted off. The crab rangoons were okay. They are cash only. The woman serving us was great.

    Htx Herbivore H.

    Came here for dinner with a friend, and we both found our curries to be a bit sweet for our tastes. We'd also ordered mango sticky rice, which they'd forgotten to bring out until we asked (at which point we just took it to-go because we were in a hurry). Service was a bit slow, but they did seem short on staff (so it's understandable, just be aware). Overall, the atmosphere was really nice and the food was decent, but not sure how keen I'd be on coming back.

    a woman sitting at a table
    Taylor D.

    Stopped in for a quick to go order before an art class nearby. The staff was super friendly and quick. I ordered a Thai iced tea and the fried chicken egg rolls. They were soooo good, loved the dipping sauce. I want to return to have a full meal here soon!

    Vietnamese Spring Roll Pot Stickers
    Kristin S.

    LOVE Sala Thai. They're my neighborhood Thai/southeast Asian restaurant and have a lot of good offerings. First things first, it is a cash only establishment so make sure to hit the ATM before dining in or picking up your order. My go to is the combo curry. I have tried many times to recreate this recipe at home and just cannot. It has so much fun flavor going on with the pineapple and a bit of cinnamon I really can't explain it but trust me, it's my favorite takeout curry dish in town. Their wonton soup is also my favorite of its kind in town. It's not your basic wonton soup, they really spruce it up with sesame oil and fresh green onion and the wontons are delish as well. The fresh shrimp spring rolls are fine but not my fav. It feels like they're missing something. It's hard for me to pass up a spring roll but there are plenty of other things on their menu that are better in my opinion! The potstickers are probably my favorite appetizer. I've had their Tom Sam guy Yang which is delish and a nice fish sauce dressing, can be a bit surprisingly spicy. Their stir fry's are also tasty and I haven't had a bad one! We had a beef and mushroom stir fry last time we dined in that was just delightful. If you love southeast Asian fare definitely check this place out! They have a good sized dine in area as well with great ambiance (a little hot in the summer) and is worth a visit!

    Pad Wun Sen
    Abdullah A.

    This is the quality of Thai food that I've been craving, but have not found, since moving to the Midwest. They are take out only currently. I ordered Pad Woon Sen. the portion looked small in the take out container but once I took it all out there was quite a bit. The thin class noodles were coated in the most wonderfully savory, tangy sauce, and they didn't skimp on the shrimp or chicken. This was the rare dish that was both spicy and flavorful enough that I didn't feel the need to use any hot sauce. My wife was equally happy with her pad see ew. Our food together was less than $25 after tax, and neither of us were able to finish our meals. I will absolutely be back, probably frequently.

    a container of salad and a bowl of sauce
    Farzad I.

    Food is very mid. I really wanted to like this place bc it's so charming on the inside and authentic. But they ruined it...they skimp out on all the basics; adding stems of mushrooms, old dried out basil leaves, minimal proteins. Probably look to Ha Long Bay if you're looking for good Thai.

    Thai chicken eggroll - delicious!
    Lindsay K.

    I had no idea Sala Thai was even there until I did a Google search for a new Thai place in the area. It had good Yelp reviews so I figured I would try it since I actually happened to have cash on hand (they don't take cards). I ordered the pad thai with chicken along with some thai chicken egg rolls. The egg rolls were delicious, a great flaky outside but not so thick that you can barely taste the inside. Some places deep fry so much the outside can taste like something I might get at a county fair. These, however, were great. And the contents inside were plentiful, and were not overshadowed by the crust surrounding it. I would highly recommend trying them. The pad thai was not bad (I ate the whole thing even though it can serve more than one), but I don't know that I'd order it again. It was somewhat dry, and the peanuts were abundant and overtook the taste of everything else in the dish. I usually scrape most of the peanuts off my pad thai dishes, so if you're into that, this very well might be right up your alley. The chicken in this dish was practically non-existent, which was a bit upsetting. I could probably count the (very small) pieces I found throughout the dish on one hand. So, while this dish was underwhelming, I would definitely return again and try something else. Seemed like a neat place to sit down and dine in once the COVID leaves us.

    Pad Se Ew
    Ben E.

    I found out about this place last summer, and I gotta tell you. This place SLAPS. There are lots of good restaurants in Madison, even lots of good Thai places. For me, Sala destroys them all. The Panang Curry is the king there, the absolute daddy of all their offerings. It's creamy, and nutty, and savory. A little bit spicy. It's just the best curry I've ever had and I can't stop glowing about it. In the past I've also gotten Mussaman Curry and it's also great. We got the Panang and Pad Se Ew last night with an order of Crab Rangoon and the total came to $29.50 before tip. Only down side is that this place is cash only, but for me that really just means if I have paper money and want some kind of Asian food, my first choice is gonna be Sala.

    Som Tam Gai Yang
    Malia Y.

    Probably the most authentic Thai restaurant in town. Quaint space. Seats maybe 25 people at most. They mean serious business about their spice. I ordered the beef laab. For being "mild" its got a kick that you don't see coming. My brother was sweating from eating it, but he is kind of a wuss. If you LOVE spice, this is the place to go. He ordered the som tam gai Yang. Personal preference: I've never been a huge fan of papaya salad growing up. You could definitely taste the fish sauce, so if you're not into that, I don't recommend it. The chicken on the side was packed with flavor (similar to a sate seasoning) and not dry. I've previously had their curries here and they are so delicious! Probably my favorite place in town for it. What are the downfalls here? Service is soooooooo slow. I came here on a Wednesday right after they opened for dinner hours. For some reason, a group that sat down after us was served their food first. This isn't my first time encountering this either. My recollection of my last visit here (which was well over a year) was having to order after a group that was seated after us. If you're pressed for time, this is not the place to go. Cash only but they make that pretty obvious.

    Pad Thai (Chicken)

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    4 months ago

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    1 month ago

    They have stopped taking checks. They also do not take cards. Food is still excellent :)

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    The best Thai restaurant in the city of Madison is a multi generational restaurant with wonderful ambiance and excellent service

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    Is a great place. Staff is friendly and survive is grea. of course the food is the best to.

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    Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang

    4.6
    (46 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $

    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.

    Spring rolls the size of a full grown guinea pig!…read more Ask for it spicy. If that not enough, you can choose from their all encompassing menu of curry, papaya salad, or pad Thai! I love seeing the sweet owner every time I visit.

    Photos
    Mmm avocado spring roll always hits the spot
    Mmm avocado spring roll always hits the spot
    The glorious insides of the avocado spring roll
    The glorious insides of the avocado spring roll
    Avocado springroll

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    Ha Long Bay

    Ha Long Bay

    4.0
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite places in Madison! It's amazing to see the growth throughout the years that I…read moreused to come here in college, post grad, and now my occasional visits. This is a place where I enjoy the appetizers more than the entrees. They have a big menu, so I feel that is where they kind of struggle with a star entree for me. Thai iced tea - too much half and half so couldn't really taste the tea Papaya salad - medium spicy level, had a kick at first but it wasn't present throughout the rest of the salad. Not that flavorful so if you're looking for the sour and strong taste, wouldn't recommend this. Pan fried Pork dumplings - it's fake pork but I can't even tell the difference! The sauce is great and not super salty. Egg roll with spring roll - unique item but didn't stand out. Egg roll gave a crunch but not much taste Spring roll - always a solid choice. The sauce is amazing! Umami and perfect amount of salty. Coconut sticky rice - more like a soup/congee texture. It was hot and the coconut rice overpowered the mango so it didn't have a cohesive taste. 2 individual bathrooms. Parking is free but difficult to find. Would recommend making a reservation. Service was ok, had to look for our waitress a couple of times for more napkins and water refills.

    My daughter and I dined at Ha Long Bay after hearing how wonderful it was from a friend…read more The interior is contemporary, airy and pleasant. Our server, Mariana, was very enthusiastic and helped us figure out what we might like. I ordered the pineapple ginger specialty and my daughter ordered the stir-fried peanut specialty. She really enjoyed hers. I enjoyed mine as well, but felt there was way too much sauce for my preference-I may ask for less sauce next time. There was a great deal of food and I was able to turn it into two additional leftover meals!

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    Dining area
    Dining area
    LS7 Nem Khao Tod
    LS7 Nem Khao Tod
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    Sa Bai Thong

    Sa Bai Thong

    3.4
    (187 reviews)
    8.9 mi
    $$

    Food was delicious ans service was great! Will visit again. Ambience was nice also. Serving is…read moreright for three.

    I came here one evening with some friends. I ordered the pork Larb and they ordered spring rolls,…read moreduck curry, a shrimp soup, and pad Thai. My friend said that the curry was amazing and they definitely want to come again for that. My other friend didn't like the pad Thai that much and had to put a lot of sauce on it. They thought the soup and the spring rolls were decent and didn't have any complaints. Pork Larb is my favorite food and I really didn't enjoy the pork Larb here. It had carrots in it which I had never seen before and it was incredibly dry and sweet. They also didn't have sticky rice I could order unless it was the sticky rice for dessert with coconut milk in it which I didn't want. It also costed me extra for cucumber and lettuce which should automatically come with it (who eats Larb by itself???). As far as ambiance goes, it was kind of dark in there but the decor and atmosphere was okay. The service was very nice but they did forget some of our food at one point. I really like the server who brought our food though; she was charming and enjoyable to talk to. Overall, I see great potential with this place and really only wish the best. With some tweaking and recipe perfection, this could be a good, treasured spot in the area.

    Photos
    Chairs are firm. Nice.
    Chairs are firm. Nice.
    Burnt spring rolls
    Burnt spring rolls
    Inside

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    Hot-N-Spicy

    Hot-N-Spicy

    4.6
    (134 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Hot-N-Spicy is one of my all time favorite restaurants which remains a cultural culinary gem!…read moreMadison, WI is beyond blessed to have Hot-N-Spicy which is the most authentic SouthEast Asian restaurant in the Madison area that shares the culture of countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with the community through their incredible delicious food/cuisine! They truly live up to their name "Hot-N-Spicy" and the cultural significance of the Thai chili pepper which is a food symbol of Thailand which often represents hospitality, warmth, and resilience! They bring all the spice and don't hold back! If you are not used to spice/spicy hot dishes, I suggest you start at level one spice and work your way up. They will ask you on dishes made with chili peppers what spice level you want 1-4 and can even make it hotter also! Hot-N-Spicy is genuinely unique because they offer Issan food dishes and flavors that is uniquely from the Issan/Isan Northeast region of Thailand that is heavily influenced by Lao and Cambodian flavors with the use of heat, fresh herbs, and the heavy use of fermented fish sauce that brings different flavors different from other regions of Thailand. As an update, Hot-N-Spicy used to be located in the back of the Viet Hoa Market. It is now located next door from the market in a larger space in the same strip mall that allows for a more comfortable sit-down seating experience of a full restaurant. I have tried almost everything on their menu and have never been disappointed! For appetizers, I love their angel wings which are deboned chicken wings stuffed with chicken, carrot, and bean thread noodles fried to pure crispy perfection! Their most popular selling appetizers are their amazingly addictively delicious crab rangoons! Their chicken satay is also a must try! I also recommend trying their beef jerky which is so delicious, it often sells out quickly during the day! Their main entrees are so outstanding, it is hard just to order one entree! My absolute favorite that I recommend is their steak Laab which is the best Laab I have had in Madison! It is heavily influenced with Isaan flavors/culture with minced beef, tripe, red onion, cilantro, mint, fresh lime juice, rice powder, fish sauce and scallions. I love the beef steak Laab because it is unlike anything you will ever taste with so much flavor from a combination of flavors with hint of sour with the lime, salty/umami/pungence from the fish sauce, balanced with refreshing different herbs, texture with the tripe, while the toasted rice powder gives this dish a tiny bit of crunch/texture that gives a subtle nutty flavor! This dish is a minced meat salad traditionally eaten with your hands and sticky rice/vegetables like cucumber. I also really enjoy their Pad Thai, Pho, and Crispy Noodle Lad Na! Your visit wouldn't be complete without quenching your thirst with either their Thai iced coffee/tea! Hot-N-Spicy remains at the top of my list for Thai/Lao cuisine! If you are looking for true authentic flavors/traditionally prepared dishes, definitely try Hot-N-Spicy!

    I recently visited Hot N Spicy again, and it was just as good as I remembered! The Summer Rolls…read morewith pork nem nuong were incredibly fresh and packed with flavor. The combination of romaine, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, mint, homemade daikon, and the crispy fried egg roll wrapper created the perfect balance of freshness and crunch. The nem nuong dipping sauce was so good that I ordered extra. I also tried the Panang Red Curry, and it was outstanding. The curry was rich, creamy, slightly sweet, and packed with flavor. I ordered level 1 spice, and it was the perfect amount of heat without overwhelming the dish. The homemade curry paste, coconut milk, basil, peppers, and jasmine rice came together beautifully. It's also been great to see this local business grow. What started as a takeout spot inside Viet Hoa Market has expanded into a larger space on Monona Drive, and it's easy to see why. The food is consistently delicious, the portions are generous, and the new location offers plenty of seating. If you're craving fresh spring rolls, flavorful curry, or simply a great meal, Hot N Spicy is absolutely worth a visit. Added bonus the service was AMAZING!!!

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    Sticky race containers
    Sticky race containers
    Hot-N-Spicy
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