It's been a while since I've been back here, but I was craving some good Laotian food. I brought my…read morebrother, who was visiting from Houston, to give it a try and it did not disappoint. Everything was delicious! The laab sen was full of flavor with just the right amount of spice--it honestly made me miss Houston so much. The papaya salad was perfectly made and had a great spicy kick. The pad see ew was nicely cooked with wonderful flavor, and the khao poon was rich, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Definitely satisfied our cravings! . The owners were very nice and engaging!

I very rarely come here for produce unless it's an emergency. A small container of laogaima is…read more5.99$. Why?! When at the other Asian stores it's 2$ cheaper.

I used to live just around the corner from 119th and Quivira…read more If Khop Jai Der had been there back then, leaving the neighborhood would've been a whole lot harder. Restaurants come and go. I watched one disappear from this very spot years ago. In its place is a Lao family sharing a piece of home with Kansas City. From the moment we walked in, the room smelled of fresh herbs, toasted spices, and slow-simmered broths. Before I even opened the menu, I had a feeling I was about to eat well. Mimi welcomed us like old friends. Instead of rattling off the most popular dishes, she asked what we liked, talked about the food she grew up eating, and guided us through the menu with the kind of pride you can't fake. We started with the Moo Ping and Lao sausage, and both set the tone for the rest of the meal. The grilled pork was smoky around the edges with a savory marinade and just enough sweetness to keep you reaching for another skewer. The Lao sausage was unlike anything I'd had before--packed with herbs and spices and served with crisp vegetables, fresh ginger, jalapeños, and a bright dipping sauce that let every bite taste a little different. For our entrées, Mimi recommended the Pad Kua Mee and the Mee Ka Til. On paper they're both noodle dishes. On the table, they're two completely different stories. The Pad Kua Mee leaned on the quiet confidence of perfectly cooked rice noodles kissed by the wok, while the Mee Ka Til wrapped tender beef in a fragrant coconut curry broth layered with herbs, peanuts, and vegetables that changed with every bite. Then came my first taste of mango sticky rice. Sweet, juicy mango, warm emerald-green sticky rice, silky coconut cream, and toasted sesame seeds. I actually caught myself doing a little happy dance at the table. After we finished eating, Mimi pulled up a chair and shared a little of her family's story. One thing she said stayed with me: every dish is tasted before it leaves the kitchen. Not because they're chasing perfection, but because they want every plate to taste the way their family remembers it. That's when the meal made sense. The food wasn't trying to impress me with oversized portions or flashy presentations. It was trying to introduce me to Lao cuisine the way their family knows it--with care, with pride, and with recipes that have earned their place at the table. I came because I wanted to try Lao food. I'll keep coming back because Khop Jai Der reminded me that the best restaurants don't just feed you. They share a piece of themselves, and if you're lucky, you leave with a story worth telling.

Last fall I had an amazing Papaya Salad at a food court in St. Paul at The Hmong Village mall. I…read morehave been craving it ever since and for my birthday lunch this week I drove across the metro to this Lao restaurant to satisfy my craving. Khop Jai Der is a very small place with tables crowded together that made it difficult to navigate with my current and temporary situation of using crutches. I ordered the Papaya Salad and asked for moderate spice level. What I received looked nothing like my last fantastic salad. Very little sauce, a skimpy amount of papaya, pieces of cabbage that were way too large and a spice level that was way over-board. The female that brought my dish ignored me for the rest of my lunch even though she was sitting at the table next to me talking to her friends. I never got a water refill that I desperately needed and had to get up and maneuver my way to the restroom for napkins after deleting the two at the table because of severe sinus drain. I finally took 70% of my meal to the register and asked for a to-go box. I showed my Hmong co-worker the next day and he agreed that this was not the place to get what I craved. He brought me a homemade bowl of the greatest papaya salad for my lunch today so I finally did find redemption, but it wasn't from KJD. With an almost inedible $20+ lunch, inadequate and dismissive service while my digestive tract was on fire and a claustrophobic environment, I can't find a reason to recommend this place. The biggest let down that I've had in a very long time.

If you're at Strang Hall, you have to stop by Anousone. Order the sticky rice plate, ask for it…read morespicy, and enjoy it at the bar. I was craving an authentic Lao meal, and I knew this was the perfect place to satisfy it. The sticky rice was perfectly cooked, the lemongrass beef packed just the right amount of spice, and the papaya salad was bursting with bold, umami flavors. Did I mention their crab Rangoon is also worth a try? And don't forget pork belly banh mi! Sitting at the bar made the experience even better. Watching the chefs work their magic was fascinating. They move with incredible speed and turning every dish into a flavorful masterpiece. I am very impressed. Highly recommend

This place within the string hall, never disappoints. Came today to try their specialty of the…read moreweek, the Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng, and it was excellent. From the bread, to the tender, yet charred pork on the inside and fresh toppings, this was a great lunch sandwich. Since this is part of the food hall, you either scan the QR code of the table and it will be brought to you, or you get a text message to pick it up. Always a fun vibe inside this place.

Another neighborhood go to for you foodies out there, I've only been here a few years but I've been…read moreto Thailand quite a few times and being from California it's a staple for us but this spot never disappoints if you can't decide then your in good hands always consistent and made to perfection with all your modifications correct.. food has great flavor and is always hot made always the right way there are only 2 places I recommend and this is one please don't change.

It was just ok. The person who brought my order out on a slow Sunday wasn't friendly at all. To be…read morehonest I found the food no better than "Food Court" quality. I went there because of all the positive reviews but will try somewhere else next time for sure.

When I walked in here today I was a limp noodle from the extreme heat and humidity outside, and…read morewhen I left I was rejuvenated and well fed! I was greeted by Vy, who offered me a glass of cold water as soon as she saw me, and did the same for anyone who came in...and we all needed it! The attractive and much-larger-than-expected dining area in the back offers a full bar. The bathrooms are a striking modern red-and-black combo, and clean, which is always important to me in a restaurant! Their menu is extensive, everything on it sounds delicious, and the photographs will tempt you! Both the owner, Phet, and my server, Vy, were delightful and took good care of me. I highly recommend this restaurant for its great food and friendly, welcoming staff. And on a more temperate day, the front outside patio would be a lovely place to enjoy your meal!

I liked the good service, the pleasant atmosphere, the reasonable prices and the tasty food during…read moremy dine-in lunch visit. My stir-fried veggies with chicken lunch ($11.95) included soup of the day, a small crab rangoon and white rice. It was served about 12 minutes after I ordered at the table, where the service was polite and attentive. The entrée had a good amount of premium chicken and a good variety of perfectly cooked veggies, but I found the medium spice level I ordered to be lacking in flavor or heat. I found the dining area to be clean and nice with Thai background music, a bar and a mix of booths and tables. Overall, very nice!

We heard about the Thai buffet at Bangkok Pavilion and had to try it! We stopped by on a Saturday…read moreafternoon and were seated immediately. The restaurant is not fancy, but it was clean and bright. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The buffet includes pho, which was delicious, maybe my favorite thing on the buffet! And the price was very reasonable. I would go back.

Good to go for a Sunday lunch. They offer a good variety of thai food buffet style. The service is…read morefast especially if going for the buffet. Ambiance is like your typical sit down restaurant.

Excellent red curry soup. One of the best I've had in Kansas City and Lee's Summit…read more The restaurant is very clean, and the staff is pleasant and prompt. 10 out of 10 experience.

Been coming to Thai Spice for years now and have always had good experiences but tonight's carry…read moreout was a pretty pitiful display. When I was picking up the order, a young man said "I can ring you up" and proceeded to hold his hand out. I asked to see my ticket before paying to make sure everything was right and he seemed put off by the request. When I got home, my wife's yellow curry had pieces of potato and carrot in it that were totally raw. Not soft or firm, but totally hard. My chili chicken was watery and the chicken tasted old and rubbery and the veggies in the dish were also raw. The most depressing part though was the crab rangoon. I know they are usually smaller, but I didn't mind because they always had good filling. This batch tonight was embarrassingly under filled and for $10 I would expect to at least get a quarter of my moneys worth in cream cheese. To make it worse we found a stray hair in the to go box with the crab rangoons. Again, I love this restaurant and they could've just been having a rough night in the kitchen and front of house, but I'm not sure if my $50 ticket is worth what I am getting anymore.

This place is pretty good. The atmosphere is inviting, and I like their spicy curry. I hear good…read morethings about the rest of their menu.

I've came to this restaurant with high expectations after my friend recommended me…read more My feelings went to the floor... The service was attentive and the lady was very courteous and polite. The problem is the food, the flat rice noodle plate was bland and the massaman curry ingredients used were awful... I couldn't even eat the chicken because it was hard like rubber and the potatoes looked like they were there 4 days... I really think the curry was fresh but they've used old ingredients. (as you can see in the photo) The only good thing was the lettuce wrap, even thought the lettuce wasn't cut properly for the dish as you can see in the photo. When I've talked to the lady host/waitress she didn't care at all, put a funny face. Of course, to charge... They charged me complete bill even thought she noticed that I didn't eat the chicken or the potatoes from the massaman curry. I'm sorry but this was my first and last time in this restaurant.

The spicy crab salad was amazing, and the sushi was fresh with an incredible selection. Quaint…read moreatmosphere with a choice of booths or tables, and attentive service throughout. Easy to find with parking right out front. Will definitely be back. The button on the table for service was creative.

Food was pretty good, except the crab Rangoon was subpar...like it had been sitting out for too…read morelong. Service was a slow, even though you do have a push button to call for service. Prices were too high. There is very little atmosphere or ambiance. I did receive a coupon for a discount on my next meal there, but it might not be enough to bring me back.