South Area Market

You can't dine in here. They place doesn't appear that impressive when you walk in. Sure, service is great, but their food (maybe service too) is why they're a local favorite. Come get some of that real authentic cuisine that you can only get by being invited to someone's house!

There are a lot of yummy options to choose from. Two friends recommend this place to me when I expressed missing Lao style papaya salad. I can’t make that drive to Stockton anymore. Lao style is less sweet compared to Thai. I grew up eating Hmong and Lao food. The dishes I ordered were: Papaya Salad Beef Laab (well done*, less bitter) Lao Sausage Kapoon (without the blood) Sticky Rice Thai Iced Coffee *I’m a heathen to be eating it well done, I know I ordered everything mild and you know… I realized I need more fire. I’m used to my Lao and Hmong aunties throwing in 6 peppers when I asked for 2. I’ll ask for medium next time. But it’s good that I ordered mild because when my partner ate it for the first time, he said there was too much flavor in his mouth. Some things to note if you’re completely new to trying everything (as observed from my partner). The lao sausages have a lemon flavor due to the lemongrass. If you do not like lemongrass, do not order it. Also, do not attempt to eat a mixed of the items I ordered all at once since you will not have a good time (if you’re used to eating bland food all of your life all of these dishes will hurt). Take your time as each dish can be enjoyed separately. The papaya salad will have a strong odor. But it’s so good! It will grow on you. But I understand first timers will not like it. There is tripe in beef laab (which I forgot) but it’s seasoned so well. You’re going to forget it’s there. Do not sleep on the Thai iced coffee. If you love Vietnamese iced coffee, this is just as amazing. It’s a different flavor but it hits the spot. I forgot to take a photo because I finished it in one sip. I got all of my items to-go and I think they did a fantastic job wrapping it. Also, like how there was a parking lot and credit cards are accepted. My friends saw my photos and now they want to try. I would visit again.

Incredible Lao food. It doesn't look like much. Almost out of the ordinary. Their people are great. Engaging. Friendly. Helpful. They have a giant space and I feel like they could do so much with it. Great people great food.

I love this place! It's currently closed for dine-in so call ahead to get your order in for pickup. My go-to is the raw beef laab, sticky rice, and papaya salad. It's been awhile for me but it seems like the portions are a little smaller now (or maybe I just got bigger? 🤣). - Raw Beef Laab: Honestly not good for my stomach but it's soo good for my stomach's heart. This is always a "eat now, pay later" kinda situation for me haha. The ratio seems like 1:1:1 for meat, tripe, and herbs. I prefer more meat but it's still bomb! - Papaya Salad: This usually hits but it was only okay this time around. A little too sour for me too.

I like this place. I just don't like how expensive it can be sometimes. I've gotten the beef laarb(also known as just beef lop) that was pretty good and really flavorful I should've asked for no tripe but it's okay it was edible but for 14 dollars is alot for just a small portion like that. That portion for the beef laarb I feel like its only enough for 2 people. It's really like 65% beef and 35% tripe in there mind you it's alot of tripe they put in there but there's an option where you can get no tripe and your portion would probably be alot more less is as well. I've gotten the papaya salad as well and it's probably one of the best papaya salads you can have out here in Sac in any restaurant plus there's an option of how spicy you would like it. Papaya salad portion size for that is okay and your looking about spending 7 dollars for that. And had some sticky rice as well portion for that is good too. I've spent 25 dollars for all 3 items and that is pretty pricey but other than that the food taste really authentic and good and thats probably the reason why we customers like to come back here. On another note I've had the kappoon before here too which is a noodle soup that's really good I just don't like when they add the chicken skins, bones, or fats in the soup when you get it to go but please can you guys just give only chicken meat. Other than that if I were to rate it I'd say a 9/10

Place we wanted to originally go to was closed fortunately... So we decided to try this place, its close and looks interesting enough. This was a straight up banger. 11/10. Absolutely banging food, I actually really really enjoyed it. Beyond my expectations, the meat was amazing, tender, delicious and just right. I would come here again absolutely and would absolutely recommend it.

I love their cucumber salad, papaya salad, chicken and beef labb must get a side of sticky rice. I would tell anyone that’s going here to try their food. It definitely does not disappoint.