Note: As of this writing, the restaurant I am reviewing – Bida Manda in Raleigh, NC, has shut its doors (temporarily) as a result of COVID-19. I am unsure of its future status. Their website has stated they are not open for curbside or online ordering, but they have also not mentioned they would be shutting their doors permanently, so what happens going forward is anyone’s guess. I absolutely love this venue as it is a spice lover’s paradise, as you will read below, and pray and hope this closure is only temporary.
Dear readers – today is a day of first’s:
- It’s the first of what I shall call a “restaurant review” – no it’s not my first restaurant review – I’ve done many already! But starting today, with this post, I will start prefixing these reviews with the phrase (Oh, how creative I am, so wait for it…!) “Restaurant Review”. I may include a funny catchphrase on the review title, but everything shall be prefixed as such so you’ll know what you’re getting, i.e., a review of a restaurant from a Heataholic’s perspective with specific recommendations. I’ll be doing similar prefixing with reviews of sauces, powders, recipes, festivals, etc.
- It’s the first place that I’m also reviewing outside my current residence – the Austin, Texas metropolitan area. As I’d mentioned, this is a restaurant in Raleigh, NC – a place I’d travel to frequently for work.
- It’s also the first Laotian restaurant I’m reviewing – and for that matter, it’s the first and only Laotian restaurant I have ever visited. After eating there, on one hand, I’d love to go to more, but on the other hand, I’d be worried that other ones wouldn’t stack up as well.
So let’s dive right in…
Raleigh, NC is a foodie’s paradise. Whether you’re a spice-obsessed heataholic like me or just someone who loves trying different varieties of food, the Tar Heel state’s capital city provides everyone something they can enjoy, and in most cases, it’s myriad options versus a single thing. These myriad options include options you probably wouldn’t find or would have to really go off the beaten path in most other cities, including large ones. Downtown Raleigh, especially, is a haven as it’s clean, safe (even mostly at night from my experiences) and most of these great places are a hop, skip and jump away from one another.
Enter Bida Manda. The first and only Laotian restaurant I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating at. Quick and dirty geography lesson – for those who don’t know, Laos is a small Southeast Asian country sandwiched between China, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. I went to Bida Manda the first week at my client in Raleigh and was blown away by the excellent choices there. Yes, much of what you find there, at least on the surface, are things you’ve probably seen at many Thai and other Asian restaurants (with cuisines from the countries surrounding it), but Bida Manda had a unique flavor to it – one that I could never quite articulate and put my finger on, but just tasted oh so good!
I started off with the Crispy Rice Lettuce Wrap, but I decided to try some of the Lao Spicy Roasted Habanero and Peanut sauce I saw at the bottom of the appetizers menu that are typically served with wings. It was heavenly love at first site! Good fire that I put out with a tall glass of ice water!
Moving on to the main course, given it was October and the fall leaves were all around, I had to have Pumpkin Curry – I had them make it extra spicy and ordered extra Roasted Habanero and Peanut sauce. They even brought out spicy powders and oil. In no time at all, that yellow colored Pumpkin Curry changed to a nice shade of red, and boy was it delicious! My non-vegetarian co-worker was eating the Crispy Pork Belly Soup and his eyes just popped out when he saw how much fire I was adding.
The meal ended with the Duo Plate – two of their own macaroons, and that calmed the spice so I wouldn’t be spending the rest of the day at the client hyperventilating!
All in all, the best (okay, only) Laotian food I’ve ever had, but simply amazing and up till March 2018 when my project in Raleigh ended, I went there at least once a week. It has never disappointed!
Details:
- Address: 222 South Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Phone: (919) 829-9999
- Website: www.bidamanda.com
- Menu: http://bidamanda.com/
Spicy Flavors:
- Spicy Roasted Habanero and Peanut Sauce
- Ask them to make your food spicy and they will not only do so but will bring out for you their own spicy powders and oil
- Sweet Chili Sauce – I think this is more sweet than spicy but good flavor nonetheless
Personal Faves:
- Pumpkin Curry
- Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps
- Sao Noy’s Crispy Spring Rolls (Vegetable)
- Summer Rolls (Vegetable)
- Manda’s Herb Salad (on days I like to reduce the carbs)
- Vegetarian Saffron Crepe
Spice on, my friends!
