Sang Dao

*** Sang Dao has moved, and updated post can be found here.

I've been keeping my ears and eyes open for a good Thai/Laotian Restaurant here in San Diego, and have been given a few leads. Sang Dao had been recommended to me by a friend. So here we are at the dusty East end of National Avenue in Logan Heights:

Sang Dao is located next to Muang Laos Market #1, across the street from a 99 cent Chinese Food restaurant. The bars on all the doors and windows tell you what kind of neighborhood you're in, but this is where you sometimes find the best food. Enter the restaurant and you immediately know it's a real "Family" business; at a table in the back people are chatting, teenagers are watching television, and the youngsters are playing catch in the middle of the restaurant.

As we sat, I noticed the comprehensive condiment tray with everything from the standard Sriracha to shrimp paste; so far so good. A very serious, stoic, Young Lady took our order, and soon we could smell the garlic in the air, and the sound of a spatula stirring a wok!

The first dish served was the Drunken Noodles with Shrimp ($5.95):

The shrimp were fresh and tasty, the heat was very nice, and the noodles were cooked well. We also enjoyed the Chinese Broccoli in the dish. To us the dish was much too "wet", and lacked flavor beyond the heat. There seemed to be a good amount of garlic, but we really couldn't taste it, a bit more sweetness would have made this dish much more enjoyable. As we were eating the noodles the Spicy Catfish was delivered ($6.95):

The Missus had ordered this and thought it was pretty good. I however thought that it was too oily and muddy tasting. The dish featured slices of catfish that were fried, than stir fried with a sauce, I could make out the taste of galangal, but not enough to cancel out the muddy  taste. Overall we thought this dish was the weakest.

Our Beef Salad (Yum Nua- $5.95) was served next:

This dish was delici-yoso, and easily the best dish of the evening. The dish had a nice, sweet, spicy, salty, and sour flavor. The beef was cooked to perfection, and was not so hot as to start cooking/wilting the vegetables. A very balanced, very nice plate. One thing is that the "appetizer/salad sin" was committed here. That is, the salad was served after some of the main courses. Didn't matter much with us, we polished this one off.

The Spicy Fried Rice with Chicken ($6.95) was served next, as you can tell, we were on our "reverse-Adkins" tonight:

Now I ate almost the whole plate, the Missus only had a few spoonfuls, she thought the taste of shrimp paste over-powered everything, she's also not a fan of dark meat chicken, which was present here. I thought it was good, not great, but good. Yes, there was alot of shrimp paste, but I enjoyed the spiciness, saltiness, and thought the green onions added nice flavor. I think a bit of lime might have balanced out the dish a bit more.

Overall, I thought that this was really a good "home-cooked" meal. The food had that "homey" feel, and if thought of in that way, it was not bad at all. Also, the prices are really good by San Diego standards. The other thing I totally forgot was to order Larb, which is probably the best known of Laotian dishes. During the whole meal we were the only customers in the Restaurant. Service was efficient and fast, food is simple and very "home-style".

Sang Dao
4212 National Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113

Open Tues-Sun 10AM-8PM

Comments

[clare eats]

Those prices are good, the food looks ok, better than the other day anyway!

[ed]

The food sure looks good out here in the desert. I gotta keep from drooling on the keyboard.

[Kirk]

Hi Clare - This was definitely better! :) The prices are actually in line with LA prices, the food is very much "homestyle".

Hi Ed - Good to "hear" from you. This place was interesting - I'm kicking myself for frogetting to order the Larb. The prices are great!

[Jo]

We went to a Viet shop with the kids. It was a disaster for us because our kids wouldn't eat because they were so busy playing with the shop kids! Then they whined about be hungry all the way home. My reply? To bad, so sad. Pepper had a great dinner! ::wink::

By the by Kirk, can I get your recipe for miso soup? I've got the miso sitting in the fridge, but I keep forgetting to ask you for the recipe. Would it go well with the meat jun tonight?

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

We don't have any Laotian restaurants here per se, but there is a place that serves a few Laotian dishes, so maybe that counts. The food there is quite good. You should try it when you come home to visit.

I normally like to eat at small out of the way shops. The food is normally better...so sorry it didn't really work out this time.

[Kirk]

Hi Jo - Since I don't have it with me - I emailed you a basic "outline" for miso soup - both if you're making dashi, or if you're using Hondashi.

Hi Reid - I wouldn't say the food was bad, it was like eating in someone's home. I'd just say that there was a lack of balance in the dishes, except for the Yum Nua.

[Jo]

Got the recipe... just need a printer =o( I'll be trying the Dashi. I have the bonito flakes & the seaweed just for that purpose. The miso isn't literally white, (can't think of the name) but a light, slightly rusty tan.

[Kirk]

Hi Jo - It should be fine - sounds like Shiro Miso to me.

[Beth - The Zen Foodist]

I think you must be a very busy (and happy!) man, Kirk, to have so many great culinary adventures each week. I'm jealous! :)

[Kirk]

Hi Beth - LOL! You'd be surprised at how little time this does take, but it's a joy to do anyway. And you're right good or bad, it's always an adventure!

[Kristy]

Mmm...I love going to family owned places. And how I love shrimps. Pictures look great! You find such great food finds...sometimes I wonder...what is your day job??? And am I in the wrong profession? LOL! Fried rice is one of my faves....mmm! Lunch...almost...here. ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Kristy - You wouldn't want to take a pay cut like that, right?? LOL! It's really hit and miss with these places - though I to love Family type businesses, they really do need our business and support.

[Annie]

looks good!! great pictures as usual!! i'm tempted to check it out tonight depending on how close logan heights is. gotta look it up! =)

[Kirk]

Hi Annie - Remember they close at 8pm - also I'd advise you to go during daylight.