So Saap (City Heights)

Sometimes there are benefits to having a not so great meal at a favorite restaurant. Once you have a favorite; it's easy to stop exploring and go to your old favorite. Lao cuisine has been a favorite of ours ever since we had a chance to visit Laos. But recently, after what seems to be some major changes, it seems that the food at Spicy Lao Kitchen had changed, and not for the better. We had a very disappointing meal; every dish was a mere shadow of its former self. Sigh….. Well, it was time to start checking out other options.

There was one place I'd had on my "list" for a while. I'd had So Saap on that list when they were located in Chollas View; but never made it out there. They moved into the location that was formerly Ban Lao, which I had noticed in passing back in 2023. Side note……you remember when this place was Que Huong?

And So (pun intended) it was obviously time for us to check the place out. We arrived right after 11am and the place was empty. The young lady waved us to a table.

We were the only customers dining in during our entire meal; though there was a steady flow of takeout orders. I'm guessing So Saap is a favorite "to-go" place for folks. We were handed menus, which had all the usual suspects with regards to Lao dishes and some quite fusiony dishes, Laab Poke Tuna anyone? Sorry, not for us!

We actually ordered quite a bit of food.

The Lemongrass Fried Chicken ($12.99) seemed interesting.

  Which came with a side of sticky rice; which was actually more hard and dry than "sticky". The dish consisted of two whole "wings" and another odd piece. The chicken was nicely fried, more crunchy than crisp, and very moist. The flavor seemed to be a bite "off" though. There was a hint of lemongrass and garlic; but it seemed to need a bit "more" savory-salty tones, and came thru as being on the bland side, an adjective that one really doesn't associate with Lao cuisine.

Of course we had to order the Nam Khao ($16.99).

This was an interesting dish; the Missus loved the generous portion of peanuts as it really added to every bite. As did the mint and the old fried, dried chilies (ouch!!!). This was an decent version; though not close to being our favorite. There weren't enough crisp-crunchy rice and the also it fell short in the fermented sour-sausage department as well. Still, nice herbaceous tones, though it seemed to be missing the "touch" of coconut that we enjoy in our nem khao.

Still, not a bad version.

Needless to say, we also got the Lao Sausage (spicy version – $13.99).

The filling of the sausage was so tasty; great garlic-makrut leaves (that's what they're now calling kaffir lime)-herbaceousness. The Jeow (dipping sauce) had a nice kick, without being overly tomato forward. The sausage was decently spiced as well. The only issue as you can see was that the casing was totally incinerated. Bummer; because this one could have been our favorite of the meal.

As it was; the Nam Tok ($17.99) took first place.

Loved the flavors in this one; good, balanced lime, adequate amount of roasted rice powder to add a nutty edge, loved the mint and cilantro as well. The beef was nicely prepped and while toothsome; it wasn't tough. A very nice version of "Waterfall Beef". A vibrant, savory, and refreshing dish when wrapped in lettuce. A keeper for sure.

This was a nice visit; the prices weren't too high and we decided to return a week later for lunch again.

Again the place was empty when we arrived; but this time several rather large parties arrived during our meal….to go along with the steady flow of takeout orders.

The same nice young lady was working and we again ordered more than we could finish.

I'm not sure why; but the Missus ordered the Pad See Eew with Tofu ($14.99).

Pad See Eew in a Lao Restaurant? Well, on the good side, the tofu and the noodles were nicely done. The flat noodles still had a nice bit of al dente pull to it. But overall, this dish was way too sweet.

We asked the young lady about the difference between the Seen Savanh (Heavenly Jerky), versus the Seen Lad (Fried Beef Jerky) and she recommended the Heavenly Jerky ($13.99).

This was another winner! The beef was thinly sliced, making it easier to eat, a nice balance of chewy to tender. A hint of sweetness, good savory tones, hints of gingery-pungent tones as well.

I saw Fried Pork Bell on the menu and asked if it was Moo Tod, the young lady seemed surprised and said yes, it was. So we also ordered that ($13.99).

A very straight-forward fried pork dish. Cut a bit too think for my liking, though still fairly crisp. Lightly seasoned; the acidic-spiced dipping sauce came in real handy.

And yes, we had to get the Lao Sausage again. This time, it was cooked perfectly.

Even better than on the previous visit. We'll be ordering this on every visit.

And yes, even though it's a bit out of the way, we'll be returning to So Saap. So perhaps there's silver lining to our terrible meal at Spicy Lao. As it got us back to exploring other options for Lao food in San Diego……

So Saap
4134 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92105