🌿 Khâluna | Minneapolis's Stunning Lao & Thai Destination

Located in the vibrant heart of the Kingfield neighborhood, Khâluna is a breathtaking, soulful, and utterly transportive restaurant that has quickly become one of the Twin Cities' most celebrated dining destinations. This is not just a restaurant; it's a love letter to the chef's heritage—a stunning, plant-filled space where the vibrant, herbaceous flavors of Laos and Thailand take center stage in dishes that are simultaneously traditional and thoroughly modern. ✨ The Khâluna Experience: The atmosphere is pure, dreamy enchantment from the moment you approach the building. The outdoor patio, wrapped in lush tropical plants and strung with warm lights, feels like a secret garden—one of the most magical al fresco dining spaces in the city. Inside, the design continues the botanical theme with living walls, warm woods, and an open, airy feel that transports you far from Minnesota, no matter the weather outside. The menu is a revelation of bold, balanced Lao and Thai flavors, created by chef Ann Ahmed (who also brought us Lat14 and other Twin Cities favorites). This is cooking driven by family recipes and personal history, each dish telling a story of heritage and love. The Khao Soi is the undisputed star and arguably the best in the Twin Cities—a rich, coconutty curry broth ladled over tender egg noodles, topped with crispy fried noodles, and served with lime, shallots, and pickled mustard greens. It's the signature dish of Northern Thailand, and Khâluna's version achieves that perfect balance of creamy, spicy, tangy, and crunchy that defines the dish at its best. The Larb is bright, herbaceous, and properly fiery—minced chicken or pork tossed with toasted rice powder, lime, fish sauce, and a generous handful of fresh herbs. It's the kind of dish that wakes up your entire palate, each bite a perfect balance of savory, sour, spicy, and aromatic. The Nam Khao (crispy rice salad) is a textural masterpiece—crispy rice balls crumbled and tossed with sour pork, peanuts, coconut, and herbs, served with lettuce leaves for wrapping. It's tangy, crunchy, savory, and utterly addictive—a dish that rewards sharing and lingering. The Sai Oua (Lao herbal sausage) is fragrant with lemongrass, galangal, and makrut lime leaf, grilled until the casing snaps and served with a spicy dipping sauce. It's the kind of sausage that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about sausage. The sticky rice service is traditional and communal, served in woven baskets meant for sharing and eating with your hands. It's an essential component of Lao dining, used to scoop up curries and dips, and a reminder that some foods are meant to be experienced, not just consumed. The curries are deeply flavorful—the Pumpkin Curry is a vegetarian revelation, the Panang rich and complex. The grilled meats (chicken, pork collar) are marinated and cooked over fire until smoky and tender. The cocktail program is equally thoughtful, featuring tropical ingredients and house-infused spirits. The lemongrass margarita is bright and refreshing, the tamarind whiskey sour perfectly balanced. The wine list is small but thoughtfully chosen, with natural-leaning options that complement the bold flavors. The service is warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic—the kind of staff who get excited about the food, who want you to love what you're eating, who can guide you through dishes you might not know. It's a place designed for sharing vibrant plates, celebrating special occasions, introducing friends to new flavors, and anyone who understands that Lao and Thai cuisine deserves a place among the world's great culinary traditions. 📝 Short Social Media Caption: “A flavor journey to Southeast Asia, wrapped in the most beautiful room in Minneapolis. 🌿✨ Khâluna is pure magic—Khao Soi that defines the dish, a patio that transports you, and flavors so bright and herbaceous you'll close your eyes with every bite. Chef Ann Ahmed has outdone herself. A true Twin Cities treasure. #Khâluna #MinneapolisEats #LaoFood #ThaiFood #KhaoSoi #KingfieldMpls #SoutheastAsianCuisine #TropicalVibes #TwinCitiesEats #MNFoodie