Where to Find the Best Southeast Asian Food in Philly 🍛

Alright, I’ve put off writing this for way too long 😅 I’m a pretty picky eater, and I’ve tried most of the popular spots — so no over-the-top hype here, just honest recommendations based on my taste! TL;DR: All three of these restaurants are worth revisiting, but if I had to pick one based on ease of reservation + value, I’d go with Banh Mi & Bottles — mainly for their amazing roasted duck leg with crispy lotus buns (imagine golden mantou buns with Peking duck — crispy lovers, you get it 😭❤️). 🍽️ Banh Mi & Bottles Best deal during Restaurant Week! Must-tries: Grilled bone marrow with short rib (perfectly roasted) and duck leg with lotus buns (a bit oily but SO good). Pair with their green papaya salad to balance the richness. Skip: Bone marrow pho & chicken wings — not bad, but not memorable. 🍽️ Kalaya Best ambiance of the three — beautiful lighting 💡 Menu is diverse: Spicy crispy duck salad 🌶️ Soft shell crab curry (good but not mind-blowing) Steamed sea bass & fried rice — the fish is memorable! Desserts are a must: authentic shaved ice and Thai tea tiramisu — sweet tooth approved! 🍽️ Mawn Near-impossible to book — I snagged a spot from the waitlist via email 📧 Good, but maybe not “sell-your-soul-to-reserve” level good 😂 Standouts: Seafood fried rice, crispy chicken skin (a bit chewy though), and sweet rice pudding (if you like desserts). Service is attentive and thoughtful. Final Take: All three are solid — but if I’m being real… I’d still choose New York 😉 #PhillyEats #PhillyFood #PhillyRestaurants #UPenn #SoutheastAsianFood #FoodReview #NoHypeJustBites