3lephant Noodle Shack — Restaurant in Oregon

Update: came back to try the Kaopiek. AND, took photos of it plus my partner’s Kasoy order! Food was as amazing as the first time. Will definitely come back to try the Bun Bo Hue next.

This place is as authentic as they come! The veggies in the soups come with herbal leaves, blood jelly and banana flower shreds, my judgement on how authentic the southeast Asian flare will be, 3lephant Noodle Shack hit all the marks dead on! The Kapoon had such a depth of flavor past the red curry broth description. And the Kasoy was as phenomenal in its spicy, sour, umami-bomb of flavors. I also ordered the papaya salad and Pad kee mao for lunch the next day, my oh my! Happy belly for 2 consecutive days! The flavors are on point and transported me back to when I was a kid and our Laotian neighbors would share their culinary culture including that frigging fire in the hole, flavor bomb of a papaya salad! The owners Sherry and Lee are very pleasant and patient with newbies to their cuisine and culture. They're very chill and understanding if you forgo certain traditional items like blood jelly, chicken feet or quail eggs. The place is rightfully named a noodle shack as it is in a food cart pod in the outskirts of Salem. All the more, gives you a very good feel of Southeast Asia street food scene without the chaos of people, busses and tricycles blaring by every which way. The food truck has a few picnic tables covered by a pop-up tent. There are spices and other accoutrements at each table. I suggest using the garlic crumbles and Thai chili in fish sauce sparingly. It can get very cold in there while waiting, so bundle up until your soup is ready. Will take photos next time, if I don't devour everything in sight before remembering to snap...

We drove all the way from Eugene to try this place. There’s not much Lao food outside of Portland soo when I found out there was a place in Salem, only 1 hour away, I had to go.

This place is the real deal if you want Authentic Thai/Lao food. From Kaffir Lime leaves to the Mats in the seating area. It’s like someone invited you over for dinner and made you home cooked food.

I got Khao Poon, which is my favorite Noodle Soup above Pho and Khao Piak, it’s Curry Chicken Noodle Soup. Soo flavorful and you know it’s made right when you get that subtle kick of spice. My sisters got the Pad Kra Pao and they were blown away. I’ve had many of this dish but this is the best one soo far.

Definitely worth the drive and We’ll be back with more people. Also, Owners are very Down to Earth and Hardworking people. Support this small business, you’re not gonna come across a lot of food like this here in Oregon.

I’ll Update with some...

Amazingly delicious. I have been here 5+ times. Owners Lee and Sherry are warm and welcoming every time. They put a lot of care and integrity into their food. Everything is fresh and made to order, so please be patient (or call/text them ahead). Kaopiek is a comforting, lighter chicken noodle soup. Kaopoon and Kasoy are richer curry-based noodle soups. Bun Bo Hue is complex and loaded. All noodle soups are best eaten on site, where you get the full glory of a huge bowl of perfectly cooked noodles, simmered soups, and a rainbow of toppings. They also make the best larb in Salem, which holds its own against the best places in Portland, and comes with traditional herbs/vegetables like rau ram, culantro, and yardlong beans (instead of just the cabbage wedge you find at other places). For less adventurous eaters, the chicken wings, pad thai, pad kee mao, pad krapao are all flavorful and crave-able in...