Saladang — Restaurant in Pasadena

The food was pretty good but service leaves a lot to be desired.

Went to Saladang with my parents, sister, and fiancée (flew into town and wanted to take my family out to dinner) after they recommended this place for its good food. The restaurant wasn't overly crowded, given that it was a Tuesday evening, and we were able to get a seat fairly quickly (the seats, by the way, are a tad bit uncomfortable if you're on the larger side -- the too-low armrests turn in and press into the outsides of your thighs somewhat painfully).

Since we were a group of five, we ordered six or seven things to share and some hot tea. My first issue is that nowhere on the menu is it noted nor were we told by the waitress that the curries did not come with any rice (not even white) and that we would have to order a side of rice. I personally think that not providing rice with a curry dish is odd but the major issue is that we had to ask one of the bus-boys who eventually told us after we had been waiting for the rice to appear for a good ten minutes. Secondly (and most importantly for the actual food service side of things) is that the food did not come out in a reasonable fashion. The appetizers were quickly followed by the main course, but not for all of us. They brought out our main courses as they were finished and the time delay between the first main dish being brought out (which was a curry that didn't have rice, to point out) was nearly twenty minutes. That made it very awkward as those of us who got our food fairly early were waiting to eat until all of us got our meals and the food that came out first began to get cold. This is the biggest thing I would recommend Saladang look into changing as it reflects very poorly on their restaurant.

The food, once it all finally arrived, was pretty good. I've had a good range of Thai food, having travelled around the country quite a bit in my studies. It was nowhere close to the best I've experienced (this amazing place in NYC I hope to be able to visit again in the near future) nor was it the worst (a restaurant in Miami that I'm really hoping is closed by now). It was a shade shy of what I've come to regard as "really good" Thai food, which is what our local restaurant in Mechanicsburg, PA, has.

There was one dish, however, that didn't taste right. Either something was burned or too much of an ingredient was added, we're not entirely sure. When we pointed this out to the staff (bus boy, first), they nodded, took the food away, and packed it up. We then brought it up to the front desk (my sister did, and apparently the owner was there), they were very hostile about it and accused us of eating the whole thing before mentioning anything (which we didn't, in fact, it the only rice dish we ordered besides the white rice we added after we found out the curries didn't come with rice and there was nearly 80% of it left when we finished). In the end they did remove the charge but the whole ordeal really turned me off to the restaurant.

Bottom line? Food is generally good (and has been better, according to my family who has been here before and will be here again, most likely) but I believe the service is unfortunately significantly sub-par. I'm only in town for the week so my decision not to go back here isn't going to affect them overly much, but hopefully this review will help the restaurant improve the quality of their service so other customers will enjoy...

I do not usually leave a review ever but this place deserved one. I came to Saladang based on recommendation and by golly it is one of the worst Thai food restaurants in Pasadena. When I got there it was quiet and not much was going on. I was seated but one could tell the service definitely did not want anyone there. I ordered fried calamari, yellow curry crab fried rice, and chicken pad see ew. The fried calamari was decent so I have no complaints about it however, the problems started with the fried rice. When I bit into the crab, it was still frozen with chunks of ice in it. I then told them that it was frozen and they took it back and reheated it. Once they brought it back, it tasted like it has then been burnt and was basically inedible. The next thing was the pad see ew. It was decent when it was first served as it was actually hot and cooked. The issues arose as it started to cool down, the chicken tasted almost like it had been cooked straight on a gas burner and rubber. The noodles also started tasting like rubber after a while. We complained about the fried rice, but as we ate about 1/3 of the pad see ew I did not really complain about it. The chef came out wearing airpods and seemed like he did not care at all. I do not know if when these positive reviews were written at a different time than when I went, like later in the evening, with a different chef or something but this food was terrible. There are other Thai food places that I can actually encourage in Pasadena like 9&9 or Chim, but this place has disappointed me, especially with the recommendation and the positive reviews it has. Thanks for listening to my TedTalk, try...

First, let me say I I know a lot about Thai food. My first cousins are half Thai, and their Fathers family has had the best Thai restaurant in Glendale for over 35 years. (Indra Thai) off of Verdugo south of Broadway. I can remember when Saladang first arrived here in beautiful Pasadena, my hometown I should add. It was perfect timing, because my belief is that there was no great tasting Thai restaurant in the heart of Pasadena. Awesome flavors, ingredients and service.

That is not the case any longer, and this is mine and only a couple of family members opinion at this present time. We celebrated my Aunt Sharon's going away party at Saladang. I was disgusted first with the service, very dry and not genuine at all. That is a huge factor to me being satisfied physically to my stomach. Why? I will say this, if your expressing lack of consideration for spending our hard earned money and time with you for almost 20 years. Very concerned about the food being prepared for my family and I.

To hurry & end this sad review, because I really liked them at a certain point in my Life. I have to say do not waste your time if you value QUALITY, VALUE & SERVICE.

Nothing is how it use to be. I will hope they read this and humbly make adjustments if they respect (ALL) customers feedback.

Eat well and please tell me it was just the time my family and I chose to eat there for the 200th time.

Thank you all who read my reviews and try the establishments I frequent.

Eat...