Mandalay Kitchen — Restaurant in Saint Paul

GET READY TO FEEL THE LOVE! #1 thing a diner needs to know about this place is that Burmese and Tai food live in a food culture of FLAVOR and TEXTURE.

Burmese food difficult to find in the Midwest so this is an even bigger win in the local food culture. This is a local restauranteur, first generation, and deeply dedicated to the local community.

A small menus of JUST THE FAV’s is what you will find.

We tried: Burmese stuffed tofu Lahpet Thoke=Burmese fermented tea leaf salad, Pad See Ew noodle Rice and chicken =Khao Mun Gai Pad Burmese tea Basil lemonade Fresh sugarcane

They have a flash fryer( that makes the outside crispy and doesn’t make food greasy) so those who LOVE crispy fried tofu will be delighted because it’s light and soft inside and crispy and flavorful on the outside - and when you take a bite and taste both textures at the same time!

Each dish was unique, they stirfry the rice a little bit so that it has more flavor and color. The chef, who, by the way, THREE of the chefs are female and have exceptional Wok skills, and that shows in in the preparation in delicate noodle disdishes.

Female empowerment is everywhere in this business model, from the chefs in the kitchen to the grandmother that taught for 80 years through everything that could happen in history of Burma. The restaurant is dedicated to her vast influence in the world

This is one of the few places that extrudes fresh sugarcane, it’s a giant machine that’s super loud and sugarcane is difficult and messy to press. Each cup is done individually in the kitchen. and it is fabulous! Fresh sugarcane is not super sweet, but has more of a color and texture like aloe vera, you can taste that it is plant-based. It does not taste like sugar water. It has a variety of health benefits, and is often ordered with a slice of lime to squeeze in. Health benefits of fresh sugarcane are around, inflammation reduction, rich antioxidants, and a high dose of vitamin C.

It’s cumbersome to process because you have to soak it and do all sorts of things to it before you press it, so that’s why it’s so fantastic to have it available at a very easy price. It does not store well, so you have to drink it as soon as you make it.

Another bonus on the menu is a year-round, pumpkin curry, made with a Japanese pumpkin that is quite flavorful.

Street parking is available and there is no parking lot, so you will want to give yourself time to find a spot, carpool, or Uber. They do not have delivery YET, because they’re just too new!

It’s my favorite for lunch, because you can actually talk with your friends and coworkers and street parking is EASY to find during the day.

The main restaurant, and the bathrooms are Wheelchair accessible, and easily negotiated with a walker.

Private party space available upstairs, that is NOT wheelchair accessible, but it is lovely and has a store of handcrafted goods in the upstairs.

This is Vegetarian friendly menu.

The dessert menu is minimal, and I would look to the drink menu as an extra dessert option. The tea is marvelous. It’s fun to have such a bright future opening...

Came here on a Friday, around 1:30pm. Not too busy. Parked in the parking lot behind the business, and it’s very small that’ll fit like 4 vehicles. However there is street parking available.

Interior is very cute and more modern looking. Pretty cool to see that they have upstairs seatings too.

We got the Burmese stuffed tofu (spiciest), the chicken Yangon samosa, along with the ground pork pad kaprow (spiciest) and the zaap crispy (medium spice). We wanted the zaap crispy with the chicken and added pork belly but then I think the waitress misunderstood so the meal only came with Pork belly. We also got the iced Vietnamese coffee drink.

First off, let me say that everytime I go to a restaurant I will usually order medium spice, and it never really comes out spicy. I’m Asian so I love spicy food, and a lot of restaurants tend to not make their food as spicy so that is why I ordered two dishes to be the spiciest. I used to eat a lot of spicy food, but now I only eat it now and then but can still tolerate spicy food.

When I say the spiciest level was spicy, it was spicy! If you eat spicy food on a regular, this level of heat might be ok. However, if you only eat it every now and then - you may not be able to finish or enjoy your food because it’s too spicy.

The Burmese stuffed tofu spice tasted like it had dried chili flakes along with chili oil. The appetizer overall was ok to me, however my partner thought it was good. Although I am not mad that the appetizer was cold (I’m not sure if this was intentional because of the spice level), this wasn’t an extraordinary appetizer. They just cut the tofu and stuff it with some cut up veggies.

The samosa came out hot. Overall it was ok to me. Not a lot of chicken meat, there was very minimal grounded chicken meat in the so when you bite into it and look, it almost looks like pieces of scrambled egg. The samosa wasn’t very flavorful to me, it was a little bit on the dry side.

The ground pork pad kaprow (spiciest) was good, but it was too spicy for me to enjoy the dish for what it is. If you love spicy and eat spicy food everyday, this would be a great option. However since I only eat spice every now and then, the wasn’t really a smart idea. The spice seemed to consist more of fresh Thai peppers.

As mentioned, we wanted the zaap crispy with the chicken and added pork belly (medium spice) but then I think the waitress misunderstood so the meal only came with Pork belly. This was good meal, as we didn’t make this meal too spicy. The pork belly had flavors of dry rub laab. Did not taste any spice.

We also got the iced Vietnamese coffee drink. I’m not sure what we were expecting, but it literally just tasted like the “Mr. Brown Ice coffee” in a cup with ice.

The food was ok to me, but if you’re looking for a place with bigger portion to fill your stomach because you’re hungry, and you can really eat, I’d say this place may not be it since it’s a bit on the medium pricer side, esp with it being a bit more modern. However if you are wanting to try new stuff (stuffed tofu and samosa), this would be a nice...

I went to visit St. Paul MN a couple weeks ago. I’m from Seattle WA. I tried out a new restaurant’s Mandalay Kitchen. I have been to many places west coast such as Burma Superstar in San Francisco Cali and Top food and Burmese delight in OR. I would say Mandalay kitchen’s has one of the most delicious food. Tea leaf salad and Chaplin burgers are 2 of my favorites. I went with my family. My nephew ordered additional juicy Lucy burger because it was so good.

Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad:

Located in the heart of St. Paul, Mandalay Kitchen offers a delightful rendition of the classic Burmese Tea Leaf Salad. This dish is a beautiful marriage of bold flavors and contrasting textures. The fermented tea leaves, a signature element of this salad, provide a unique earthy and slightly tangy base. Tossed with crunchy peanuts, fried garlic, and sesame seeds, each bite offers a satisfying crunch.

What sets Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad apart is its well-balanced dressing. The combination of lime juice, fish sauce, and shrimp paste adds depth without overwhelming the palate. Fresh lettuce and tomatoes provide a cooling contrast to the robust flavors. This salad is a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and nutty notes that leaves a lasting impression.

For those looking to explore authentic Burmese cuisine in Minnesota, Mandalay Kitchen's Tea Leaf Salad is a must-try. It's a refreshing and flavorful introduction to the diverse flavors of Southeast Asia.

Mandalay Kitchen's Chapli Burger:

One of Mandalay Kitchen's standout offerings is the Chapli Burger, a fusion of Pakistani flavors with a classic American twist. This burger features a generously sized beef patty seasoned with traditional spices like cumin, coriander, and chili. The patty is cooked to perfection, boasting a robust and aromatic flavor profile.

What makes the Chapli Burger unique is its inclusion of sliced tomatoes, onions, and a tangy yogurt-based sauce, all sandwiched between soft burger buns. The combination of savory beef, spicy seasonings, and cooling yogurt creates a delightful culinary experience.

Mandalay Kitchen's Chapli Burger is a testament to creativity and culinary innovation. It's a perfect blend of East-meets-West flavors, served with a side of crispy fries or a fresh salad. Whether you're a burger aficionado or simply curious about global cuisine, the Chapli Burger at Mandalay Kitchen is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Pair it with their Tea Leaf Salad for a complete and memorable...