So Saap — Restaurant in San Diego

I've been rooting for this place since it just started in a small space with only 4 tables--but now that they've moved to a bigger space, it feels like they've lost what made them great.

The biggest disappointment was that it took almost 1 hour for us to get our food. We ordered a Khao Piak noodle, chicken laab, and thum Khao poon. I received my noodles within the first 15 minutes and 30 minutes later we got our next dish. I had to ask our server if we were getting the last one and she seemed confused. Finally we received our last dish 20 minutes later. By that time they were already closing up and my boyfriend was pretty upset. We ended up getting our food Togo right away.

The food was great, but the portion for the Khao Piak was really disappointing. There were barely any noodles or meat--just a big bowl mostly filled with broth. I finished it in under 10 bites. For $15, I expect a much more filling portion, especially for a noodle soup.

If you look at their recent Google and Yelp reviews it's very inconsistent. You have 1 stars and then 5 stars and then 1 stars again. As someone who has worked in restaurants there is clearly a huge operations issue. Either they do just fine on their slow days but they can't handle it when they're slammed. The restaurant was full when we came in and they only had two servers. There were a ton of people coming in for to-gos and everywhere I looked was just people waiting...and waiting...that was the theme of tonight. I don't know what the issue was. Was there only two chefs? One chef? Did the server forget to fire the orders? I don't know but I wish they would have told us. We would have appreciated at least an apology for having to wait so long to eat. But the servers didn't express that. I think they should retrain their staff to better handle these type of situations.

I really hope they can get it together, especially since they promote the restaurant heavily on Instagram. For many people trying Lao food for the first time, this might be their first impression--and right now, it's not the best representation of the culture.

I came back expecting the same great experience as last time--but this visit was a huge letdown. If you want Lao food with no frills I would recommend to just to go to Sang Dao only a few streets down. Food is just as good and they have never...

Did you know So Saap translates in Lao to: SO DELICIOUS? This Lao restaurant is definitely so delicious!! We’ve made So Saap a regular stop for our family, and it’s safe to say it’s become one of our absolute favorites. We try to come every month, and every time we do, we’re blown away by the food, the warm and welcoming staff, and the cozy yet vibrant atmosphere.

We’ve tried so many dishes on the menu at this point, and I can honestly say everything has been consistently delicious. The papaya salad is tangy, spicy, and so fresh. The Lao pho is rich and flavorful, with a depth you don’t often find in other noodle soups - you should try it! Khao gee (sticky rice with eggs) is something we hadn’t had before discovering this place, and now we’re obsessed. The Lao sausages are incredibly savory and satisfying, with the perfect balance of spices and herbs. And that’s just scratching the surface - every dish we try keeps us curious and excited for more.

The staff here are truly the heart of the restaurant. They’re so, so, so kind! They’re great with kids, too, which is a huge bonus for us. It’s always such a kid-friendly experience, and our little ones love coming here just as much as we do. (They like the cat robot that sometimes delivers food to the tables!)

The decor is another standout - it’s warm and stylish. It feels inviting and relaxed, making it perfect for both casual family dinners and fun nights out.

Speaking of nights out - the cocktail menu is fantastic. The drinks are creative and just plain fun. There’s also a bar. It’s a great spot to unwind with a drink or two and watch sports.

The only downside (and the only reason I’d give even a tiny heads-up) is that the parking situation isn’t ideal. It can be a bit of a challenge, so plan a few extra minutes to find a spot. Also, don’t park where Starbucks is, you might get towed! That said, once you’re inside, the experience is more than worth it.

All in all, this place is a gem. It’s rare to find a spot that nails the food, the service, and the ambiance so well - but this So Saap does it with heart and consistency. If you haven’t been yet, go!! And if you have - go again. We do, every month, and we always leave happy. (I also love supporting small...

I would not recommend So Saap because it doesn't seem that the staff makes safety a priority. I had the scare of my life when my child was exposed to a food she is severely allergic to after notifying and reminding the server of the allergen many times. We were visiting close by and decided to try their food. As soon as we were seated, I notified the server of my child's allergen. Since it was part of side dishes and the main dish itself wasn't made of the item, I requested that it be removed from our orders to prevent direct exposure or cross contamination for the safety of the child with the severe alllergy. The first time the server brought our food, the sibling's plate had the allergen in the same bowl as the rest of her food. It was very obvious! I notified the server and she offered to make her another plate. However, unbeknownst to me, the dressing that was spread over the salad which had the allergen on it as well, was added to the plates of both children who ordered almost the same dish. Thank God the child with the severe allergy was starting with her protein when I realized that the server did exactly the contrary of what I kindly requested. Since the server wasn't around, I notified another staff member at the cashier. She responded with such nonchalance that I decided that I no longer trusted them to "make another plate". I spoke with Carrie, the owner, and shared with her the seriousness of such incidents which have caused some people their lives unfortunately. She seemed to understand and offered to make it a free meal for me which I declined. It is not about the money. It is about a negligent disregard to health safety that almost had me use my daughter's epipen followed by a trip to the hospital to say the least if she had eaten the salad on her plate. I really hope that So Saap management takes the time to train their staff about the seriousness of food allergies. I am so grateful to God that I remained diligent and re-inspected my children's food despite telling the server more than twice about the allergen and to take it...