Masaman Thai Kitchen — Restaurant in Vestavia Hills

An unassuming gem! This place could easily go unnoticeable but this is a perfect example of letting your actions speak for themselves.

I've gone twice in two months. First time I went I tried the masaman chicken (lunch) and the Potstickers. Masaman chicken was good and flavorful, the pot stickers with panang sauce left a lot to be desired. I've had much better pot stickers. Overall good experience.

Second time I went was today. I had the Pad Thai (Lunch) asked if I could make it spicy. They give you the option of doing 1 - 4 peppers, representing spice level. I asked for 1 pepper just to gauge. I also ordered the Egg Rolls.

First, these egg rolls were amazing. So full of flavor and fresh. I don't remember when I have ever had egg rolls this good. Most egg rolls taste bland and have some kind of bland meat like pork added in. These egg rolls added no meat, I'm a huge meat lover so I was nervous, but these are the best egg rolls in Alabama. Hands down. If they had shrimp egg rolls, I'd get them at least twice a week. Amazingly delicious.

Lastly, the Pad Thai lunch, when I first bit into the chicken the rush of flavor I got was amazing. If I had a complaint, it's that I wish they gave me more meat, specifically shrimp and chicken, but I was left full and wanting more. Spice level one was nice, not really spicy, just a nice little punch. I'll be trying level 2 next time.

Based on my two trips and experiences...

I really like this place! After weeks of hearing everybody talk about it, I finally got to check it out. One of my fav Thai dishes to order is Masaman chicken... and what better place to try Masaman chicken than a place called Masaman!?!?!

The meal didn't disappoint at all and was a healthy (large) portion, especially for a lunch menu price. The order came with a good amount of steamed rice as well as even a nice sized cup of coconut soup! It was packaged VERY well to accommodate the to-go fashion in which I ordered it. Everything was delish! Not sure if it's my fav Masaman dish but if it's not, it's number 2 for sure! The soup wasn't my fav, but that doesn't mean it was bad.

The restaurant itself was smaller than what I envisioned but again... not a bad thing at all here. It's not a place that you'd dress up to attend, more of a casual deli feel (as compared to somewhere like Surin or Taste of Thailand). Staff was very courteous and prompt, especially for an order cooked AFTER I ordered it.

I will definitely be returning to...

Masaman Thai Kitchen is my favorite Thai restaurant in Alabama, by far. This family-owned establishment consistently serves fresh, flavorful dishes with amazing customer service. I have tried almost every dish on the menu. All of the curries (Masaman, Penang, yellow and green) are rich and wonderfully flavored in their own ways. The coconut soup and tempura green beans are also excellent. The chicken, beef and seafood are all quality cuts. The vegetables are cooked just right - neither too crunchy, nor soggy. The lunch specials are a good value for fast, fresh food. Once you visit a few times, expect to be greeted not just with a smile, but by name. I have recommended Masaman Thai Kitchen to many friends who agree - this...