2820 MLK Way S, Seattle 98144, (206) 725-3884
★★☆☆☆
Before we move on with the review/description I want to point that, yes, I do realize these pictures are absolute crap. This post will be remembered as the one where we started to spend a little more time while taking the pictures. I'm not a fan of photographs in a restaurant, so I try to rush through. As a result, the pictures for this expedition have suffered. Just be happy we included pictures! (tk)
We came across this restaurant at the last minute while trying to decide where to eat today. Orignally, I was looking for a non-Asian restaurant. Just to take a break. I was planning on driving us out to a burger place in West Seattle, but then a member or our group complained it was too far. Viengthong had been on my list to try for a while, so I thought we would give it a go. It's a self-proclaimed "Lao-Thai" restaurant near the MLK/Rainier intersection. We had a friend that was Lao that would occasionally give us homemade Lao sausage and sticky rice to try. I loved that stuff, so I was looking for something like that at Viengthong. Before leaving, I quickly did some research on what others order and liked from previous visits. (tk)
First up was the Som Tum ($7.50). It's a papaya salad that's prepared either Thai-style or Lao-Style. We went for Lao-style since we've had Thai-style many times before. From what I could gather, Lao-style had a heavy dose of shrimp paste and fish sauce. I'm sure there is much more to it, but that's all we tasted. When first presented it had an odd dirty water glow to it. While taking my first bite, I didn't think I would continue eating. Amazingly, it kind of grew on my throughout the meal. It's very strong flavored and not for someone that is opposed to shrimp paste. We asked for medium (mild, medium, hot were the options), but it came with little or no spice. You could see the peppers and pepper flakes, but they gave off no heat. Could have been old peppers. (tk)
The Viengthong Dry Beef ($8.25) was brought out at the same time as the Som Tum. I had read a reviewer comment on how much they enjoyed the Dry Beef. As I was reading that, it made me think this dish may be similar to one I have many times in Los Angeles at Jitlada. That stuff is awesome. It's a dry style curry and gives off that back of the head tingle when eating. Amazing. What we ordered at Viengthong was nothing like that one. So I was way off in my assumption of what I thought it might be like. This was more of a Lao beef jerky. Fun, but not great. (tk)
We also ordered the BBQ Chicken ($8.25). This was the winner for the meal. It's marinated in coconut milk, garlic and black pepper. I think it was either 3 or 4 thighs cooked up and then cut in large slices. Super tender and delicious. I would order this one again for sure! (tk)
For our noodle choice we opted for Lard Nar with pork ($8.75). The menu describes this as "Stir fried rice noodles topped with mixed vegetables". As you can see from the picture our "mixed vegetables" were cuts broccoli. I guess the "mixed" part was the fact that they gave us stalks and tops! This dish was pretty boring and flavorless. The sauce was weird too. A little too snot-like for me. The noodles themselves had nothing going on either. Bland. (tk) - UPDATE: This was much better a few days later reheated and then topped with a poached egg. (tk)
I wouldn't normally comment on the rice, but their's was fantastic. We got the sticky rice ($3.00... I think) and it came in the little bamboo holder. It clumped up well when reaching with your fingers. Very good. (tk)
Overall, this place was average. We all enjoyed the chicken the most, but nothing else stood out. Probably no need to go back except to order the chicken and have a beer or five. (tk)
Menu:
★★☆☆☆
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-8pm (Closed Monday)
CASH ONLY
Price: A little high ($42 for lunch for 4)
Before we move on with the review/description I want to point that, yes, I do realize these pictures are absolute crap. This post will be remembered as the one where we started to spend a little more time while taking the pictures. I'm not a fan of photographs in a restaurant, so I try to rush through. As a result, the pictures for this expedition have suffered. Just be happy we included pictures! (tk)
We came across this restaurant at the last minute while trying to decide where to eat today. Orignally, I was looking for a non-Asian restaurant. Just to take a break. I was planning on driving us out to a burger place in West Seattle, but then a member or our group complained it was too far. Viengthong had been on my list to try for a while, so I thought we would give it a go. It's a self-proclaimed "Lao-Thai" restaurant near the MLK/Rainier intersection. We had a friend that was Lao that would occasionally give us homemade Lao sausage and sticky rice to try. I loved that stuff, so I was looking for something like that at Viengthong. Before leaving, I quickly did some research on what others order and liked from previous visits. (tk)First up was the Som Tum ($7.50). It's a papaya salad that's prepared either Thai-style or Lao-Style. We went for Lao-style since we've had Thai-style many times before. From what I could gather, Lao-style had a heavy dose of shrimp paste and fish sauce. I'm sure there is much more to it, but that's all we tasted. When first presented it had an odd dirty water glow to it. While taking my first bite, I didn't think I would continue eating. Amazingly, it kind of grew on my throughout the meal. It's very strong flavored and not for someone that is opposed to shrimp paste. We asked for medium (mild, medium, hot were the options), but it came with little or no spice. You could see the peppers and pepper flakes, but they gave off no heat. Could have been old peppers. (tk)
The Viengthong Dry Beef ($8.25) was brought out at the same time as the Som Tum. I had read a reviewer comment on how much they enjoyed the Dry Beef. As I was reading that, it made me think this dish may be similar to one I have many times in Los Angeles at Jitlada. That stuff is awesome. It's a dry style curry and gives off that back of the head tingle when eating. Amazing. What we ordered at Viengthong was nothing like that one. So I was way off in my assumption of what I thought it might be like. This was more of a Lao beef jerky. Fun, but not great. (tk)
We also ordered the BBQ Chicken ($8.25). This was the winner for the meal. It's marinated in coconut milk, garlic and black pepper. I think it was either 3 or 4 thighs cooked up and then cut in large slices. Super tender and delicious. I would order this one again for sure! (tk)
For our noodle choice we opted for Lard Nar with pork ($8.75). The menu describes this as "Stir fried rice noodles topped with mixed vegetables". As you can see from the picture our "mixed vegetables" were cuts broccoli. I guess the "mixed" part was the fact that they gave us stalks and tops! This dish was pretty boring and flavorless. The sauce was weird too. A little too snot-like for me. The noodles themselves had nothing going on either. Bland. (tk) - UPDATE: This was much better a few days later reheated and then topped with a poached egg. (tk)
I wouldn't normally comment on the rice, but their's was fantastic. We got the sticky rice ($3.00... I think) and it came in the little bamboo holder. It clumped up well when reaching with your fingers. Very good. (tk)
Overall, this place was average. We all enjoyed the chicken the most, but nothing else stood out. Probably no need to go back except to order the chicken and have a beer or five. (tk)
Menu:
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