While visiting Lowell, we went to the cozy and casual dining spot Laos Thai Kitchen in downtown Lowell. They do take out and have six tables available for dine in service.
We started out with Thai Iced Tea ($3), the classic black tea drink made with sugar, condensed and evaporated milks. Then came the Beef Jerky (Lao marinated beef strips, $8.95) a popular snack and food with refrigeration not widely available in Laos. This sweet and savory jerky version came in slightly salty and chewy long and strips with a dipping sauce. The popular snack and meal Isaan Sai Oua (Northern Thai style Sausages) came out served with some sticky rice (a Lao meal staple) and a spicy tomato dip ($11.95). These fatty and fermented pork sausages had bursts of flavor from galangal (Thai ginger), lemongrass and padaek (Lao fermented fish sauce). It is a must to eat the sausage with the accompanying sticky rice.
Tom Yum Seafood Soup ($7.95) is the quintessential Thai spicy and sour lemongrass broth studded with shrimp, scallop, calamari, mixed in with the fresh herbs, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes topped with scallions, and cilantro. Larb Gai ($14.95), is this popular Thai salad dish made with minced chicken, lemongrass, galangal, lime juice, chili, cilantro, and mint.
We wanted to try the Lao version of Thum Mak Houng (papaya salad, $11.95,*4 Adventuresome spice level), which came out with shredded papaya ,long beans, tomatoes, lime juice and fish sauce. Be forewarned, the spice and heat level can be 1-6, but if you cannot handle heat, go with 1. For me, level 4 was too spicy for me, and I am usually ok with spicy food. Their spice levels is authentic, so you are forewarned, it is not scaled down at all. This salad was more pungent, stronger and a bit saltier with the padaek. Finally our Spicy Pad Thai ($14.95) came out. This famous Thai rice noodle dish, stir fried with bean sprouts, scallions, egg and peanuts, had an enjoyable spice and sweetness with our choice of protein. We got the shrimp and the noodles had a nice wok char to them.
Laos Thai Kitchen opened up last year, and we were excited to try Lao and northern Thai food. It is truly a hole in the wall serving delicious homestyle food. Do check out this lovely gem if you are in downtown Lowell.
Laos Thai Kitchen
478 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Dine and Take Out
978-455-2727
