Welcome to Mandalay Kitchen

Mandalay Kitchen in St. Paul offers a flavorful journey through Burmese, Thai, and Karen cuisine. Signature dishes like tea leaf salad, Shan Khao Soi, pumpkin curry, and samosas highlight authentic tastes made with care. With vegetarian-friendly options, warm service, and a cozy atmosphere, it’s a standout spot for anyone seeking vibrant, comforting meals.
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General Info

Nestled in the heart of St. Paul at 383 University Ave W, Mandalay Kitchen is a hidden gem that brings authentic Burmese flavors to the Twin Cities while blending in touches of Thai and Karen cuisine. The restaurant has earned a devoted following for its flavorful dishes that feel both comforting and elevated, making it a spot worth returning to again and again.

One of the standout offerings is the tea leaf salad (lahpet thoke), which balances crunch and zest in every bite. The peanuts and fried garlic add texture, while lemon juice, tomatoes, and a touch of fish sauce deliver layers of flavor that range from nutty to tangy. For noodle lovers, the noodle salad is light and refreshing on its own, but transforms beautifully when lime juice is added, releasing a rich, nutty profile. The Zaap Crispy, featuring golden fried chicken with a medium spice kick, is another must-try for those who enjoy bold seasoning without overwhelming heat.

Hearty bowls are also a highlight at Mandalay Kitchen. The Shan Khao Soi is especially memorable: creamy curry broth with tender chicken that practically falls off the bone, offering both comfort and richness in one dish. Equally impressive is the boat noodle soup, where sweet and savory notes are carefully balanced so that no single flavor dominates. For a truly authentic Burmese experience, the mohinga—a fish-based soup with soft fish cake textures—captures the essence of traditional home cooking.

Vegetarians and spice-seekers alike will find plenty to enjoy here. Dishes like the pumpkin curry, infused with just the right amount of spice, showcase the kitchen’s skill in layering flavors. The samosas, crisp on the outside and filled with seasoned goodness, are the perfect starter to share. The menu also reflects care for diverse dietary preferences, offering a wide selection of meat-free options without compromising on taste.

For something a little different, guests can try the Knyaw iced salad, a refreshing treat combining crushed ice with crunchy crackers and sweet elements, reminiscent of Southeast Asian desserts like Vietnam’s chè ba màu. It’s a unique way to finish a meal that feels both playful and satisfying.

Service at Mandalay Kitchen complements the food, with attentive staff ensuring a welcoming dining experience. Many visitors highlight the fast seating and friendly service, even during busy hours, adding to the charm of the restaurant. Surrounded by a vibrant neighborhood full of dining options, Mandalay Kitchen manages to stand out with its combination of authenticity, variety, and heartfelt cooking.

HOUR OPENING
  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Mandalay Kitchen Photos

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What customers say?

“ The Crab Rangoon is a crispy, golden appetizer with a creamy, flavorful filling that perfectly balances the savory taste of crab. Burmese Stuffed Tofu is a standout favorite, with tofu delicately stuffed with aromatic herbs and spices, offering a unique and satisfying bite. I've recently ordered **Burmese Stuffed Tofu** for a work catering, and it was an instant hit with everyone. The dish is flavorful, hearty yet light, and loved by both tofu enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The combination of textures and rich flavors makes it an unforgettable choice for any occasion. ”

“ Absolutely incredible and special spot. The food was fantastic- I got the tea leaf salad, Knyaw pumpkin curry with tofu, and a jasmine tea. Great for a vegetarian/ vegan. Everything came out very quickly and all of the servers were great. Even more special is the heart behind the place- the owner, Christopher, is incredible. He brought out an extra complimentary dish of curry and flatbread for a table over, saw me smiling and curious and brought out the same- but it had meat, so he then went back and fried me up fresh parathas. That was also all on the house!!! Make sure you look at his dedication to his inspirational grandmother (towards the back on the wall!). And if you don’t already know about the Knyaw (also called Karen) people, please look that up to appreciate even more. Even if you don’t get to meet Christopher, you will feel his warmth and joy in the food and the atmosphere. I will definitely be back!! ”

“ This place was delicious. We ordered the Nan tok laab, tea leaf salad, and the tofu appetizer. For beverages we had the pink milk and the thai tea. All of it was excellent. Service was wonderful, would highly recommend. ”

“ I feel blessed to say that one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in the United States is literally right here in the Twin Cities, because the food here is heavenly to the point of me consistently returning despite living far from the establishment. In terms of food, there is a mixture of Burmese, Thai, and Karen dishes, and each one that my friends and I have ordered has been a hit. The tea leaf salad has amazing texture because of peanuts and fried garlic, which provide crunchiness, and has amazing flavor because of lemon juice, fish sauce, and tomatoes. The noodle salad has a light taste without adding the given lime piece, and then the rich nutty taste gets evoked and elevated upon adding lime juice. The zaap crispy has very well-seasoned fried chicken pieces, and medium spice level gives it a good amount of flavor. The shan khao soi is so creamy and tasty that even tasting the curry broth itself is a sensational experience, and the chicken leg included literally has "fall off the bone" meat. The boat noodle has a mixture of sweetness and savor, while the sweet flavor does not overpower anything at all. Finally, the mohinga clearly has fish cake flavor and texture fully infused, making it authentically delicious. We also ordered the knyaw iced salad, which was a mixture of ice along with crackers and other types of sweet ingredients. I thought it was very similar to a type of Vietnamese dessert called chè ba màu (three color pudding), and fully enjoyed it. The establishment only had one dessert, and I thought that was sufficient. While the street contains many excellent restaurants, I personally believe that this establishment stands out in terms of taste. I must also mention that since my friends and I arrived when barely anyone else was there each time we had gone there, we never experienced any service delays that some have mentioned in their reviews. I probably will give this place a 5 rating anyway even if I experience slowness, although I hope I don't. ”

“ Amazing food! The pumpkin curry was flavored perfectly and had the perfect amount of spice! The samosas were also good. Everything tasted homemade and you could taste the love put into the food! ”

“ 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 place to visit. ”

“ An absolutely amazing find! The owner Chris was phenomenal in providing an additional wine tasting, and high praise to the Great Wave Sauvignon Blanc! What I love is that Mandalay Kitchen does not shy away from flavors and textures. There's always a fascinating combination of crunch, acidity, and sweetness. The Burmese Stuffed Tofu is a perfect example of spicy and sweet, pairing crunchy and soft. The pumpkin curry was a delicious sweet curry, and the pad see ew was perfectly executed! My only constructive criticism would be the Tea Leaf Salad was just a tad salty, but I also get the authenticity of having a dish with fermented tea leaf - though the crunch from all the fried garlic, peanuts, and sesame was such an incredible aspect of the dish. The environment and servers are incredible! Definitely worth checking it out! ”

“ The best food I've had on my visit to Minneapolis... No pictures of food because it was that good... We went for lunch and service was on point as well. I would highly recommend ”

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Location & Contact

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information Mandalay Kitchen:

383 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103, United States

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