FOOD - Ka Pao where the food really does pack a punch!
Quoting Guy Fieri "A road rockin trip to Flavourtown", this describes Ka Pao perfectly. Dish after dish, South East Asian flavour hits with saltiness, umami, sweet, bitter and sour packing a punch in every mouthful.
REVIEW OF KA PAO, ST JAMES QUARTER, EDINBURGH
Besides Glasgow, you’ll find Ka Pao located in the St James Quarter, 4th floor, in Edinburgh. Its tucked in behind a pizza restaurant with its own entrance from the outside. Open and airy, with large windows letting all that glorious light in. The decor is contemporary with a mix of booth seats and tables and chairs.
It is recommended that you order 3-4 dishes per person but they are all sharing plates unless you really really love a dish and no-one it getting near it! Food comes as it is ready and is piping hot.
The Pork and Bone Marrow Sausages (£6.00) are an absolute must order but wrap them in the Thai basil leaves 🍃 - boom 💥 instant teleportation into flavourtown city centre!
I have to applaud the Fried Brussel Sprouts in Soybean Dressing (£5.00) - gosh you'll lap this up. Crispy and crunchy yet soft and tender on the inside. Definitely push the brussels aside to find the pool of soybean dressing at the bottom of the plate and roll the brussels in this. It coats it in a lovely sourness that only compliments this dish.
These Corn Ribs (£6.00) are finger licking and lip smackingly delicious. The Salted Coconut 🥥 adds to the flavour and juiciness whilst the shrimp and lime, obvious with each bite, brings the umami hit you'll want.
One Corn rib down and you'll wish these weren't a sharing plate!
The Crispy Pork Belly with sorrel, watercress and calamansi salad (£9.00) rocked on this occasion. This is the on the starter part of the menu and not be be confused with the Slow Roasted Pork Belly, which I have no doubt is equally as tasty.
This salad has everything you want, crispy pork crackling, succulent and gelatinous pork belly with a coating that any chef would be proud to run their knife over, all tossed with beautiful fresh greens!
Green Curry of minced Venison and Pork with banana chilli and green peppercorns (£13.50). The aroma from this plate was immense which was only backed up by the flavour. We ordered Jasmine Rice with this and just made for continued yummy eating.
A Twist of Both (£4.50) - Mango & Calamansi and Coconut and Pandan sorbet - yes please. Cold, fruity, creamy and a perfect finish.
The Banana Crème Diplomate, peanut caramel and black sesame filo- imagine a Snickers bar just not as sweet. Smash through the crispy thin layers of sesame sprinkled filo to reveal thick gooey chewy caramel coated peanuts sitting alongside a dollop of silky banana cream. Lush!
All in all, I really enjoyed my visit to Ka Pao. The staff are friendly and efficient and the food was at its best. There was some heat and spice throughout all these dishes, but nothing overwhelming or too hot to handle. The spice was subtle and only added to the overall flavour and enjoyment of every dish.
This has to be one of my favourite places to eat in the St James Quarter!
Things to note:
They offer alot of vegetarian food
They recommend at least 3-4 plates per person
Their allergens are all listed at the bottom of the menu
They are disabled access friendly with toilet access on the same floor
Kitchen is open so you can see what they are cooking
Large tables so can accommodate large groups
Ka Pao, St James Quarter, Floor 4, Edinburgh EH1 3AE www.ka-pao.com
My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10
I was invited by Ka Pao to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.