Kalaya - Philadelphia

One of a kind experience. We came here for my wife's birthday and she absolutely loved the food and place.The food was amazing and so was the plating. Food is a lot different than other Thai places that we have been to and this felt unique and authentic. Our server Lindsay was very helpful and did a great job with the recommendations and service. Shaw muang Chicken dumpling) was really good and delicious and does look like it is a dish made for the emperor. What surprised us the most is the Kalum tod num pa Cabbage) ..never have we ever had cabbage this delicious. We can't wait to come back and try more. Our recommendations Chicken dumplings Southern style Chicken curry Cabbage Stir Fried Pickled Mustard Greens with Egg Tom Yum Kalaya with Shrimps) Nam lychee IG: journey_man16

If you want authentic Thai food Kalaya will not disappoint. I loved the casual atmosphere. No frills, food came out quickly presentation was beautiful. We ordered some laab and were warned that it was spicy it was but was also packed with herbs and well executed. The chicken dumplings and Chinese broccoli were my favorite dishes. BYOB I?m sad that they?re moving to Fishtown because I won?t be able to walk there anymore :

We ordered the massaman beef curry, their renowned crab dish served with rice, and some stir-fried vegetables, all of which were absolutely delightful. Since our total exceeded $100, our server generously gave us a $30 coupon for our next visit, so we’re excited to return with more friends soon! All the dishes are designed for sharing, so I highly recommend bringing a group along. One thing to keep in mind is that making a reservation requires a $20 per person deposit, which is refunded after your visit.

The food was fantastic! Our server, Katherine, was incredibly knowledgeable and provided excellent recommendations. We enjoyed appetizers, main courses, and dessert. I highly recommend the scallop curry and crab fried rice. Everything we tasted was exquisite.

Some dishes were absolutely spot on, including the scallop curry, Khao Yum tossed salad with dried shrimp, and shrimp, crab, and pork siu mai, as well as the stir-fried cabbage. However, a few dishes, like the black pepper beef and prawn vermicelli, fell a bit short in flavor and depth; they could have used a little more umami or garlic. I think a char-grilled soy sauce and lemongrass beef would really complement the steak nicely. Overall, it was a great experience. I was a bit deceived by the salad, which was marked as level 1 for spiciness but should have been a 5 (way too hot for me!). I ended up eating most of it, but I definitely recommend trying the scallops—they're so memorable that I find myself dreaming about them!