Ka Pao Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Lothians
Slotted into a shopping mall in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, this ‘absolutely terrific’ younger sibling of Ka Pao in Glasgow overcomes its new-build surroundings thanks to really good service and a menu of zippy South-east Asian food. Located up a flight of stairs and behind a plate glass frontage, the dining space is filled with rows of tables, brown leather banquettes (fashioned from old bus seats) and comfy booths, while illumination comes from big white spherical lamps. Also note the convoluted ceiling ducts and the curved bar with its impressive hanging gantry. Fans of finger food are in for a treat here: don’t miss the instantly addictive chicken wings slathered in ‘fish sauce caramel’ (so good you’ll want to order them twice). Many other dishes have been given a big thumbs-ups: hand-dived scallops with pomegranate, shredded cabbage, lime leaf and lemongrass; stir-fried ox tongue, pak choi, oyster sauce and green peppercorns; grilled whole bream with herb salad and green nam jim (‘a knock-out’). Curries also come highly recommended – a gorgeous ‘green’ version involving lamb shoulder, broad beans, peas, banana chilli and ‘lots of other stuff’, for example. Sides and veggie dishes such as a combo of roasted cauliflower with crispy potato and ajat (Thai ‘quick pickle’) are equally convincing and emphatically spiced, while desserts could bring mango and kalamansi soft serve or palm-sugar panna cotta with pineapple. Asian-themed cocktails, sodas and beer suit the food, and the short wine list is tilted towards aromatic spice-tolerant bottles. ‘Great value and a total joy from start to finish,’ concluded one visitor.
Dining Information:
Counter seating, Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly
St James Quarter, Edinburgh, Lothians EH1 3AE
0131 385 1040
