Saladang Awards

Saladang Restaurant Review:

Wallaporn “Dang” Vattanatham named her friendly, upscale Pasadena restaurant for a traditional Thai gazebo. The industrial space sports concrete walls, exposed ducts and a high ceiling, but is softened by traditional Thai art. Start with an order of pun klib, steamed dumplings filled with savory ground chicken and crushed peanuts. Specialties include a crab curry with shrimp, crispy deep-fried whole catfish and sizzling beef in peanut sauce. This is clearly a restaurant with ambitions beyond pad thai and barbecued chicken, though they offer solid versions of both dishes. To drink, don’t miss the glass of honey lime “essence.” For dessert, order velvety black rice pudding, and, if it’s available, mango with sticky rice. Next door is sister restaurant Saladang Garden.