Bida Manda

Bida Manda is a Laotian restaurant on South Blount Street in downtown Raleigh. The name comes from the Sanskrit ceremonial words for father and mother, chosen to honor the owner’s parents in Laos, who taught him what food can do for a community.

The cooking follows that thread. Green papaya salad arrives hand-julienned with tomatoes, peanuts, and a house-made tamarind dressing, served with sticky rice, and vegetables come with a peanut and sesame sukiyaki sauce made in the kitchen. Almost everything on the table is made from scratch.

What to know

• Cocktails use freshly squeezed juices, house-made syrups, and handpicked herbs.
• A caramelized sweet chili sauce is made in house for certain dishes.
• Beef tripe can be added to a dish for more flavor and texture.
• Lao food reflects the country’s setting between green hills and the Mekong River.