South Area Market 5220 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820

"My favorite go-to Lao restaurant!! I always come here to order the lao sausages, kapoon, chicken wings, sticky rice and papaya salad! The best place to order Laos food! The workers are always so nice when I see them."

"Amazing food. Run by a very nice family. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu now and love everything I’ve had. Very good papaya salad and Lao sausage."

"Went to this market to help get over our “just got home from Thailand depression” We were happy to see some Thai cooking products there that we will probably go back for. Also I will most likely go back and buy a Sticky Rice steamer setup (haven’t seen anywhere else in CA). Staff was friendly. We noticed they had Isan Sausage so we had to try it. Because of credit card minimum purchase rules we also bought some Pad Thai. The sausage was delicious! The Pad Thai was on the sweeter side but had chicken and shrimp, plus the portion was pretty big. I am sure they will be seeing us again soon"

"There are a lot of yummy options to choose from. Two friends recommend this place to me when I expressed missing Lao style papaya salad. I can’t make that drive to Stockton anymore. Lao style is less sweet compared to Thai. I grew up eating Hmong and Lao food. The dishes I ordered were: Papaya Salad Beef Laab (well done*, less bitter) Lao Sausage Kapoon (without the blood) Sticky Rice Thai Iced Coffee *I’m a heathen to be eating it well done, I know I ordered everything mild and you know… I realized I need more fire. I’m used to my Lao and Hmong aunties throwing in 6 peppers when I asked for 2. I’ll ask for medium next time. But it’s good that I ordered mild because when my partner ate it for the first time, he said there was too much flavor in his mouth. Some things to note if you’re completely new to trying everything (as observed from my partner). The lao sausages have a lemon flavor due to the lemongrass. If you do not like lemongrass, do not order it. Also, do not attempt to eat a mixed of the items I ordered all at once since you will not have a good time (if you’re used to eating bland food all of your life all of these dishes will hurt). Take your time as each dish can be enjoyed separately. The papaya salad will have a strong odor. But it’s so good! It will grow on you. But I understand first timers will not like it. There is tripe in beef laab (which I forgot) but it’s seasoned so well. You’re going to forget it’s there. Do not sleep on the Thai iced coffee. If you love Vietnamese iced coffee, this is just as amazing. It’s a different flavor but it hits the spot. I forgot to take a photo because I finished it in one sip. I got all of my items to-go and I think they did a fantastic job wrapping it. Also, like how there was a parking lot and credit cards are accepted. My friends saw my photos and now they want to try. I would visit again."