Kolap - Saint Paul

I arrived in Minneapolis full of East Coast energy, desperately craving Khmer food to warm my soul and feet. I ordered lemongrass soup and skewered beef, hoping for a taste of my mom's cooking in a different city. The restaurant had all the right Cambodian touches in its decor, but when the food arrived and I took my first bite, I struggled to keep my composure. I politely excused myself to the bathroom, just to reassure myself that I was indeed Cambodian, eating Khmer food in a Cambodian restaurant. The owner claimed that her reinterpretation of traditional recipes was meant to appeal to a wider audience, but I felt certain it was done intentionally. I won't be coming back! I would recommend checking out Cheng Heng down the street instead.

I ordered the noodle soup, but the portion was a bit small for the price. The noodles were too firm for my liking, and the broth lacked flavor. The restaurant was quite quiet, possibly due to COVID. The woman who took our order wasn't very friendly and rushed us to decide. I had to ask her to come back in five minutes so we could look over the menu, but she lingered at our table until we placed our order. It made me feel a bit uncomfortable; I've never experienced that kind of service before, haha.

What a truly unique and fantastic experience! I came in for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was mostly empty, which was fine. I had no expectations, but wow, the food was incredibly tasty and full of flavor! The portion sizes are enormous, so be prepared to share! The prices are very reasonable, and the menu offers a mix of popular Chinese and Thai dishes alongside some distinctive Cambodian options. They also have vegetarian choices, and the staff was kind enough to allow us to substitute meat for tofu or fish when needed. I tried the Siem Reap sour soup, and it was absolutely amazing! If you're on a budget and looking to try something new, this is definitely the spot for you!

This place is amazing. They let us come in after hours for a groom's dinner. The food was unbelivable, the best egg rolls I have ever had. And the staff was beyond amazing. Thank you so much, we will be back a lot!

This place is a hidden gem! The service is always wonderful and charming and the food is delicious, especially the Sour Fish Soup! Don’t miss it. You will be depriving yourself of one of the taste sensations out there. One note, there are a lot of bones in the fish.