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Ka Pao Edinburgh

Lothians, Edinburgh - South East Asian - Restaurant - ££

Innovative South-east Asian food backed by top-notch service

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

Slotted into a shopping mall in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, this ‘absolutely terrific’ younger sibling of Ka Pao in Glasgow is notable for its ‘amazing atmosphere, involved chefs and first-rate, well-drilled staff’. 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. Fans of zippy South-east Asian 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). Innovative ideas abound, from corn ribs with salted coconut, shrimp and lime to stir-fried ox tongue, pak choi, oyster sauce and green peppercorns, while Scottish produce gets a good outing (venison carpaccio with chilli jam; grilled Shetland mussels with orange and calamansi nam jim, for...

Slotted into a shopping mall in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, this ‘absolutely terrific’ younger sibling of Ka Pao in Glasgow is notable for its ‘amazing atmosphere, involved chefs and first-rate, well-drilled staff’. 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.

Fans of zippy South-east Asian 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). Innovative ideas abound, from corn ribs with salted coconut, shrimp and lime to stir-fried ox tongue, pak choi, oyster sauce and green peppercorns, while Scottish produce gets a good outing (venison carpaccio with chilli jam; grilled Shetland mussels with orange and calamansi nam jim, for example). Curries also receive the full Ka Pao treatment, as in beef short rib with aubergine and banana chilli or skate wing with makrut lime and cashews.

Sides and veggie dishes such as stir-fried choi sum with burnt tomato sambal are equally convincing and emphatically spiced, while desserts could bring salted chocolate mousse with sriracha honeycomb or sticky tamarind and ginger sponge with coconut and lime mascarpone. Asian-themed cocktails, sodas and beer suit the food, and the short wine list is tilted towards aromatic spice-tolerant bottles.

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VENUE DETAILS

St James Quarter
Edinburgh
Lothians
EH1 3AEGB

0131 385 1040

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OTHER INFORMATION

Counter seating, Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly

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