While El Sobrante might not be the first destination that comes to mind for Lao food, it's worth making the trip to visit Sue's Kitchen. Hidden away in a tiny strip mall on a hill, this restaurant has a short but dazzling menu of Lao and Thai dishes. One fantastic appetizer is their nam kao, a large platter of crispy rice salad that's stir-fried with som moo, or sour fermented pork sausage. Wrap the rice in lettuce with fresh herbs, but be careful to leave some room for your entree as these tasty bundles could be a whole meal all by themselves. Kao piak, a big bowl of chicken soup brimming with homemade rice/tapioca noodles and fried garlic is perfect if you're nursing a cold or in the mood for Southeast Asian comfort food. Unless you're starving, get the medium size; it's a generous portion large enough for two. Another standard Lao noodle soup is kao soy; wide, flat rice noodles swim in a chicken broth topped with spicy minced pork and meatballs. Be sure to see what's on their list of specials as well. The green seafood curry is wonderfully prepared -- and not too cloyingly sweet -- with fresh shrimp, salmon, eggplant, asparagus and a side of jasmine rice.

Sue’s Kitchen
448 Valley View Rd. [map]
El Sobrante, CA 94803
Ph: (510) 222-2312
Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-3pm, 5-9pm; Closed Sun-Mon
Facebook: Sue's Kitchen
Price range: $$ Entrees ($11-$17)

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5 Bites: Enticing Lao Cuisine in the East Bay