What it's actually like
Overwhelmingly positive response to Gai Noi as a standout Minneapolis destination for authentic Laotian cuisine. Reviewers consistently praise bold, flavorful food served family-style, beautiful multi-floor interior with plants and natural light, and strong service quality. Primary criticisms center on parking difficulty, long weekend waits, no-modification policy, and occasionally inconsistent execution, but these rarely diminish overall enthusiasm.
vibrantcozy-elegantplant-filledmulti-levelwarm-invitingbustling
Diners keep mentioning
basil wings (gai basil)crispy fried tofumok paa (fish steamed in banana leaves)drunken noodlespanang spaghettilemongrass chicken skewersyellow curry
Ambiance
upscale-casual
Noise level
lively
Dress code
smart casual
Outdoor seating
Yes
Good for
date night, family dining, group gathering
Reservations
Walk-in only
Wait reality — No traditional reservations but uses online queue/waitlist system. Expect waits of 30+ minutes during peak Friday/Saturday evenings, but bar seating often available on first-come basis. Best to arrive early or during off-peak hours (lunch, early weeknights).
Derived from 71 recent Google reviews — not marketing copy.
What's cooking
Appetizer
★ Basil Wings$18.88
Crispy tempura-fried chicken wings with our signature dry rub, topped with tempura fried jalapenos and Thai basil.
Crispy Fried Tofugluten freevegan$15.34
Crispy tofu tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with our cilantro-scallion mix and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Crunchy Wings$17.70
Wings coated in tempura and fried, served with a side of sweet chili sauce.
Lemongrass Chicken Skewersgluten freedairy free$18.88
Tender chicken seasoned with lemongrass and a honey/soy glaze. Served with a side of peanut sauce.
Snack
Crispy Porkgluten free$15.34
Seasoned, skin-off pork belly fried to a golden crisp. The perfect addition to any dish, or perfectly enjoyable on its own as a snack.
Jalapeno Wontonsvegetarian$15.34
Cream cheese and roasted jalapenos wrapped and deep fried, served with our house pineapple sauce.
Pork Egg Rollsdairy free$15.34
Pork, shredded carrots, cabbage, onions, scallions, wood ear mushrooms, and bean thread noodles wrapped, fried, and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
Veggie Eggrollsvegetariandairy free$15.34
Eggrolls stuffed with shredded carrots, cabbage, onions, scallions, wood ear mushrooms, and bean thread noodles, fried and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
Salad
Cucumbergluten free$17.70
Sliced cucumbers smashed with a spicy lime tamarind fish sauce dressing, topped with peanuts and cherry tomatoes. Best enjoyed with Sticky Rice!
Green Papayagluten free$17.70
Strips of green papaya smashed with a spicy lime tamarind fish sauce dressing. Best enjoyed with Sticky Rice!
Lao Yum Saladgluten freevegetarian$17.70
Baby kale, spring mix, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and cilantro tossed with an egg yolk dressing and topped with crushed peanuts.
Soup
Khao Poon Gaigluten free$20.06
Chicken and rice noodles in a coconut curry broth, topped with cabbage slaw.
Mee Tom Yum$20.06
Egg noodles in a creamy coconut-based spicy tom yum broth with scallions, cilantro, shrimp, and fried fish balls.
Pasta
Drunken Udonvegandairy free$18.88
Stir-fried udon noodles in a lightly spicy tamarind sauce with onions, red bell peppers, tomatoes, basil, and green onions.
Green Curry Noodles$20.06
Steamed egg noodles simmered in a green curry sauce with peas, Thai basil, green scallions, and topped with sesame seeds.
Pad See Ewgluten free$18.88
Wide rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, Chinese broccoli, bean sprouts, and scallions.
★ Pad Thaigluten free$18.88
Rice noodles with eggs, scallions, bean sprouts, stir-fried with a sweet tamarind sauce and topped with crushed peanuts.
Panang Spaghetti$18.88
Spaghetti noodles tossed in a creamy spicy panang curry sauce, and topped with fresh Thai basil.
Peanut Noodles$18.88
Egg noodle tossed in a red curry peanut sauce with red bell peppers, carrots, bean sprouts, scallions, topped with cilantro and crushed peanuts.
Tum Noodlesgluten free$17.70
Steamed rice noodles tossed with a spicy lime tamarind fish sauce dressing. Best enjoyed with Sticky Rice!
Entree
★ Gai Basilgluten free$18.88
Our take on the classic Thai dish, pad kra pao. Ground chicken sauteed with fresh Thai chilies, crushed garlic, Thai basil, and topped with a crispy fried egg.
Laab Gaigluten free$21.24
Ground chicken, red onions, cilantro, scallions, mint, and toasted rice powder tossed in a spicy lime fish sauce vinaigrette.
Laab Seengluten free$21.24
Sliced grilled beef flank, red onions, cilantro, scallions, mint, and toasted rice powder, tossed in a spicy lime fish sauce vinaigrette.
Laab Tofugluten freevegan$21.24
Minced fried tofu, red onions, cilantro, scallions, mint, and toasted rice powder tossed in a spicy lime vegan vinaigrette.
Lao Sausagegluten free$17.70
House-made ground pork sausage with yellow onion, shallots, makrut lime leaves, Thai chili, and topped with cilantro. Includes a side of jeow mak len (tomato) for dipping.
★ Seasoned Fried Beefgluten free$17.70
Locally-sourced, pasture-fed beef from Peterson Craftsman Meats. Served with a side of beef jeow (jeow contains seafood).
Side
Extra Cabbagevegan$2.36
Extra cabbage.
Extra Lettucevegan$2.36
Extra lettuce.
Fried Eggvegetarian$2.36
Fried egg.
Fried Jalapenosvegan$5.90
Fried jalapenos.
Green Beansvegetarian$15.34
Green beans lightly-battered and fried, then tossed in our signature dry rub.
Jasmine Ricegluten freevegan$2.36
Jasmine rice.
Jeow Bonggluten freevegan$3.54
Classic Laotian hot sauce consisting of roasted chilies, galangal, fried garlic, and fried shallots.
Jeow Eggplantgluten freevegan$3.54
Roasted Chinese eggplants and Thai chilies, with hints of mint and cilantro.
Jeow Mak Lengluten free$3.54
Finely minced cherry tomatoes with Thai chilies, shrimp powder, and herbal seasonings.
Jeow Paagluten free$3.54
Crispy fried tilapia finely minced and paired with scallions, lime, cilantro, and mint to create a unique hot sauce.
Pickled Vegetablesvegan$5.90
Asian style pickled daikon radish and carrot.
Rice Noodlesgluten freevegan$3.54
Rice noodles.
Sauce$2.36
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Sticky Ricegluten freevegan$3.54
Sticky rice.
Dessert
Kanom Krokgluten freevegan$11.80
Lightly sweet and savory coconut pancakes with a crispy outer shell and creamy coconut-based filling.
Mango Cremeuxgluten free$11.80
Rich and decadent mango-infused custard topped with fresh fruit and mint leaves.
Other
Green Currygluten freedairy free$18.88
Zucchini, peas, Thai basil, and scallions simmered in a spicy coconut broth curry.
Red Currygluten freedairy free$18.88
Red bell peppers, bamboo shoots, Thai basil, and scallions simmered in a creamy coconut broth.
Yellow Currygluten freedairy freevegan$18.88
Potatoes, carrots, Thai basil, and scallions simmered in a sweet and mild coconut broth curry.
Fried rice
Curry Fried Ricegluten freevegan$16.52
Turmeric curry powder, garlic, rice, yellow golden raisins, cashews, Thai basil, and green scallions.
Egg & Basil Fried Ricegluten free$16.52
Eggs, garlic, rice, Thai basil, and sweet soy sauce fried to golden perfection.
Pork Fried Ricegluten free$18.88
Eggs, garlic, rice, sweet Chinese sausages, crispy pork fat, Thai basil, and green scallions.
Seafood
Calamari$18.88
Lightly-battered, hand-carved calamari strips topped with tempura-fried jalapenos and Thai basil.
★ Fried Walleyegluten freedairy free$22.42
Fried walleye strips with a caramelized tamarind sauce, fried basil, fried peanuts, and fried dried chilis.
Mok Paagluten free$17.70
Steamed whitefish in aromatics with dill and a spicy rice slurry, wrapped in banana leaves. Best enjoyed with Sticky Rice.
★ Salmon Skewersgluten freedairy free$22.42
Two skewers of salmon marinated for 24 hours in a sweet marinade, grilled to perfection. Served with a side of peanut sauce.
★ Shrimp Skewersgluten freedairy free$22.42
Two skewers of four shrimp each, grilled and dressed with a honey/soy sweet glaze and sesame seeds. Includes a side of peanut sauce.
Find it
Address
1610 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN
Phone
612-338-5744
Restaurant group
independent