Pho Thai Lao Kitchen in Maywood, NJ: Authentic Thai, Lao, and Pho Cuisine

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Introduce

For residents across North Jersey looking for a truly authentic and multi-faceted Southeast Asian dining experience, **Pho Thai Lao Kitchen** in Maywood, NJ, offers a distinctive and appealing option. Unlike typical single-cuisine establishments, this local gem masterfully blends the rich, aromatic flavors of Thai cuisine with the unique, often bolder and spicier profile of Laotian cooking, all while incorporating the comforting warmth of Vietnamese Pho. This convergence of culinary traditions provides local patrons with an expansive and exciting menu that goes far beyond the usual Pad Thai and Red Curry offerings.

Located conveniently in Bergen County, Pho Thai Lao Kitchen has gained a reputation for being a cozy and intimate spot where the focus is firmly on flavor and authenticity. It’s an ideal place for New Jersey diners seeking comfort food, healthy options, or small plates. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch, settling in for a quiet dinner with family or friends, or ordering delivery on a cozy night in, the restaurant offers a variety of savory dishes to satisfy different cravings. With its unique culinary focus on Thai, Laotian, and Pho styles, it stands out as a rewarding destination for exploring the diverse tastes of this region of Asia.

The menu is designed to cater to various tastes, from the familiar comfort of **Pad Thai** ($16.95) and the fragrant **Green Curry** ($17.95) to the more specialized dishes like the rich **Gaolao Soup** ($20.95), the fermented **Esan Sausage** ($20.95), and various Lao-style papaya salads. The blending of these three distinct yet related cuisines ensures that every visit can bring a new discovery, making it a valuable addition to the New Jersey food landscape.

Location and Accessibility

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen is located at **219 Maywood Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607, USA**. Its position in Maywood, Bergen County, makes it highly accessible for residents throughout the area.

Accessibility is well-addressed at this location. The restaurant features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, **Wheelchair accessible seating**, and even a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**, ensuring that it can comfortably accommodate all guests. For those driving, a major convenience is the availability of a **Free parking lot** as well as **Free street parking**, which is a significant plus in any suburban dining area in New Jersey. The atmosphere inside is described as **Casual, Cozy, and Quiet**, providing a relaxing environment for dining, which is perfect for groups and locals looking for a comfortable retreat.

Services Offered

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen provides multiple service options designed to meet the busy schedules and preferences of its New Jersey clientele.

**Dine-in:** Patrons can enjoy the full menu with comfortable **Seating** and full **Table service** in a casual, cozy, and quiet atmosphere, which is ideal for an intimate meal or a friendly gathering.
**Takeout:** Convenient service for customers who wish to pick up their order and enjoy it at home or elsewhere.
**Delivery:** The restaurant offers delivery options, allowing customers to enjoy their favorite Thai, Lao, and Pho dishes without leaving their homes.
**Reservations Accepted:** The establishment accepts reservations, which is helpful for planning ahead, especially for larger groups or during peak dining hours.
**Family-Friendly Amenities:** The restaurant is **Good for kids** and provides **High chairs**, making it an easy choice for family dining.

Features / Highlights

The appeal of Pho Thai Lao Kitchen rests on its unique culinary blend and focus on customer comfort.

**Triple Cuisine Focus (Thai, Lao, Pho):** The most distinct highlight is the mastery of three different Southeast Asian cuisines, offering diversity not commonly found in the region. This includes Laotian specialties like **Nam Khao (Crispy Rice With Pork Sausage)** ($20.95) and various authentic **Som Tum** (Papaya Salad) preparations, alongside Thai curries and Vietnamese-style Pho soups.
**Outstanding Massaman Curry:** Customer reviews specifically praise the **Chicken Massaman Curry** ($17.95) as "insanely creamy and tasty" with a "hearty helping of vegetables," making it a must-try signature dish.
**Savory Noodle Dishes:** Beyond the classics, the **Pad Woon Sen (Glass Noodles)** is highlighted as being "well-seasoned" and a satisfying choice for a savory noodle fix. Other popular noodles include **Pad Khee Mao (Spicy Drunken Noodles)** ($16.95) and **Tom Yum Pho** ($17.95).
**Dietary and Healthy Options:** The restaurant is highly accommodating with its menu offerings, featuring numerous **Vegan options**, **Vegetarian options**, and **Healthy options**, making it accessible to those with various dietary needs.
**Great Tea Selection:** The beverage menu is noted for a **Great tea selection**, including favorites like **Thai Ice Tea** ($5.95) and **Thai Ice Coffee** ($5.95), perfect for complementing the rich and often spicy food.
**Ample Parking:** The provision of a **Free parking lot** is a significant feature that greatly enhances convenience for drivers in New Jersey.
**Gender-Neutral Restroom:** The inclusion of a **Gender-neutral restroom** shows a commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patrons.

Contact Information

For New Jersey residents looking to dine, order takeout, or inquire about the menu, here is the essential contact information for Pho Thai Lao Kitchen:

**Address:** 219 Maywood Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607, USA
**Phone:** (201) 712-0700

What is Worth Choosing

For New Jersey diners, Pho Thai Lao Kitchen offers a compelling reason to visit: a unique and genuinely authentic intersection of three distinct Southeast Asian food cultures. While some minor inconsistencies in service have been noted in customer feedback, the consensus around the food’s quality, particularly the signature dishes, is very strong. The sheer depth of the menu, extending well beyond typical Thai fare into the flavorful world of Laotian cuisine and Vietnamese Pho, is its biggest draw.

The dish most unequivocally "worth choosing" is the **Massaman Curry**. Its exceptional creaminess, rich flavor, and generous portions, as praised by repeat customers, cement it as a must-try. For those looking to explore the restaurant's Lao influences, the various **Som Tum** (Papaya Salad) options or the unique **Nam Khao** (Crispy Rice) provide an authentic and exciting departure from the norm. Noodle enthusiasts should not overlook the savory **Pad Woon Sen** or the spicy kick of the **Pad Khee Mao**. Furthermore, the diverse selection of authentic soups, such as **Tom Yum Pho** or the Lao-style **Tom Kha Gai Lao Style** (Clear Broth Soup), offers warmth and robust flavor.

In a market often saturated with conventional Thai restaurants, Pho Thai Lao Kitchen provides New Jersey locals with a richer, more diverse palette of authentic Southeast Asian tastes. The combination of accessibility, dietary considerations, and a truly unique menu makes it an excellent choice for a satisfying and culturally rich meal. It’s an essential stop for any local food enthusiast seeking a taste of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam all in one cozy Maywood location.

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Menu

Noodle Dishes
Pad Khee Mao (Spicy Drunken Noodles) $16.95
Spicy. Sautéed broad rice noodles with basil, chili sauce, seasonal mixed vegetables.
Pad Thai $16.95
Sautéed rice noodles with tofu, bean sprouts, egg. Served with peanuts and lime wedges.
Pad See Ew $16.95
Sautéed broad rice noodles with seasonal mixed vegetables in brown house sauce.
Lad Nah (Noodles In Gravy Sauce) $16.95
Sautéed broad rice noodles with brown gravy sauce, seasonal mixed vegetables, topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and fried garlic.

Sautéed
Pad Kratiem (Garlic Sauce) $16.95
Sautéed seasonal mixed vegetable in garlic sauce topped with fried garlic.
Pad Kraprow (Basil Sauce) $16.95
Spicy. Sautéed seasonal mixed vegetables in homemade chili sauce, basil, garlic.
Pad Khing (Ginger Sauce) $16.95
Sautéed seasonal mixed vegetables in fresh ginger sauce.

Noodles Soup Thai-Lao Style
Tom Yum Pho $17.95
Hot and sour lemongrass broth soup with rice noodle, lime leaves, bean sprout, mushroom, napa cabbage, scallion-cilantro mixed.
Gaolao Soup (Mixed Vegetables And Meatballs Soup) $20.95
Served with white rice.
Pho Soup $17.95
Pho homemade broth with rice noodle, bean sprout, beef balls, napa cabbage, scallion-cilantro mixed and fried garlic.

Appetizer Soup
Tom Kha Gai Thai Style (Thai Coconut Milk Soup With Chicken) $9.95
Chicken soup with coconut milk, mushroom, napa cabbage topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and sprinkled with lime leaves.
Shrimp Wonton Soup $9.95
Chicken and Shrimp mixed wontons in a light broth, commonly accompanied by napa cabbage and scallions.
Tom Kha Gai Lao Style (Clear Broth Soup With Chicken) $9.95
Chicken in Thai herbs soup with mushrooms, napa cabbage topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and sprinkled with lime leaves.
Tom Yum Koong (Hot & Sour Soup) $9.95
Spicy lemongrass shrimp soup with mushrooms, napa cabbage topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and sprinkled with lime leaves.

Lao Hot Sauce
Lao Hot Sauce (4 Oz: Extra Spicy Chili Sauce) $6.00
Spicy. Pho Thai Lao special homemade fresh Thai chili hot sauce. We use special seasonal Thai chili mixed with our special sauce; perfectly spicy for spicy lover. (5 once)
Lao Hot Sauce (10 Oz: Extra Spicy Chili Sauce) $12.00
Spicy. Pho Thai Lao special homemade fresh Thai chili hot sauce. We use special seasonal Thai chili mixed with our special sauce; perfectly spicy for spicy lover. (10 once)

Appetizer
Edamame $7.95
Steamed Shrimp Dumpling $10.95
Feried chicken and shrimp wrapped with dumpling skin served with Thai sweet soy sauce topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and crushed fried garlic.
Marinated Pork Spare Ribs (Tender) $20.95
Marinated pork spare ribs Thai style. Served with homemade sweet chili sauce. Served with rice and steamed vegetables.
Lao Chicken Wings (Original) $11.95
Fried chicken wing pieces sprinkled with fried garlic and served with house sauce topped with scallion - cilantro mixed.
Avocado Sumer Roll (Vegetarian) $9.95
Avocado, Rice noodles, vegetables wrapped with the rice wrapped, Served with homemade peanut sauce.
Coconut Shrimp $9.95
Fried Butterflied Shrimp served with hommade sweet chilli sauce. Topped with peanut and scallion-cilantro mixed.
Lao Fresh Rolls $10.95
Soft rice paper with vermicelli rice noodles, shrimp, scallion - cilantro mixed, lettuce. Served with house sauce topped with crushed peanuts.
Steamed Vegetables Dumpling $9.95
Fried vegetarian dumplings served with Thai sweet soy sauce topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and crushed fried garlic.
Duck Spring Roll $9.95
Fried duck spring roll; marinated duck meat with mixed chopped vegetables. Served with sweet chili sauce
Spicy Wing $12.95
Kai Chai (Chive Pancake) $9.95
Fried homemade vegetarian chive pancake. Served with sweet soy sauce
Kong Kra Bork (Fried Shrimp Roll) $10.95
Fried Shrimp Roll, served with house sauce.
Lao Crepe $9.95
Rice flour crepe with chicken, bean sprout, topped with scallion - cilantro mixed and fried garlic. Served with house sauce topped with crushed peanuts.
Moo Ping (Lao Style Grilled Pork Skewers) $10.95
Lao style grilled pork skewers marinated with house sauce. Served with sweet chili sauce.
Chicken Satay $10.95
Chicken skewers served with the homemade house sauce
Thai Spring Rolls $10.95
Fried vegetarian spring rolls served with house sauce topped with scallion – cilantro mixed and crushed peanuts.
Fried Veggies Curry Puff $8.95
Fried vegetable curry puffs served with homemade house sauce.

Meat & Poultry
Pork Chop Garlic Sauce $23.95
Pork Chop with stir-fried seasoning veggie in garlic sauce.
Esan Sausage – Fermented $20.95
Ground pork, garlic, onion, lime leaves, lemongrass, topped with scallion-cilantro mixed and fresh ginger. Served with sticky rice.
Pork Chop Pineapple Fried Rice $23.95
Pork Chop with stir-fried jasmine rice, egg, seasoning veggie and pineapple.
Duck Basil Sauce $30.95
Sliced duck, mixed vegetables in homemade basil sauce.
Duck Pineapple Red Curry $30.95
Sliced duck, mixed vegetables in homemade tamarind sauce.
Esan Sausage Basil Fried Rice $20.95
Stir-fried fermented pork sausage cooked with jasmine rice, egg, basil, seasonal mixed vegetable in a light homemade brown sauce.
Nuer Dat Deow (Beef) $23.95
Fried marinated strips of pork served with spicy Lao sauce and sticky rice.
Moo Dat Deow (Pork) $20.95
Fried marinated strips of pork served with spicy Lao sauce and sticky rice.
Gaiyang & Somtum $20.95
Grilled chicken (with bone) & Thai papaya salad (green papaya, string bean, carrots, peanut mixed with garlic lime dressing. served with rice.
Nam Khao (Crispy Rice With Pork Sausage) $20.95
Crispy fried rice with fermented pork sausage, lime juice with Lao seasonings, garlic, scallion cilantro mixed. Served with lettuce and house sauce.

Fried Rice
Crab Fried Rice $16.95
Pineapple Fried Rice $16.95
Stir-fried Thai jasmine rice with eggs, pineapple, seasonal mixed vegetables in a light brown sauce.
Basil Fried Rice $16.95
Stir-fried Thai jasmine rice with eggs, basil, seasonal mixed vegetable in a light brown sauce.
Thai Fried Rice $16.95
Stir-fried Thai jasmine rice with eggs, seasonal mixed vegetables, in a light brown sauce.

Side Order
Steamed Mixed Vegetables $6.95
Brown Rice $2.50
Steamed Sticky Rice $3.00
Steamed Rice $2.50
Steamed Rice Noodles $5.00

Special Soup
Salmon Head Soup $20.95
Salmon head cooked in Lao homemade broth. Served with jasmine rice.
Special Lao Soup $20.95
Homemade broth Laotian style with bean sprout, seasonal mixed vegetable.

Drinks
Soda $3.00
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Orange and Seltzer
Thai Ice Coffee $5.95
Thai coffee mixed with milk and sugar.
Coconut Water $5.95
Sweet Thai coconut water with coconut meat.
Lychee Juice $5.95
Thai lychee juice with fresh lychee meat.
Lemonade $5.95
Thai Ice Tea $5.95
An orange-colored drink made from Thai tea leaves, milk and sugar.
Berry Hibiscus Drink $5.95
Thai Ice Green Tea $4.95
A green color drink made from Thai green tea leave, milk and sugar.

Curry
Chicken Massaman Curry $17.95
Potato, Cabbage, Carrots, Peanut in Thai Massaman Curry Sauce
Green Curry $17.95
Spicy homemade Thai green curry with coconut milk, basil, and seasonal mixed vegetable.
Avocado Curry $16.95
Red Curry $17.95
Spicy homemade Thai red curry with coconut milk, basil, and seasonal mixed vegetable.

Fish Dishes
Salmon Green Curry $23.95
Fried fillet salmon, seasonal mixed vegetable in green curry sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Salmon Basil Sauce $23.95
Fried fillet salmon, with seasonal mixed vegetables in basil sauce topped with fried garlic. Served with jasmine rice.
Whole Red Snapper Lad Prik (Fried) 1 Lbs Size $30.95
Fried 3 lbs whole red snapper, shredded cabbage, scallion-cilantro mixed in homemade spicy sweet chili sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Salmon Lad Prik $23.95
Fried fillet salmon, shredded cabbage, scallion-cilantro mixed in homemade spicy sweet chili sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Whole Red Snapper Garlic Sauce (Fried) 1 Lbs Size $30.95
Fried 3lbs whole red snapper, seasonal mixed vegetable, scallion-cilantro mixed in homemade garlic sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Whole Red Snapper Basil Sauce (Fried) 1 Lbs Size $30.95
Fried 3 lbs whole red snapper, seasonal mixed vegetable, scallion-cilantro mixed in homemade spicy basil sauce. Served with jasmine rice.
Whole Red Snapper Ginger Sauce (Fried) 1 Lbs Size $30.95
Fried 3 lbs whole red snapper, seasonal mixed vegetable, scallion-cilantro mixed in homemade ginger sauce. Served with jasmine rice.

Salad
Mango Salad With Coconut Shrimps $14.95
Sliced fresh mango in homemade lao sauce with tomato, scallion, cilantro, garlic and carrot.
Larb $19.95
Larb is a distinctive kind of Lao salad. Minced meat with special homemade Lao sauce, lime, rice powder, galangal, scallion-cilantro mixed. Served with cabbage and sticky rice.
Som Tum Poo (Lao Papaya Salad With Salted Crab) $23.95
Shredded green papaya with hard-shell crab anchovy sauce, tomatoes, lime, garlic, chili peppers, special homemade Lao sauce. Served with cabbage and sticky rice.
Yum Woon Sen (Lao Glass Noodles Salad) $20.95
Clear bean thread noodles with shrimp, chicken, seasonal mixed vegetables in homemade fresh lime garlic sauce topped with scallion-cilantro mixed.
Som Tum Lao (Lao Papaya Salad With Anchovy Sauce)) $18.95
Shredded green papaya with tomatoes, lime, garlic, chili peppers with special homemade Lao sauce. Served with cabbage and sticky rice.
Som Tum Thai (Thai Papaya Salad) $18.95
Thai Papaya Salad; green papaya, tomato, string bean, chili lime and garlic. served with sticky rice and cabbage
House Salad With Avocado And Peanut Sauce $8.95

Seafood Dishes
Seafood Basil Sauce $23.95
Sautéed seafood with seasonal mixed vegetables in basil sauce topped with fried garlic. Served with jasmine rice.
Seafood Ginger Sauce $23.95
Seafood (Shrimp, squid, mussel) with stir-fried seasoning veggie in ginger sauce.
Seafood Long Song $23.95
Sautéed seafood (Shrimp, squid, mussel) with seasonal mixed vegetables in garlic sauce topped with fried garlic. Served with jasmine rice.

Desserts
Mango With Coconut Sticky Rice $12.95
Sweet mango served with coconut sticky rice topped with coconut sauce.
Khanom Khrok Our Signature Dessert $12.95
Rice flour mini pancakes with creamy coconut center, palm sugar, topped with chive. Made on a special hot cast-iron pan.
Fried Ice Cream $8.95
Fried Banana With Ice Cream $8.95
Banana rolled in spring roll pastry and deep-fried, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Quiet

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
Locals

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Photos

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Location

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen

New Jersey Bergen County Maywood Maywood Avenue

219 Maywood Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607, USA

Pho Thai Lao Kitchen Reviews

An average rating of ★3.9 from 411 user reviews.

spicylao cuisinecrepeshrimpmomthai iced teabrothappetizerssoy saucedumplings

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Our visit was a mixed bag of some highs and major lows. I'm not sure there was anything that wowed us to entice a return visit any time soon but if you find yourself here, I can at least recommend the massaman curry and pad woon sen noodles. The massaman curry here is insanely creamy and tasty, with a hearty helping of vegetables. We ordered it with tofu, which came in cubes of the soft, unfried variety. Paired with rice, this was a winning dish. The pad woon sen - a savory glass noodle dish - can also be ordered with one's choice of protein. We liked it well enough with the chicken, and found it to be well-seasoned. Our server brought us some hot chili sauce on the side, and the spice lover in me was only too happy to heap spoonfuls of it over everything.Our interactions with servers were...interesting. One of our servers seemed rather terse and cold, while the other hovered a little more than I would've liked. When he saw me taking out my camera, he reached in to take my fork. He used it and his bare hands to rearrange our appetizers, seemingly for the pictures. It was a raised brow moment for us, as was finding that our coconut shrimp neither tasted remotely close to coconut and that it was still frozen in the middle. We pointed this out to our server, who apologized and took it back. But instead of bringing out a fresh plate, it turned out they'd just refried our original pieces, even the ones we'd half eaten. Much as I'd hate to raise alarms for such a small and homely business, we couldn't help but wonder about whether it was sanitary to recook eaten food in their deep fryer.This restaurant has been described in lots of other reviews as a hole-in-the-wall, which feels true. While it's more spacious on the inside than it seems on the outside, there's a smallness and intimacy to the restaurant. The menu is also fairly short and streamlined to a few categories. There's no dedicated parking lot, but we were able to find free street parking without too much trouble.
September 29 · Jane C
I ordered the pork chop through UberEats, and I honestly couldn’t believe how bad it was. The flavor was unpleasant from the first bite, the texture made it even worse, and finishing it felt impossible. This wasn’t just below average — it was truly inedible for me. I haven’t tried their other dishes, so maybe those are better, but this pork chop was an unforgettable disappointment — and not in a good way.
August 09 · zhao kevin
Excellent, flavorful, FreshSoft shell crabs was a special on a day. It was very excellent made, and prepared and their vegetarian dumplings and a curry puffs.
July 11 · Chef L. DiLullo
If you are looking for a true hole in the wall experience, then you should visit. Pho Thai Laos. The owners are offering a cuisine that is a mix of Thai and Laotian . Everything is made from scratch. The owners have been there for 20 years. While the decor is outdated the food is outstanding. Last night we started with Edamame and Vegetable Dumplings. The dumplings were steamed, moist and delicious with their variations of soy sauce.As you can see by the menu board they had a number of specials. We had the shrimp avocado curry and the salmon green curry. The rice was cooked to perfection. The restaurant is located by the old Maywood train station which makes the area very quaint. Parking is ample along the side of the building or the back. If you are looking for a variation of Thai food at a restaurant off the beaten track then I highly recommend this restaurant.
March 30 · Andrea Link
We wanted to try a new place but unfortunately this was not the best option. We ordered pad se ew noodles with chicken and shrimp and overall it was not great. Noodles were soggy and gummy and honestly flavorless. Perhaps other food items are better. Thai iced tea and spring rolls were good though. And the sum total of what we ordered was pricy, 50 dollars! Hopefully things in the future will be better!
June 29 · Samantha Avina