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Writer's pictureSonya Feeser

Native Plate: Where Thai & Vietnamese Flavors Shine in RVA

Do yourself a favor and check out Native Plate (@nativeplaterva) in downtown RVA! 🍜🪴🏙️ Native Plate is a woman-owned and minority-owned street food inspired restaurant that serves food with Thai and Vietnamese influences. 🇹🇭🇻🇳 Lorna Bedford, the owner of Native Plate, is actually the daughter of the owner of Mom’s Siam and Mom’s Siam 2—so working in the restaurant industry definitely runs in the family! Lorna opened Native Plate at the young age of 26 during the pandemic and I think the constantly busy tables speak for themselves on her success 🤯 I really enjoyed the cute, airy space with the umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and all the plants they have outside. ☂️🌺🌼



As for food, we got:

🍜 Curry Laksa // Malaysian coconut curry

🦆 Duck Bao Buns // Taiwanese buns in a hoisin bbq sauce served with taro chips

🍛 Indonesian Fried Rice // can pick your protein and spice level, also HUGE serving!

🌶️ Gochujang Cauliflower // not too spicy at all!



And for cocktails:

🍹 Bird of Paradise // light and dark rum, Campari, pineapple, lime, and passionfruit.

🫐 Blackberry Bramble // gin, muddled blackberry, house made ginger beer, lime.



If you get one thing, make it the Duck Bao Buns! 👏 It was my first time trying duck and it was finger-licking good—it literally melted in my mouth! 🤤🤌 The Curry Laksa and Indonesian Fried Rice were okay on their own, but tasted even better with their homemade chili oil mixed in. 😍🌶️ I love knowing they will make substitutions (ex. you can get tofu instead of duck) and really cater to those who are gluten free or vegan! 🌱 The signature cocktails we tried were both super refreshing, not to mention the super cute presentation in the tiki glass! I was so surprised when they brought the Bird of Paradise drink out on FIRE (it’s hard to tell in the pic but there is a flame)! 🫨🔥


Overall, Native Plate is a great spot for date night or to take the whole family if you want a variety of options. I can’t wait to try the rest of their menu! 🙌



Instagram: @nativeplaterva



Originally Published 10/22/2023.

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