Casian Seafood - Lafayette, Colorado

rymats

@casian_seafood a 2022 James Beard Best New Restaurant semifinalist was very good. I don’t believe I’ve had Hmong food before certainly not at a restaurant. It was subtly yet clearly different from other East and SE Asian food. I started with the Hmong style egg rolls. They were very crunchy nicely browned and not greasy. Reminiscent of Vietnamese egg rolls even with a similar dipping sauce. For my entree I had the Hmong Sausage it was very savory with pork belly and the distinctive flavor of lemongrass. They offered it with rice or sticky rice; I definitely wanted to try the sticky rice. It came extremely hot and was somewhat painful extracting it from the plastic wrap and the first few bites was amazing. Unfortunately as it cooled it dried out quickly and hardened somewhat.

I overheard the server mentioning fried ice cream to the next table and had to get it. The outside crunchy part [I really have no idea what it was wrapped in] was really good but the ice cream had melted a bit. It was still really good though.

Definitely want to come back and try more Hmong dishes. They were advertising live crawfish as well—though seasonal—but the boils looked good. Definitely want to try some of those too.

Bernard J.

A unique spot in the area with some fun food choices. I enjoyed my shrimp po boy quite a bit (though I do wish it was a bit bigger for the price) but it was really good. One day I’ll have to get the full seafood boil option as it looked really good.

Overall a good spot and l will go back again!

Susan M. V.

Very delicious Hmong foods! My husband had the Ka Phia. His absolute favorite noodles dish. He loved the fried oysters. My favorite was the larb salad, papaya salad, and sticky rice. Larb salad taste gave me the feeling just like those that you get at Hmong gatherings party! Home cooking greatness!

Peter P.

Great experience!! Food, service and atmosphere.

First time coming in and brought my mom. We got the chefs family special with the Casian special sauce. Great flavor especially when you get the juices towards the bottom of the pot. A nice homemade sauce made from the owner which is unique from most places.

They also have multiple Hmong dishes were I must try for next time. Excellent selections of beers and wines from their listings.

Also a modern vibe in the restaurant environment. They have a drink bar as well great for grabbing drinks and hanging out or bringing families in. Will be back for sure to try other things on their menu!

franchesica K.

I'm definitely coming back here to try more of their items off their menu. Our waitress was so sweet! We ate outside with our dog, and she brought a water bowl just for him and made sure it was always filled up with water. They also make their sauce in house, so I definitely recommend their egg rolls. Also for anyone REALLY hungry, you should definitely order their hen. More than enough to keep you full. The food was very flavorful, and I had an overall positive experience at Casian Seafood. I will be back for more!

Meng V.

Immerse yourself in Hmong culture by exploring their cuisine. I had an amazing time from start to finish. Sticky rice is, well, sticky, and this type of eating establishment is designed for diners to use their fingers, so don't hesitate to dive in. Wear a bib and enjoy your food without utensils.

I am a fan of Hmong sausage and eat it regularly. It's a hearty, meaty sausage that will fill you up and digest slowly. Pair it with a handful of sticky rice and dip it in some pepper sauce for a touch of heat. The combination of meat, sticky rice, and spicy sauce will leave your taste buds begging for more.

The papaya salad is a symphony of flavors, with a balance of spice, sourness, and sweetness. The combination of textures in this dish will make you want to keep it all to yourself, but I had to share.

The seafood boil consisting of crab, lobster, and shrimp was exquisite. The seafood was cooked to perfection, avoiding the common pitfall of being overcooked, which can result in a rubbery texture and make it less enjoyable to eat

I understand that wait times can be longer, but I also understand that each dish is cooked to perfection and takes time. I am willing to wait for delicious food.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the owners and staff for the incredible culinary experience!

Linda L.

Very clean, excellent service. Had the fish and chips, was really good. Also had kimchi and the egg rolls were really crispy ! I will be back for seafood boil !

Aylyn Y.

We were really curious about this place. We had heard that “Casian” meant a blend of “Asian” and “Cajun” seasonings and we are also familiar with the low country boil that is served in Georgia. The Crayfish, Shrimp, or Mussel boils come in their broth, rather than laid out on the table like a low country boil. I chose the special Casian sauce which was flavorful but a bit too oily for my liking. My friend had the garlic butter boil, which we both preferred. Be prepared to peel your own shrimp as they are served whole with the heads. If this weirds you out, just get the mussels! The egg rolls for an appetizer did not disappoint. My husband ordered the Bahn Mi which was smaller and not as impressive as some Bahn mi’s we have had; however the flavor was good. French fries side with this was very small. I highly recommend the friend Ice cream sandwich. It was huge, delicious, and fun to share. We’ll be back to try the pho soon!