I always forget how Asian LA is until I leave it. The transition from Simpang to Sama Sama is abrupt to say the least.
I was immediately suspicious when Sama Sama sold out of sate. On a menu so small, how do you run out of chicken-on-a-stick before the dinner rush?
I ordered other regrettable apps, the Vietnamese Wings to start. $16 for three flats and three drums, a total of three whole wings. They were good wings, with fish sauce caramel that “etches” the surface (a little deeper than scratching), but even Michelin would be hard pressed to pay $5 per wing.
Cocktails for takeaway are a welcome notion, and a curiously strong Fall of Saigon features a prominent gin. A liqueur, a zest of citrus, a cool of cucumber, and a dash of basil smooths the edges.
The Crispy Duck Salad will do. The duck blends nicely with a sharp greens and sweet grapes, and the peanuts add some Asian flair. The dressing is fish sauce and spice, much like a liquid version of the wing sauce. Overall enjoyable if not for the $18 price tag.
Mie Goreng, aka chow mein. It’s good chow mein, but the price of $13 is just too much for a half-pint of Chinese takeout with a fancy label. This iteration is definitely bare-bones, and you’d get four times the quantity at any PF Chang’s.
All the dishes have the same flavor: spicy. They are liberal with the chilis and I’ll give them props for not being shy about the spice, but I do think they diluted the colorful, strong, and diverse flavors that define Southeast Asia. Factor in the outrageous prices, and nothing about this equation adds up.
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