I had a late lunch at the SF branch of Champa Garden in Ingleside, after a failed expedition to Ming Kee for a roasted Cantonese meat plate - they only had chicken feet left! I need to get there earlier next time.
Champa Garden is a Lao / Thai restaurant that started in Oakland and opened this SF location back in 2013.
I just had a bowl of their Kaow Paik ($13), which is a Laotian chicken soup with chewy house made noodles made of rice and tapioca, the latter of which gives the noodles a pleasantly chewy consistency. Nice clear-ish broth that was garlicky and enhanced garlic-wise by a heaping of toasted garlic on top. Also some slices of white meat chicken. A very satisfying bowl of noodle soup, especially on a damp foggy afternoon. I doctored it up with a little chili oil and chili powder from the condiment platter.
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I get that chicken soup when I’m sick. My go to is to just get the Champa Sampler - their fried rice ball salad is phenomenal, the lao sausages are very good - the spring rolls are just fine. And the lettuce, mint and cilantro are always really fresh.
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Also love the Pouch of Knorr Tamarind Soup Base as an Addition to the Khao Piak Sen! (and the Peanuts, Chilis, Fried Shallots etc… 
)
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Are there any other hidden gems on that menu? Aside from the rice ball salad, lao sausage and chicken soup, I’ve found other things I’ve ordered to be just OK.
I have only been to the Oakland local and I agree with your last comment.
I also found the Lao Style Larb to be good. I think we had the Quails a couple of times, I do have weakness for them although I do not know if I think they are “Gems”.
Everything else seemed like OK Thai Food to me. Not bad just not stand out.
Many years ago outside of DC there was a small Lao Restaurant that had really amazing Lao Dishes I have never had anything close since except in Laotian Homes.
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I was wondering why that soup packet was there on the tray!
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The Champa Sampler - crunchy, spicy sweet herbal savory
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