Once again we found ourselves back at the very popular Sawmill Market. We wanted to try something different this time. Since we love noodle bowls, we decided to try Kulantro. We arrived just before the lunch rush was over. I thought this place was really busy for a Tuesday. Wow! there sure were lots of people. There was a long line at Kulantro. I thought this was a good sign.
The noodle bowl had Vermicelli rice noodles, a blend of spring mix, iceberg lettuce, lots of grated purple cabbage, three large slices of cucumber, the menu said pickled carrots(the carrots looked and tasted like grated carrots to me) garnished with roasted peanuts, scallion oil, and onion crisps, served with their signature dressing sauce, with a choice of protein, grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or grilled tofu.($12.80) I didn’t want any of the protein choices. As you can see this is my version of the ingredients listed in the menu.
Ok, I have to admit that I have never had a noodle bowl with lettuce in it before. The sauce was good. I poured the entire tiny cup of it on the bowl. That was some tasty sauce. Sadly, most of the sauce sank to the bottom of the bowl. The vegetables were fresh. I’m not sure what to make about the onion crisps. They are on the left hand side of the photo. The bowl was a nice recycled paper bowl. That was a nice touch.
I also wanted to try their spring roll. It was huge. Kulantro used the same noodles in the spring roll (6.20 for 2)with the exact same filling as the bowl. However, the spring rolls came with a peanut sauce. This time I added some shrimp. I just wanted to see how it tasted. The spring roll tasted the same as the bowl. What a surprise. I really didn’t like the peanut sauce. The shrimp was marinated in a sweet sauce. I am not fond of sweet sauces.
The server was quick and efficient. I think that there were only 2 or so people handling the lunch crowd. You received one of those electric devices to notify you when your order is ready to pick up. The line did move very quickly.
I thought the food was kind of pricey. This is a very popular place so I’m sure that the rents are expensive. There was free parking but for a Tuesday afternoon, parking in the lot was hard to come by. But if I want to eat noodles again, I’m going to go to Tibet Kitchen in Santa Fe.
Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11-9.
Santa Fe City Different Foodie 