So honored to be a @beardfoundation Best Chef Southwest semifinalist for @barsenokc ! It feels great to be back in the running for the award. Patience and Perseverance! This is a huge win for Lao culture, Oklahoma City, and the entire state.
This achievement is a culmination of our work at @maderokc , which paved the way for this Laotian noodle shop; our team’s dedication, passion, & hard work; the sacrifices & support of my family; my mom for teaching me everything; and our loyal fans and community. This would not be possible without out any of you. You know who you are. You all motivate me everyday to put out my best work.
Fingers crossed we make the finalist list! Congrats to my Oklahomies and all my friends around the country who were nominated today. Thank you EVERYONE for all the love!
We made Bon Appétit’s list of 50 Best New Restaurants in America! Our team’s hard work is paying off!
So honored and stoked to be listed with all these great chefs and restaurants. Thanks for including us @bonappetitmag ! This is surreal.
It was an incredible birthday surprise that literally brought tears to my eyes. I was stunned to hear the news but also relieved to know that what we’re doing at Ma Der is making an impact on people and bringing a little light to Lao food.
We set out to honor our roots by sharing Lao culture and history through food. The majority of my career I didn’t really cook Lao food, but I was always inspired by its flavors. Lao food has been the sleeper Asian cuisine and earning this recognition validates its place among the conventional cuisines. I’m proud to have taken the leap with Ma Der and to be doing my part in moving Lao food forward.
We couldn’t have achieved this without our passionate team that show up and work hard every single day. Many thanks to you all and to our fans! This is for you, OKC. Much love!
Link to full list in our bio.
The New York Times - “The Restaurant List” names us one of their 50 best in America!
Thank you @priyakrishna & @nytimes for coming thru!
We’re speechless. What an incredible feeling to make it on another U.S. top 50 restaurant list. It’s an honor to be recognized among some heavy hitters. This is a huge win for the Lao community and Oklahoma City. We’re proud to be representing both!
Again, we couldn’t have accomplished this without our dedicated, driven team. We’re grateful and lucky to work with you all.
Love ya, OKC. Come thru!
Link to list in our bio.
📷: @brettdeering for The New York Times
Sama Sama Series Ma Der Lao x Kultura
Wednesday, May 20th
Some of the most powerful meals are the ones that bring us back home. For Chef Jeff Chanchaleune, cooking Lao food is an act of memory and preservation. As chef and owner of Ma Der Lao and a 2023 and 2024 & 2026 James Beard Foundation Finalist, his work is rooted in honoring the recipes, flavors, and traditions passed down from his mother and grandmothers. Ma Der, meaning “come eat,” is both a name and an invitation — a reflection of Lao hospitality and the communal spirit that defines the culture. His cooking is bold, bright, spicy, and deeply personal, offering a window into a cuisine that is still too often overlooked. At Kultura, Sama Sama is about creating space for these stories to be shared.
Tickets are $125 per guest for this collaborative tasting menu. Beverages will be available à la carte. Join us as Chef Jeff brings the flavors of Laos to our table — a celebration of heritage, family, and belonging.
Tickets available on our Resy!
@cheff_jeff just touched down in H-Town. We’ll be slinging Lao-Cajun with the man @coolhandluke54 at @josephinesgulfcoast tomorrow! Got a few seats left on Resy so grab them while you can. See everyone tomorrow!
