6 best trendy restaurants for spicy Isaan fare
Isaan food can easily make you scream "yassss!" This cuisine from the northeastern part of Thailand is jam-packed with extreme flavorsâwe're talking about spicy and sour bombs that hide in every bite.
Think of the beloved som tum, with its crunchy slices of green papaya dressed in a spicy and sour mixture of chili, lime, fish sauce, and peanuts; the fan-favorite laab, an Isaan-style salad with grilled or minced meat mixed with fish sauce, lime, dried chili flakes, and toasted rice; or tom sap, a hot and sour soup with pork ribs braised to perfection in a broth rich with chili and lime juice. These are just some of the Isaan-tastic wonders that, by now, you should have tried.
Letâs explore more of what this Thai region has to offer in terms of its vibrant culinary culture. But you can take it up a notch with our recommendations here. Check out these trendy Isaan restaurants in town, known for adding so much glam and style to their fiery and fabulous fare while still staying true to authentic Isaan sensibilities.
Brought to you by the team behind Fatboy Izakaya and Kim Jeong Grill, Somsak is the latest Isaan restaurant to become the talk of the town, thanks to Canadian-born master chef Andrew Martin.
The food here is inspired by the fictional story of Somsak, a hard-working Isaan boy in a foreign land who wins the lottery and returns to Thailand to open his own restaurant. This is why you'll see a Western influence in both the presentation and flavors of the dishes.
Having built a reputation as a crowd-pleaser on Amnuay Songkhram in the Dusit District, Chulao Churos has finally moved to a new, larger location not too far from its OG spot where it can accommodate more hungry crowds for a feisty Isaan feast. The must-try signatures still remain: the Luang Prabang som tam that features green papaya thinly sliced like noodles, the grilled sous-vide beef tongue, and the charcoal-grilled catfish.
When in Song Wat, thereâs no way you can miss the fiery papaya salad from Som Tum Kai Black 777. The latest venture by up-and-coming restaurant group It's Happened to Be a Closet, this restaurant debuted with a maximalist bang on all frontsâfrom its in-your-face decor and bright, buzzy vibes to its menu of fantastically flavorful Isaan dishes.
Located in The Commons Thonglor, this over-the-top Isaan fare purveyor will instantly catch your eye with its vibrant, hot pink aesthetic. We recommend coming as a big group so you can enjoy their large sharing plates. What's even better, you can grab drinks from other shops in The Commons Thonglor to pair with your food from Esan Ping Ping. Wine or beer, what do you fancy?
The long-standing restaurant brand is getting a new lease of life in Bangkokâs hip Ari neighborhood, specifically at Josh Hotel. The main star of Joomzaphut's rebirth is still the joom, an Isaan-style hot pot. You can order a variety of fresh ingredients to cook in the herbal soup and then dip them in a spicy jaew sauce.
From Khon Kaen to Bangkok, Jikia is ready to take over the Isaan food scene in the Thai capital. What sets this restaurant apart is how it gives Isaan food an izakaya twist, which means youâll get to savor a variety of skewers and small plates that have a Japanese vibe but an authentic Isaan taste.
