Most people know Thai food but almost nobody in Vancouver knows Isaan food
Sainam is a brand new Isaan-style eatery in Vancouver’s West End from award-winning Chef Angus An — named Vancouver Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2025. The head chef is a native of Khon Kaen in the Isaan region. This is the real deal.
🌍 What is Isaan?
Isaan is Thailand’s northeastern region sharing a border with Laos. Unlike other Thai cuisines, Isaan food does NOT use coconut milk. Instead it relies on bold fresh herbs, fermented ingredients and sharp flavour profiles. Rustic, honest, and unapologetically bold. Everything is shared at the table and enjoyed with sticky rice — just like in Thailand.
🍽️ Here’s everything we ordered 👇
🌶️ Som Tum Thai — $12
🍟 Fried Papaya Salad — $14
🐷 Grilled Pork Neck — $20
🍗 Wichian Buri Style Grilled Chicken Thigh — $32
🐷 Crispy Pork Belly with Chilli & Peppers (หมูกรอบทอดพริกเกลือ) — $20
🍚 Jasmine Rice — $3
🍜 Rice Vermicelli — $3
🍮 Kanom Tuay — Coconut Rice Custard
💡 How to eat like a local:
Ball the sticky rice with your hands and dip straight into the som tum. This is how it’s done in Isaan. Eat with your hands. Embrace it.
🎴 Sticky Rice Society — Loyalty Card:
Visit 5 times → FREE Thai iced tea
Visit 10 times → FREE lunch special
Ask for your card when you visit!
💰 Lunch Specials:
$20 lunch feature dish
$27 lunch special — pick one main + one som tum + one rice or noodle
⏰ Hours:
Wed–Sat: 12pm–9:30pm
Sun: 5pm–9:30pm
Mon–Tue: Closed
📍 1235 Davie Street, Vancouver BC (West End / Davie Village)
🍽️ Reservations: Resy | Takeout: UberEats & DoorDash
📞 604-880-6989
Tag someone you’d take here for a Thai spicy lunch 👇🌶️
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If you're used to the more popular Thai dishes like Pad Thai or green curry, trying Isaan cuisine is a delightful shift in both flavor and dining experience. From my visits to Sainam, the use of fermented ingredients and fresh herbs brings complexity and a refreshing sharpness that isn’t common in mainstream Thai restaurants. The crispy pork belly with chili and peppers (หมูกรอบทอดพริกเกลือ) stood out with its perfectly balanced heat and savory crunch. One tip to truly enjoy the Isaan meal is embracing the traditional way of eating with your hands, especially when handling sticky rice. This tactile experience elevates your connection to the food and mirrors how locals enjoy their meals back in Thailand. The sticky rice acts as the perfect vehicle to absorb the intense flavors of dishes like Som Tum (spicy papaya salad), creating a harmonious balance. The loyalty card program, called Sticky Rice Society, is another great incentive to keep returning. After five visits, you receive a free Thai iced tea, and after ten, a free lunch special—ideal for foodies looking to explore a variety of Isaan offerings without breaking the bank. The chef’s background from Khon Kaen, located in the heart of the Isaan region, guarantees authenticity. Chef Angus An’s approach respects the rustic and unapologetically bold nature of Isaan food, making Sainam not just a restaurant but a cultural experience. If you find yourself in Vancouver’s West End near Davie Village, stop by at 1235 Davie Street to experience a lesser-known but incredibly vibrant Thai culinary tradition. Reservations can be made through Resy, and for convenience, takeout is available via UberEats and DoorDash. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Thai food or new to Isaan cuisine, Sainam offers a refreshing and authentic culinary adventure.