Sainam is the latest passion project from celebrated chef Angus An, the culinary mind behind local icons like Maenam, Fat Mao, and Longtail Kitchen. Located at 1235 Davie Street, Sainam is a cozy, 40-seat space that blends rustic Thai charm with modern West End energy. Sainam is not your typical Thai restaurant. This freshly opened gem brings authentic Isaan cuisine – the bold, funky, sour-spicy flavors of northeastern Thailand
Sainam – Som Tum Menu
The menu at Sainam is unapologetically bold, fiery, and built for sharing. If you’re coming with friends, prepare to pass plates and debate favourites. At the heart of the menu is Sainam’s Som Tum Menu, where green papaya salad takes center stage. There are seven (!) variations, including:
- Fried Papaya Salad – Crunchy, golden, and totally addictive.
- Som Tum Thai – The classic version with peanuts, dried shrimp, and that perfect balance of sweet-sour heat.
- Som Tum Lao – Deeper and funkier with fermented fish sauce and salt-cured blue crab.
- Som Tum Luang Prabang – A Laotian twist with ribbon-cut papaya.
I love super funky flavours so I had to try the Som Tum Lao. I never had this version of papaya salad before and it hits all the right notes. It’s super funky with a lot of heat. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re an adventurous eater you need to try this version.
Sainam – Menu Highlights
In addition to their expansive Som Tum menu we also got:
- Koi Nua – isaan style beef tartare
- Kaeng Om Mussel and Prawns – isaan style brothy curry, aromatic with dill and white pepper
- Pad Mee Korat – crispy pork jowl, fried with rice noodles, pad thai korat style
Koi Nua is an Isaan-style beef tartare. It is a harmonious blend of finely minced beef, toasted rice powder, and aromatic herbs, delivering a refreshing yet bold flavor profile. The beef was very fresh and the toasted rice powder adds a really nice texture contrast.
The Kaeng Om Mussel and Prawns is unlike any I have tried before. Kaeng Om is a northern and northeastern Thai herb curry, traditionally made without coconut milk. Instead, it relies on a broth infused with fresh herbs like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, galangal and dill. It’s aromatic, grassy, spicy, and earthy. The broth is quite light with strong dill flavours.
My favourite dish of the night was the Pad Mee Korat. The Pad Mee Korat is a super saucy noodle dish with a hint of spice. The rice noodles are perfectly cooked and absorb the flavourful sauce. There is a lovely ‘wok hei’ flavour and the crispy pork jowl is the perfect pairing for the noodles. This dish is a must try!
Worth a Try?
There’s no shortage of Thai food in Vancouver, but Sainam is doing something different. Their food is bold and features a menu that isn’t normally seen in Vancouver. Whether you’re a Thai food die-hard or just curious about trying something new, Sainam in Davie Village is 100% worth your appetite. The newly renovated Sainam space is warm, intimate, and buzzing with energy. For now it’s walk-ins only and the restaurant was packed and busy. I highly recommend checking this spot out if you’re a fan of Thai cuisine.
Sainam
Address: 1235 Davie Street Vancouver, BC V6E 1N3
Website: https://www.sainam.ca/