When Somsak won 6 million pounds in the lottery and brought Isaan food to land in Ekkamai — this is a true story, not made up. He was driving a taxi in London when he won a £6 million lottery jackpot, and decided to use that money to open an Isaan restaurant back home.
Walk in and it hits you with bold, loud colors that still look tasteful — lottery-ticket mosaics, truck signboards, fighting-cock statues, everything carefully curated. The music mixes genres but somehow works perfectly with the vibe. Sit down and you realize Isaan food can be elegant too.
Luang Prabang Papaya Salad has a well-rounded fermented fish funk, not brutally spicy — refined but 100% Isaan. Grilled Duck Larb looks effortlessly upscale, finished with fried shallots and a squeeze of lime for herbal fragrance.
Grilled Beef with Avocado Jaew — the meat is very tender, and the avocado jaew twist really works. Grilled Beef Tongue is perfectly tender with a hint of char, European-bistro quality but still dipped in Isaan jaew. Grilled Chicken Wings have crispy skin and juicy meat, and the thick-cut Pork Chop is grilled fragrant and packed with flavor.
The bamboo shoot soup is well-balanced and fragrant with herbs, a good palate cleanser between grilled dishes. Fried rice with crispy pork lard is fragrant, the salmon steak is well executed, and the fermented pork sausage salad is delicious too.
For dessert there's Ba Bin coconut pancake with banana-in-coconut-milk sauce, fish sauce brownie with mango jam, and toast with ice cream. Drinks include well-balanced cocktails that aren't overly sweet, plus mocktails and a sparkling chrysanthemum tea option.
In short, SOMSAK proves that bold, fiery Isaan flavors can be made elegant — a fun atmosphere with genuinely delicious food, perfect for a group who wants to eat well in style.
