Vancouver’s Commercial Drive is getting a new Thai restaurant with deep cultural roots and a whole lot of heart soon!
SUD SOI, opening this October, promises to bring bold flavours from Thailand’s Issan and Lanna regions to one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
The project is led by Bea Chuanil, who has been managing Thai restaurants in Vancouver since 2011.
“I’ve always loved food and the way it brings people together. After managing some Thai restaurants in Vancouver, I realized I wanted to create a space that felt truly personal, a place that celebrates the food I grew up with while sharing it with the community here,” Bea shared with Noms Magazine.
Bea is joined by longtime friend and culinary partner, Chef Samnan Kamonroek (Kung), who is from Ubon Ratchathani in Northeastern Thailand.
He brings his background and expertise in Issan and Lanna cuisine straight into the kitchen.
Together, they want to offer guests a taste of home-style Thai cooking that goes beyond the usual dishes found in Vancouver.
On the menu, diners can expect to find regional specialties like Som Tum (papaya salad), Khao Soi, Sai Ua sausage, and even Midnight Sticky Rice & Chicken.
“Every dish is made with care and full of vibrant tastes you’d find back home in Thailand,” Bea says.
“What makes our food great is that it’s authentic, layered with flavour, and crafted to give each guest a taste of Thailand’s regional specialties, right here on Commercial Drive.”
The restaurant’s name itself tells a story.
In Thai, SUD SOI (สุดซอย) means “the very end of the lane.”
As Bea explains, “In Thailand, that’s where the good stuff is. The best bites aren’t on the main road. They’re hidden at the end of a little soi, where grandma’s recipes are sizzling, motorbikes are parked sideways, and everyone knows whose Som Tum hits the hardest. We named our restaurant SUD SOI because that’s where our hearts always return to — the end of the lane, where food means home.”
And in a way, SUD SOI is kinda hidden.
The restaurant is taking over the former Lombardo’s Pizzeria unit, tucked in the Mercante building.
Lombardo’s recently closed after nearly 40 years, and the unit has been completely reimagined.
Guests can expect soft pastel yellows and greys, natural wood, and earthy accents that bring warmth and intimacy to the 1,672-sq.ft, 52-seater restaurant.
The design is inspired by the culture of Issan and Lanna, creating a cozy setting where people can linger over a meal with family and friends.
SUD SOI is set to open this October and will be joining other exciting new food spots coming to Vancouver, including TOUK, Mortadella, and Nomo Nomo.
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Address: 1641 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC