Another beloved food spot is going dark, at least for now.
On Sunday evening, Kin Kao Song, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Thai restaurant on East Broadway, was forced to shut down after a fire broke out in their building.
In a heartfelt post the next day, the restaurant shared the news with their community, saying they were “heartbroken” but grateful that everyone was safe and the building remained intact.
The closure is temporary, but there’s no set timeline on when they’ll be able to reopen.
Kin Kao Song wrote that they’re hopeful the damage is minor and the restoration process will be swift so they can get back to making “killer Thai food.”
According to people who were in the area of the fire, there was a massive response by the city’s firefighting team – with at least 5 trucks.
No actual description of the extent of damage is shared.
The spot has held Bib Gourmand status for three consecutive years and is the sister restaurant to the original Kin Kao on Commercial Drive.
Known for its consistently flavourful dishes and modern vibe, Song had become a go-to for locals and visitors looking for next-level Thai in East Van.
But what makes this shutdown hit even harder is what it means for the team behind the scenes.
In a separate GoFundMe launched by the Kin Kao Song team, they’re asking the community to step in and support their staff, many of whom are here in Canada without local family.
With operations halted indefinitely and insurance notoriously slow to process, the staff are now facing rent, groceries, and basic necessities with no income to lean on.
“All of the donations will go directly to our team,” the campaign reads, which has raised over $2,000 of its $6,500 goal so far.
“They’re not just employees—they’re family.”
While Song will hopefully reopen in the future, this is one of those moments that reminds you just how human the food industry is.
A fire might’ve paused their kitchen, but the support of the community can help keep their people afloat.
If you’d like to help, you can find the fundraiser here.
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Address: 317 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC