Mates on Crates Feat. Pai Phankum
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Pai Phankum, Executive Chef of Soi Ram Thai in Ladner, BC. Soi Ram Thai opened in 2023 and brings the bold flavours and street food culture of Bangkok to Ladner, with a focus on home cooking, comfort food, fresh ingredients, and bold flavours. Guests can expect a relaxed 90s-inspired atmosphere with hip-hop and R&B on the soundtrack, alongside a menu and cocktail program designed to deliver a taste of Thailand close to home. Soi Ram is also active in the Ladner community, participating in the local farmers market every second Sunday and taking part in Brewery and the Beast. Pai was born and raised in Bangkok, with his mother from Nan in northern Thailand and his father from Pattani in the south. He moved to Vancouver in 2013 as a student and began his professional cooking career at the age of 23. After working at several Thai restaurants, he spent about five years at Kin Kao before moving to Song, where he helped develop the restaurant's acclaimed Thai cooking. Song has since received the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award, including recognition in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Pai to chat about his journey from Bangkok to Vancouver, the differences between northern and southern Thai cuisine, his approach to cooking, and all of Pai’s favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
Pai’s favourites at Soi Ram:
Main: Som Isan (A spicy Isan-style papaya salad with fermented fish)
Pairing: Bangkok Tap Water (A tamarind-forward take on a whiskey sour)
The FULL LIST of Pai’s Local Favourites:
Brunch: Hunnybee Bruncheonette
Coffee: Oidé Coffee
Cocktail Bar: The Shameful Tiki Room
Dying To Try: Kissa Tanto
Food Neighbourhood:
Hangover Cure: Guu on Thurlow
Ice Cream/Gelato: Earnest Ice Cream (Serious Chocolate)
Japanese: Edokko Nigiri Sushi
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Edokko Nigiri Sushi (Bento Set)
Late Night Bite: JAPADOG
Neighbourhood Spots (Ladner): Il Posto, Panago, Thre3 Co Cafe
Noodles: Hủ Tiếu Hồng Phát
Pizza: Straight Brooklyn Pizza
Sushi: Edokko Nigiri Sushi
Thanks for joining us, Pai!
Watch Pai’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
