Isaan Der

What is Isaan Der? Occupying a vibrant storefront at 2961 Dundas Street West in The Junction, Isaan Der is Chef Chatsuda "Ko" Drouin’s showcase of the assertive, herb-packed cooking of northeastern Thailand. The intimate 46-seat dining room pairs colourful regional accents with warm pendant lighting and simple wooden tables, keeping the focus squarely on the energetic dining room flow.

Isaan Der Menu & What to Order The kitchen leans unreservedly into the pungent, sour, and fiery profiles of Isaan cooking, sidestepping cloying sweetness in favour of fermented plara, tamarind, and fresh chillies. Start with the funky, chili-laden Som Tum Isaan papaya salad or crispy Golden Bags before diving into deeply layered curries like the duck red curry or slow-braised beef short rib massaman. Comfort classics like the rich khao soi and spicy pad grapao offer great balance alongside Thai iced teas and vegetable-forward, vegan-friendly substitutions.

Know Before You Go Table reservations are available online with a standard 90-minute dining limit, while walk-in waits during busy dinner shifts typically average 10 to 15 minutes. Street parking on Dundas can be competitive during prime dinner hours, but the 30 High Park and 40 Junction TTC buses drop off steps from the entrance. Note that the kitchen frequently begins wrapping up last orders 30 minutes prior to posted closing times.