Som Tum Jinda

What is Som Tum Jinda? Taking over the former Caplansky's Deli space at 356 College Street near Brunswick Avenue, Som Tum Jinda brings authentic Isan street-food swagger to the northern edge of Kensington Market. Operated by Wassawan "Earth" Chansopa and Phanom "Patrick" Suksaen with direct lineage to the celebrated multi-decade institution in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, this location offers a noticeably roomier dining room than its Gerrard Street predecessor. The interior pops with vibrant lantern-inspired patterns and saturated colours, creating an unpretentious, bustling room anchored by a dedicated cocktail bar.

Som Tum Jinda Menu & What to Order Mortar-and-pestle pounded green papaya salads run the show, spanning sweet-sour Tum Thai to fiercely authentic plates of Tum Puu Plara laden with fermented fish paste and salted crab. Build out the table with the stellar Nam Khao Tod—crispy, crunchy rice tossed with sour cured pork, fresh herbs, and peanuts—alongside deeply marinated Kor Moo Yang (grilled pork jowl) and soothing sticky rice. Spice levels do not pull punches, so cool things down with the house Thai milk tea espresso martini or a tropical sour mango margarita, both unique to this outpost.

Know Before You Go Seating operates largely on a walk-in basis, and while the expanded floor plan seats groups more readily than the original location, peak weekend dinner hours regularly draw queues. The restaurant is easily accessible via the 506 Carlton streetcar, while street parking along College can be sparse during Kensington peak hours. Kitchen service runs all day starting from 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends.