Christoff.ai

Som Saa

restaurants•
London
London

Som Saa

43A Commercial Street, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Som Saa transformed a 19th-century fabric warehouse into one of London's most authentic Thai experiences, complete with whole fried seabass and duck massaman that earned Jay Rayner's approval. Unfortunately, fire damage has temporarily shuttered this Spitalfields gem, though the team continues operations at their sister restaurant Kolae.

Som Saa: Spitalfields' Thai Night-Market Legend (Currently Closed by Fire)

A converted Victorian warehouse that brought proper regional Thai to London - when it's open

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The industrial warehouse setting creates something genuinely special - bare brick walls and high ceilings give way to an open kitchen visible behind wooden slats, while long communal tables and booths foster that convivial Bangkok night-market atmosphere the venue is known for. With dim lighting and aromatic lemongrass scents wafting through the space, Som Saa achieves an energy level of 8.5 out of 10 whilst maintaining sophisticated touches that elevate it beyond typical casual dining. The warehouse-chic aesthetic feels both industrial and warm, creating what the venue intelligence describes as 'loud-convivial' vibes perfect for groups. The authenticity extends beyond mere decoration - this feels like a proper night market transplanted to Commercial Street, complete with the bustling energy and sharing-plate culture that makes Thai dining so compelling.

Food & Drink

Som Saa's menu spans regional Thai cuisine with serious authenticity credentials. The signature whole deep-fried seabass with nahm dtok pla thort earned legendary status and Jay Rayner's endorsement for good reason. Beyond the famous fish, expect duck-leg massaman curry, gai yaang grilled chicken leg, mushroom laab, fiery jungle curries, and fermented sausages that showcase proper regional techniques. The kitchen doesn't shy away from heat - those jungle curries live up to their fiery reputation. Dishes arrive as ready in sharing-plate format, complemented by natural wines that pair surprisingly well with the bold Thai flavors, plus craft beers and Thai-spiked cocktails. The menu structure includes a la carte options, tasting 'tem toh' menus, and bar snacks, with small plates ranging £7-14 and mains £13-28. Even dessert gets the authentic treatment with salted palm-sugar ice cream served alongside grilled banana.

Service & Experience

The staff demonstrate proper knowledge of the cuisine, particularly when it comes to guiding customers through spice levels - crucial given the kitchen's commitment to authentic heat levels. The sharing-plate service style means dishes arrive as ready rather than all at once, which requires servers who understand pacing and can explain the concept to newcomers. Given the venue's 7.5 rating for social group size and loud-convivial atmosphere, the service team clearly manages the bustling environment well, though the 5.5 conversation-friendly score suggests the noise levels can make detailed menu discussions challenging during peak times.

Value for Money

At £35-50 per person including service, Som Saa sits firmly in mid-range London pricing territory, though the authenticity and quality justify the cost. The set lunch at £35 offers particularly good value for this level of regional Thai cuisine. Small plates at £7-14 allow for affordable exploration, while mains at £13-28 remain reasonable for the quality and central London location. The venue scores 3 out of 4 on price level, reflecting its position as accessible fine-casual rather than budget dining. Given the warehouse setting, authentic preparation methods, and Jay Rayner-approved signature dishes, the pricing represents solid value-for-authenticity in the London Thai scene.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

When operational, Som Saa serves lunch Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-2:30pm and dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5:30pm-10pm, plus Sunday dinner 5:30pm-9pm. Given the loud-convivial atmosphere and 8.5 energy rating, expect peak dinner service to be particularly buzzing.

What to Focus On

The whole fried seabass with nahm dtok remains the signature dish that built Som Saa's reputation. Duck-leg massaman curry and the fiery jungle curries showcase the kitchen's regional expertise, while the natural wine list offers perfect pairings for the bold flavors.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Currently closed due to fire damage - check their Instagram @somsaa_london for updates and visit sister restaurant @kolae_london in the meantimeLocation is excellent - just 3 minutes from Aldgate East tube, 5 from Shoreditch High Street, 6 from Liverpool StreetThe venue is wheelchair accessible with outdoor-only pet policy

The Final Verdict

Som Saa represents everything a proper regional Thai restaurant should be - authentic, atmospheric, and uncompromising on flavor. The converted warehouse setting creates genuine night-market vibes whilst the kitchen delivers Jay Rayner-approved dishes that justify the mid-range pricing. The 8.0 uniqueness score reflects how successfully they've carved out their niche in London's Thai scene. Unfortunately, fire damage currently keeps this gem shuttered, making it impossible to experience firsthand. The team's continued operations at Kolae suggests they'll return stronger, but for now, Som Saa remains a tantalizing reminder of what authentic Thai dining can achieve in the right hands and setting.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

Thai food enthusiasts seeking authentic regional cuisineGroups looking for sharing-plate dining with proper atmosphereDate night diners who appreciate industrial-chic settings with sophisticated touches

Quick Details

1

Som Saa

🇹🇭 Authentic thai
⭐️ Warehouse chic
⭐️ Sharing plates
⭐️ Night market vibes

This converted fabric warehouse transports you straight to Bangkok's night markets through aromatic lemongrass clouds and fiery jungle curries. The whole deep-fried seabass with nahm dtok pla thort earned Jay Rayner's approval and local legend status - it's theatrical, delicious, and designed for sharing. Industrial brick walls and communal tables create mini Bangkok energy while the open kitchen behind wooden slats provides constant entertainment. Natural wines complement the regional Thai spices perfectly, creating flavor combinations that linger in memory long after the meal ends. At £35-50 per person including service, this represents exceptional value for authentic regional Thai cuisine in London's competitive dining landscape.

What's Great

✓ Jay Rayner-approved whole fried seabass

✓ Natural wine list perfectly complements fiery flavors

Keep in Mind

× Currently closed due to fire damage

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Fire damage means they're offline - check @kolae_london for backup from the same team

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Wed-Sat: 12pm-2:30pm (Lunch)\nTue-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm (Dinner)\nSun: 5:30pm-9pm (Dinner)"
📍43A Commercial Street, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7324 7790
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Som Saa has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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restaurants in london•
Aug 17, 2025
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