Isaan Station

This tiny stripmall spot in Koreatown specializes in food primarily from Isaan, a region located in the northeast part of Thailand. While we absolutely love the namesake sausage, which here gets deep-fried and stuffed with fermented pork, every meal at Isaan Station needs to start with their som tum. Topped with pickled blue crab, this fresh papaya salad is sweet and immensely spicy, but balanced out perfectly with the sourness of the crab. From there, head for the pungent larb moo with spicy minced pork and the charcoal-grilled chicken that’s been marinated in turmeric. Isaan is a favorite quick-lunch spot of ours and that’s not just because of the excellent food. There’s a front parking lot with ample space - seven words you never hear in a row in Ktown.