Isaan Station Thai Street Food

"For the sour and spicy bite of Thailand’s northeastern region, Isaan Station in Koreatown is the place to visit. Tucked into a bustling strip mall, the colorful space is dotted with knick-knacks and folded cranes as if it were occupying a stall at a busy Bangkok market. Find all the Isaan classics: fermented sausage, papaya salad filled with pickled crab, succulent pork neck, and an assortment of different larbs or meat salads — all of which pair ideally with a side of sticky rice." - Kat Thompson

"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." - Brant Cox

"Isaan Station works a menu of mostly Northern Thai street food staples, including the region’s namesake sausage." - Farley Elliott

"Isaan Station specializes in the street food of northeastern Thailand (meaning more Laotian and Cambodian influence), rather than the central or northern Thai cuisine that most LA restaurants serve. The dishes here are spicy, but you can expect layers of flavor beneath. For something sweet, the papaya salads (or som dtum) cannot be beat – the som dtum with blue crab, especially. The bright flavors on the plate are complimented by the bright, cheery décor along the wall. And Isaan is open until midnight, so its perfect for a late-night larb." - Oren Peleg