Michelin-worthy Thai restaurant opens new location in Toronto

A Thai restaurant with a Michelin-level reputation has just opened the doors of a new location in a very bustling, popular area of Toronto with lots of foot traffic–and it’s right downtown.

Som Tum Jinda earned its Michelin status with the signature dish that the restaurant is named for, somtum.

“As the name suggests, somtum is the specialty here and it’s made Isan-style with fermented fish paste for that extra tang,” reads the official Michelin Guide.

“Tom Puu Nam Pla is classic Isan somtum, with the addition of salted crab along with the papaya, garlic, chili and tomato. You can stipulate your desired heat, but be aware that the scale here goes up to 11.”

While Som Tum Jinda in Toronto may be opening a new location, the first one in Toronto located in the east end is actually not the first ever restaurant with that name. There’s an original Som Tum Jinda in Thailand that boasts Michelin status, and there is actually a family connection between that restaurant and the ones here in Canada.

The first Som Tum Jinda in Toronto was located out on Gerrard Street East, and the restaurant also recently opened an outpost location at CF Fairview Mall.

Now, downtowners will have a location that’s a little bit more central where they can head to get a taste of the restaurant’s delicious, Michelin-level Thai food.

The new restaurant will be located in Kensington Market, where it will be joining a vibrant and extensive roster of restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world.

A post announcing the opening of the new Kensington Market location of Som Tum Jinda has over 400 likes on Instagram and a couple dozen excited comments from people who are happy to see the new spot open its doors.

“If you’re in Thailand and really eating like a local, you’re not ordering Pad Thai—you’re digging into Som Tum. Spicy, crunchy, salty, sour—it’s the real MVP of Thai food. And now, the OG Somtum Jinda from Ubon Ratchathani province is right here in Canada,” reads the Som Tum Jinda website.

“This isn’t just inspired by the famous Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning spot—it is the same one. After 60+ years of serving up the best Isan (northeastern) food in Thailand, we decided it was time to bring the real deal across the world.”

The new location of Som Tum Jinda found in the Kensington Market neighbourhood is now soft open at 356 College St.