There’s a new spot bringing authentic Thai street food to Orlando’s SoDo District. Sabai Thai Street Food, located at 3333 S. Orange Ave., is a family-owned restaurant serving everything from wok-fired noodles and aromatic soups to made-from-scratch Isan sausage — all rooted in the flavors and traditions of Thailand.
Behind Sabai is chef Viradee Pisara, who grew up in Thailand in a family where cooking was how people showed love. Many of the recipes on the menu were passed down through generations, including Sabai’s signature Tom Yum Noodle Soup, which Viradee learned from her older sister’s street stall in Phuket. The broth takes two days to prepare and includes more than 50 ingredients, including succulent, soft slices of roasted red pork. Her son, chef Alex Pisara, trained in Orlando Thai kitchens including Lim Ros and Isan Zaap before joining his mother in the kitchen at Sabai.
That combination of family recipes and traditional technique can be tasted throughout the menu. Start with the Sai Krok Isan, made from scratch in-house with ground pork, glass noodles, rice, garlic and cilantro, or the Crispy Rice Ball Salad (Nam Khao), featuring crispy jasmine rice tossed with fermented Isan sausage, fresh herbs, cashews, crispy shallots and a bright chile-lime dressing.
Other standouts include Chicken Satay marinated overnight in Viradee’s homemade Thai spice blend, Mama’s Ribs with house-made Isan sauce, Thai-style jerky, crispy spring rolls and Thai chicken wings. For the main event, guests can dig into dishes like smoky Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao, curries and the family-recipe Tom Yum Noodle Soup.
Even the name captures what the family hopes guests experience: “Sabai” means relaxed in Thai. With just 32 seats, the intimate restaurant is designed for slowing down, sharing a table and discovering dishes you might not find at the typical neighborhood Thai spot.
Sabai Thai Street Food
3333 S. Orange Ave #105
Orlando, FL 32806
(689) 336-3384
Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Dine-in, takeout and delivery are available.
