Introduction
I recently visited the Thai restaurant “Sabaijai” located about a 16-minute walk from BTS Ekkamai Station, and I’d like to share my review.
About the Thai restaurant “Sabaijai” in Ekkamai
Sabaijai Thai restaurant is situated about a 16-minute walk from BTS Ekkamai Station, down a small alley off Ekkamai Road (Sukhumvit Soi 63). There’s a sign on Ekkamai Road directing you, so it should be easy to find. As it’s a bit far from Ekkamai Station, it’s better to take a motorbike taxi, tuk-tuk, or regular taxi. You could also reach it from Thong Lo Station with a few extra minutes of travel time. For reference, Sabaijai is located near the familiar “Donki Mall” for many Japanese residents, between Ekkamai and Thong Lo.
Sabaijai Thai restaurant is a famous spot frequently featured in Japanese travel guidebooks, and I saw many people who appeared to be Japanese tourists. The restaurant is very spacious, with private rooms that can accommodate groups of dozens of people. There are also air-conditioned dining areas. The restrooms are clean. The menu has English translations, and the staff can communicate in English. When choosing a Thai restaurant, I often advise considering the “difficulty level.” Sabaijai has a low difficulty level in terms of hygiene and language, making it recommended for tourists and Bangkok beginners. Sabaijai gives a similar impression to “Im Chan” in Phrom Phong (you can read our review here). You can enjoy delicious Thai food, and it’s very user-friendly.
While Im Chan is known for “general Thai dishes + mango sticky rice & smoothies,” Sabaijai’s image is more like “Isaan cuisine + general Thai dishes + variety.” In terms of both restaurant size and menu variety, Sabaijai is even larger than Im Chan.
Sabaijai Menu (Photos, Prices, and Reviews)
Note: The following includes dishes ordered for delivery as well as for dine-in. For convenience, all prices listed are for dine-in.
First, the signature dish: “Gai Yang (Whole Chicken) – 220 THB.” Sabaijai is credited as a pioneering restaurant that popularized Gai Yang in Bangkok, reportedly considered *the* place for Gai Yang. After trying it, I can confirm it’s delicious! The sweet and savory taste is very pleasant (the “savory” here refers to the soy sauce flavor, not spiciness). It’s a simple yet delicious, classic Gai Yang.
Next, I tried the “Isaan Sausage – 160 THB.” This was also incredibly delicious! It’s stir-fried with ginger, garlic, green chilies, and beans, giving it a wonderful aroma. While I already love Isaan sausage, this was my first time experiencing it seasoned this way.
The “Corn Som Tum – 100 THB” is also remarkably tasty. The sweetness of the corn harmonizes well with the spiciness of the Som Tum. A standout element is the salted hard-boiled egg, which provides a strong, pleasant accent.
The “Green Curry – 180 THB” is enough for two people. It’s quite spicy with strong notes of chili and ginger, so if you’re sensitive to spice, you might want to request “less spicy.” It’s delicious. Sticky rice (Khao Niao) is 22 THB.
The “Mango Smoothie – 79 THB” is also very good. It comes in a stylish jar.
I took photos of the entire menu. Here they are.
Sabaijai Recommendation Score
To be helpful, I’ll assign a score similar to Tabelog (Japan’s top restaurant-review site). For Sabaijai Thai restaurant in Ekkamai, I personally feel it corresponds to about a 3.7 on Tabelog. I’ll leave this note here.
Points contributing to this high score include the delicious general Thai and especially Isaan cuisine, and the spacious venue which accommodates various purposes. While I’ve heard prices have increased considerably compared to a decade ago, they still seem reasonable. I believe it’s one of the top Thai restaurants in Bangkok.
Conclusion
Sabaijai Thai restaurant in Ekkamai is recommended for those who enjoy Thai food, particularly Isaan cuisine. The Gai Yang, Som Tum, and Isaan Sausage are exceptionally delicious. It’s a low-difficulty restaurant that you can easily visit without hesitation.
| Restaurant Name | Sabaijai Thai Restaurant |
| Cuisine Type | Thai Restaurant |
| Budget | 200-400 THB (per person, one dish + one drink) |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 – 22:00 |
| Access | Approx. 16 min walk from BTS Ekkamai Station, Approx. 24 min walk from BTS Thong Lo Station |
| Phone Number | 02-714-2622 |
| Address | 87 Ekkamai 3 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok |
| Web |
