Unchai Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

Shrimp in pad thai was not deveined. Seasoning is ok (mediocre but not horrible). I don’t get the hype for this place.

Service was not great. They refused to seat me inside at a table of two because I had a friend who was going to be 10 minutes late. I wasn’t going to sit there and wait either, I was asking to order food already.

I understand if it’s policy not to seat larger groups when people are missing, but I was going to take up the same amount of table real estate? 6/8 tables were open, and one of them was nearly done, so I really don’t know why they wouldn’t seat me.

I didn’t want to be difficult, so I asked to be seated & order for just myself, and was made to sit at the only table with one chair. 5 minutes later they seat a party of one at a table with two chairs that I had wanted to sit at. Then seated two people at a four-person table so it wasn’t like it was a chair issue. Absolutely baffling.

The table next to me ordered the same appetizer as me, but theirs was stacked nicely on a plate while mine was served in a takeout container, which was disappointing.

Edit: merchant’s reply still doesn’t address why I couldn't sit at the table on my own while another party of one was able to. I was ordering food already so it's the equivalent of seating a party of one. Most tables were free too. The restaurant never filled up the entire time I was there. It was just illogical.

Also my friend literally within 5 min of the pad Thai arriving. so technically we ate it in the best “window”. I’m not saying it was clumpy (which would happen to pad Thai that’s been sitting around) or that it had a bad texture. Mostly just disappointed with the seasoning (condiments added to the dish). If it were $15 I’d shrug it off. But for $22+, you could get much better elsewhere.

The takeout container/dishes policy is understandable and not a big deal. Odd service is forgivable for a mostly takeout place (though I have never been so upset with a restaurant before…honestly ruined my night). The frankly disappointing food is mostly why I wouldn’t recommend this place. Lowering another star due to the...

Tucked away on Burrard Street, this unassuming gem delivers what can only be described as the most authentic Thai cuisine in Vancouver—and I assure you, it’s the best.

Despite its modest size, the restaurant attracts a long queue, and for good reason.

As they don’t take reservations, diners must arrive early and sign up, hoping to snag one of the two coveted tables inside, which, we were fortunate to secure for our party of ten. The remaining seats spill out onto the sidewalk, contributing to the vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

The menu is a testament to Thai culinary excellence, with each dish offering generous portions perfect for sharing. We indulged in a family-style feast: light and crispy Roti with curry sauce, tangy papaya salad, succulent tiger prawns, rich chicken and seafood curry, classic Pad Thai, savory crab fried rice, aromatic Tom Yum soup, and the standout pork jowls—an explosion of flavor that left us wanting more. The spice levels cater to all palates, from mild to daringly hot.

The service was nothing short of exceptional, with a personal touch that elevated our dining experience. In this simple, no frills, no air conditioning, no ambiance place, we were delighted to learn that one of our attentive servers was the owner herself, who graciously thanked us for our patronage.

As a final flourish, Chef Unchai—her business partner—treated us to a complimentary dessert of Roti drizzled with condensed milk, a spectacular end to a memorable meal.

And lest I forget, Unchai is not just any restaurant—it comes with the prestigious honor of being Michelin-recommended, a true testament to its culinary...

We feel extremely lucky to have this authentic thai restaurant that just opened up literally down the street from where we live! The owners always greets us so warmly when we arrive. Since we knew of their existence, we couldn't stop ordering take out from them! Is once or even at times, twice a week, too much? Needless to say, they have hands down one of the best chicken wings I have ever eaten. Crispy, perfectly seasoned and the sauce that comes with it.....drooool...... great...now I want some. We have also tried their pad thai with shrimp! Delicious! I do prefer the shrimp pad thai over their crispy pork pad thai though. The other night, they had a daily special on their menu called Tom Zap, which is a hot and sour pork rib soup with a side of rice. I literally had tears in my eyes at the first sip. It was honestly so perfectly executed in the balance between sour and spice, plus, it was packed full of perfectly tender pork ribs that fell off the bone. If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, don't pass by this place without trying something on their menu! Ask if they have any daily specials too :) Reasonably priced, great portion of food, wonderful service, authentic flavors, open until 10...