Restaurant
Isan Soul
98 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Isan Soul
98 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Plan your visitAbout Isan Soul
Bourke Street’s two-story escape delivers punchy Thai regional cooking at central-city prices without cutting corners. Regulars head straight for dishes rarely spotted across town—namely the fermented pork fried rice, packed with sour nam sausage, alongside rich soft shell crab curry spooned over coconut rice. The transportive street-style setup spans two packed levels, keeping wait times manageable when midday office groups arrive to split the table. Round out the order with the red duck curry.
- Regional Isan Specialties: Regional specialties like fermented pork fried rice bring punchy sour notes rarely found on typical city Thai menus.
- Curry Staples for Sharing: Generous plates of soft shell crab and red duck curries are built to split over bowls of coconut rice.
- Two-Story Street Atmosphere: Two floors of themed decor channel street-side Thailand with enough seating to keep table waits short.
What's On at Isan Soul
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Isan Soul
Authentic flavors, regional Isan specialties, and transportive dining on Bourke Street
Consistently Rich Curries
Signature curries like soft shell crab and red duck curry deliver rich, reliable flavors on every visit.
I always get the soft shell crab and red duck curry and it never disappoints me.
Michelle STL Uncommon Regional Specialties
The menu offers distinct regional dishes such as fermented pork fried rice that are rarely seen across central Melbourne.
Fermented Pork Fried Rice because it’s not a very common dish in the Thai restaurants in Melbourne
Faa Papon Dependable Meal Quality
Repeat diners trust the kitchen to uphold the same delicious standards visit after visit.
Food is still as consistent as last time we came!
Faa Papon Accessible Authentic Value
Guests feel completely satisfied enjoying high-quality, authentic Thai cooking without high CBD prices.
authentic Thai food at affordable prices
E L Transportive Atmosphere
An immersive cultural decor and street-style aesthetic create a genuine transportive feeling.
decor and setup makes you feel like you're in Thailand
George Two-Level Dining Space
Seating across both downstairs and upstairs levels accommodates busy CBD crowds and minimizes wait times.
with seating both downstairs and upstairs, there is usually not a wait
George
Most popular items
Customer favorites and regional specialties from the kitchen
Soft Shell Crab Curry
I’d also really recommend the 💛🦀 Soft Shell Crab Curry—eat the sauce with rice, divine!
Faa Papon Red Duck Curry
I always get the soft shell crab and red duck curry and it never disappoints me.
Michelle STL Fermented Pork Fried Rice
We always order the 🐽 Fermented Pork Fried Rice because it’s not a very common dish in the Thai restaurants in Melbourne.
Faa Papon Coconut Rice
Highly recommend order these curry with coconut rice!
Michelle STL
Frequently Asked Questions
What dishes are recommended to order?
The soft shell crab curry is strongly recommended across visits, often paired with coconut rice. Other highlighted items include the red duck curry and regional fermented pork fried rice, though the crying tiger beef received mixed feedback for being dry and gamey.
What are the wait times like during busy periods?
Expect peak rush periods, particularly during weekday lunches. While two levels of seating (downstairs and upstairs) help accommodate patrons without long table waits, food preparation can take 15 to 20 minutes when the dining room is full. Going early is advised.
How spicy is the food?
Reviewers note that spice and chilli levels tend to lean mild or low compared to traditional expectations, which accommodates diners sensitive to heat but may feel understated for those seeking intense spice.
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