Charm Thai Eatery opened up in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood earlier this year, bringing a new upscale casual Thai dining option to West 4th Avenue. The restaurant is a sister concept to MICHELIN-recommended Zab Bite and features dishes inspired by different regions of Thailand.
The menu is designed for family-style dining, with plates made for sharing across the table. This format gives diners the chance to try several dishes in one visit, from traditional small bites and grilled meats to curries, seafood, cocktails, and Thai desserts.
What We Tried
Small Bites Platter
The platter included Miang Kham wraps, Laab Moo pork bites, crispy shrimp cakes, shrimp sticks, and shrimp crackers served with a savoury dip. It was a great introduction to the menu, offering a mix of crunchy textures, fresh herbs, aromatic seasonings, and savoury flavours.
The Miang Kham wraps provided a fresh, herbaceous bite, and the Laab Moo brought the familiar flavours of seasoned minced pork. The fried shrimp items added plenty of crunch and made the platter easy to share at the beginning of the meal.
Steak Nam Jim Jaew
The grilled flat iron steak was served with a tangy Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce. The steak was tender and satisfying, and the sauce added acidity, toasted rice notes, and a pleasant spicy kick. It was a simple but flavourful dish that worked well as one of the main plates for the table.
Khao Soi Soft Shell Crab
This version of the Northern Thai noodle dish featured crispy soft shell crab served over egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth. It was finished with crispy noodles and pickled cabbage for added texture and acidity.
The curry broth was creamy and comforting, and the soft shell crab provided a crisp contrast to the noodles. The pickled cabbage helped balance the richness of the coconut-based curry.
Wok Fried Squid With Salted Egg Yolk
Tender pieces of squid were coated in a savoury salted egg yolk sauce and wok-fried with peppers and onions. The salted egg yolk gave the dish a rich, slightly grainy coating with plenty of umami. The squid remained tender, and the vegetables added a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Drinks
Umeshu Sour
The Umeshu Sour was smooth, lightly sweet, and easy to sip throughout the meal. The plum flavour worked particularly well with the spicy and savoury dishes.
Fresh Longan Juice
The Fresh Longan Juice was light and refreshing, with a gentle floral sweetness. It was a good non-alcoholic option alongside the richer dishes.
Red Roselle
Made with hibiscus, lychee, and lime, the Red Roselle was fruity with a pleasant tartness. The floral hibiscus and sweet lychee were balanced by the brightness of the lime.
Dessert
Mango Sticky Rice
The Mango Sticky Rice featured butterfly pea sticky rice, fresh mango, and coconut soft serve. The blue sticky rice made for a colourful presentation, and the coconut soft serve added a cool, creamy element to the familiar Thai dessert.
Charm Thai Eatery offers a polished but approachable take on Thai dining in Kitsilano. The family-style menu works especially well for groups who want to sample dishes from different regions of Thailand, with a broad selection of seafood, meat dishes, curries, drinks, and desserts.
Charm Thai Eatery by Zab Bite
3293 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
