Chef Lee at her chic West LA restaurant Sanook Soi 38

MEET CHEF LEE

Lee grew up in Hat Yai, a vibrant city in Southern Thailand where food was always at the center of life. Her parents were performers in a traveling opera, so from an early age she took charge of cooking for her younger siblings. She learned not just to feed a family, but to create meals that brought comfort and joy.



Her neighbor’s plantation became her second classroom. There, Lee picked vegetables, herbs, and fruits straight from the ground, discovering the magic of cooking with ingredients that were alive with freshness. This early connection to the land shaped her lifelong love of bold flavors and honest food.

The Khlong Hae Floating Market in Chef Lee's hometown in southern Thailand. Hat Yai is famous for its bold and brilliant flavors.

At 35, Lee moved to Los Angeles. Before that, she had worked in Bangkok as a newspaper reporter and later in marketing, but food kept calling her back. She launched a food truck, Sanook Soi 38, named after Bangkok’s famous late-night food street. For five years she cooked tirelessly from that truck, winning recognition from DineLA as one of the city’s top food trucks.

Today, Lee’s dream has taken root in West Los Angeles. Her restaurant, Sanook Soi 38, is a chic, minimalist space where she shares the flavors she grew up with. Each dish carries a piece of her journey—from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the plantations of Hat Yai, and now to the tables of Los Angeles.


For Lee, food is not just cooking. It’s memory, family, and the joy of making people feel at home.

Chef Lee first launched Sanook Soi 38 restaurant as a food truck in 2014.

THE STORY OF SANOOK SOI 38

Always fresh, always joyful—that’s Sanook!

Sanook Soi 38 is a chic Thai restaurant in West LA inspired by the vibrant cuisine of Bangkok and the bold flavors of Southern Thailand. Founded by chef Lee—who grew up cooking for her siblings in Hat Yai—Sanook serves soulful dishes like slow-braised pork leg and knuckle on rice, duck noodle soup and Hainan chicken rice in a minimalist, welcoming space.

Download Menu PDF

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Handcrafted Thai food featuring duck noodles.

Handcrafted duck noodles
Seafood drunken noodles

Seafood drunken noodles

AUTHENTIC THAI CUISINE – ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Discover the true taste of Thailand without leaving Los Angeles. At Sanook Soi 38, every dish is crafted from fresh, vibrant ingredients and time-honored family recipes inspired by the streets of Bangkok and the kitchens of Southern Thailand. Whether it’s a comforting bowl of duck noodle soup or fragrant Hainan chicken rice, each bite brings you closer to the heart of Thai home cooking.

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Order ahead through ChowNow and skip the wait—your favorite Thai dishes will be freshly prepared and ready when you arrive. Perfect for busy days or nights when you want authentic flavor on the go.

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ORDER DELIVERY

Let Sanook Soi 38 come to you with fast, reliable delivery powered by ChowNow. Enjoy the same bold, comforting Thai flavors in the comfort of your own home—always fresh, always joyful.

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