Bangkok Street Food Concept Set for Santee Passage in DTLA

DTLA’s up-and-coming food destination, Santee Passage, is bound for a new Thai-focused restaurant, called Holy Basil. The restaurant’s Owner Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat told What Now Los Angeles that Holy Basil will focus on foods that Deau loves to eat, Bangkok street food. “There are a lot of dishes inspired by Chinese immigrants that come into Thailand or Bangkok,” Arpapornnopparat said.

The menu will include gra pow, which is wok-fired ground beef with garlic, Bird’s eye chili, and fresh-picked Holy Basil over Thai riceberry, topped with a fried egg. There will also be pad thai goong with rice noodles and firm tofu as well as tom yum goong with tiger shrimp, oyster mushrooms, and a fresh squeeze of lime.

Holy Basil is expected to open in September 2020 in Santee Passage. There are currently no additional plans for expansion, but Deau said that there are plans for online sales of Thai condiments “and things like that.”

Arpapornnopparat is also the co-owner of The Base Co., which is a Los Angeles-based beverage company that offers concoctions like hibiscus agave, gooseberry marigold, thyme orange, and seasonal options like lychee and strawberry shiso.

Santee Passage is located at the corner of Los Angeles and 7th streets, comprising two historic buildings and a wide pedestrian alleyway. The 23,000-square-foot food destination will feature pop-ups, food festivals, performances, and other events. The development has enough stalls for up to 19 vendors including Vegan Hooligans and coffee shop Virtu.