Our Story
The good ol’ MyThai Days.
It all began when Vanh Kalong, a Thai refugee from Laos determined to build a life of her own, opened My-Thai on John Street. At the time, there were few female restaurant owners in the area and no Thai restaurants quite like hers in downtown Hamilton.
Vanh took the risk anyway.
After months of knocking on doors and investing everything she had saved, My-Thai opened its doors on July 6, 2001 — bringing bold Thai flavours, fermented sauces, and home-style cooking to the community she chose to call home.
More than two decades later, that same address continues the story.
Pintoh Cuisine carries forward the legacy — rooted in Thai street food culture, built on family recipes, and made for sharing.
New town, same attitude as Pintoh Cuisine.
Pintoh Cuisine started in 2016 in Burlington on Lakeshore & Elizabeth with one simple idea: bring the comfort of home-style Thai cooking together with the bold flavours of street food.
In Thailand, a pintoh is a stacked tiffin lunch box — food packed with care, meant to be shared, taken to work or school, and enjoyed together. That idea became our blueprint. Food that feels familiar but exciting. Dishes made to travel, pass around, and spark conversation.
We didn’t change the food. We changed the conversation.
From day one, Pintoh stood out. Bold flavours. Fermented sauces. Techniques rooted in tradition. So much so that in 2018, a CBC article shared our story — and yes, even a health inspector once questioned our methods. We didn’t change the food. We educated him. (Fermentation is flavour, after all.)
Read the article here.
Then life happened. COVID hit. Burnout followed. And Pintoh went quiet.
But some stories aren’t finished.
An opportunity came to bring Pintoh home — to John Street, where MyThai first opened its doors back in 2001. A full-circle moment. Same heart. New chapter. But this time, as PinToh by Chef Keng, a well deserved mention for our special Keng!
Today, PinToh by Chef Keng is still about what it’s always been: food made with intention, meant for sharing, and served with a little attitude. Strong flavours. Strong pours.
A place that feels like home — just louder, spicier, and way more fun.
Returning back to our roots, where it all began.
Mama, we made it.
2025 Readers’ Choice Diamond Winner 🏆
We’re proud to share that Pintoh was named the 2025 Hamilton Spectator Readers’ Choice Diamond Winner for Best Thai Restaurant.
This recognition means the world to us because it comes from our community — the guests who dine with us, celebrate with us, and continue to support our story.
Thank you for making us part of your table.
Location
📍 21 John St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1
Hours
Mon: 11am–10pm
Tue: Closed
Wed: 11am–10pm
Thu: 11am–10pm
Fri: 11am–11pm
Sat: 12pm–11pm
Sun: 12pm–9pm