Today we’d like to introduce you to Worawan Bo Lehman and Worada Beau Lehman-Elchert (owners’ daughters of Bangkok Kitchen).
Hi Worawan and Worada, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your parents’ story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all started back in 1994 when our mother, Chiraporn Jookrathok, decided to open a Thai restaurant, Siam Cafe, alongside to her grocery store, Bangkok Grocery (which was open in 1987 in Northwood, OH). Our mother was always in the kitchen and had a passion for cooking. She learned how to cook from her grandmother in Thailand and wanted to share the traditional Thai recipes that were passed down to her. She enjoyed bringing the diverse flavors of Thailand through her cooking and to the grocery store with other Asian specialties and food products. After a period of dedicated and rewarding work with Siam Cafe and Bangkok Grocery, she decided to take a break and ended up selling the restaurant/grocery store to a family friend in 1997.
Closing the restaurant, however, didn’t necessarily mean the end of her restaurateur journey. 5 years later (2002), our mother and father, Bill Sonjeow (who is also passionate about cooking), decided to open a restaurant together. They embarked on a journey to bring the authentic flavors of Thai cuisine to Maumee, OH, and opened Bangkok Kitchen. The restaurant became a hub for Thai food enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community among those who shared a love for the intricate and flavorful world of Thai cuisine. We have been open for almost 22 years now and have built a strong and loyal customer base. The success is undoubtedly a result of our parent’s passion for Thai cuisine, their commitment to sharing it with others, and the support from our amazing customers!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a pretty smooth road. However, there have been some struggles throughout the years. A main struggle was definitely the COVID-19 pandemic as it posed challenges for us. Statewide lockdown, restrictions, and lost of staff…etc were significant obstacles that we had to grapple with. We had to pivot to takeout and delivery services only to continue serving our customers despite the challenges. We are still carryout only (which may have presented its own set of challenges, potentially leading to adjustments in customer dynamics), but still making it work and wouldn’t be able to do it without our amazing, hard-working staff and loyal customers.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bangkok Kitchen?
Bangkok Kitchen is family-owned and operated Thai restaurant in Maumee, OH, specializing in authentic Thai cuisine since 2002. Serving Thai food from our family recipes that have been passed down and perfected. We are currently carryout only, but plan to reopen the dining room soon!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
While the role of good luck can play a factor in the succession of our business, we believe it’s also a combination of dedication, hard work, consistent quality, customer service, and just cooking great food that people love. If there’s any luck, it’s definitely positive word-of-mouth from our family, friends, and customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bangkokkitchen419.hrpos.heartland.us/menu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bangkok_kitchen_maumee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bangkokkitchenmaumee/
