ABOUT

ESTABLISHED IN 2004, AYARA THAI CONTINUES THE TRADITION OF CRAFTING HOME-COOKED FOOD FOR THOSE DINING OUT

Growing up in a Thai-Chinese community in the Samsen District along the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, chef and restaurateur Andy Asapahu received his cooking and business prowess by helping his mother cook. Because of the home’s location between the palace and the river, both royal cuisine and the bustling spice trade helped shape the home-cooked flavors so savored.

Anna, wife of Andy and self-taught chef, hails from the city of Lampang in the heart of northern Thailand and grew up in a family that primarily cooked with home- and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Since Ayara Thai’s opening day, Anna remains a leader in the kitchen and continues her family tradition of sustainable dining, ensuring dishes inspired and prepared with only the freshest ingredients each season has to offer.

Today, the family traditions of Andy and Anna are continued and developed into the third generation, through their children. Vanda, Head Chef and Managing Owner, lived and worked in Thailand for 4 years, allowing her to revive old family recipes while discovering new tastes and inspirations. After cooking with relatives and eating her way through the streets and countryside, it is these old recipes and new flavors Vanda has brought back to share at Ayara Thai. Heading up pastry is Vanda’s sister, Cathy, who is known for infusing traditional French pastry with the flavors of Thailand and traditional Thai pastry with French technique. Vanda and Cathy’s mission is to provide the traditional Thai flavors Ayara’s guests enjoy while infusing SoCal twists honoring the duality of their heritage and upbringing.

With family recipes and cooking styles passed down through generations, the Asapahu family of Ayara Thai is pleased to offer a taste of authentic Thai food, where quality is never compromised. Using the freshest ingredients, each dish is prepared from scratch and enhanced individually by herbs and spices to ensure the boldest, most genuine flavors.

Order our Ayara Thai Sauces and Cooking Kits for delivery nationwide