When Pennapa (Mimi) Wichian and her husband, Eakkasak (Eak) Kaosa-ard, departed Bangkok, Thailand in December of 2023 to come to the U.S., they left behind vibrant streets, night markets, and family—and also weather that rarely gets below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Arriving in Grand Rapids, they weren’t dreaming of shoveling snow or navigating slushy streets while driving on the opposite side of the road; they were dreaming of new opportunities, cultural exchange, and fulfilling a purpose. They wanted to do something bigger, Mimi especially, and Eak was eager to be of support in making what is now Thai Table, at the corner of Diamond and Wealthy, come to life.
While there are countless places across the country they could have settled, they chose Grand Rapids because of its warm and welcoming reputation, as well as the growing food scene. They were excited to share recipes passed down from Mimi’s mother and aunt, and present to this emerging foodie community the kind of authentic Thai cuisine that is typically only found in larger cities like Chicago or New York.
They’ve been open since September 12, and celebrated their official ribbon cutting on October 7. And, true to Grand Rapidians’ craving for new restaurants, they have been very—very—busy. While Thai Table’s popularity has been a blessing, running a restaurant comes with challenges. Sourcing the ingredients needed to create their traditional tastes often means ordering from overseas. While that may be reflected in a slightly higher price point, the outcome is higher quality and a truer flavor; a reality most customers understand and respect. If you follow them on social media, you’ll find that they receive mostly high praise and five-star reviews. The phrase “the best” comes up A LOT. Negative feedback is met with equal amounts of humility and humor, with a commitment to improvement if the critique is merited.
Harmonizing authenticity with local tastes has also been tricky at times. Mimi notes that the Thai food many people in West Michigan are used to eating may not align with the dishes she made back home and brought here. As she said, “I don’t know if what I think is yummy will be yummy to our customers.” So far, though, she seems to have struck the right balance, with many repeat visits just in the few weeks they’ve been open.
“It’s been rewarding to see customers appreciate our unique flavors,” Mimi said. “Sharing Thai culture, seeing customers enjoy our dishes, and building a community around food… it’s fulfilling to create a home away from home for Thai cuisine enthusiasts.”
And, with that, let’s talk about the menu. When asked what her favorite item is, Mimi couldn’t pick just one. They all have something special about them. But, she did mention Pad Kra Pao, a pork and holy basil stir fry that’s one of the most popular meals in Thailand. “It’s a classic, and I love seeing customers enjoy our twist on this iconic dish,” she said. Thai Table also serves Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, a number of different curries (hello, Massaman!), and a robust vegan menu, plus out-of-this-world Crab Rangoon. (I tried it. It’s the real deal.)
There’s certainly a family vibe growing at the restaurant, too, with their cozy, welcoming atmosphere and desire to make a friend of everyone who walks through their doors. And, the community has returned that friendship by being generous and open minded. They’ve even had people volunteer their time to help them learn how to run their business. That’s something that really stands out to both Eak and Mimi about the philosophy of Grand Rapids. “They really want small businesses to succeed,” Eak said. In turn, Eak and Mimi make efforts to give back, amid their busy schedule, including making meals to feed the homeless.
“I’m grateful for the support from our community and look forward to continuing to share Thai culture and cuisine with Grand Rapids,” Mimi said. “Thai Table is more than a restaurant—it’s a cultural exchange and a taste of home.”
Thai Table is located at 950 Wealthy St. SE at Diamond. They’re currently open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. with a break from 2:30 to 4:30, and Saturday and Sunday all day from 11:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. They’re closed Wednesday as a day of much-needed rest!
Visit thaitablegr.com for more info or to order online.
