Chef Hong Thaimee Launches Brand Thaimee Love and NYC Pop-up – WWD

For several years, Bangkok has ranked as the top international travel destination. But for now, New Yorkers can experience a taste of Thai culture closer to home.

“My thing was like, you know, if we cannot travel, gotta be creative. Let’s bring Thailand to you,” says New York-based chef Hong Thaimee.

The chef, who hails from Chiang Mai, made a name for her unique take on classic Thai cooking through her popular East Village Thai restaurant Ngam, which closed last year. Her customers began reaching out on social media; they missed her style of Thai cooking. That reaction inspired Thaimee to rethink her approach of sharing her culture and native cuisine.

Last month Thaimee marked the launch of her culinary brand, Thaimee Love, with the opening of a six-month pop-up restaurant in the West Village. Before New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shut down indoor dining, she was serving up…