By Stephanie Nguyen
Thai cuisine is one of the most popular in the US; so, it’s no surprise Orange County has Thai restaurants everywhere. Wanting a career allowing them to pursue their passion, some Thai immigrants opened eateries that empowered them to share their culture in a way anyone could understand. No matter where someone is from, the best way to get to know them is through the food they enjoy and make.
Thai Nakorn (also spelled Nakhon) is no exception. Being in business for over forty years, the love and pride for Thai culture is evident in the flavorful pad thai and delightfully sour papaya salad.
Founded in 1984 by Wanida Sreewarom, an operating room nurse, Thai Nakorn got its start in Buena Park near Knott’s Berry Farm. At the time, there weren’t a lot of Thai restaurants like today. In fact, a lot of them in Los Angeles and Orange County opened during the 1980s, like Thai Nakorn.
According to Linda Sreewarom in an email, who is her niece, she named her new business after Nakorn Phanom, the province in northeastern Thailand where she was from. With it, she plans to share her family’s recipes—passed down through generations—and bring her relatives over to the US to provide for them.
And she was successful. Every night on Mondays it had live entertainment from a band. Her brother also opened up Thai Tanee, a Thai video and bookstore, next to the restaurant.
As it grew in popularity, it had a total of four locations in Buena Park, Mission Viejo, Garden Grove and Stanton. However, this didn’t last. After opening again in Mission Viejo, the Buena Park lease ended, and they stopped owning the former. Soon after, they opened another location in Garden Grove until it burned down in 2010. While it was under construction, they opened their final location in Stanton. Eventually, the restaurant in Garden Grove was sold in 2018, leaving Stanton the only city where the family still owns and operates their business.
Her niece and nephew, Linda and Tanee Sreewarom, are the co-owners.
“Thai Nakorn is deeply personal to me—I was essentially born into this restaurant,” Linda Sreewarom said. “My mother worked here up until the day she was about to give birth to me, and I grew up in this environment.”
Started by a family for families, people have revisited this go-to place for generations. Sreewarom said she had seen the grandchildren of regulars coming to eat.
In February 2021, Thai Nakorn posted on Facebook about their Thai Select Classic Award, which they already had for many years. The program recognizes authentic eateries that meet the strict standards set by its representatives from the Royal Thai government. According to Sreewarom, the restaurant reapplied for the honor—which only lasts for three years—and still has it for 2024-2026.
“It’s an ongoing recognition of our commitment to excellence, and we still proudly display the award at our restaurant. It inspires us to continue sharing our food and culture with the community,” Sreewarom said about the honor.
The love and pride for Thai culture Sreewarom had in 1984 is still in Stanton. Some of the chefs there have been with the family since the first opening at Buena Park.
“Many of them have been with us for decades, and they truly feel like family,” Sreewarom said. “Their dedication and love for what they do are part of what makes Thai Nakorn a welcoming place for everyone. I am incredibly grateful for our community, our loyal customers and our staff, and I look forward to sharing our delicious food and culture with new generations.”
