Kuni's Thai Cuisine
A recipe for success
Yukonthorn "Kuni" Pratanporntrakul Colliton was born and raised in Chaing Mai, Thailand. The daughter of a Thai mother and a Chinese father, Kuni was raised in a large family where values around family, community, education, and a love of life were deeply instilled in her and her siblings. Her parents were entrepreneurs and created a thriving business that attracted migrants from neighboring countries including Myanmar (Burma), Laos, China, and India. This melting pot of cultures - especially food practices - was the center of Kuni's life and created a passion for using food to build relationships that she has nurtured ever since.
Approximately twenty years ago, Kuni came to Spokane to get her MBA at Gonzaga University. She quickly fell in love with Spokane (and the Zags!) and decided to make this her new home. Since moving to Spokane, Kuni has shared her love of food with everyone she has met, including thousands of homeless kids and adults she has fed and loved over the years. Her response from people has always been the same: they love Kuni, they love the food she serves, and they love the Thai Style she serves it. There's something wholesome in Kuni's nature and her culinary approach that people find irresistible and fun.
After a successful career as an engineer and programmer, Kuni decided to start a new Thai restaurant in north Spokane. To be successful she knew she needed a great team, so she enlisted her sister Nongnuch and her niece Mui Start to join her as partners.
Together they hired a group of talented Thai and American chefs and developed a very simple mission: To make people smile and appreciate Thai food and customs in a manner that respects all people and the community. (Thailand is known as "the land of smiles".)
Rather than open a traditional Thai restaurant, of which there are already many good ones around, the trio decided that a fresh new look was in order. They started with the physical design of the restaurant, where they created a modern, elegant, and fun way to showcase their deep love of Thai food and customs. The goal was to create a setting like you would find in modern Chiang Mai or Bangkok. The delightful result is Kuni's Thai Cuisine.
At Kuni's, the dishes are varied and come from a wide array of sources including family recipes, and ideas from friends, and the remainder are developed by Kuni and her team of talented chefs. The menu includes a variety of traditional Thai dishes, as well as some Chinese and Indian dishes (and a little Mediterranean). The common theme is an emphasis on fresh, nutritious, wholesome, and locally sourced foods when available. Kuni's prides itself on tailoring meals to each person's needs, and has a variety of vegetarian and vegan options for you to enjoy. If it is Thai, we will find a way to prepare what you desire.
Please visit us at Kuni's Thai Cuisine. Experience for yourself a new way to enjoy Thai food and culture in north Spokane.
