Hey There!
I'm Suwanee—
Welcome to Simply Suwanee, my little corner of the internet where bold Thai recipes, heartfelt stories, and rich culture come together.
Over 30 years ago, my life changed forever when a kind and fearless woman named Rebecca visited the leprosy village in rural Surin Province, Thailand, where I was raised. She saw something in me—and made a bold decision to sponsor me and bring me to America. I was a teenager. She was in her early 30s and single. But in May 1991—Mother’s Day weekend—I landed in the U.S., and she became a single mom overnight.
Because of her love, I was given the chance to grow, thrive, and eventually find my voice—through food, storytelling, and giving back.
From Thai Roots to American Kitchens
I was born in Bangkok but raised in a leprosy village in the Isaan region of Northeast Thailand. Life in the village was difficult, but also rich—with tradition, flavor, and community. I grew up on the aroma of sticky rice steaming, grilled meats crackling over open flames, and chili pastes pounded fresh with an earthen mortar and pestle. I still remember picking crisp green papayas straight from the tree to make Som Tum—the spicy, tangy salad that’s hands-down the most iconic dish in our region.
When I moved to the U.S. at 13, I carried those memories with me—but not the recipes. I had to teach myself how to cook Thai food all over again using ingredients I could find in small-town American grocery stores. It was through that slow, loving process—years of testing and tasting—that I found my way back to the flavors of home.
In fall 2024, I was honored to be one of eight contestants selected nationwide to compete on PBS’s The Great American Recipe (Season 4)—a popular national cooking competition that celebrates the stories, heritage, and flavors of diverse home cooks across America. Representing my Thai roots, the PNW, and my hometown of Spokane, I shared dishes inspired by my childhood in rural Thailand. Being part of this show allowed me to bring the bold, authentic flavors of Thai food to a broader audience—and I’m just getting started.
From Home Cook to Restaurant Chef
Today, I’m a home cook with a chef’s heart. A year ago, I was honored to join Feast World Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant in Spokane that features immigrant and refugee chefs from around the world. It was my first restaurant experience, and my Thai food quickly became one of the community’s favorites. I cooked meals that reminded people of Thailand and introduced others to flavors they’d never tasted before.
Through the Lens: My Photography Journey
Before food blogging, photography was my first creative love. I’m an award-winning photographer with work published in magazines, guidebooks, a coffee table book, and travel sites. Photography became a way for me to speak when words—especially in a second language—weren’t always enough.
While I’ve always gravitated toward people and travel photography, food has become just as personal. Since starting this blog, food photography has taken on deep personal meaning. It’s my way of preserving memories, honoring my culture, and telling visual stories through the dishes I grew up with.
Sharing Food, Giving Back
Over the years, I’ve taught Thai cooking classes, hosted pop-ups, and shared food with communities across the U.S.—wherever my family was stationed (yes, we moved a lot thanks to my husband’s military career!). But no matter where I go, my heart never strays far from the village that raised me.
When I left home as a child, the elderly aunties and uncles—many still living with leprosy—gathered what little money they had to give me as a farewell gift. I didn’t realize the weight of that gesture until years later.
Feed My Village: A Mission from the Heart
Three years ago, I followed my heart and returned to give back to the people who gave me the little they had. I raised funds through cooking classes and was later hired at Feast World Kitchen to help support this dream: to feed the elderly who once gave me everything they had. With the help of my Thai family and villagers—men, women, teens, and children—we planned, shopped, cooked, and hand-delivered meals throughout the village. Read the full story behind Feed My Village →
My Inspiration
I hope to keep going back every year to give to the place where I came from—and the people who inspire me most. They are my heroes.
They’ve lived through pain, poverty, rejection, and injustice. They’ve been misunderstood, cast aside, and forgotten by society. And yet—every day—they rise. They light fires, boil rice, and cook for their ailing bodies and loved ones. Their resilience is unmatched. Their joy, infectious.
Their stories and their spirit live on in many recipes I share on this blog. I hope you find something here that brings you joy, too.
What You'll Find Here:
- Authentic Thai recipes made approachable for today’s home kitchens—some may call for specialty tools or hard-to-find ingredients, but I always aim to simplify without losing the heart of traditional Thai cooking.
- Step-by-step visual guides designed for clarity—because as a visual learner myself (especially learning English as a second language), I know how helpful clear photos and process shots can be.
- Ingredient swaps and practical tips for finding or substituting Thai ingredients here in the U.S., based on what’s actually available.
- New and original recipes created by me—because I love blending Thai flavors with American comfort and global influences from the places I’ve lived since moving to the U.S.
- Stories from my childhood in a small Thai village shaped by resilience, food, and the beauty of community.
- Rich, vibrant photos that bring each dish to life—because food is more than a recipe, it’s a memory.
- A love for learning. I’m always growing—both in and out of the kitchen. This blog has taught me so much about Thai culture, food history, and myself. I hope you learn something new here too.
Thanks so much for being here. I hope my recipes and stories bring the warmth of Thai food—and the heart behind it—into your home.
Khop khun ka, 🙏🏼
Suwanee (เปิ้ล)
Explore More from My Journey!
Take a deeper dive into the stories behind the recipes—where food, memories, and purpose all come together.
Feed My Village: Year One, 2023
In April 2023, I returned to my leprosy village with a dream—to feed the people who once gave me everything they had. Together with my Thai family, we cooked and delivered meals to the elders who raised me.
👉 Read the Full Story →
Feed My Village: Year Two + Kid's Edition!
The following year, I brought my children along. With their help and the support of the village, the project grew bigger than I ever imagined—feeding even more people and creating memories I’ll never forget.
👉 Read Year Two’s Story →
Thailand 2019: Back to My Roots
Just before the world shut down during Covid, I returned to Thailand for the first time in years. It was a powerful reconnection to my roots, my village, and the flavors that shaped my childhood—and it sparked everything I do today.
👉 Read the 2019 Thailand Story → and See My 2019 Trip Highlights →
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