Fairbanks Alaska emerges as unexpected culinary destination
8 reported
According to a report by The Guardian, Fairbanks, Alaska, has developed a diverse and independent restaurant scene despite its remote location and small population of 31,000. The city, six hours inland from Anchorage and known as a gateway to the Arctic, offers cuisines including Thai, Cuban, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Moldovan. The article attributes this to Alaska’s geography making it difficult for large chains to dominate, and to decades of migration from around the world. Thai House, opened in 1989 by Charlie Boonprasert and Tutu Navachai, was an early Thai restaurant in the area. Lemongrass Thai restaurant, opened in 1996 by Navachai, now uses locally-grown vegetables and fusion with Alaskan seafood. Sipping Streams Tea Company, founded in 2009 by Hong Kong-born Jenny Tse, has found an audience among video gamers and anime fans. Soba, opened in 2018 by Alla and Stanislav Gutsul, is the only Moldovan restaurant in Alaska. The article notes that drive-thru Thai huts have emerged through a “chain migration” effect, and that many restaurants face challenges with ingredient availability and shipping costs.
What’s reported
Charlie Boonprasert and Tutu Navachai arrived in Fairbanks in the 1980s and opened Thai House in 1989.
Fairbanks has a population of 31,000, not including military personnel on two nearby bases.
The city offers cuisines including Thai, Cuban, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Moldovan.
Lemongrass Thai restaurant opened in 1996 and uses locally-grown vegetables from Ann’s Greenhouses.
Sipping Streams Tea Company opened its first store in 2009 and works with a hydroponic greenhouse.
Soba, the only Moldovan restaurant in Alaska, opened in 2018 after starting as a food truck in 2016.
In January, Fairbanks hit minus 50F in the coldest winter in its history, according to the National Weather Service.
The article states that Alaska has traditionally been difficult for brands from the lower 48 to dominate due to transportation costs.
Key figures
Charlie Boonprasert and Tutu Navachai: co-founders of Thai House
Laong Boonprasert: current operator of Thai House
Natt Navachai: son of Tutu Navachai, quoted in the article
Jenny Tse: founder of Sipping Streams Tea Company
Brian: husband of Jenny Tse
Alla and Stanislav Gutsul: founders of Soba restaurant
Sources: The Guardian
