By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
A taste of Thailand has landed in Bowling Green. After 25 years in business in Northwood, Ohio, Toi Suwannethada and her daughter Natnicha Vayavong, best known as U-sa, recently opened Roi Et Thai Cuisine and Eatery at 1616 E. Wooster St., Suite 6.
Toi brings her authentic Thai flavors to the dishes, including appetizers, soups, fried rice, curries and noodle and rice entrees. Best known for her homemade sauce creations—especially her noodle sauces featured in recipes for Pad See Ew and Lo Mein—she perfected the recipes during more than two decades in the kitchen at the Northwood restaurant, which was previously known as Bangkok Café, U-sa said.
Rebranded two years ago to Roi Et, the restaurant is an homage to Toi’s beloved hometown in northern Thailand. The region is known for its Jasmine rice, Toi said. She is very happy to bring their Thai food to Bowling Green.
“I think that you’ll really find something special about our food,” said U-sa, as she recommended one of her favorites—Pad Kapao.
“Everything on the menu is basically like you’re eating a bit of Thailand,” she said. “Anything you order on the menu, you’ll be leaving with a happy smile.”
In addition to the chef favorite Pad Kapao, popular menu items include Pho, a savory beef broth with rice noodles, bean sprouts and onions; Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles in homemade Pad Thai sauce with egg, bean sprouts and scallions, peanuts and lime; Cashew (or Almond) Chicken, stir-fried chicken with onions, carrots, bell peppers and mushrooms, topped with chicken (or almonds); and Papaya Salad, another chef favorite, with fresh shredded green papaya with tomatoes, garlic and chili, tossed in house dressing and topped with roasted peanuts.
“We’ve got this great community that can’t wait to try your food,” Mary Hinkelman, executive director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, said during Tuesday’s ribbon cutting.
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher thanked the family for choosing Bowling Green for its expansion beyond northern Wood County.
“Thank you for investing in Bowling Green. We recognize that you had choices and could have gone to a number of different places, but you chose Bowling Green. We’re grateful for that,” he said. “I think that you’ll find Bowling Green to be curious, inquisitive in terms of their eating. I know that there have been several ethnic restaurants recently and from what I understand, they’re all doing really well. So I have no doubts that you’re going to do well.”
Being in a college town was part of what attracted Roi Et to Bowling Green.
“What I really love about Bowling Green is the mix of the college and the community,” U-sa said. “Everyone kind of seems to be willing to try a little bit of everything. There’s a lot here for people to try and love.”
“I like good food and small independent places like Roi Et have good food because they care about it,” said Lee McLaird, who was on hand for the ribbon cutting. “Their reputation is their life, so they’ve got to make it good.”
McLaird, who lives nearby, has visited the restaurant several times. “The food is really good and the atmosphere is relaxing,” she said. “It’s nice to have the variety of dining choices in town. This is a good addition in BG.”
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday. For more information or to order for pickup, call 419-724-2233 or visit the website at roietthai.com.
