Utah’s Refugee – Owned Restaurants
In the face of incredible hardship and obstacles, refugees are rising above and connecting our communities in one of the most significant ways: with food. While there are many ways to show support for the refugee community, one way is by supporting local refugee-owned restaurants, which is why we’ve put together our list of a few of our favorite (and most delicious) refugee-owned restaurants right here in Utah!
Laan Na Thai
If you’re craving delicious Pad Thai or Pad Cashew Chicken, then Laan Na Thai is the place for you! Started by Chefs Yupin and Wichai, Laan Na Thai opened in 2016. Yupin helped her mother run a food stand in Thailand when she was young, and after immigrating to the United States in 2009, she became the chef at Ekamai for six years. In 2016, Yupin and Wichai joined the Spice Kitchen and later that year opened Laan Na Thai!
Bhutan House Restaurant
Chefs Kamal and Geeta moved to Utah with their three children in 2010, from Nepal, and before that, Bhutan. Soon after, in 2017, the couple celebrated the grand opening of Bhutan House Restaurant at 1241 East 8600 South in Sandy. The restaurant, run by Kamal, Geeta, and their daughters, features Bhutanese tandoori, which is one of the most popular cooking methods in the Indo-Nepal-Bhutan region. Kamal and Geeta also participate yearly in World Refugee Day and the Salt Lake Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen
Looking for authentic and fresh Syrian cuisine? Visit Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen. Chef Ibrahim got his start in his family’s kitchen as a child when he began experimenting with different recipes. After he and his wife Rawiya came to Utah in 2016, they decided that owning their own food business would be a great opportunity. Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen offers healthy and fresh Syrian dishes and prides itself on authenticity. Stop by to try their falafel sandwiches or shawarma!
Jamaica’s Kitchen
Famously known as “Utah’s First Jamaican Food Truck,” Jamaica’s Kitchen is the place to go if you’re craving the flavors of authentic Jamaican food in Utah. Native-born Jamaican Chef Donovan has been working in the kitchen since he was 16. Starting as a dishwasher, he quickly developed a passion for Jamaican cuisine and was mentored by a chef who inspired him to attend culinary school. In 2017 he opened Jamaica’s Kitchen. There, as well as at local markets and festivals, you can find him cooking up dishes like spicy & sweet Jamaican jerk chicken or tender curry goat with rice and beans. Jamaica’s Kitchen also caters!
Learn more about how you can support Utah’s refugee community by exploring CCS’ Refugee Resettlement and Refugee Foster Care pages.
