Meet Pinki Durongdej of Monrovia California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pinki Durongdej.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We are a family owned business! We decided to open a restaurant when we walked by our current place. It was the perfect spot, not too big and in a good location. We wanted to bring a new local spot to our hometown. Our story begins long before our doors opened. Cooking has always been the love language of our family. Growing up in Arcadia and going through the Arcadia school system, home was always filled with the aroma of simmering broths, wok-fried spices, and family chatter. When we discovered the perfect little space in Monrovia, it felt only right to bring those flavors—and the memories behind them—back to the community that raised us. While our food is deeply traditional, our approach is refreshingly personal. We focus on the kind of home-cooked meals rarely found on typical restaurant menus. In fact, we didn’t even serve Pad Thai or Pad See Ew when we first opened—our menu was built to be authentic, not expected. And even now, we’re constantly refining our dishes to make them better, truer, and more delicious.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening Kin Khao Thai Eatery wasn’t easy. In fact, it was one of the hardest things our family has ever taken on. Behind the warm dining room and homey dishes is a story of long nights, financial risks, and countless moments where we wondered if we were doing the right thing. We had to learn everything—from permits and inspections to navigating supply shortages, rising costs, and unexpected delays. There were days when equipment broke, contractors didn’t show up, or something we thought would take one hour took an entire week. There were moments of doubt, frustration, and exhaustion that tested every bit of strength we had.

But the emotional challenges were just as real. Sharing family recipes, especially ones tied so closely to our grandmother and our life in Thailand, meant putting a piece of our heart on the table for others to judge. And as a small, family-owned restaurant, we had no corporate safety net — just our own savings, our own hands, and the hope that the community would believe in us.

Even with all the hardship, every struggle made us more determined. The tough days reminded us why we wanted to do this in the first place: to create a place that feels like home, to cook the food we grew up with, and to share a part of our family with the community that shaped us. Every challenge brought us closer together, and every obstacle made opening our doors feel even more meaningful.

Some days, the hardest part wasn’t the broken equipment or the missing deliveries — it was convincing everyone to agree on anything. We argued about menu items, table layouts, how spicy “spicy” should really be, and whether or not we needed another Costco run. At one point, we had three generations giving feedback on a single dish. (For the record, no one agreed.)

Working with family means the meetings are louder, the debates are spicier, and no one hesitates to remind you of something embarrassing you did in 2008. But it also means the kitchen is filled with laughter in between the chaos, and even the arguments eventually end with a shared meal… usually followed by, “Okay, but seriously, let’s do it my way.” In the end, Kin Khao Thai Eatery is stronger (and funnier) because of everything we went through. This restaurant was built on love, laughter, bickering, compromise, and the kind of family teamwork you can’t manufacture. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Opening Kin Khao Thai Eatery has been a beautiful whirlwind of food, family… and a healthy amount of chaos. Picture this: my mom ruling the kitchen like a Thai Gordon Ramsay (but nicer), my uncles passionately arguing over recipes as if we’re negotiating peace treaties, me running around managing customers and everything else that catches fire, my dad fixing every single thing that breaks (and everything does break), and my sister making the place look good enough to impress even the pickiest ArtCenter professor.

Our family dynamic? Loud, spicy, and occasionally served with a side of emotional damage — but always made with love.

We specialize in authentic homestyle Thai cooking, focusing on traditional family recipes passed down through generations. Unlike many Thai restaurants that feature the typical “usual suspects,” our menu highlights dishes that are rare, labor-intensive, and full of depth — the kind of meals you would find in a Thai family kitchen rather than a generic restaurant.

Gai Manow – a lime-marinated chicken recipe with bold, bright flavors, passed down from our grandmother’s restaurant in Thailand.

Dishes that are made from scratch, with hand-prepared sauces, spice blends, and herbs, reflecting the care and love of home cooking. Unique regional flavors that showcase the diversity of Thai cuisine, while keeping the food approachable and comforting.

Above all, we specialize in food made with heart — meals that tell our family’s story, bring people together, and make every guest feel like part of our extended family.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
For starters, we’re not a family of professional restaurateurs — most of us had never run a restaurant before Kin Khao. My uncles, however, have opened two other restaurants in San Diego, bringing valuable experience and guidance to our venture. That makes every success feel hard-earned and every challenge an adventure.

We also don’t follow the typical Thai restaurant formula. Our menu began with authentic family recipes rather than crowd-pleasers like Pad Thai or Pad See Ew — those only appeared months later. Guests often come expecting familiar dishes, but instead discover flavors that are rare, deeply homestyle, and rooted in tradition.

Finally, what surprises most people is the warmth and familiarity of our restaurant. Walking in feels like visiting a family member’s home — greeted with smiles, care, and the kind of hospitality that only comes from a family who genuinely loves what they do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kinkhaothaieatery.com
• Instagram: kinkhao.monrovia
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kin-khao-monrovia