Celebrating 20 years of operation this year, Bangkok 54 is a neighborhood favorite Thai restaurant and Asian market on Columbia Pike, just blocks away from ACC. Students love Bangkok 54 for its variety of unique items in the Market that feature not only Thai foods, but products from other parts of Asia as well. One of the most enticing things about the market is its prepared food section with lots of grab-and-go items. Along with the prepared foods, around five years ago, the Market added a bubble tea and noodle cafe area as a subsection of the market area. This area has become a focal point of the Market, with Bangkok’s boba tea being highly rated within the county. 

To gain further perspective and knowledge about Bangkok 54 and its business, Chronicle Staff members Maggie Odar and Zack Dabrowski talked with restaurant and market manager Autumn Nophawan, the daughter of the current owners. Working at her family’s business, she has really enjoyed witnessing the Pike change over time and flourish in its cultural scene. Nophawan explained that the market offers a variety of more traditional, authentic Thai foods, whereas the restaurant is more Americanized. She admires how there’s something for everyone in both parts of Bangkok 54. This fusion of Thai and American culture has been greatly influenced by Columbia Pike’s surroundings. “I think being in this area exposed us to different cultures. It brought in a lot of different types of people and that allowed us to expand out of our Thai culture,” said Nophawan.

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or even a meal after school, with lots of variety and unique items, Bangkok 54 Market & Restaurant is the place to go.