#001: Thai Food Is My Soul - Jay Thongvivat (London, UK)

“What gets me out of bed? Serving people and making good food.”

Jay Thongvivat is the owner of my local Thai food restaurant, Sen Yai, in Southfields, SW18. He runs it with his family, who hail from Thailand originally, and have owned several Thai restaurants over the years in south London.

Emma (my partner) and I have been frequent visitors to the restaurant, and Jay has been keeping us well fed with takeaways during the lockdowns. Yet we have been counting down the days until we sit at its tables again. But don’t expect linen tablecloths and formal service at Sen Yai; instead, expect a warm grin and a street food style experience.

In this, my inaugural episode, I met Jay over some delicious dishes, which he described as everyday Thai drinking food. We talked about how Jay got into the food business; running a neighbourhood restaurant; opening his first place in Brixton; mentors and cooking outside of your comfort zone; plus working through the lockdowns.

I make no apologies; this episode is going to make you feel hungry!

SOME OF THE TOPICS/LANDMARKS MENTIONED:

Sen Yai’s details are:

Address - 173 Replingham Rd, Southfields London SW18 5LY

Phone – 020 8874 8800

And orders are also taken through all the popular delivery Apps.

The Grid neighbourhood and Southfields: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southfields

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The show's theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you!

Thanks to Sen Yai restaurant for hosting the podcast on 25.02.2021