Announcing: Ekamai at Real Salt Lake!

Hello curry-lovers!

Soccer season is here again! Are you ready? I know I am. In fact, Ekamai has been preparing for Real Salt Lake's upcoming games at Rio Tinto Stadium for a long time. In particular, the home game against New York on March 17th has us scurrying to get everything ready before the first kick.

Why, you ask? Well, I have some exciting news for fans of both soccer and curry... Ekamai is opening a shiny new concession stand in Rio Tinto Stadium to serve you during the game! 

That's right - You can get our fresh authentic Thai along with our legendary speed and service during any RSL home game this season, starting March 17th. Come and see us before, during, or after the game to satisfy your curry craving.

I am so excited to be partnering with Rio Tinto to bring you the first (and only!) Thai cuisine in the Stadium. I hope you will take the time to check us out, to drop by and say hello, and to let us know how we're doing in our efforts to serve you - in more locations!

Check out Real Salt Lake's season schedule here
Get directions and info for Rio Tinto Stadium here

I can't wait to see you there! Look for us alongside the other concessions. We'll be the ones spicing things up on the sidelines ;)

~*~

Soccer in Thailand

America is the only country to call it soccer, because everywhere else, it's football. Football is the most popular sport in many countries, and Thailand is no exception. For over one hundred years, people have enjoyed football in Thailand, and the country has hosted some great events in that time.

Around 1900, football was introduced to Thailand. About fifteen years later (in 1916, to be exact), the first league was founded by King Vajiravudh. Think that name is hard to pronounce? Try this on for size - his full name was Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua. Now say that three times fast. He called the league "The Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King." It joined FIFA in 1925, and the AFC in 1957. The first stadium was built in 1935.

Since then, the Thailand national football team has participated in the Olympic games, started its own competitions, and hosted its own cups (including the League Cup and Queen's Cup). Today, it is known as the Thai Premier League, or TPL Division 1. The World Cup is a big event in Thailand - in 2006, every match was broadcast on Thai channels.

You can find out more about Thai football at its official website. Hope to see you at the games!

Ask Woot!

     Hello, our curry-loving fans! Woot speaking. You know, as the owner of Ekamai, I get asked a lot of questions about the restaurant and what influences me, as well as questions about where I'm from and what I enjoy. Today, I thought I'd answer some of these questions for you. Here are some of my most frequently asked questions!

Where did the name "Ekamai" come from?

      As I am sure, many people wonder where the name “Ekamai” comes from. Well, back in Thailand, my family and friends actually call me “Ake.” I use Woot here in the US because I don't want people calling me Ake, and it is short for my real name – Wuthiphong. In Thailand, Ekamai is a small, trendy street where I love to spend a lot of time. There are bars, restaurants, a gas station, a grocery store, and clubs. I like to visit there whenever I go to Thailand. Also, I realized after coming up with the name that if you read Ekamai backwards, it spells “I am Ake.” I love that it actually has my name in it!

How long have you lived here?

     I first came to the US to go to school. In 2000, at the age of 19, I moved from a city of 15 million people to Ephraim, Utah, which only had about 5 thousand people! It was a huge change for my daily life. It was as if my backyard changed from a city to the outdoors over night. Four years later, I moved to SLC. It wasn't until two years ago that I started Ekamai. In the beginning, I really was the only person that operated the restaurant for the first few months. Those times were unique – but due to our loyal customers, we have grown, and I now have more people working along my side.

Do you have family that lives here?

      I have a sister that currently lives here in Utah and also my better half – my wife – and two kids who make me the happiest ever. Unfortunately, my Mom and Dad aren't living here, but they live back home in Thailand. I'm proud to be carrying on our Thai heritage here in the States. My aunt and uncle are here visiting for a little bit and have been helping out at the restaurant. I've been taking them around to show them Utah.

How did Ekamai pick its location (336 W. 300 S. Salt Lake City)?

      Ekamai found its location quite easily, as if it was meant to be. My landlord happened to own a building on 336 West Broadway where a coffee shop had just ended its lease. This became the future location of Ekamai – a perfectly snug fit.

      Downtown Salt Lake City has a hip culture of students and white-collar workers from all over the country, but if you take a look at the other Thai restaurants in the valley, they always have a traditional setting. If you've ever been to Ekamai, you can instantly see that Ekamai is no traditional Thai restaurant. I wanted to give our customers a new experience of Thai food, where everyone was free to wear what they wanted and listen to the music they wanted to. You won't find any of us wearing ties or listening to the classical music of Thailand.

Will the new Sugarhouse location and Rio Tinto Stadium location be the same as the original Ekamai in downtown Salt Lake?

      The food and service at the Sugarhouse location is going to be different during the evening. I want to make it similar to a sit-down restaurant, so that people can sit and enjoy the food. In the afternoon, the service will be the same. Ekamai's location in Rio Tinto Stadium will be similar. We'll have to be fast, though.

What's your favorite dish that you serve?

      I have a lot of favorite Thai dishes. That is why my menu changes daily. I love to have one or two favorite dishes every day along with the regulars and a few other delicious dishes.

Is the music you play in Ekamai your favorite kind of music?

      I got the idea of the music to play here from a restaurant I went to. I decided on 80's and 90's music because everyone can listen to and enjoy it. Young kids, older adults and everyone in between has heard this music. I don't really have a favorite band, but I do like Hawaiian and reggae music. Bob Marley and his son are some of my favorites. I also love sports. I didn't know much about Utah, but I did know the Jazz. I was a huge Bulls fan back in the day. My favorite athlete is Michael Jordan, of course. :)

Do you like to dance?

      I enjoy to dance occasionally. It's a fantastic way for me to relax and express myself.

      I hope that cures your curiosity! Do you have any more questions for me? Leave a comment below!

Will You Be Our Valentine?

     Hello, curry-lovers. As you know, Valentines' Day is just around the corner, and you might be scrambling to make plans and reservations. Have you considered ordering our fantastic curry? Ekamai offers take-out and delivery to make your Valentines' dinner easy and affordable.

      Why take-out, you ask? Think about it. Every couple in the city is going to be clamoring for service at restaurants across the Valley, flooding every dining room and lobby. It's noisy, crowded, and the service is slow. Doesn't sound very romantic to me! But if you order our delicious Thai food, you can have a quiet, close evening at home with your lover. No noise, no rush – no problem.

      This Tuesday, we'll be serving some great favorites, including:

Mussamun Curry Beef

Curry paste with coconut milk, potato, carrot, onion, & peanut

Yellow Curry Chicken

Curry paste with coconut milk, potato, carrot, & onion

Panang Curry Beef

Curry paste with coconut milk, zucchini, pea, bell pepper, & lime leaf

Pad Pa Ram

Steam mix vegetables served with peanut sauce

Pad Cashew Nut Beef

Stir fried beef with cashew nut, onion, green onion, mushroom carrot, & dry chilli

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Stir fried chicken w/ tomato paste, zucchini, pineapple, bell peper, carrot, corn,

tomato, & mushroom

     So give us a call at (801)-363-2717 and let us take care of you with a delicious Thai dinner that's sure to make your Valentines' Day a special one (candles and rose petals not included).

Valentines' Day in Thailand

      Did you know that Valentines' Day is also celebrated in Thailand? It's true! It is called วันวาเลนทน์ (“wan waa-len-taai”) and is a very popular celebration with the local lovebirds. Boys buy flowers and dolls for their sweethearts, and girls give chocolate and other small gifts. This celebration is not only for romantic couples – many give out tokens of appreciation to family and friends as a way of saying “I love you.” Shops and malls are decorated with balloons, stuffed animals, and flowers.

      One of the most interesting Valentine traditions in Thailand is getting married in the Bangkok district of Bang Rak, because “bang rak” can be translated to mean “area of love.” Newlyweds believe this is a very fitting beginning for their marriage. As early as 4 am, couples will start lining up outside the municipal office and wait their turn. As many as 1,500 couples will tie the knot in this way! It is no exaggeration to say that on February 14^th, love is in the air over Thailand.

     Ekamai wishes you a happy Valentines' Day full of love and friendship. If you are looking for a great way to say “I love you,” stop by and order some of our delicious curry to take home. You can enjoy a quiet evening with the ones you love, eating food you will all enjoy. As the old saying goes, “The quickest way to the heart is through the stomach.” And luckily, you won't have to wait in line with 1,500 newlyweds to order some!

Welcome! ยินดีต้อนรับ (Yin Dee Ton Rab!)

Thank you for visiting the brand new blog for Ekamai Thai in Salt Lake City! We are very pleased to have you here. If you are new to us, we invite you to check out what people are saying on Urbanspoon and Yelp!

Here are a few of our favorite online reviews:

• Review by SamAntics
• Review by VintageMixer
• Review by CityWeekly

Have you been to Ekamai lately? What were your thoughts? We love to hear from you! Remember - our menu changes daily, which means there's always something new to enjoy. Check out our main website for the menu!