Today we’d like to introduce you to Soumalee Sorsanghan.
Soumalee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My family came to the USA when I was eight months (40 years ago) and as refugee parents with a huge language barrier, there was no such thing as going out to restaurants or fast food. My mom cooked EVERYDAY and we didn’t have a choice (hahahaha) but I am glad that my mom kept that culture alive in us. As I got older, my mom depended on me and my older sister to help with all meals. We had to do something, even if it was to soak rice, make sticky rice, pick herbs from her garden, we had to be apart of it. Being in the kitchen at young age had me curious about cooking. I even when to Culinary / Sushi School in Little Toyko (LA) California, to see if the kitchen was meant for me. I enjoyed being one of the first female sushi chefs for RA sushi, but sushi wasn’t for me. I still loved my Laotian cooking. I found more joy doing something that was a part of me.
I started Laos Haus a year ago, main reason was to put Laotian Food on the map and to keep the culture alive. I always love cooking for friends and family and their parties. It was hard to find an authentic Laotian restaurant in the area at the time. What really encouraged me to go and be brave and do something different and just cater ONLY Laotian food was the support of my friends and family, they always had faith in me to be different and do what I love. I love seeing people enjoy the sweet, spicy and funky Laotian flavors because it’s unique and it does take an acquired taste to love and enjoy Lao foods.
In our culture, when someone comes to your house, you always offer food and water, it’s welcoming them into your house. It’s a sign of respect that we are honored to sit and break bread (in this case, rice) with you.
So with that, Laos Haus is saying I am cooking for you from my kitchen to your “haus”.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was difficult in the beginning. Most people didn’t know what Laotian food or what Lao was. and catering ONLY Laotian food was hard to get people to try it. The spice level, the funky smell of the “padaek” usually scares most unadventurous people off. But I would make a few party trays to everyone’s house when they were having parties to expand the range of my reach to educate others of Laotian food.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Laos Haus – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Laos Haus is a catering company that caters and specializes in only Laotian Food. We are known for “Laap Gai” it’s a minced spicy chicken salad. The flavors of the thai chilis, fresh cilantro, mint and green onions, with a little tang of lime juice.
I am proud of what I believe in and trying to keep it as close to mom’s kitchen. Being authentic to my family.
What sets Laos Haus apart from the rest is, I only cater to a few parties a weekend, it’s about quality, not quantity. I do the prep, I do the cooking, I even do the shopping and the delivery. I make sure I am part of everything to ensure its the best quality meats and vegetables that goes out to each and every customer.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There are some changes but that’s a secret at the moment.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832-474-150
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laoshaus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaosHaus-221185728658577
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