Today we’d like to introduce you to Kahlia Cheng.
Hi Kahlia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From a Food Truck to a Storefront: Our Conroe Journey
Our business started in 2019 with just me, my mom, and my dad no food truck experience, just a passion for sharing our Asian-inspired dishes with a twist. I was 15 at the time, and we launched right in downtown Conroe with a small trailer and big dreams.
The beginning was tough. We struggled to book events, spent hours emailing companies, and worked hard just to get our food out there. But things started to shift in 2020. While the pandemic hit many businesses hard, it unexpectedly helped us. People were craving comfort food, and our business took off.
Even then, we faced challenges. Conroe had an ordinance that didn’t allow food trucks to stay open more than two hours. At 17, I went to City Hall and helped change that law a huge step not only for us, but for every local food truck trying to make it.
One of our most memorable chapters was Friday at the Shop. I’d post up outside my dad’s automotive shop, and it became a hit. We were slammed every Friday, and it created something really special within our community.
Fast forward to today I’m 21, and we’ve had two trailers, one food truck, and now we’re opening our first brick-and-mortar location in the heart of downtown Conroe. We’re excited to bring back Friday at the Shop in a bigger way, and introduce a fresh lineup of innovative items to the north side of Houston.
We’re also planning to bring back car meets and build something real with the local car community the same way we did in the beginning. It’s our way of giving back and creating something new for the people who’ve supported us from day one.
Through all the stress, growth, and hard work, this journey has shaped who I am. Being able to cook for people, build relationships, and grow alongside my family and our community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, we had no idea how to run a food truck we learned everything through trial and error. Booking events was tough, and we spent a lot of time just trying to get noticed. One of our biggest challenges came from local ordinances in Conroe that only allowed food trucks to operate for two hours at a time, which made it nearly impossible to grow. At 17, I took that issue to City Hall and helped change the law a huge win for us and other small food truck owners. Every step has come with obstacles, but those challenges have made our journey even more meaningful.
We’ve been impressed with Taste the Asian , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re an Asian fusion food truck that has grown into a familiar and loved name throughout Conroe. What started as a passion project has grown into a movement serving up unique, bold flavors at festivals, neighborhood events, apartment communities, corporate lunches, and through catering. It’s been a journey of hard work, creativity, and connection.
I am proud to know that our name, Taste the Asian, is known. Not just recognized, but remembered for the food, the flavors, the feeling. Hearing people say our name with excitement or recommend us to a friend means the world. It’s a reminder that what we’ve built is something special something real.
Our signature Mama Noodles were inspired by the instant noodle packets I loved as a kid now transformed into a stir-fried noodle dish with beef, vegetables, and a perfectly fried egg on top. It’s comfort food with a twist, a reflection of my roots and creativity shared with the community. Another standout dish is our Kimchi Dumpling Fried Rice, born from a spontaneous moment working in the truck with my cousin after seeing a TikTok. What started as fun experimentation became one of our most popular items.
We are not your typical Asian restaurant. We’re not afraid to mix things up literally. From brisket fried rice to house-made sauces that go beyond your average spicy mayo, we push boundaries and blend cultures. Our food is always made with care, flavor, and personality.
But it’s not just about food. It’s about story, identity, and vision. Growing up around cars, I’ve always had a love for automotive culture and once we open our brick-and-mortar, we plan to bring that passion to life. We want to create a space that feels like a community hub: delicious, fun, car-inspired, and full of energy. We’ll rotate new and creative dishes monthly and invite others to contribute ideas, helping us grow our menu and our community.
I’m proud to know that Taste the Asian is more than a name it’s an experience, a vibe, and a growing part of the culture in our city.
Not only will we have the brick and mortar opening soon but continue doing events and continue sharing our culture and food through the foodtruck.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is building a self-sustaining business one that not only thrives through the food truck and grows through our upcoming restaurant, but also becomes something truly special and impactful. This journey is about more than just food it’s about creating opportunity, building a strong team, and offering a space where people can grow, learn, and thrive together.
I want to create something that gives back. With the success of Taste the Asian, I hope to help my community whether it’s through outreach, support, mentorship, or simply by being a positive example. I want to inspire young entrepreneurs to believe that anything is possible. That with hard work, ambition, and passion, they too can build something of their own.
Family is at the center of everything I do. Growing this business with my family means the world to me, and together, we hope to build not just one business but many. We’re working toward something bigger: a future empire built on love, grit, and a shared vision.
It’s also deeply important to me to bring culture into our community. Through Taste the Asian, I get to share the flavors, stories, and comfort of my heritage with a city like Conroe, proving that no matter where you’re from or where you are, food has the power to bring people together. We’re not just serving food we’re building community, creating culture, and bringing people together, one plate at a time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetheasianfoodtruck?igsh=MWtjdGsxbnltb2E2NA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Enp8DVUnh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
