Meet Ehsay Lar, owner of Asian Taste Thai Restaurant.
Tell us a little about your business. – I saw how hard it was to find a good Thai restaurant in the area. People would tell me over and over again that they wished they could find a good place to get great Thai food in Lincoln, so I started Asian Taste in February 2020 to solve that problem! We serve crunchy appetizers, beautiful sushi rolls, tasty noodle plates, curry, and a wide variety of Thai dishes. I have been working in several restaurants since I moved to the U.S. in 2008, then I took it to the next level by opening my own! As of this year, Asian Taste Thai Restaurant (www.asiantastethairestaurant.com) is rated as a Top 3 Thai Restaurant in Lincoln. We are located at 501 West A St., STE 102 for dine-in. We also receive a lot of online and call-in orders for pickup.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Starting a business right when the pandemic hit. That was a big challenge for me and everyone in the restaurant industry. Every day is still a struggle as we strive to recover from COVID, but I strongly believe the upcoming year will shine bright! There are better days ahead.
What is the most important achievement professionally? – Even though it is was a great challenge, opening Asian Taste during the pandemic and still surviving is a great achievement. It is something I’m very proud of.
Tell us about your family. – I’m from Massachusetts. I moved to Lincoln for my brother Poe Dee to continue his master’s degree. My wife Nan and I married over seven years ago.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love hunting and fishing when I get the chance.
Who inspires you? – My father.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Optimistic.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Never Say Goodbye” by Bon Jovi.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would be a doctor. I grew up in forcibly displaced Myanmar (Burma), Asia. It was hard to see kids and the elderly dying without medication or a clinic/hospital to go to.
What is your favorite movie? – Korean dramas, 49 Days, and Full House.
What is your favorite TV show? – The Daily Show and The Tonight Show.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Well I might be a little biased! Lincoln does have a lot of good restaurants, but I am very proud of what we deliver at Asian Taste Thai Restaurant. If you haven’t given us a try yet, you’re missing out!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Barack Obama.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 904-6648; www.asiantastethairestaurant.com.