Some stories transcend cuisine. They remind us of what it means to endure, rebuild, and belong. The story of Chef May, the heart behind Thai Pearl in West Asheville, is one of those.
Her journey started in Thailand, thousands of miles from Asheville, before moving to Australia to work with her uncle. Family eventually called her to Western North Carolina. Though she had never cooked professionally, her mother asked her to help launch a small restaurant in Hendersonville. With courage and grit, she did just that.
From there, May dreamed bigger. Her family owned Thai Spice, she helped open Boon Choo Thai Express in Hendersonville, then Thai Pearl — bringing authentic Thai dishes and her unique culinary vision to West Asheville. But just one week into Thai Pearl’s grand opening, COVID shut it down. No staff shortages, no lack of customers — just a pandemic pulling the rug out from under her. She fought through months of closures, takeout-only service, and uncertainty. Eventually, she reopened her dining room, and the community came flooding back with gratitude and joy.
Then in 2024, Hurricane Helene struck. Asheville shut down again. No power, no water, no staff. Once more, May rebuilt and reopened — fueled by her love for food and community.
Her journey is a testament to resilience. It’s about more than running a restaurant; it’s about fighting for your place in the world, celebrating life, and standing with your community through storms — literal and figurative.
This is Asheville. This is Thai Pearl.
📍 Visit Thai Pearl in West Asheville: https://thaipearlasheville.com/
