We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Supranee ‘Nem’ Phramdang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Supranee ‘Nem’, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

One of the craziest and most heart-warming stories related to my business happened in the early days of Nem’s Japandi Bistro. Growing up in a mixed Thai-Japanese family and being exposed to the hospitality industry at an early age, I always believed in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. This belief was put into practice in a delightful and unexpected way one day at the bistro.

It was a busy afternoon, and the bistro was filled with the usual mix of regulars and new customers. Among them was a family with a few young kids. The kids, full of curiosity and energy, started peeking behind our open kitchen. Seeing their interest, I asked them if they wanted to help me with some of the kitchen tasks. Their eyes lit up, and they got super excited at the opportunity.

In no time, one of the kids was standing on a stool next to me, helping blend strawberries and bananas for our smoothies. It was a beautiful and spontaneous moment. The joy and enthusiasm of the children were infectious, spreading smiles across the entire bistro. The parents were delighted to see their kids so engaged and happy.

However, as I watched the kids enjoying their little kitchen adventure, a humorous thought crossed my mind. I silently hoped that the Health Department inspector wouldn’t show up in the middle of this underage work session. Despite the potential regulatory hiccup, the experience was incredibly rewarding and highlighted the community spirit we strive to foster at Nem’s Japandi Bistro.

This moment is one of my fondest memories because it encapsulates the essence of what I want my bistro to be – a place where people, regardless of age, can connect, learn, and create memories together. It also reminded me of my own journey, starting with a simple smoothie bar outside my house when I was ten, and now being able to share that passion and joy with the younger generation in my own restaurant.

Supranee ‘Nem’, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in a mixed Thai-Japanese family, deeply immersed in the world of hospitality from an early age. My parents owned a restaurant in Bangkok, and their passion for the culinary arts influenced me profoundly. When I moved to New York City, it felt natural to share my culinary heritage and knowledge with the community here.

My passion has always been Japanese cuisine. However, my culinary journey took an exciting turn when I discovered the New Nordic movement. After a transformative visit to Copenhagen, I fell in love with its principles. This inspired me to explore the possibility of combining Japanese and Scandinavian cuisines. While interior design had successfully embraced the Japandi approach, I aspired to translate this movement into my cuisine and bring it to Williamsburg.

Nem’s Japandi Bistro is a cozy bistro inspired by the Japandi philosophy, which marries Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism to create a space that exudes art, nature, and simplicity. Our menu is designed to be functional, accessible, organic when possible, and always sustainable and artful. We combine Japanese and Scandinavian cuisine, promoting local, natural, and seasonal produce while emphasizing resource conservation and sustainability. We offer all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, along with craft smoothies, specialty coffee, matcha, and ceremonial teas. Additionally, we have a curated selection of great wines, sake, and unique cocktails.

Japandi cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian culinary traditions, is characterized by its use of seasonal ingredients, simple cooking techniques, and minimalist presentation. This cuisine is influenced by the ancient Japanese philosophy of “wabi-sabi,” which values slow-living, contentment, and simplicity, and the Scandinavian practice of “hygge,” which embraces comfort, coziness, and well-being. The result is a cuisine that is both healthy and delicious.

Located upstairs Nem’s Japandi Bistro is Koi Bā, our speakeasy bar that offers a unique and intimate experience. Koi Bā is designed to be a hidden gem where patrons can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Featuring renowned beverage mixologist, Ricky Dolinski, the bar showcases an array of handcrafted cocktails that are as artistic and thoughtfully prepared as the dishes at Nem’s. Our cocktail menu draws inspiration from both Japanese and Scandinavian traditions, using unique ingredients and techniques to create memorable drinks. Koi Bā also offers a variety of Nem’s culinary options to pair with your handcrafted drink selection.

At Nem’s Japandi Bistro and Koi Bā, we aim to solve the problem of finding high-quality, sustainable, and artfully prepared food and drinks in a cozy and welcoming environment. Our unique blend of Japanese and Scandinavian influences sets us apart, offering a dining and drinking experience that is both innovative and rooted in tradition.

For potential clients, and followers, I want you to know that Nem’s Japandi Bistro and Koi Bā are more than just places to eat and drink. They are spaces where you can experience the harmony of two beautiful cultures, savor innovative and thoughtfully prepared dishes and cocktails, and feel at home. We are committed to sustainability, quality, and creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you for being part of our journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Running a business always comes with its share of challenges, but some of the most unexpected and difficult problems I faced were related to discrimination. Growing up in a mixed Thai-Japanese family and being exposed to the hospitality industry at an early age, I always believed in the power of food to bring people together. However, when I started my first seasonal smoothie pop-up outside a restaurant in Williamsburg during the summer of 2020, I encountered an unprecedented set of challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, and the hospitality industry was hit particularly hard. Starting a new business during this period was daunting due to the health and safety concerns, the economic downturn, and the uncertainty about the future. But there was another layer of difficulty that I had to navigate – as an Asian person, I faced an increase in hatred and discrimination directed toward my community in the wake of the outbreak.

This discrimination was one of the most unexpected and disheartening challenges I had to face. There were times when the hostility and prejudice were overwhelming. It was painful to see people I wanted to serve with love and hospitality turn against me based on unfounded fears and biases. Despite these challenges, I knew that I had done nothing wrong and that perseverance was the only way forward.

The support and love of my customers played a vital role in my recovery and resilience during this tough period. Many members of the community stood by me, offering their support and encouragement. Their kindness and loyalty reminded me of why I started my business in the first place – to create a space where people could come together, enjoy delicious and healthy food, and feel a sense of belonging.

These experiences of discrimination, while painful, also fueled my determination to succeed and to create a business that stands for inclusivity, respect, and community. They reinforced my commitment to promoting cultural harmony through my culinary creations and to providing a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

Opening Nem’s Japandi Bistro and Koi Bā was a significant milestone, not just in terms of business success, but also as a testament to overcoming adversity. I am proud of how we have been able to integrate sustainability and creativity into every aspect of our business, from the menu to the interior design, and to build a community that values diversity and inclusivity.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle did indeed turn into my main full-time business. Growing up in a mixed Thai-Japanese family, I was exposed to the hospitality industry at an early age as my parents owned a restaurant in Bangkok. When I arrived in NYC, it was natural for me to explore the possibility of sharing my knowledge within my community.

The journey started when I opened a simple smoothie bar outside my house when I was ten. This early venture ignited my passion for creating delicious and healthy drinks. My most important role model, my mom, played a significant part in shaping my entrepreneurial spirit. She raised three kids, ensured we studied at the best universities, and started a restaurant from nothing, always with a smile on her face. Her strength and resilience inspired me to pursue my dreams.

In the summer of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I started my first seasonal smoothie pop-up outside a restaurant in Williamsburg. This was an incredibly challenging time due to the pandemic’s impact and the unprecedented difficulties it brought. Additionally, as an Asian person, I had to face the hatred and discrimination directed toward my community in the wake of the outbreak. Despite these challenges, I persevered, knowing I had done nothing wrong. The support and love of my customers played a vital role in my recovery and gave me the strength to continue.

The smoothie pop-up quickly gained popularity, and the lines grew longer each day. This success gave me the confidence to expand my offerings and dream bigger. One of my proudest achievements is seeing the community that has formed around our bistro and speakeasy bar. This supportive and enthusiastic community encouraged me to take the next step in my entrepreneurial journey.

With the foundation of the smoothie pop-up, I was able to scale up and open Nem’s Japandi Bistro and Koi Bā in Williamsburg. Nem’s Japandi Bistro is inspired by the Japandi philosophy, which marries Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism. Our menu combines Japanese and Scandinavian cuisine, promoting local, natural, and seasonal produce while emphasizing sustainability. Koi Bā, our speakeasy bar, offers an intimate experience with handcrafted cocktails that draw inspiration from both Japanese and Scandinavian traditions.

Throughout this journey, we have achieved several milestones. Opening Nem’s Japandi Bistro and Koi Bā was a significant milestone, allowing us to bring the Japandi philosophy to life in both our food and our space. Another milestone was integrating sustainability and creativity into every aspect of our business, from the menu to the interior design.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nemsbistro.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nemsbistro/?hl=en & https://www.instagram.com/koibabrooklyn/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nems-japandi-bistro-brooklyn

Image Credits

N/A