Earl Ninsom was only 8 years old when he cooked his first dish: a simple rice-and-pork porridge he prepared for his mother when she fell ill. He hasn’t left the kitchen since. Today critics regard the Bangkok, Thailand-born restaurateur among the most talented chefs in Portland, Oregon, where he helms a small empire of nationally acclaimed Thai restaurants — including EEM, Langbaan, PaaDee, Hat Yai and Phuket cafe.

The New York Times named Yaowarat and EEM to the 50 best places in America list in 2024 and 2021. The Oregonian and Portland Monthly crowned EEM and Langbaan as restaurant of the year in 2019 & 2014, as well as James beard award finalist and semifinalist. Hat Yai landed on USA Today’s “Top 10 Best New Restaurants” in 2016. Yaowarat, was named 2023 restaurant of the year by Portland Monthly. In 2024, Langbaan won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant.

Before opening his first restaurant in 2008, Ninsom — who holds degrees in marketing and master degree in international economics — traveled the world pursuing a career in international business.