As we continue to explore local cultures around the world to grow this community, one of our friends from Chiang Mai introduced us to this charming cafe in Bangkok and recommended it as a must-visit on a trip to Thailand. This cafe called ‘Little Sunshine Cafe’ and managed by its founder Utchima Sriprachya or Utchi, is known among the locals for its menu full of Healthy and Delectable dishes. And not just the food, this cafe is also loved for its warm homely environment – an important USP of ‘Little Sunshine’ Cafe.
“We want our customers to feel like they are at their friend’s place, having home-cooked food – creating a familiar warm ambiance that is hard to find in a restaurant.” ~Utchi, Founder, Sunshine Cafe
We chat with the founder Utchi to know more about her journey, her food philosophy, inspiration behind her cafe, and more.
Utchi – Founder /Owner of Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
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Hi Utchi, so nice to be having this chat with you! Please introduce yourself.
I’m Utchi, founder of Little Sunshine Café. I’m actually a dietitian, graduated from the United States. Later, I joined Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City – a vegan/vegetarian cooking school since I realized how much I love cooking and would love to create healthy yet yummy dishes.
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Give us an insight into the concept of your cafe? What was the inspiration behind it?
Little Sunshine Café first opened its door in November 2015, so it’s been about 2 years and 6 months now. The concept of our little café/restaurant is homemade happiness. We love to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits our café.
“We want our customers to feel like they are at their friend’s place, having home-cooked food – creating a familiar warm ambiance that is hard to find in a restaurant.” ~Utchi, Founder, Sunshine Cafe
The interior of the cafe is warm and homely
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As you mentioned, you have been trained abroad (in the US), so how do you bring your Thai roots to the cafe and its offerings?
Thailand has always been known as the land of delicious food. Growing up in a family where food is not just something we devour on, but also something that could help prevent disease as well as treatment for some conditions. I enjoy food for pleasure, and as something that can cure my ailments. Inspired by this, I always make sure that all the dishes here, at Little Sunshine Café, not only taste good, but have to also be good for your health, and for your soul.
“Growing up in a food-conscious family, my grandparents and my parents always taught me what food is good and what is not. My grandma is an awesome cook, and she would cook us her homemade specialties, which have been featured on our menu as well.
My family always encouraged me to pursue my career in food and nutrition since they believe that nutrition is the most important thing to nourish your body and food is the most important aspect of the culture. So here I am with my Little Sunshine Café.”
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Besides your healthy menu, what else is unique about Little Sunshine Cafe?
I think what makes us special besides the food is the friendship we try to build with every customer. Most of our customers now have become our good friends, just like what we wished for. Also, since my background is in Nutrition and dietetics, hygiene and nutrition are our main concerns and priority. We wash our vegetables three times, even those which are used for decoration, and we don’t use any Monosodium glutamate (msg) in our restaurant.
Happy customers outside Little Sunshine Cafe
Happy customers outside Little Sunshine Cafe
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Beautiful.. before you go, give us a taste of what to expect from your menu.
We serve homemade comfort foods that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Everything on the menu is all special, depending on what people feel like eating.
“The food items we cook are a fusion between Thai, Japanese, and American style since I am a Thai girl who stayed in the United States and had been cooking a lot of Japanese food when I was abroad.”
Seared prosciutto with mozzarella and truffle vinaigrette | Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Seared prosciutto with mozzarella and truffle vinaigrette | Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Salmon with greens and turnip| Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Salmon with greens and turnip| Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Angel Hair Salad With Grilled Pork and Yuzu Sauce | Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Angel Hair Salad With Grilled Pork and Yuzu Sauce | Little Sunshine Cafe Thailand
Next time you are in Bangkok, do check out this ‘Little Sunshine Cafe’ and share your feedback with us! Follow Utchi’s Sunshine Cafe on Facebook & Instagram
Little Sunshine Cafe
83, 4 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, P
athum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Utchi – founder and head chef of Little Sunshine Cafe in Bangkok Thailand
