From Coffee Shop Pop-Ups to Our Own Thai Food in Audlem: A Journey Worth Telling

What started as a playful idea quickly turned into something much bigger than we could’ve imagined.

Jan Lek (จานเล็ก) translates directly from Thai to “small plates.” But for us, it’s so much more than just a name — it’s a philosophy that shapes the way we cook, serve, and share food.

The beginning

Back when we were part of the lovely team at Home Coffee & Studio in Alsager (If you love coffee and amazing, simple food, go and check them out), we floated the idea of hosting a Thai food night. The plan was simple: to cook up some authentic Thai dishes and share them with our community in a casual, laid-back setting. It felt like a fun way to bring a little piece of Thailand to Alsager. The response was heartwarming, and just like that, the seed was planted.

As time passed, we found ourselves back in Thailand, soaking in the sunshine, surrounded by the food, the people, and the culture we love so deeply. And while we were enjoying those moments, there was a fire quietly growing inside us, and the idea of opening our Thai restaurant started consuming our every thought.

The moment we landed back in the UK, we got to work. We searched high and low across Crewe, Nantwich, and Alsager, trying to find the perfect space to build our dream. We explored every lead we could find, hoping to bring an authentic Thai food experience to one of these towns. But, to our frustration, nothing quite clicked. We came so close to giving up.

Where we are now?

Then, just when we thought we’d hit a wall, we stumbled across a listing in Audlem. To be honest, we almost missed it entirely. My mum misread it and said, “Oh, it’s in Oldham.” I nearly dismissed it right there and then! But something told us to check it out anyway — and thank goodness we did.

Because Audlem wasn’t just a last-ditch option. It turned out to be the place — the one that felt right. We said yes. And with that, yes, came an avalanche of hard work. We spent Christmas at the shop. New Year’s Eve, too. We even skipped birthday celebrations so we could finalise the menu. It was full-on. The stress was real — but so was the passion.

Fast forward just a few months, and we can honestly say: opening our Thai restaurant in Audlem was the best decision we ever made.

Now, we’re proud to welcome people from all around — from Crewe, Nantwich, and Alsager — who are seeking bold, delicious Thai flavours. Our menu is inspired by the streets of Bangkok, the markets of Chiang Mai, and the comfort food we grew up with. It’s a slice of Thailand, tucked away in the beautiful village of Audlem.

We’re not just here to serve food. We’re here to build something — a community, a culture, a space that feels like home.

If you’re looking for authentic Thai food near Crewe, Nantwich, Alsager, or if you’re just curious about what a small, independent kitchen in Audlem can do, come see us.

We want to take this opportunity to also encourage you to write a review if you haven't already, so on our Google Review (Click Here)

This is just the beginning.

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