The Story of Kinnaree by Vanessa WU
Founded in 2006 by Professor Vanessa WU, Kinnaree by Vanessa WU was created as a contemporary expression of Thai cuisine — where tradition is preserved while thoughtfully interpreted through food, service, and atmosphere.
Inspired by Vanessa WU’s global journey in sharing Thai culinary wisdom, Kinnaree presents Thai cuisine through a refined contemporary lens while remaining deeply rooted in authentic Thai taste. Here, guests can explore the richness of Thai cuisine from every region of the country in a single dining experience, discovering flavors and ingredients that reflect Thailand’s diverse culinary landscape.
At the heart of Kinnaree lives a commitment to local ingredients and community support. Through research initiatives such as KIN Academy and the Thai culinary documentary “Touch of Thai Taste,” Vanessa WU has worked closely with farmers and regional producers to uncover the value of Thai ingredients and bring their stories to the table.
Many dishes highlight distinctive regional produce, including ingredients recognized with Geographical Indication (GI) status — celebrating the land, traditions, and communities that shape Thailand’s culinary heritage.
Guided by the philosophy “Harmonious Cuisine meets the Love of Thai Taste” Kinnaree by Vanessa WU presents Thai cuisine with balance, care, and contemporary sensibility — together with the warmth of Thai hospitality with an international touch, creating moments of happiness for guests from around the world. We look forward to welcoming you. See you soon at Kinnaree.
Who’s Vanessa WU
Professor Vanessa WU, or Wanasnan Kanokpattanangkul, is more than a chef.
She is a teacher, storyteller, and a lifelong interpreter of the spirit of Thai cuisine’s wisdom.
For more than three decades, she has traveled across continents — sharing the beauty, depth, and philosophy of Thai cuisine with people from Europe to Asia. Through her work as an educator, researcher, and restaurant concepteur, she has helped others discover that Thai food is far more than a collection of dishes.
To Vanessa WU, Thai cuisine is a cultural language — one that speaks of land, people, memory, and tradition.
Her journey around the world has allowed her to see Thai food through many perspectives. Along the way, she learned how flavors connect people across cultures, and how food can become a bridge between worlds.
In 2006, after decades of sharing Thai culinary knowledge abroad, she returned to Thailand and founded Kinnaree by Vanessa WU in Sukhumvit 8.
Kinnaree was never meant to be just a restaurant.
It was created as a place where her experiences, knowledge, and love for Thai cuisine could come together — a space where people from around the world could feel the warmth, generosity, and beauty of Thai culture.
Today, Kinnaree reflects the spirit of her life’s journey — a place where food, art, and hospitality meet, and where the stories of Thai ingredients and communities continue to be shared with every guest who walks through its doors.
Guided by the belief she has lived by throughout her life:
We create our most delicious food when it is cooked with love —
“Love what you do, and do what you love.”
Philosophy & Wisdom
Shaped by more than three decades of sharing Thai cuisine across the world, Vanessa WU’s philosophy brings together two profound sources of wisdom — a deep understanding of global taste and a heartfelt devotion to Thai ingredients and communities. By connecting international culinary perspectives with the rich stories of Thailand’s land, farmers, and traditions, she created her signature approach: Global Taste with Thai Touch. At Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, this philosophy is expressed through harmonious dishes that celebrate authentic Thai flavors while inviting the world to experience Thai cuisine with warmth, balance, and love.
The Artistic Spirit of Kinnaree
Peerapach Puboonkong is the artist and designer behind Kinnaree’s art pieces and food presentation, shaping the restaurant’s visual identity through both space and plate.
I have dedicated myself to bringing my original vision to life — the vision you can see today.
— Peerapach Puboonkong
Hidden for two decades, the artistic soul of Kinnaree quietly lives within the space — discover it in the Art Gallery.
From Thai Land to Your Table
At Kinnaree by Vanessa WU, the menu invites guests to explore Thai cuisine through a contemporary lens, where flavors and stories from across Thailand come together in harmony.
Ingredients are sourced from farmers and regional producers nationwide — including GI ingredients — highlighted in dishes like Durian Fried Rice from Narathiwat and Tanod Palm Sugar Ice Cream from Phetchaburi.
Guided by the philosophy “Harmonious Cuisine meets the Love of Thai Taste,” each dish becomes a journey through Thailand’s landscapes and culinary heritage.
Global Sustainable Gastronomy Award – Top 25 Restaurants
Kinnaree by Vanessa WU is proud to be recognized among the Global Sustainable Gastronomy Award – Top 25 Restaurants — a global distinction that celebrates restaurants shaping the future of gastronomy through sustainability, cultural preservation, and meaningful impact.
Since 2006, Kinnaree has been driven by a clear purpose: to honor the roots of Thai cuisine while elevating its future. For nearly two decades, the restaurant has worked hand in hand with farmers, researchers, and culinary communities across Thailand — supporting local livelihoods, championing regional and GI ingredients, and uncovering the rich, often unseen stories behind them. This vision extends beyond the kitchen, including the creation of the documentary series “Touch of Thai Taste,” which brings Thailand’s local wisdom to the global stage.
At Kinnaree, every dish carries a deeper meaning. It is not only a celebration of flavor, but a reflection of heritage, community, and responsibility. Through a contemporary interpretation of Thai cuisine, Kinnaree transforms local ingredients into a powerful narrative — one that connects people, preserves culture, and contributes to a more sustainable future for Thai gastronomy.
