New restaurant brings a taste of Thailand to Kildare town via Afghanistan

Thai Station, a new restaurant serving Thai food that just opened on Station Road, Kildare town, chose an inclement week to begin its second week trading.

However not even Storm Emma could stop the new owner Asad Najafi from bringing a taste to Thailand to Kildare town.

Asad, who hails from Afghanistan, said that there has been a ‘big response’ from locals since they opened at the end of February.

“It is something new for people and because of that we have got a big response since we opened,” he said.

“Although the weather didn’t help — we were not expecting that kind of weather.

“It is very common that when you offer people something new they will try it.”

Asad has a similar restaurant in Sallins and he has lived in Dublin since 2006.

“I did Business in IADT in Dun Laoghaire and I always wanted to have my own business. I did some research and I found that there was a demand for healthy food that is tasty. So that is what we now offer.”

Asad says he goes back to Afghanistan every year to see his family there and that things have improved there since he left.

He has also been to Thailand once and is a big fan of the food.

“I still go back every year to see my family,” he said.

“I have been to Thailand — just the once and I loved it.

“We have four staff employed here and five including myself. I also have a chef whose speciality is Thai food.

“We can deliver but people mainly place the order and then come in and pick up. Especially during the snow as that was easier. I really like Kildare town — the pace here is a lot slower than Dublin or Sallins and it seems a lot smaller so everybody still knows each other. I like that village feel.”

And although Asad has no immediate plans to open another restaurant in Kildare he says that he will not rule it out.

“I might go further south in Kildare — maybe even Athy if there is a market.”

SEE ALSO: Call for review of 'misleading' pay parking spaces in Kildare Town