Fast Track Thai Food

By Franklin W. Liu

We are constantly pressed for time these days. But when wolfing down another slice of pizza or a hamburger seems totally unappetizing, there is an exotic alternative to consider --- Benjapon’s, a fast food Thai restaurant, is right on the edge of Davis Square.

Benjapon Jivasantikarn, a 30-something, energetic Thai-born proprietor decided two years ago while completing her MBA at Babson College that her business plan is to serve a zippy-fast selection of 20 popular items of Thai cuisine from soup to dessert on the premises or delivered. 

Her business plan was so well received that Jivasantikarn, amongst a field of 200 thesis submittals, won third place honor in Babson’s annual Douglass Foundation Business Plan Competition. Upon graduation, Jivasantikarn rushed to implement her dream and over one year ago, she opened her own 30-seat, self-service eatery at 195 Elm St., diagonally across from the Church of Nazarene. 

“Gin Kao Ru Yang?” is a common Thai greeting for “Have you eaten yet?” said Jivasantikarn, who was born and raised in Lampang, in Northern Thailand. As in most cultures, life revolves predictably around sitting down to enjoy tasty family cooking. An aggregate of aromatic street food-vendors in the neighborhood further spiked Jivasantikarn’s love for cuisine. And along with her family’s enterprising spirit, it all built up to lasting memories in her childhood.   Jivasantikarn’s aunt and uncle ran their own restaurant and shared the secret family recipes that yield delectable sauces that mirror a blend of five distinct tastes characteristic of traditional Thai cooking: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy. Three main varieties of curry are bolstered with garlic and when mixed with coconut milk or homemade Pad-Thai sauce give balance and texture.

On her menu, Jivasantikarn dedicates an appetizer to her aunt, Auntie’s Crispy Roll. This is a flute-like thin, long, lightly fried crispy roll with carrot strips and other finely diced vegetable filling, quite unlike the heavier spring-roll one finds in other Asian restaurants. This is a delicate first course to gently wake and increase your appetite but not intended to be a filling snack in itself. 

In addition to the crispy roll, Jivasantikarn said she delivers another Tufts University students’ popular request: the Thai Burrito, “Benjarito.”  White Jasmine rice or brown rice smothers a selection of chicken or tofu rolled in a burrito wrap and served with a choice of Basil chili stir fried, or flavored with yellow curry sauce, or a vegetarian Thai burrito with homemade peanut sauce. These Benjaritos are substantial and thick as the diameter of a can of soda.

There are interesting hot and cold beverages to try with your meal. I had the Thai ice tea; a smooth saffron color tea with condensed milk’s sweetness and chilled to quench the thirst, complimenting a dish of spicy Panang curry with diced chunks of chicken and eggplant flavored with Thai herbs and Kaffir lime leaf over a plateful of white Jasmine rice. Next, I was ready for dessert, crispy banana wrap. 

There are soups, salads and Pad Thai noodles, a total of twenty items to select from the menu. Benjapon’s offers a fine alternative at a reasonable price matching your expectation for a super-fast meal.

Thinking that Benjapon’s set up was perfect for future franchising, I asked Jivasantikarn what her plans were one, three and five years down the road. She laughed and said next summer, she will marry a Babson College classmate who will start his own business in the high-technology arena. No direct spousal competition.

For information and Benjapon’s summer schedule, call (617) 766-THAI.

Comments

[Democracy]

Yum! Love Thai food. I'll try it out sometime. I like Tamarind, just off Porter Sq.

[kimberly moblem]

Hey I just love thai food THANNK GOD FOR THE PERSON WHO INVENTED IT! hehehehehehehheheheh FORSIZLE

[Mrs big fat butt]

hi im mrs big fat butt and i live in the town of fannie i love thai i love it any way im off catch ya gurlfriend... xx wb

[Joy]

Very nice idea! I'm glad it is working for you! Someday I want to make a Thai restaurant in America with my husband. Now we just do internet thai food, but maybe in a couple of years? Very good to see you are in success! :) Joy

[sophia]

hmmmm...going there right now!!

[Democracy]

I AM THERE! Posting on my tiny laptop. Let's see if I can guess who you are! :)

[Boon.]

Congratulation!!Benjapon.I interested in your success.
Could you please tell me how to start the business Thai fast food,management and send me e-mail. Thank you in advance.
I live in Long Beach CA.