About Us

David Tewasart, a Los Angeles native born to Thai immigrant parents, has always been passionate about bringing authentic Thai cooking back to its roots in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. His dedication to traditional Thai flavors caught the attention of Grand Central Market in 2013, where he was recruited to open a Thai street food stall. Sticky Rice became a sensation and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the historic market, drawing international acclaim.

In 2017, David partnered with Bryan Sharafkhah, whose culinary journey began after a transformative experience in Thailand. Upon returning to Los Angeles Bryan built a simple bicycle cart and began serving fresh pad Thai to late-night crowds, aiming to recreate the experience of bringing strangers together over a hot bowl of streetside noodles. The popularity of his food grew rapidly, and soon he was invited to serve at major music festivals across the US, from Coachella in Southern California to Ultra in Miami, Florida.

Together, David and Bryan expanded the Sticky Rice brand, opening new locations in Echo Park and Highland Park. In Echo Park, they added a hidden cocktail bar, Spirit House, enhancing the experience with a fusion of Thai street food and crafted cocktail drinks. Bryan, who takes a hands-on approach in design and construction. In Highland Park Bryan channeled he and David’s love of live music by setting the York Blvd Sticky Rice inside The Goldfish, a 185 capacity live music venue.

Their most recent endeavors showcase their continued commitment to bringing people together over authentic Thai cuisine. David has launched Miya, an intimate restaurant in Altadena, focusing on traditional Thai home cooking. Meanwhile, Bryan has spearheaded the opening of Sticky Rice on W. 3rd. Through these projects, both David and Bryan continue to elevate the culinary scene with their deep respect for Thai culture and the communal spirit that drew them to it in the beginning.