One of Katy’s hidden gems is moving forward under new ownership – offering traditional Thai dishes and some “fun dishes” with a twist.

Dr. Arash Ronaghy and wife Charina, who live in the Energy Corridor, have purchased the Amazing Thai Cuisine restaurant located at 20660 Westheimer Parkway at S. Fry. In Katy.

Charina Ronaghy grew up in Thailand and learned traditional Thai cooking from her mother, an excellent Thai cook. While studying in Europe, Charina Ronaghy regularly cooked Thai food for friends and colleagues. Later, while working as an engineer, she spent two years studying Thai cuisine in the evenings and became a Certified Thai Royal Cuisine Chef.

“Opening a restaurant had always been her dream,” said Arash Ronaghy. “I met Charina while I was training as a physician at a Houston medical center, where she volunteered. We eventually married, and earlier this year, the right people and circumstances came together to finally make her dream—and now our dream—a reality.”

The opportunity came at the right time, Arash Ronaghy said. “The previous owners were incredibly kind and helped us through the transition after we purchased the restaurant. That meant a lot to us.”

Arash Ronaghy believes that the biggest differentiator that sets their restaurant apart is Charina’s cooking and her use of fresh ingredients.

“When we visit her family in Thailand, friends and relatives often ask to come over specifically to enjoy the food Charina and her mother prepare. I remember thinking, ‘Thai people are asking to come to my wife's house to eat her cooking.’ That says a lot.”

The restaurant serves traditional Thai dishes using traditional techniques but also features “fun dishes” such as chicken satay pizza and green curry pizza. Some customer favorites are chicken satay, pad see ew, green curry, mango sticky rice and saffron-infused chocolate caramel cake. Chicken satay is one of the most popular appetizers—tender marinated chicken skewers, flame-grilled and served with peanut sauce and cucumber relish.

“We want people to enjoy the Thai favorites they already know—and occasionally take a chance on something new,” Arash Ronaghy said.

Arash Ronaghy said that one of the couple’s biggest challenge has been getting people to know about the restaurant.

“Recently, a couple came in for the first time and told us, ‘We absolutely love the food and the great service,’” he said. “Then they said, ‘We had no idea you were here—and we live only a couple of blocks away.’ So, we're still working on getting the word out. We think we're a little hidden gem in Katy.”