This is another in our series on everyday people who enrich our lives in one way or another.

Not yet thirty, the affable Ken has been running Little Mango Restaurant on Soi VC for about two years. The small cafe has become a popular spot for both Thais and farangs as a result of its mouth watering food and reasonable prices. Appetizers run from fifty to seventy baht and include such items as garlic bread, mussels au gratin in garlic butter and prawn cocktail. There is an extensive array of European and Thai main covurses ranging from one hundred fifty to one hundred ninety baht for European dishes. Various pasta dishes are offered at one hundred baht; and most Thai food is less than a hundred baht. There are also various sandwiches, snacks and desserts on offer. Ken says his most popular selections are the chicken cordon bleu, fish filet, and chicken with cashew nuts.

I can attest that the fish is tender, flaky and melts in your mouth. The fish, as well as, all of his ingredients are fresh, not frozen. Ken, personally, shops daily, in the various markets and stores for that night’s menu. Customers have remarked that on the rare occasions when Ken wasn’t there, they noticed a difference in the quality of the food. Ken is planning a set menu, which will change daily. He is in the process of upgrading the menu and will offer new dishes such as beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables. He also plans to have specials on weekends, including two styles of pork ribs, and daily blackboard specials.

One of Ken’s specialties is his personal touch. He can always be found at his restaurant waiting on customers and insuring that everything is just so. He also has a disarming sense of humor. A while back when I teasingly ordered the “fish and ships”, as that is how it was printed on the menu, my meal was accompanied by a model ship. He assures me that the new menu will not contain any spelling errors. While Ken manages the restaurant, his partner, Kim, is the chef and attends to all the food preparation duties.

Ken, who has three siblings was born in Kalasin, in northeast Thailand and moved to Sakon Nakhon when he was eight. After high school, he attended college, where he studied electronics and learned English, which he speaks quite well. Although Ken worked in an electronics repair shop when he first came to Pattaya, his dream was to be a manager in the service industry. He imagined pleasing his customers by attending to their needs and offering first rate service. He worked as an assistant manager in a hotel coffee shop in Rayong before coming to Pattaya seven years ago. Besides working in the electronics shop, Ken moonlighted as a waiter in a local café. Little Mango, formerly called Non’s, was originally managed by Non, Ken’s friend. Eventually, Ken joined with Non to run the café. When Non decided he no longer wished to own a restaurant, Ken took over. About a year ago, he changed the name to Little Mango.

As many locals know, Ken’s personal partner is the well-known Allen Briggs, who formerly produced the weekly Pattaya gay report. Allen had been quite ill, but has made a remarkable recovery and is back to teaching university classes six days a week. Allen is a steady customer at Little Mango; and, by the way, he pays for every meal. According to Ken, Allen feels that he’d be paying if he ate somewhere else, so why not at Ken’s place?

It would appear that Ken has successfully channeled his entrepreneurial spirit and has created a cozy restaurant serving delicious food at reasonable prices; and, he tends to his customers with efficiency, grace and charm.

LITTLE MANGO CAFÉ-RESTAURANT
201/5 Moo 10, Soi 17 (Soi VC), Pattaya
Tel: 086-864-1152
Open Nightly