LA Times Food Bowl Honors Chef Tui Sungkamee

Chef Jazz Singsanong (Jitlada) is joined by a star line up of celebrity chefs at the tribute night to celebrate the life of her beloved late Chef Tui Sungkamee (Jitlada). The evening at the Line Hotel, May 8 will feature tastings, food stations and live entertainment by DJ Chris Holmes and DJ Zo.

Jazz will be joined by super-stars Chef Jet Tila (International Thai Culinary Ambassador) and Roy Choi.

Neighbors, Langer’s and Cassell’s Hamburgers are on the list of popular food stations. Kris Yenbamroong (Night + Market Song), Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) and Louis Tikaram (E.P. & L.P.) will join them at the event.

“Extra spicy cuisine” helped the brother and sister duo to fame, including Jonathan Gold’s “Top 101 List” in the LA TIMES and in his film, “City of Gold.” But it is the total package that makes this restaurant a star. Hospitality, so characteristic of the Thai people – who have never been conquered as a country because they simply opened the doors to newcomers and learned from them- is at its highest here.

Brother and sister chef-owners, Tui and Jazz Singsalong, alone are as much of a draw. Even the first time you meet them, they make you feel like family. They made it feel as though it was their party and you made them the happiest people on earth that you were also there.

Kathy, the Jitlada accountant, started working there as a server long ago, “Fun fun fun and full – topped with Gerry (me), Barbara (Hansen, food writer), her son, Spike and his girlfriend, Annie (above), and Mona (Day, writer). Jazz takes time with Annie and Mona, above.

Crispy Morning Glory Salad – Deep fried morning glory topped with fresh shrimp and Jitlada’s spicy house dressing (above) became Jitlada’s signature dish long ago.

Crying Tiger Beef (pork as an option) was featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate: Hot & Spicy” episode.

Another sign of no-reservation policy Jittlada’s popularity is the long snaking line evenings to get into the double storefront space that is truly tucked into the corner of a strip mall on a non-descriptive Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood.

 

In 2017 East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market honored Popular Chef Tui as part of a celebration of their expanded days this spring, 2017, where the chef shared his expertise in a demo.

Jitlada, 5233 1/2 West Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027, (323) 667-9809. Hours are Tues-Sun: Lunch 11 am – 3 pm Dinner 5 pm – 10:30 pm. For details on the restaurant and more of the menu that includes images, please see: //jitladala.wordpress.com