Berkeley Thai restaurateurs open new eatery in Richmond

The goal of the two brothers behind Richmond’s newest Thai restaurant —  for it to become a regular hangout spot in the community — is embedded in the restaurant’s name.

Their new spot, called Prajam, translates in Thai to “usually” or “often.” They want it to be their neighborhood’s go-to Thai eatery, a place where people feel comfortable hanging out, according to co-owner Anukool Manonuek.

Since immigrating to the U.S., Manonuek and his brother, Christopher Sacheia, have worked in the Thai restaurant industry in Berkeley. From the northern Thailand region of Chiang Mai, Sacheia came to the U.S. about 20 years ago, starting Chris Thai, which has since closed, and Berkeley Thai House.

The brothers bought a home in Richmond about five years ago and wanted to open a restaurant closer to where they live. The result is Prajam, which opened last month.

The Richmond restaurant offers a more limited menu than their Berkeley eatery, but there are still abundant options. Menu items include a selection of fried appetizers, including egg rolls, calamari, torpedo shrimp and tofu, plus gyoza, crab rangoon and chicken wings. Soups on offer are the classics: tom yum and tom kha. The curries include red, yellow, panang, pineapple, pumpkin and massaman curry – made with potato, peanut, carrots and onion.