Young Landsborough couple serving up delicious Thai cuisine to the hinterland
By Sonia Isaacs
A YOUNG Landsborough couple is pouring heart and soul into their dream of bringing truly authentic Thai flavours to the hinterland.
Partners Jakkapat and Honey, who have known each other for nearly 18 years, have been running their restaurant, Im-Am Thai, for around seven months, choosing Landsborough for its welcoming community and peaceful surroundings.
Before opening, the pair spent almost a year searching for the perfect location, scouting areas from Beerburrum to Bribie Island and Golden Beach. They said Landsborough stood out not only for its peaceful atmosphere but also for its strong sense of community, which matched their vision for a restaurant built on care and connection.
“We wanted to establish our restaurant in a place that was peaceful and not too busy,” Jakkapat said. “Here was the perfect spot. And also, lovely people and community.”
The couple’s vision for their restaurant extends beyond simply serving food. The name Im-Am Thai is drawn from the Thai word imm, which means “full” – not only in terms of the stomach, but also the heart. For Jakkapat, this reflects the intention to nourish their customers with more than a meal.
“I want our food to be like a communication way to people,” he explained. “Communication of happiness, everything positive and also positive energy. We want our food to be like a positive channel.”
Honey, who has spent the past nine years honing her skills as a chef, leads the kitchen. Having lived in Australia since 2016, first in the Blue Mountains, she said her cooking is rooted in tradition and quality ingredients.
“Thai cooking is different to Western style,” she said. “We use the best curry paste, coconut cream, nutmeg, Thai herbs and spices – that is what brings the flavour. Some ingredients are hard to buy in Australia, but they are very important.”
She added that she and Jakkapat insist on only the freshest produce.
“On mostly everything we make, we make sure we control the quality and only use fresh vegetables, quality meat. If we don’t want to eat it, we won’t sell it,” Honey and Jakkapat agreed in unison.
Most of the sauces at the restaurant are homemade, including the popular Lemon Honey Sauce made with raw local honey and fresh lemons. Other house-made favorites include Tamarind, Five Spice, Peanut Butter, Pad Thai, Mild Chili Jam, and all curry sauces, crafted for rich, authentic flavour.
Jakkapat admitted that Honey is the skilled one in the kitchen, while he contributes the ideas and philosophy behind the restaurant.
“I have only the intention. Honey is the chef – I just have the ideas,” he said with a laugh.
That ethos centres on care, connection and authenticity. The couple believes good food can help people feel nourished in spirit as well as in body.
“As I mentioned, when you put two words together in Thai, imm means full. But it is more than that,” Jakkapat said. “It’s like when you go home after many years and your mum cooks for you – you feel comfort and happiness. That is the feeling we want to give people.”
Since opening, the restaurant has built a steady following and has recently joined DoorDash for deliveries. Currently open six days a week for lunch and dinner, the couple plans to expand to seven days soon. Future plans include expanding their menu to feature more vegan dishes, as well as offering specials using freshly caught fish.
For now, though, they are focused on continuing to build their reputation for fresh, flavoursome meals and warm hospitality in the heart of Landsborough.
“The food speaks for itself,” Jakkapat said. “When people come and try it, they know.”
Im-Am Thai is located at Shop 3, 40 Cribb Street, Landsborough. Open six days for lunch and dinner. Phone 0405 787 235.