It’s been a while since western Nevada County had a solid ramen spot, much less one that serves the Vietnamese delicacy known as pho. However, those with a taste for unique Asian offerings can now look to Chang Thong, which opened in Grass Valley just last week.
“Mainly it’s ramen and pho,” explained Chang Thong co-owner John Paul Kubitschek, whose wife Wana Wan Kubitschek is the primary cook for the restaurant. “We have a lot of good appetizers too. I would highly recommend the chicken satay or the fresh rolls. There’s some amazing sauces she hand-makes.”
Pho and ramen, each a different type of noodle soup, traditionally are made with the utmost care, preserving the fresh and homemade quality of a broth to which a lot of attention has been paid.
“(Wana Wan) cooks the broth for the ramens and phos…72 hours for the ramen,” John Paul said. “All the bones and everything so you get those juicy and healthy fats off the bone. At the very end she puts in the vegetables to put in that aroma. This is my hometown and this is my wife’s dream and we want to give the public good, wholesome (food)…edible medicine is pretty much what it is.”
Chang Thong opened last weekend to an enthusiastic public. John Paul said they are reminding people that Wana Wan is in the kitchen virtually alone, and the space only holds seven tables. This is not fast food.
Eventually, the restaurant will expand to Thai and Chinese menu items including dim sum and dumplings. Additionally, Chang Thong is filling a void in the area for ramen and pho. Until they opened, one might need to travel to Auburn or Roseville to satisfy their cravings.
“I love this for everybody here,” said Wana Wan. “I boil overnight. I have to boil my soup. We would drive down (to Roseville) and it was like, why don’t we make it for everyone?”
For the record, says John Paul: “Chang Thong is Thai for ‘elephant.’ We really want our restaurant with an elephant theme. My wife travels to Thailand quite often to visit her family, but she visits elephant sanctuaries over there and these sanctuaries take these elephants and give them a good life.”
At some point, the couple said, they will feature artwork done by elephants in the sanctuary and will offer them for sale with all proceeds going to elephant rescues worldwide.
“I really like to make soup and noodles,” said Wana Wan. “That’s the main point. My husband, he loves noodles. I cook Thai food but I think noodles are the best.”
While noodles may reign supreme, Chang Thong also boasts a menu with things like Donut Shrimp (deep fried shrimp cake), papaya salad, and the Steam Vegan Dumpling which offers Thai Chor Muang with crushed roasted peanut, salty radish, and leeks. As for ramen? There are currently seven options on the menu, with four pho selections.
The Kubitscheks hope people will enjoy their fare.
“I love everything,” said Wana Wen. “That’s why I make it. I cook what I like.”
Chang Thong is at 149 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley. For more information please visit www.changthong11.com or call 530-648-4101.
To contact Staff Writer Jennifer Nobles please email [email protected].
Bradley Chilton has until Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. to surrender himself to Wayne Brown Correctional Facility after being sentenced by Judge Thomas Anderson Friday in Nevada County Superior Court.
Chilton will serve 120 days after pleading no contest to assault by means likely to produce bodily injury, which resulted in a probation violation stemming from a conviction on poaching charges in October.
Alongside Ryan Doty, 40, Chilton, 38, was arrested for their involvement in a January 8 stabbing which took place in front of a Grass Valley nightclub.
He has already served the first half of a 240-day sentence stemming from “pleading to a felony evading charge, 2800.2(a) and three misdemeanor Fish and Wildlife charges for poaching and admitted an enhancement related to unlawful taking of trophy animals for two years formal probation and 240 days jail and 240 hours community service,” said District Attorney Jesse Wilson said earlier this month.
He was ordered to serve those 120 days immediately following his October poaching charge. Along with time served prior to his conviction, Chilton has completed those days in Wayne Brown.
Chilton does have custody credits which could reduce his sentence.
Additionally, Chilton was fined $600 in restitution which Judge Anderson said he has six months to pay.
Chilton’s Friday appearance was deferred from a previous appearance February 7, a request made by his Public Defender, Hayley Dewey.
On Friday, Chilton waived his right to a trial through Public Defender Hayley Dewey.
“The accumulation of your behavior is troubling,” Judge Anderson told Chilton, before adding that if Chilton doesn’t comply with court mandates his further punishment would be “much harsher” than what was handed down Friday.
Staff Writer Jennifer Nobles can be reached at [email protected].