Su-mei Yu

Su-mei Yu
Born
Bangkok, Thailand
PartnerItalo Scanga

Su-mei Yu is a Thai and American restauranteur and author, based in San Diego.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and education

Yu was born in Bangkok to two parents of Chinese descent.[1] In 1961 at age 15, she moved to the United States to attend a church-affiliated boarding school in Kentucky, where she began cooking.[5][6]

She later attended Chapman University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, and San Diego State University, graduating in 1968 with a Masters in Social Work.[6][7]

Career

In 1985, Yu opened Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken, a Thai restaurant on India Street in San Diego.[8] In 2002, she opened Saffron Noodles and Saté adjacent to the original restaurant, and in 2013 opened Saffron at San Diego International Airport.[9]

Yu's 2000 book, Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking, won the 2000 IACP Award.[4][10][11]

In 2019, Yu sold Saffron to Karina’s, a Mexican seafood restaurant chain.[12][13] Yu stayed on as a consulting partner.[12]

Publications

  • Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking (2001)[14]
  • Asian Grilling: 85 Satay, Kebabs, Skewers and Other Asian-Inspired Recipes for Your Barbecue (2002)[15]
  • The Elements of Life: A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living (2009)[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "Art reflects life in Thai chef's home". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  2. ^ Producer, Jennifer Robinson / Web (2013-04-16). "SAVOR SAN DIEGO WITH SU-MEI YU: The Yin-Yang Of Protein". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  3. ^ "Thai Food Traditions". www.splendidtable.org. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  4. ^ a b Producer, Jennifer Robinson / Web (2013-05-21). "SAVOR SAN DIEGO WITH SU-MEI YU: Farm To Farmers Market". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. ^ Medina, Monica Medina; ago, Engagement This story was published more than 12 years (2013-04-25). "Savor San Diego with Su-Mei Yu". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2025-08-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b "SDSU Foodies". www.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  7. ^ "Saffron restaurant owner celebrates 25 years in business". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  8. ^ Magazine, San Diego (2018-11-10). "The Women Who Revolutionized San Diego's Food Scene". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  9. ^ Woo, Candice (2016-09-13). "Saffron Joins Forces With Karina's Group For Revamp & Expansion". Eater San Diego. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  10. ^ "By the Book: Thai Secrets, for Cooks With Time". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  11. ^ "There's Something New In Coffee-Table Tomes: Text You Want to Read - WSJ". Wall Street Journal. 2000-12-01. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  12. ^ a b "Saffron sold, restaurant to expand". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2016-09-29. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  13. ^ Woo, Candice (2020-06-29). "Karina's Is Bringing Mexican Seafood to La Jolla". Eater San Diego. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  14. ^ Yu, Su-mei (2000). Cracking the coconut: classic Thai home cooking (1st ed.). New York: William Morrow & Co. ISBN 978-0-688-16542-0.
  15. ^ Yu, Su-mei (2002). Asian grilling: 85 satay, kebabs, skewers, and other Asian-inspired recipes for your barbecue (1st ed.). New York: William Morrow. ISBN 978-0-06-621119-0.
  16. ^ Yu, Su-mei (2009). The elements of life: a contemporary guide to Thai recipes and traditions for healthier living. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-75707-8.
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