GET TO KNOW US
a small local eatery, founded by an immigrant from Laos, blossoms with the rich tapestry of dreams
Early years…
Aloun was born in the 60’s during a turbulent time in Laos.
As a young boy, he experienced the effects of the Vietnam war to some degree. He recalls memories of gunshots and bombs exploding in the distance. Nonetheless, he was raised in a household filled with love and family.
His father was a farmer and mother a street food vendor, where he grew up with strong culinary influences. Deeply rooted in his upbringing, this would ultimately form his passion and love for cooking.
During the 80’s, he made the decision by migrating to the United States with three family members, leaving the rest behind in hopes to find a better life.
The journey…
Aloun attended ESL as a foreigner. After high school, he would go on to work as a chef at a Japanese restaurant for 25 years until they went out of business. He eventually pursued a Welder Certification and realized this wasn’t the path for him. He also met his wife in the 90’s and started a family of his own.
Pandemic…
Given their culinary background and passion, Aloun and his wife decided to open up a restaurant in 2020 before the pandemic hit. Unfortunately, Pho Zap Zap would be one of the businesses put on halt and wouldn’t officially open until October 2021.
What is Pho Zap Zap…
Aloun and his wife are proud to say, Pho Zap Zap specializes in authentic southeast Asian cuisine with recipes that have been passed down for generations. Their main focus would be Pho, where the name Pho Zap Zap derives from. In Laos, “Zap, Zap” translates to delicious, delicious. A true testament to the aromatic dishes that are loved worldwide. They also have many other dishes we enjoy in Laos, each and every one crafted with authentic ingredients and love.
TODAY…
Aloun and his wife dream of expanding the place someday to accommodate more customers. But ultimately, their main goal was to introduce authentic dishes from the Lao culture to the community and share the joy. Aloun says he is happy with his family-ran business and loves what he does. Pho Zap Zap is one of the many inspiring stories about a man who came to foreign land and continued to stay true with his roots, while sharing his passion with the world.
“Community is really important to me. That is why I opened up Pho Zap Zap in Providence. I raised my family here and would love to share my passion for cooking with locals”
What to expect at Pho Zap Zap
AUTHENTIC SOUTHEAST ASIAN FOOD
Our dishes derive from generations of passed down recipes. Hand-crafted with love, these dishes are made as a homage to our culture. We share these dishes with you in hopes that you will love them as much as we do.
INCREDIBLE SERVICE
In the Lao culture, we believe that nobody goes hungry. Community plays a huge factor in our lives. Whether if it’s for a brief visit or returning customers, you can always expect to be treated as if you were family here.
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS
This business was born out of passion. We are a family that loves to cook, be in each other’s presence and believe family values start at the dinner table. We are proud to say Pho Zap Zap is a mom and pop shop ran and a hidden gem amongst the middle of a bustling city.