Chef Niki Vongthong is a Houston-based chef whose cooking is rooted in the bold, funky, and vibrant flavors of Northeast Thailand (Issan), inspired by her upbringing in her family’s Asia Market. Born in Laos to Thai parents, she developed an early love for sticky rice and deeply traditional cuisine.

A graduate of the Alain & Marie LeNôtre Culinary School, Chef Niki expanded her global perspective through travels across Spain, Morocco, and France. Back in Houston, she was part of the opening team at Uchi Houston, where she spent nearly six years as a sushi and kitchen chef, before helping open Aqui in Montrose as Executive Sous Chef.

She later returned to Thailand, reconnecting with her roots while opening an omakase concept and rising to Head Chef, focusing on Thai and Japanese seafood. After traveling extensively across Asia, she continues to bring a globally informed perspective to her cooking.

Chef Niki is a multi-time CultureMap Tastemaker Award nominee (2021–2023) and a Truffle Masters champion, earning 1st place in 2024.