Sovereign Thai Cuisine
About us
Welcome to our celebration of high-quality dining, where the unique flavors of northeastern Thailand come alive. Led by the brother-sister duo Uthan Dejcomrunkul and Jumi Pitiwartarlai, we bring authentic Isaan tastes.
JuMi Pitiwartarlai and Uthan Dejcomrunkul were both born in Thailand and raised in a large Chinese-Thai family. Their grandparents immigrated from China during World War II, carrying with them a deep respect for family, culture, and the meaning of shared meals.
Their grandmother, Pakong Dejcomrunkul, was a gifted cook who once had the honor of preparing food at the Royal Palace in Bangkok. After marrying, she devoted her skills to her family. Every morning at 5 a.m., she visited the local market for the freshest produce, seafood, and herbs. On weekends, she brought her grandchildren along, teaching them how to choose ingredients and encouraging them to trust their senses - lessons she said would “ensure you’ll never go hungry.”
Inspired by her grandmother, JuMi developed a love for cooking and the joy of feeding others. While in high school in Singapore, she studied Southeast Asian cuisine for two years before moving to the United States to attend college in San Diego. She worked her way through the restaurant industry - from host to management - and spent more than 20 years helping lead some of San Diego’s most beloved Thai restaurants. Sovereign Modern Thai is the realization of her dream: a place where her heritage, family recipes, and modern influences come together.
Uthan graduated from Bangkok University with a degree in Business and lived with his grandparents during that time. His mother opened a restaurant in Bangkok, where he often helped both her and his grandmother with cooking and shopping. Later, he moved to San Diego to pursue a master’s degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. Since then, he has become a key figure in San Diego’s Thai dining scene, contributing his expertise to notable restaurants such as Seb E Lee and Thai Papaya, known for its Isaan cuisine.
Together, JuMi and Uthan carry forward their family’s culinary legacy - blending traditional Thai flavors, Chinese influences, and modern techniques to create a dining experience that honors their roots and their journey.
Our Culinary Roots: The Heart of Isaan Cuisine
Isaan cuisine originates from northeastern Thailand, bordering Laos and Cambodia. It is known for its bold, punchy flavors and deeply aromatic ingredients: pla ra (fermented fish sauce), Thai fish sauce, lime juice, fresh chilies, and abundant herbs like mint, cilantro, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, shallot, culantro, and rice paddy herb.
Expect spiciness, fermented depth, smoky aromas, bright citrus, crunchy textures, and generous handfuls of fresh herbs.
At Sovereign
The greatest lesson passed down from our grandmother was simple:
“If you want delicious food, you must cook with your heart.”
At Sovereign, we strive to honor her memory every day.
We choose the best seasonal ingredients.
We support local farmers and fishermen.
We cook with intention — and always with love.
Sovereign is cooking with love from our grandmother’s memory.