Authentic Thai food comes to Augusta with SUEA - Post and Courier

A new restaurant seeks to bring authentic Thai flavors to downtown Augusta on James Brown Boulevard, blending traditional dishes with contemporary creativity, the Post and Courier reported. SUEA, which has been open since the spring, operates out of 123 James Brown Boulevard under the ownership and culinary direction of Arisa Albright.

Menu Offerings and Culinary Approach

Albright is originally from Thailand and lived in America for over 10 years, during which she frequently craved the food she grew up eating. The restaurant’s menu features a jackfruit hung-le bun—consisting of a crispy bao bun with a hung-le spice reduction and house pickles—alongside oysters, fried rice, and Thai red curry. Albright noted that one of her favorite dishes to prepare is the papaya salad.

“I want to bring my country Thailand everything to the Augusta people to have authentic Thai,” Albright said.

Before launching SUEA, Albright worked in IT, where she met her American husband in an airport. The couple lived in Thailand for four years before returning to America. While dabbling in culinary arts, Albright rediscovered her passion for Thai cooking and began preparing meals for friends and family.

“My friend said you should just have a restaurant because we need something real, authentic Thai food like this,” Albright recalled.

Name Origin and Operating Schedule

The restaurant’s name, SUEA, draws inspiration from the tiger, a recognized symbol of strength and prosperity in Thai culture. While acknowledging that other Thai dining options exist in the area, Albright aims for her establishment to stand out through distinct authenticity.

Authentic thai food platter fried fish curries papaya

SUEA maintains regular operating hours throughout the week:

Tuesday through Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for lunch; 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for dinner.
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for lunch; 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner.
Sunday: Open until 8:00 p.m.