Earl Ninsom, the Bangkok, Thailand-born chef and restaurateur regard among the most talented chefs in Portland,Oregon, where he helms a small empire of nationally acclaimed Thai restaurants — including Langbaan, EEM, Yaowarat, PaaDee, Hat Yai and Phuket cafe. Yaowarat, EEM and Langbaan named as Oregon Restaurant Of The Year in 2024, 2019& 2014 respectively.

Ninsom is a 2025 A100 Most Impactful Asian Pacific Leaders by Gold House, featured in Time magazine. Langbaan won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2024. Ninsom was a James Beard Award Finalist for Best Restaurateur in 2022. Before opening his first restaurant in 2008, Ninsom — who holds degrees in marketing and international economics — traveled the world pursuing a career in international business.