Exploring Life & Business with Anna Myint

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Myint.

Hi Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
International Market was originally opened as International Market & Restaurant in 1975 by our parents, Win and Patti Myint. It was the first Thai restaurant and Asian grocery in Nashville and over the years became an institution in the city. In 2017 our family sold the property to Belmont University I (Anna) had plans to work with my mom and reopen across the street from the original location. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2018, our mother passed away suddenly and we were left with the decision if we wanted to continue with the restaurant or not. The original location closed in the summer of 2019 as we began to design a new layout and remodel International Market’s new location. Unfortunately, our father passed away that Fall, which paused our eagerness to push the remodel and reopen. When we decided to green-light the project, the Pandemic hit, and we paused the remodel once again. As soon as it seemed like “an end was near” we started up again, soft opening in September 2021, and had a big Grand Opening week in February of 2022, the week of both our parents’ birthdays.

International Market (version 2.0) reflects the traditional restaurant and market our parents opened in the 70s, having similar features like the lunch hot, steam table line, and the same red trays that were there before. However, as second-generation business owners, we wanted to elevate the restaurant and put our spin on things. Arnold is a trained chef and personality who has appeared on numerous shows, such as Top Chef and Food Network Star. I am on the business side, having received my MBA from Vanderbilt in 2020. We opened a casual restaurant with counter service at lunch and a full sit-down restaurant at night. The night menu is elevated and more chef-driven, to keep up with the changing times of Nashville. We include ingredients supporting other local businesses such as local meat vendors, local creameries, and a local pasta (noodle) maker. There are more vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes than before and we have a full bar as well. We strive to continue to be the neighborhood spot, staying casual and family-friendly.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth at all. The biggest obstacles were the death of our parents. Did we really want to reopen? Is this something WE really wanted to do?

And then there was the pandemic, which resulted in so many more precautions than before, and the staffing shortage everyone has been talking about. It is like a revolving door, where staff can literally walk next door and get a higher pay rate. We have been fortunate to have loyal employees on our team, who understand although we may not be able to compete with the corporate restaurants of the world, we are able to support and treat each person like family.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about International Market?
We are a Thai-focused restaurant in Nashville, supporting other local restaurants and businesses. We specialize in giving customers a personal experience, from the service to the dishes themselves. We begin with our interactions on Social Media, personally responding to messages and reservation requests. We also pride ourselves in the integrity of our dishes and will not serve you something we do not stand behind.

For example, we do not do spice levels or allow for modifications, which is something customers have struggled to understand – but we say “no” with reasons and not to cause frustration. Our chefs in the kitchen rotate stations, so one day if you ask for a dish that is level 4 spice, another chef could make it next time, and their “level 4” spice level may be inedible, which reflects poorly on the restaurant. In this specific scenario, we do provide a spice rack to allow the customer to control the spice they would like. For the market side of the restaurant, we sell what we cook. Many have asked for soy sauce, which is not traditionally used in Thai food, so we do not have it to give out. Our dishes are prepared with intention and flavors and would prefer them not to be drenched in additional sauces, however, we do sell sides of Golden Mountain Seasoning Sauce which is a Thai dark sauce similar to what others may associate soy sauce too. We also make a majority of our sauces and spices, making sure each batch is exactly how we would want it to be.

At the end of the day, we are a small family-run business and for us, every penny matters. So you will not see us giving away utensils, sauces, containers, etc. Even our to-go containers were specifically chosen in hopes for people to reuse them. Everything we do is done with intention.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Come in to eat! And come often!

Follow us on Instagram: @imnasvhille or email [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.im2nashville.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imnashville/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMNashville/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/international-market-nashville-2

Image Credits:
Mary Craven Photography and Martin Cherry Photography