Perapol Damnernphokul, owner of Rice Box Kitchen and Noodle Box Kitchen, announced the last day of operation as July 26, 2025. The two places were created with the goal of bringing Damnernphokul’s San Francisco-style Thai cuisine to Reno and the brand started with Rice Box Kitchen on South Virginia Street in Midtown in 2021. In the summer of 2023, Noodle Box Kitchen opened in the space next door to The Discovery museum on Center Street. It wasn’t long before Damnernphokul combined the two eateries into one location, offering both his rice-based dishes and noodle-based dishes (plus dim sum and hot pot). During his more than four years in business, Damnernphokul landed several Yelp awards and hosted many culinary-driven events at his restaurants. His social media posts announcing the closure were met with many disappointed responses from community members that have come to love Damnernphokul’s unique cuisine.

Photos by Candice Vivien.