International Market and Mesa Komal Café

The idea for International Market and Restaurant all started in 1975. Win and Patti Myint couldn’t find traditional Thai food in Nashville, and grocery stores didn’t even carry the ingredients! So, they decided to do something about it. The couple bought a small building on Belmont Boulevard and, months later, opened International Market and Restaurant. While it was a joint venture, Patti ran the restaurant while Win, a social justice activist, taught at Tennessee State University. According to the Nashville Scene, “International Market turned out to be Nashville’s first authentic Asian market and Thai restaurant, a gathering place for other newly arrived immigrants and the port of entry into ethnic dining for generations of locals raised on biscuits, fried chicken and squash casserole. It also branched and blossomed into a remarkable American success story and an enduring gift to the Southern town that the Myints made home.”

Their children, Anna and Arnold Myint, grew up loving both the food and the food business. Arnold became a chef and opened additional restaurants nearby. In 2017, Belmont University purchased International Market in order to build the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The family prepared to move the restaurant, and then two tragic events occurred. Patti, also known as “Mama Myint,” died suddenly in 2018, and her husband, Win, passed away a year later. It was a sad time for the family and the entire Nashville community.

Anna and Arnold focused their attention on reopening International Market across the street. They traveled to Thailand to learn more about authentic Thai food, and they returned with more amazing recipes, which they added to the menu. But the restaurant maintains its original charm. They kept the orange booths and seats, and the hot bar still serves their mother’s popular dishes.

Across the street is Mesa Komal Café, which offers a variety of global cuisines from local vendors through a partnership through Conexión Américas, a local non-profit, and Belmont University. This space rotates every few months with the goal of giving new chefs and aspiring business owners a place to test out their foods and develop a long-term plan for success. As a Professor of Entrepreneurship, I believe the Mesa Komal Café will be an outlet to amplify the vibrancy of the culinary scene of the immigrant and the refugee communities. Over time we will see the talent and the diversity of food entrepreneurs who have made Nashville home from all over the world. Check out their website to see what delicious ethnic cuisine is being offered. Stop by, grab a bite, and help support this budding business in the process.

Fun Fact: The first entrepreneur to operate out of Mesa Komal Café was Karla Ruiz, who opened Viva la Vida in August 2022. Translated from Spanish, Viva la Vida means “Long Live Life.”

Now let’s head south to Nolensville Pike and Nashville’s burgeoning Middle Eastern and Latin food scene. We’ll start with Edessa Kurdish and Turkish Cuisine, 3802 Nolensville Pike. Continue south on Belmont Blvd. then turn RIGHT onto Blair Boulevard. At the light, turn LEFT onto 21st Avenue South, which becomes Hillsboro Pike. Take I-440 East toward Knoxville then stay in the far right lane and take Exit 5 to merge onto I-65 South toward Huntsville. Stay in the right lane and take Exit 78 A Harding Place/TN-255 East. At the second light, turn LEFT onto Trousdale Drive. In about a quarter mile, turn RIGHT onto Elysian Fields Road. Stay on this road for about two miles. You’ll pass by the employees entrance to the Nashville Zoo. We’ll talk more about the Zoo at the next stop! When you reach the light at Nolensville Pike, cross Nolensville to enter the shopping plaza parking lot. Edessa will be to your left—feel free to park anywhere and walk around to see the other shops and restaurants in the area.