Missoula restaurant owners will bring a variety of Asian food to Polson soon and plan to open a dine-in option once they complete renovations on the former Thai Hot Spot Cafe.  

The Hot Spot, owned and operated by Gop Lambson with help from her son, Perry, had been in business for 23 years.  

Swan Aung and his family recently closed on the Thai restaurant, located on U.S. 93. This is their first owned storefront and after many family vacations to Flathead Lake, they are excited to join the community and bring their culture to the area.  

Aung's parents, Toe Neing and Ko Myo, grew up in Myanmar, where Aung and his brother Moe Soe were born. Seeking refuge from civil war in their country, the family immigrated to Billings in 2005, where they started making sushi and other foods for the franchise grocery industry.  

They later expanded to Missoula when Lucky's Market opened. However, after it went bankrupt due to the pandemic, the family thought they would have to leave the area.  

But the Southgate Mall general manager approached them, asking them to stay because their food was so popular. He then offered them “a very special opportunity to stay in Missoula,” Soe said.  

The family was able to get a lease location within the mall and opened both the Sushi Palace and the Dessert Palace in Missoula.  

“From there, we flourished and got that American dream,” Aung said.  

Aung’s aunt, Ingyin Neing, explained that Myanmar is situated between Thailand and China, giving them plenty of experience with different types of Asian cuisine. With the Tour of Asia restaurant, they plan to serve Thai, Chinese and Indian food, and a little bit of everything from Asia.  

Ingyin Neing said their skills come from their grandmother's cooking, which was made with love.  

“She was always in the kitchen the whole day. She cooked a lot of food,” Neing said. “So, we learned from her how to cook and serve.”  

Aung and his mother, Toe Neing, will be coming up to Polson to launch their new restaurant, while dad, “the backbone” will stay in Missoula. Currently the family is cleaning out their new location and is excited to get appliances and equipment in the building.  

“We're so lucky and blessed that we got this opportunity to open it in Polson,” Soe said. “We love Polson.”  

After the holiday season, the family plans to offer a carry-out menu and once the space is completed, they want to open the restaurant to dine-in customers this summer, as well as offer a vacation rental upstairs and a drive-through.