01
Family Values
Food has always been how the Navarro family brings people together.
Our story
Why not?
Founded in 2020 by Claudia & Joel Navarro — a Yakima family betting on the belief that great food has no borders.
The journey
Built on hustle.
The journey of Why Not My Asian Kitchen began in 2019 when Claudia and Joel Navarro signed the lease to bring their vision to life. Just months later, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges, but they remained committed and proudly opened their doors in December 2020.
Rather than giving up, Claudia, Joel, and their family chose to persevere — embracing new cuisines, learning new traditions, and expanding their culinary knowledge.
Food has always been a way for the Navarro family to bring people together. Through years of experimentation, mentorship, and dedication, they developed a unique dining concept that blends Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine.
Their children also played an important role by introducing Korean-inspired dishes and ideas that helped shape many of the menu favorites guests enjoy today.
The owners
Meet Claudia & Joel Navarro.
Claudia and Joel built Why Not My Asian Kitchen on shared dreams, resilience through the pandemic, and a belief that great food transcends boundaries.
“
When people ask, "Why are Hispanics cooking Asian food?" the family's answer is simple: Why not? They believe great food has no boundaries and that passion, respect for culture, and a love for cooking can unite people from all backgrounds.
— The Navarro Family
What we stand for
Our values.
02
Culinary Exploration
Years of experimentation across Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese traditions.
03
Community
A Yakima gathering place for families, professionals, and food lovers alike.