Kim’s Kitchen Offers New Food Truck Option

Starting a food business is something Kim Nemeth has always wanted to do. Twenty years ago, she said she worked in a “hole in the wall restaurant” serving fast, casual Japanese-Hawaiian cuisine in California. Moving from a server into the kitchen further sparked her interest in food. During this time, Nemeth said she met her husband, Ron Nemeth, also employed at the restaurant.

The two moved to Colville 10 years ago to “distance themselves from a busy, fast-paced, and crowded life in California,” and have since opened Kim’s Kitchen, a food truck featuring Asian cuisine located in the parking lot of Curry’s Appliances at 702 North Hwy in Colville.

Nemeth said the duo began their food truck journey in May 2025. “We liked the idea of being mobile. Being in a food truck offers restaurant quality on a simpler scale.” Nemeth recalled some hurdles she faced, specifically seeking approval for their food truck business. “It took three months for them (Labor & Industries) to review our application. Once they looked through it, they denied it.

We needed to go through what was not up to code and fix it. We went through this process twice. At that point we were feeling defeated,” she said, adding that this caused her and Ron to second guess their dreams. “Ron and I are the type of people who stick to our guns, we persist, we wanted to see this through,” Nemeth said.

The Nemeths persevered and began researching their next steps to success. Finding the answer in Port- land, Ore., the couple found a food truck that met the needs of the business they wanted to open. They officially opened their business July 1 of this year. Although coming up with a name for their food truck was not easy, they decided on “Kim’s Kitchen.”

Nemeth said, “It is literally just our kitchen rolling around through town, and it is easy to say, ‘Let’s go to Kim’s Kitchen for lunch.’” Looking back on fond memories, Nemeth said, “for both Ron and I, a takeaway from the last six months has been leaving our jobs to prepare for this, [which] gave us quality time to spend together.”

Since starting their family 14 years ago, the Nemeths have recognized the importance of family and spending time with their children. When asked why they decided to serve Asian cuisine, Nemeth said, “We went with that because that’s what my kids love to eat. They have a very expansive palate. They love all types of food. For us, that’s where our passion is.

Many of the dishes that are on our menu are things that we make at home or at family gatherings.” Nemeth went on to say, “We are hoping to add weekly or monthly specials to the menu. This would be a way to keep things fresh for the people in Colville. It keeps it fun for us too, like what will we create this time?” Nemeth explained that “growing up in Chinese culture, food was a way that we expressed our love. Seeing my grandparents, I would never hear the words ‘I love you,’ instead I would hear the question ’Did you eat yet?’ and if I said ‘no,’ they would make me a hot meal. That was their way of showing love.

This transferred into my adult life. If I want to show appreciation, I will cook a dish or make a treat. The message being that they took time out for me, and now I take out time for them doing something that truly comes from the heart.” Reflecting on their first day as an official food truck, Nemeth said, “We have been getting some positive feedback about the food. People are saying the food is good and delicious, but one of the most common things people are saying is that they are grateful there is a new food option in town.

We are so grateful to Curry’s Appliances’ business owners Shawn and Suzette Curry who were able to host us in their parking lot because being in one spot every day for the same hours will establish our location.” In a time of feeling disheartened by rejection of previous locations, the Currys’ offer was a welcome surprise for the Nemeths.

Nemeth said one of the steps they want to take to improve their business is to give themselves performance reviews and “be open to change and adjusting so that we can better serve the community. That way that serves us well at the same time.” She added that they are passionate about meeting the expectations of their customers.

“We take a lot of pride in our work, so when something doesn’t go the way we expect it to, it hits hard on us, and we want to make it better.” Kim’s Kitchen will be available at the Mistequa Casino on July 11 for the motorcycle show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at Foodtruck-a-Palooza hosted by the Quartzite Brewery in Chewelah on July 12.

Kim’s Kitchen plans to be open year-round Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nemeth said they could close before 4 p.m. due to ingredient or supply shortages. “We are very grateful to the people who reach out who are willing to work with us. Quartzite reached out when we made the announcement that we were starting our business. Being able to partner with other local businesses is a dream for us, and we are happy to be a part of it,” Nemeth said.

In the future, the Nemeths hope to eventually open a restaurant and a chain of food trucks, keeping it in the family and expanding more options for people in rural areas. “When people come see us, they will be greeted with a smile and constant quality meals,” she added. “By supporting our small business, they are helping us thrive and live the dream we always wanted.