About Us
Our Story
Stoney and Jane met while working in a lively and chaotic American deli-style restaurant in London's theater district. Their shared passion for cooking and food quickly cemented their friendship. Stoney, born in a small Sumatran fishing village, and Jane, a bustling Londoner, eventually moved to Sydney, Australia. There, they revitalized the menu of a struggling restaurant in a popular bar and disco. Within a week, the place was packed, and their innovative Asian fusion menu became a hit with the locals.
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After two years, they returned to London and secured funding for a small, damp café on Fulham Road in Chelsea. With sophisticated decor and a distinguished mélange of dishes from Southeast Asia, the café quickly garnered rave reviews, including a half-page feature in the London Sunday Times and a full-page spread in a gourmet magazine. The café attracted the rich, famous, and infamous from around the world. The amazing dishes, stylish decor, excellent service, and the quick-witted, charismatic personalities of Stoney and Jane gave the place a club-like quality, forging many friendships.
Our cuisine offers a harmonious blend of Southeast Asian flavors, featuring both traditional and innovative dishes. Delight in our Shrimp and Pork Dumplings and savor the vibrant freshness of our Vegetable Stir-Fried Noodles. Experience the rich, smoky flavors of Hot Smoked Duck served with pancakes, scallions, shredded cucumber, and a special duck sauce. Indulge in the authentic taste of Sumatran Beef Dendeng and enjoy the delicate Steamed Chilean Seabass with ginger, spring onion, and a light soy sauce. Our Shrimp Sambal brings a spicy, tangy kick, while Sautéed Baby Bok Choy and Mixed Brown and Red Rice provide a wholesome, nutritious balance to your meal.
After five wonderful years, they sold their business and moved to LA. After 15 years and running two restaurants, they left LA for the high desert of LA County. With no income but their talent, they landed a job feeding the cast and crew of a Hollywood TV show, gradually picking up more work. They bought a house on 2.5 desert acres, but then COVID and the writers' strike hit. With the help of many wonderful friends, they were able to rise again, and Laughing Yaya, a catering kitchen in Glendale, was born. This is the culmination of two lifetimes of experience, knowledge, and wisdom. These two yayas truly have something to laugh about.