“It was always a dream. But honestly, I never thought it would come true so quickly,” the 25-year-old chef said during an interview with AFP at her brand-new restaurant, Di Di (which means “Let’s go!” in Vietnamese), located in busy West Hollywood.
The chef herself began her culinary career in cooking school, but she soon realized that her true talents lay in the roots of her Vietnamese culture and her mother’s traditional cooking. Her mother and her stepfather became major culinary influences on her, teaching her the importance of cooking with passion and trusting her own palate.
Although she initially cooked for fun, the pandemic changed the course of her career. As she shared cooking videos on social media, she noticed the growing demand for her recipes and decided to take the opportunity to develop her style and find her identity in the kitchen.
Unlike other chefs who first rise to fame in restaurants and then become media figures, Nguyen followed a reverse path. She began by taking her creations to temporary events in different cities in the United States before opening Di Di in its current location.
With an impressive social media presence and millions of followers and likes on her videos, Nguyen believes that her online exposure does not affect her performance at the restaurant. Although the recipes on the restaurant’s menu are more elaborate and polished, her style still reflects the mix of techniques learned in cooking school and her mother’s culinary heritage.
Di Di, which opened its doors on July 20, offers a cozy atmosphere decorated with tropical prints, large armchairs, and elegant golden lamps. The menu includes mouthwatering dishes like roast beef carpaccio, ceviche, honey-glazed shrimp, and fried rice, which have become especially popular with her online followers.
With a passion rooted in the heart of history, Nguyen aspires to stand out in the competitive Los Angeles food scene. Her restaurant not only celebrates the culture that raised her but is also an expression of her personal pride in her roots. With dedication and authenticity, this young chef seeks to make Di Di a unique and memorable culinary space.