Welcome to My Viet Kitchen, where authentic Vietnamese flavors meet home cooking simplicity. I’m Cuong, a Vietnamese home cook sharing the recipes and traditions my family passed down for generations. In addition, I love exploring delicious dishes from around the world.
My Story
I grew up in Vietnam, where food meant love, tradition, and connection. Some of my earliest memories involve watching my grandmother wake up at dawn to simmer a pot of phở. The fragrant steam of star anise and cinnamon filled our home. As a result, those long hours of patient cooking taught me something important. Vietnamese cuisine is about more than ingredients—it’s about time, care, and respect for tradition.
My culinary journey started on the bustling streets of Hanoi. There, I learned to appreciate the perfect bowl of bún chả. Later, I spent time in family kitchens where nobody wrote recipes down. Instead, we learned by watching, tasting, and practicing. Every Vietnamese dish tells a story of family gatherings, seasonal celebrations, and the simple joy of sharing a meal.
Why I Started This Vietnamese Food Blog
After moving to France, I found myself craving the flavors of home. More importantly, I wanted to preserve the authentic Vietnamese recipes I grew up with. My grandmother knew them by heart. My mother could make them with her eyes closed. However, I realized many traditional Vietnamese cooking methods risk being lost without proper documentation.
That’s why I created My Viet Kitchen. I wanted to bridge the gap between traditional Vietnamese cooking and modern home kitchens around the world. Whether you want to reconnect with your Vietnamese culinary heritage or you’re trying Vietnamese food for the first time, I’m here to guide you. I approach every recipe with the same patience my grandmother showed me.
My Vietnamese Cooking Philosophy
Vietnamese cooking might seem intimidating at first. However, I believe anyone can master it with the right guidance. Here’s my approach:
- Authenticity First: I share Vietnamese recipes exactly as my family made them for generations.
- Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions: Every recipe includes detailed guidance. As a result, you can achieve restaurant-quality Vietnamese food at home.
- Accessible Ingredients: I always advocate for authentic ingredients. However, I also provide substitutions so you can cook Vietnamese dishes wherever you live.
- Cultural Context: I don’t just share recipes. I also share the stories, traditions, and meaning behind each Vietnamese dish.
- Science-Informed Cooking: My research background helps me explain why traditional Vietnamese techniques work, not just how to follow them.
What You’ll Find on My Viet Kitchen
At My Viet Kitchen, you’ll discover a wide range of content:
- Traditional Vietnamese Recipes: Iconic dishes like phở bò, bánh mì, and bánh xèo, along with lesser-known regional specialties
- Vietnamese Noodle Soups & Street Food: Learn to master bún riêu, bún bò Huế, phở gà, and other beloved noodle dishes
- Cooking Techniques: Everything from making the perfect nước mắm dipping sauce to achieving the ideal rice noodle texture
- Vietnamese Ingredient Guides: Find out what Vietnamese ingredients are, where to buy them, and how to use them
- Family Stories & Food Culture: The personal histories and Vietnamese food traditions behind each dish
- World Recipes: A curated collection of international recipes—from Korean kimchi and Japanese ramen to Italian pasta—prepared through the eyes of a Vietnamese home cook
A Vietnamese Kitchen with a World View
Vietnamese food will always be the heart and soul of this blog. At the same time, living abroad has opened my eyes to incredible cuisines from around the world. That’s why you’ll also find a growing collection of international recipes here. These include dishes from Korea, Japan, China, Italy, and other culinary traditions I’ve come to love.
I approach every recipe the same way, whether it’s a bowl of phở or a plate of Korean kimchi jjigae. I cook with respect for tradition, clear instructions, and a genuine love for good food. Interestingly, many of these world cuisines share deep connections with Vietnamese cooking. For example, they use similar fermentation techniques, balance flavors in comparable ways, and emphasize fresh ingredients. Exploring these connections makes me a better cook. I hope it does the same for you.
Beyond the Kitchen
When I’m not developing recipes, I work as a researcher in France. As a result, I live at the crossroads of Vietnamese, French, and European food cultures every day. This experience gives me a unique perspective on how culinary traditions connect. It’s also one of the reasons I enjoy exploring international recipes alongside my Vietnamese roots.
On top of that, I’m passionate about the science of cooking. I love understanding why certain techniques work and how flavors develop. This analytical approach, combined with traditional knowledge, helps me explain not just how to cook Vietnamese food, but why we cook it that way.
My Promise to You
I test every recipe on My Viet Kitchen multiple times in my own kitchen. I never publish a Vietnamese recipe until I’m confident it works. When you follow my instructions, you’ll recreate authentic Vietnamese flavors that taste like they came straight from a Hanoi street vendor.
Furthermore, I’m committed to answering your questions. Vietnamese cooking has a learning curve, and I remember what it felt like to face unfamiliar techniques. So don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help you succeed.
Join the My Viet Kitchen Community
Cooking is always more rewarding when you share it with others. Here’s how you can join in:
- Try the recipes and share your results on social media using #MyVietKitchen
- Leave comments with your experiences, questions, or variations
- Subscribe to the newsletter for new Vietnamese recipes in your inbox every week
- Follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and X for daily food inspiration
Let’s Connect
I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out with recipe questions, cooking wins, or just to chat about Vietnamese food:
Thank You
Thank you for visiting My Viet Kitchen! Whether this is your first time cooking Vietnamese food or you’re looking for new authentic recipes, I’m honored to be part of your journey.
Let’s cook something delicious together.
Chúc ngon miệng! (Enjoy your meal!)
Bon appétit!
— Duy Cuong Dinh Founder, My Viet Kitchen
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