Tue Nguyen, a once-little-known prep cook who rose to fame on TikTok with her mouthwatering cooking videos, has shot to culinary stardom with the opening of her first restaurant, Di Di, in Los Angeles.
The 25-year-old chef’s viral success on social media platforms has taken him from virtual fame to owning a real-life restaurant, where he aims to celebrate his Vietnamese heritage and connect people through his delicious dishes.
Nguyen’s journey to success began during the pandemic, when she posted videos of herself cooking Vietnamese food on TikTok and Instagram, quickly amassing more than a million followers. Despite initial reservations about promoting her cooking online, the positive response from viewers encouraged her to continue and explore her passion for food.
“I didn’t really learn to cook until… I really looked back at what I grew up with. And that’s my mom’s cooking,” shared Nguyen, attributing her culinary inspiration to her Vietnamese upbringing.
With his online fame growing, Nguyen took a bold step to bring his virtual creations to the real world through pop-up restaurant locations. After impressing guests and industry insiders during a two-night pop-up at Petite Taqueria, she caught the attention of H.Wood Group co-founder John Terzian, who was “blown away by the pop-up.” That collision led to the birth of The Dee, a restaurant that combines Nguyen’s culinary school training with her mother’s culinary flavors.
“This is the culmination of all my experiences,” Nguyen said of his new restaurant venture, expressing confidence in his personal brand and style of cooking.
Di Di’s menu features Nguyen’s signature dishes, including his famous honey-glazed shrimp that first gained popularity as a culinary school project. Its dishes are a reflection of its heritage and passion, aiming to create a unique and unforgettable dining experience for its customers.
Terzian, recognizing Nguyen’s talent as a rising star in the culinary world, hopes his success will inspire other young chefs and entrepreneurs, saying, “I really see Teo and this concept as a rising star.”
Di Di, pronounced “dee dee,” translates to “let’s go” in Vietnamese, and the restaurant’s vibrant and inviting atmosphere is a celebration of the culture that shaped Nguyen’s culinary journey.
With Di Di now open to the public, Tue Nguyen has come full circle, turning her TikTok fame into a reality that is sure to leave a lasting mark on the Los Angeles gastronomic scene.
