Unique new restaurant opens in Mackay CBD

First venture into business ownership turns up the heat for mother-daughter duo

WE'RE OPEN: Flavours of Vietnam owners Mina Dang and Kim Le have opened their new restaurant. Picture: Nick Wright

INSPIRED by a long family history in capturing the flavours of her culture, Mina Dang is making her mark on the culinary scene.

Her first venture into restaurant ownership has created Flavours of Vietnam, bringing together a blend of family recipes and new experiments.

She is joined by her mum, Kim Le - who has 40 years of chef experience at her disposal - and her partner Peter Peawkumdee will soon join them in running the business which has opened in Victoria Street, in the former Whitsunday Hotel building.

It has been a tireless endeavour since opening on February 21, with every meal home-made with fresh ingredients by the passionate mother-daughter duo. Its early days have presented positive feedback however this has only fuelled Ms Dang to work even more diligently.

"When we get a lot of good feedback, it's more pressure for me because I want to keep it going up,” she said.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, I want this to go even better ... we roll better (with the pressure), but this is all new to us.”

Speciality dishes include their rice paper rolls and Bo Kho - Ms Li's take on a traditional beef stew.

Ms Dang said she and Ms Le bounce off each other well, bringing individual skills and cuisines to the table.

"We cook with love and care, and I think that's all you need,” she said.

"If you eat good food you're happy. I can stand in front of you and proudly say my food is good, and I put energy into my food,” she said.

"We home make every single thing, that's why we're so flat out in the kitchen.

"The Vietnamese culture is very different to a lot of other cultures.”

Originally published as Unique new restaurant opens in Mackay CBD