Nguyễn Thị Thuỳ Minh "Minnie": Di An Di
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
We were predestined to dine at Di An Di. Throughout the 2010's (whatever we are calling those), you could find us glued to a bar stool at former Lower East Side Viet eatery-slash-bar-slash-hang out spot. Despite living in Brooklyn, we'd never hesitate to hop a train or city bike if it meant meeting up there. When the An Choi family opened Di An Di in Greenpoint in 2018, we jumped for JOY. We had grown up and (kind of) matured, and so had one of our favorite restaurants: Di An Di maintains the sense of community, fun, and delicious food, but feels sleeker and more modern. Read on below as we chat with "Minnie" Minh, a jack of all trades on the restaurant floor, and a truly integral part of the family.
Full name, age, where are you from?
My full name is Nguyễn Thị Thuỳ Minh but I go by Mimi or Minnie. I’m 22, born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam.
What was growing up like for you and did you have family meals growing up?
Growing up was fun. My mom has always been an amazing cook; the best i’ve ever known. I was very blessed with fantastic family meals growing up, prepared by my mom. She’s really a cool mom (haha) so her meals were always very cool. Traditional, authentic, always with a proud “secret ingredient” or “great method” that she’d make us guess.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
Pho Hoà Pasteur, a local pho shop near my childhood home.
Was there a definitive moment or person that drew you to the restaurant industry?
My parents used to own a small coffee shop/restaurant in Nha Trang back in the days, and I also had a funny obsession with hotels when I was five, so hospitality has always been around. I kinda wanted to pursue hospitality professionally, i.e. going to school for it, but I guess I never did. But hey, I got my first restaurant job at Ăn Chơi and fell in love with making people happy by bring them good food, good beverages, and some ~personality~ as well, hehe.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what would it be?
When first starting if you’re looking to learn 3 new things everyday, you’re probably going to learn 5 so take good notes! Or having a good memory works too!
What do you think working in this industry during this time has taught you?
To be even more patient with myself, with other people, and with everything tbh.
What's your favorite dish/drink on the menu?
Dish: bánh tráng trộn; honorable mention: cuốn diếp.
Drink: lá chanh daiquiri ;)
What is your number one place to go out and eat, what are you ordering?
Eim Khao Mun Kai in Elmhurst.
My order: steamed chicken on ginger rice w/ chicken liver + gizzard, comes with daikon scallion soup and 2 (!!!) house sauces, along with an order of Thai iced green tea and a side of sunny side egg if I’m feeling fancy. Thank me later!
Word Association:
Caffeine | bạc xỉu!
Munchies | chips & dips
Shots | gin
Condiment | Cholimex #iykyk
First Date | shared appetizers!
Home | home-cooked meals
Vice | SPAM
Future | aliens
