Port Douglas hot spot to keep cultural and family heritage alive in every bite

In the heart of Port Douglas, a culinary gem tells the story of tradition, family, and a passion for food with one man behind it all. Hoc Nguyen, owner and head chef of Grant Street’s Viet Pho has been tantalising taste buds since 2015 and while his skills in the kitchen are to be accredited, the man puts his success down to a rich family history in the restaurant game.

Sitting down to eat at Viet Pho, you can almost taste the history. Each mouthful is an explosion of flavour that reveals a culinary understanding that cannot be taught - it’s ingrained from an early age.

Growing up in Vietnam, Mr Nguyen was surrounded in his family by not only wonderful cooks but also clever business owners, two skills that he aptly inherited along with another piece of the puzzle – precious secret family recipes. Recipes that Mr Nguyen still uses in his cooking today and what can be attributed to setting his style from the rest. “My mum and dad are the best cooks I know, I learnt everything from them,” he explained. “All the recipes I use in my kitchen are secrets that have been passed down through generations.”

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Feel like Vietnamese for dinner? Order now or book a table by calling Viet Pho on 0402 519 492 

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And those recipes are a hit. Viet Pho is arguably one of the most popular eateries in town and it’s not uncommon to see the small Grant Street shop a hive of activity, overflowing with diners at almost any time of day.

When asked what his favourite dish on the menu was, Hoc couldn’t choose. “I honestly don’t know,” he laughed. “I created the menu because it’s what I know and love and I love to cook it. Everything is good and I have my family to thank for that.”

Dedication and hard work have been engrained into Mr Nguyen’s spirit. A professional chef since 1999, the talented cook spent years in his home country juggling an intense job cooking at a 5-star hotel while also running his own restaurant, similar to Viet Pho. “My grandfather had a small business, then my dad and now me,” he stated proudly. “It’s the only way I’ve ever known and I loved having something of my own to work on.”

Mr Nguyen is continuing his family’s legacy with his wife and child both on board at Viet Pho helping in the day-to-day operations of the business. While the family are preparing for their annual closure over summer, you can rest assured that the same great flavours will return once again for years to come.

Feel like Vietnamese for dinner? Order now or book a table by calling Viet Pho on 0402 519 492