Born and raised in Vietnam, Tue Nguyen, known by her social media handle @TwayDaBae, has achieved internet stardom with a following of over a million people on TikTok and Instagram. She leveraged her talent for creating delectable Vietnamese dishes to ascend from her humble beginnings as a prep cook to become a social media sensation.
In March 2020, she kickstarted her journey to fame by sharing simple Vietnamese recipes on TikTok. The first recipe that catapulted her to viral fame was a tutorial on making fried rice, which received 1.3 million likes. “My love for food allowed me to connect with people globally,” she stated, reflecting on her skyrocketing digital success.
However, even with her online fame, Nguyen dared to dream bigger. In July 2021, she hosted a two-day pop-up at Petite Taqueria, a pivotal experience that fueled her aspiration to reach out to people through her culinary creations.
H2: Birth of Di Di: A Culinary Reflection of Nguyen’s Heritage
Impressed by the pop-up’s success, John Terzian, co-founder of the H.Wood Group, proposed opening her restaurant, Di Di. For Nguyen, Di Di encapsulates her journey and experiences, marrying the skills she acquired at culinary school with the cherished Vietnamese cuisine of her childhood.
One of the standout dishes on the menu, the honey-glazed shrimp, was a creation for her final project at the Art Institutes Culinary Arts School. This dish’s praise helped her recognize her potential as a chef and instilled in her newfound confidence.
With its vibrant tropical theme, Di Di is Nguyen’s tribute to her Vietnamese roots. Every restaurant element bears her stamp, from the menu to the decor. Despite Los Angeles’s competitive culinary landscape, she aspires to secure a spot for herself by combining her professional training with the essence of her heritage.
According to Terzian, Nguyen’s journey and the trail she is blazing for other aspiring TikTok chefs is truly extraordinary. However, her ambitions extend beyond being a social media sensation. She wants to inspire young women and entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and launch their businesses.
In essence, the narrative of Tue Nguyen serves as an inspirational testament to the transformative power of social media and the pursuit of aspirations beyond the digital space.
