2020: The Year of Chef Yia Vang

The celebrations of the new decade may have come and gone, but we still have a reason to pop champagne and release the confetti.

The 2019 Chef of the Year Finalist is coming into 2020 extremely HOT by bringing the Twin Cities his take on Hmong cuisine. From Union Hmong Kitchen at Sociable Cider Werks to his newest restaurant concept, Vinai

Starting as a dishwasher and working his way up to a prominent cook at well-known Twin Cities’ staples such as Nighthawks, Borough, and Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon & Stable, Chef Yia Vang is giving a whole new meaning to the melting pot that is Minnesota.

You could say Chef Yia Vang was destined to represent the largest Hmong population in the country through food as his name “Yia” literally translates to “Iron Skillet”.

His inspired dishes derive from the very Thai refugee camp that Vang was born in, Ban Vinai.

From the Southeast Asian ingredients incorporated in each signature dish down to the cultural cooking techniques, Vinai will embody the passion and appreciation for the cuisine that this St. Paul based chef inherited from his parents.

The atmosphere of Vinai will center around communal dining and Hmong hospitality to give patrons a memorable experience that is authentic to the culture that Chef Yia Vang knows so well and loves.

The menu will feature large main courses such as whole-fish grilled snapper, tri-tip steak, and Hilltribe grilled chicken - spatchcocked with braised mustard greens and seasoned with Yia’s mom's homemade hot sauce recipe accompanied by other signature small plates and vegetables sides.

Though details of location have not yet been announced, Vang will be hosting a Kickstarter launch party Tuesday, February 4th from 5:30-7:30 PM and 8:00-9:30PM at Able Seedhouse Brewery followed by a Kickstarter campaign through the month of February to keep us on our toes.

Vinai updates and details on pop-ups can be found here.

If your mouth is currently watering, you can experience what Chef Yia Vang has to offer at Union Hmong Kitchen via his residency at Sociable Cider Werks.