Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet
Westminster, Calif.– Vietnamese singer Tien Dung just made a lot of men look really bad. For his wife, singer Tam Doan’s birthday, he didn’t just take her to a restaurant… he bought her one. In the exact place she casually mentioned a year ago that she dreamed of having one.
Singer Tam Doan (center) poses with her husband Tien Dung (3rd from left)
and friends at her new restaurant in Lake Forest. (Photo courtesy Tam Doan/Facebook)
“I found this playground in Lake Forest that was a bit far away for us, and it was across from this plaza that I kept eyeing,” she said. “It was huge, new, and Americanized and I said I dreamed of having a restaurant there.”
Apparently, he remembered and started making plans. And just in time for her birthday on May 5, things came together. He kept it a secret from his wife and told her to get ready to go with him to a grand opening of a restaurant in Lakewood. Doan said she had no idea and was so surprised, she didn’t even recognize all the patrons were dear friends and family.
Chopsticks Pho Restaurant is located in Lake Forest,
Calif. (Photo courtesy Tam Doan/Facebook)
“I was shocked,” said Doan, adding, “He sure knows how to keep a secret!”
For Dung’s part, he said he’s been working on it for a long time and was relieved things came together. The restaurant, Chopsticks Pho Resaurant is located at 24602 Raymond Way # H, in Lake Forest, Calif. Although the menu consists mostly of pho, Doan says she will be adding some of her signature dishes that include hu tieu, a chicken and pork based broth noodle soup and bo luc lac, or Vietnamese shaking beef. A grand opening is in the works and Doan is excited to show the world her prowess in the kitchen.
“Best birthday gift ever,” said Doan. “Ever!”
