About us
Building a Dream
Two Friends' Journey into Vietnamese Cuisine
As we all know, most Vietnamese restaurants are small family-owned businesses where everyone pitches in. Two friends, Jennifer and Donna, come from restaurant backgrounds and wanted to create their own unique ventures within the "family business" while nurturing their individual dreams. With their families expanding, they took a leap of faith and started their own restaurants.
In early 2018, we embarked on a quest to find a place for what we considered our "second home." After months of fruitless searching, we stumbled upon Marine Dr in East Vancouver, a budding community that we felt was an ideal match. We envisioned our journey of growth alongside this community, establishing District Noodle House. Regrettably, our dreams were abruptly put on hold by the harsh blow dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many businesses and projects, including the start of District Noodle House, were put on hold. For two years, we patiently waited, and the agony of waiting for the world to restart and regain some normalcy took a big toll on us. As if starting any new business wasn't hard enough, having COVID-19 affect the world and us was mentally challenging. The endless waiting, not knowing what would happen, made our dreams seem to fade away.
With some luck in 2021, the world started to reopen, and businesses were beginning to operate again. Finally, District Noodle House could continue! However, we found ourselves behind on everything – endless paperwork, a shortage of building materials waiting to be imported, and the lengthy process of obtaining clearance from the City of Vancouver.
Finally, three years later, we were able to open. However, with inflation and the economy taking a big hit, so did we.
Finally, three years later, we were able to open. However, with inflation and the economy taking a big hit, so did we.
We often perceive Vietnamese food as quick and affordable without recognizing the immense dedication and care that goes into every dish. Crafting a delicious beef broth, like the one in Pho, requires over 8 hours of meticulous simmering and constant attention to achieve that beloved golden perfection. And when it comes to spring rolls, each fresh vegetable is painstakingly hand-cut, ingredients are meticulously mixed, and every roll is made by hand, demanding significant effort and skill.
A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of our journey. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our wonderful community. Your presence means the world to us, and we're so appreciative of your support for small local businesses. We look forward to serving you at DNH! ❤
With Love,
Donna & Jennifer
With Love,
Donna & Jennifer
