Some of Andrew Dang’s fondest memories involve family get-togethers at his parents’ house in northeast Portland, where he and his nine siblings would gather once per week to catch up on each other’s busy lives, and, just as importantly, eat a delicious home-cooked meal, usually pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup.
Food and family is the heart of the Danglicious Vietnamese Kitchen, which Dang and his wife Thoai Nguyen opened in downtown Washougal on Aug. 17.
“This is the food that we eat at home,” Dang said, nodding to a bowl of spicy beef stew during a lunchtime conversation on Aug. 29. “We feel that food is the connection among us as a family, and we want to be able to pass that on to customers, to be able to have them enjoy nice food and talk about their lives. You come here, you order, sit down, relax, and enjoy the food and the conversation.”
“I don’t even mind if they bring a book in here and read,” Nguyen added. “I know that we have a very limited space, but at the same time, I enjoy it when I see people taking their time, slowing down, and enjoying their lives, rather than hurrying all the time.”
The restaurant, located at 1887 Main Street, serves a variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes, including chicken noodle soup, pho, vermicelli noodles, banh mi sandwiches, and more.