Magnolia Pho brings taste of Vietnam to Mt. Baker neighborhood

Comfort food is exactly what it sounds like: Food that brings comfort. Duyen Nguyn, owner of Magnolia Pho in Mt. Baker, says her comfort food is pho.

"For me, when I'm sick or when I go to school, I like to eat pho," she explains. "You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's very easy to eat."

It's not just any type of pho that brings her comfort though. Nguyn says each province in Vietnam has a different taste of pho. In her hometown, a small town near Ho Chi Minh City, the pho has a balance of herb and beef flavors. Those are the flavors Nguyn wants to share through her restaurant.

"I want to bring the taste of Vietnam, especially my town in Vietnam, to the people in Mt. Baker to try it, to experience it," she said.

Opening Magnolia Pho in January wasn't just an accomplishment for Nguyn - it was achieving her dream. She's worked in the food industry for six years. She didn't study cooking, she learned as she worked as a server and cook.

With some help from our office and our partners at the Mt. Baker Hub Alliance, Nguyn isn't having to learn everything as she takes on owning her first restaurant. Funding from our Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund and the Only In Seattle Initiative is helping Nguyn redo the entire façade of her restaurant, with work expected to be complete this fall.

"It's going to be nice to have the building all the same color and uniform," she said. "[The help] is very nice."

Nguyn also participated in Plate of Nations this spring, also sponsored by our office. The event is designed to promote more than 50 independently owned restaurants in the Rainier Valley. Nguyn says the event was a big help for her growing business.

"It helped me introduce new customers to my restaurant. Some have come back after the event," she said. "If they didn't have that promotion, they're not going to know my restaurant."

Having achieved her goal of opening her own restaurant, Nguyn now has goals around making her restaurant part of the Mt. Baker community.

"A lot of neighbors, they come here and support me. From the soft opening to sometimes just coming to say hi and grab some coffee and a sandwich, that's helped me a lot," she said.

Nguyn is still learning as she goes, taking on the challenges of restaurant owner. She says every week brings a new problem to solve - from making sure every order is fulfilled while facing a staffing shortage to learning the trash schedule. Tackling the challenges as they arise, that's what Nguyn enjoys. Especially when she has a community behind her, supporting her.

"My goal now is to stay with this restaurant. I just want to keep it," she said. "Because if I don't, I let down all of my neighbors."

The Only in Seattle Initiativeprovides grant funding and staff support to foster inclusive neighborhood business districts that allow small businesses to thrive. This initiative helps business districts tackle tough issues, attract new investments, and care for their communities. Learn more about Seattle's Business Districts.

The SeattleOffice of Economic Development's purpose is to shape the Future of Seattle Economy and make it more equitable, prosperous, and competitive. We do this work by leading projects and making investments that open up access to economic opportunities, reduce the racial wealth gap, and encourage innovation and growth. A pillar of the Future of Seattle Economy framework is Investing in Neighborhood Business Districts through programs like the Only in Seattle Initiative and the Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund. Our work supports the people and businesses that make each Seattle neighborhood vibrant and unique.