What began as a business born from the pandemic has become a popular restaurant in Little Saigon, Westminster, bringing together a generation of Vietnamese Americans.
Jimmy Le, 39, opened Mama Hui in a busy strip mall last year as he decided to share his favourite childhood dish, Cánh G Chiên Bơ Tỏi or Vietnamese butter garlic chicken with the community.
However, the chicken in his restaurant is more than traditional Vietnamese butter garlic chicken, as it has a unique twist inspired by his mother’s recipe.
“Until this day, I still love it,” Le said of his mother’s chicken.
The inspiration behind Mama Hieu’s chicken is also part of the restaurant’s daily business as Le’s mother works with him and his siblings every day.
“I’ve always dreamed of something like this,” Le said. It reminded me of the first day he was greeted by a line of customers that had grown several stores. “Many times, customers come in and say, ‘Can I take a photo with Mama Hui?’ ”
Before the store opened, Mama Huiu’s butter garlic chicken was already a sense of social media that had gained loyal support.
When Le and his mom lost their jobs at Covid Pandemic, they began selling Mama Hui’s meals from the backyard of their garden glove home.
“I always sold it to my neighbors. They said, ‘Man, you’re a chicken dealer in the neighborhood,'” Le explained. “Ever since then I have loved the quote.
Le said his restaurant is more than a business success story. It was a homage to his culture and his mother, and he raised four children himself after fleeing Vietnam after Saigon’s collapse.
“What gives me joy is being with my family, helping my mother, helping my siblings and seeing them succeed,” Le explained as two of his siblings helping out at the restaurant.
Even Le doesn’t know any details when it comes to the famous chicken recipe.
“She doesn’t even show me,” he said. “I try to find it, but she seems like ‘Walking away. You can’t see it.’ ”
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