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Date: 9/15/2021
SPRINGFIELD – Located on 409 Dickinson St., Vinh Chau offers customers a taste of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
Owner Ly said he’s worked in the restaurant industry throughout his life, but undertaking Vinh Chau has been personal endeavor. His father-in law originally operated the space previously, with Ly deciding to re-open the space under the same name. Along with the change of ownership of, Ly brings an infusion of modern ideas to the restaurant.
One of the central inclusions is Boba Tea. The Taiwan-inspired drink mixes fruity or decadent ingredients with the inclusion of flavorful tapioca bubbles. “Boba is the new thing blowing up, and we’re one of the only one’s making it around here,” said Ly. Since re-opening on Aug. 25, Ly shared that the Boba Tea has been a steady draw for customers. The store sold a few weeks’ worth of ingredients in the matter of their first two days of operation, according to Ly.
Ly explained that he also oversaw a modernization of the restaurant space, turning the building into a sleek location for customers to eat and unwind. While the look has changed, Ly maintains that the restaurant will continue Vinh Chau’s brand of time-honored Vietnamese staples. “All the items are traditional to Vietnamese culture,” said Ly.
Every dish is prepared with attention to detail, with Ly stating that the restaurant ensures every dish meets the same standard. “We use fresh greens and ingredients; everything comes out fresh with nothing being pre-made. Staying close to tradition, you can’t cut corners,” said Ly. The menu includes a variety of soup dishes, rice dishes, noodle dishes, along with common staples like shrimp tempura and fried spring rolls.
A key ingredient in Vinh Chau’s approach is staying connected with the local community, according to Ly. He explained that customer feedback has been an essential part of defining the restaurant’s specials, with the restaurant recently including a Vietnamese porridge dish called Chao Long.
With Vinh Chau’s communal approach, Ly shared his optimism about the restaurant’s future. “We’re always listening and here to provide a better service, if your food is good people will come,” said Ly.
Vinh Chau is open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Readers can learn more about their cuisine by visiting their Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/vinhchau413/.