ABOUT US

Executive Chef/Owner

Raised in Seattle with roots in California and Vietnam, Helen Nguyen has always lived at the intersection of cultures—and flavors. As a first-generation Vietnamese American, she grew up cooking with her mother, learning the soulful dishes of her heritage while embracing the eclectic influences of American food culture. Though her path to professional kitchens was anything but linear, her passion never wavered. After years working in Seattle real estate, Helen made a bold leap to New York City to chase her culinary calling. She landed in the prestigious kitchen of Restaurant Daniel, where she spent three years with the Feast and Fêtes catering and private events team, mastering French technique while dreaming of how to tell her own story through food.

Though classically trained, Helen’s heart has always belonged to Vietnamese comfort food—the flavors that shaped her. She began blending the two thru sold-out pop-ups that quickly became sought-after celebrations of flavor, culture, and community. Those experiences built the foundation for her first restaurant, Saigon Social. After a year of preparation, she was set to open in March 2020—just as the pandemic hit. Undeterred, Helen pivoted overnight: launching takeout and delivery, cooking meals for frontline workers, and partnering with organizations like Heart of Dinner—with the mission to combat food insecurity and to protect and nourish our Elderly communities. She didn’t just cook—she delivered meals by hand, building connections that reflected her own experience growing up in low-income housing, connecting deeply with the people she served. For Helen, food has always been more than sustenance; it’s a lifeline, a memory, and a way to show care.

In March 2022, Helen opened Saigon Social for full dine-in service, where her modern take on Vietnamese comfort food quickly made it a beloved destination. That same year, she was named a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Chef: New York State—and in the very same week, earned a glowing two-star review from The New York Times, cementing her place as one of the city’s most exciting chefs. She is also a recurring guest judge on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and was featured as a Heritage Hero on Hulu and NBC.

In May 2024, Helen was honored on both coasts: inducted into her Seattle high school’s Hall of Fame and recognized by her alma mater, the Institute of Culinary Education New York City, as a Distinguished Alumni during the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.

In July 2025, Helen took her next leap, acquiring Van Đa by Helen—formerly Van Đa, a six-year-old restaurant started by a close friend. More than a rebrand, it’s a renewal: every recipe reimagined, new creations introduced, the space redesigned, and the dining experience reshaped to feel distinctly Van Đa by Helen. With this bold chapter, she both honors the restaurant’s legacy and makes it her own, cementing her place as one of New York’s most exciting and dynamic culinary voices..