EP 27: A Conversation with Yia Vang of Vinai

Yia Vang is the executive chef and owner of Vinai in Minneapolis, where he honors the past, present, and future of Hmong cooking. Born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in Wisconsin, his culinary perspective is deeply rooted in family, culture, and the power of food to bring people together. He began his career as a dishwasher before launching Union Hmong Kitchen, earning James Beard recognition and becoming a defining voice in the Minneapolis dining scene. In 2024, he opened Vinai, a deeply personal tribute to his parents and a celebrated expression of Hmong cuisine.In this episode, Yia joins Steve for a conversation about what pushed him to take cooking seriously after finding his love for the kitchen at a young age, the impact his family’s time in a Thai refugee camp has on his motivation for success, and introducing Americans to Hmong food.Thank you to Stolon Food Lab for allowing us to use the space to film this episode.