Episode 182: Dennis Ngo (Di An Di, Brooklyn)

Chef Dennis Ngo grew up the American-born son of Vietnamese refugees in Houston, Texas, and spent almost a decade in the corporate world, before following a fondness for hospitality into the professional kitchen. After a brief stint as a dishwasher and line cook, he took the opportunity to become chef of a downtown Manhattan restaurant. Following a rocky start, he grew into the role, eventually moving on to other opportunities and then, about five years ago, opening Di An Di in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Dennis really opens up in his conversation with Andrew, taking on such subjects as family resistance to his switching to kitchen life, a rewarding but in some respects painful relationship with a surprising mentor, and what he sees as Di An Di's mission.From October 29 - November 5, 2021, Dennis and Di An Di are participating in S.Pellegrino's* Destination Dining program, "exchanging" two dishes with LA's Night + Market.Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.* S.Pellegrino is Andrew Talks to Chefs' promotional partner. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!