Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Dao.
Hi Jen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Jen Dao, a passionate foodie currently based in Orange County, CA. Growing up in a small town in Minnesota, I had limited exposure to people who shared my Vietnamese culture and heritage. However, my love for Vietnamese food was nurtured by my parent’s home cooking, which became my primary source of knowledge about my culture during my childhood and teen years. As I transitioned into adulthood, I felt a strong desire to explore my roots and deepen my understanding of Vietnamese cuisine.
At the age of 19, I made the bold decision to venture outside of Minnesota and moved to Seattle, where I resided for six years. Living in a diverse city like Seattle exposed me to a rich tapestry of cultures, further fueling my curiosity about my own heritage. However, I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to be closer to the heart of Vietnamese and Asian culture. So, at 25, I followed my dream and moved to Orange County, CA, where Vietnamese culture thrives.
Being immersed in this vibrant community allowed me to not only learn more about my own culture but also gave me the opportunity to blossom as a food content creator. It has been an incredible journey over the past three years, as I have been able to turn my passion into a full-time career. As a food content creator, I have the privilege of sharing my knowledge and cultural experiences through my culinary explorations, both within Vietnamese cuisine and the broader spectrum of global flavors.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be living a dream that I never thought was attainable. Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with people and share the joy and richness of food and culture. It is my hope that through my content, I can inspire others to embrace their heritage, explore different culinary traditions, and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My food adventure has been far from easy or straightforward. Growing up, my parents had specific aspirations for me, hoping I would pursue a career in business or the medical field. For years, I followed those paths, but I always felt a sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment. Making the decision to live life on my own terms was one of the most challenging choices I had to make.
I wanted more than just a career; I yearned for something that would ignite a fire within me, something that I couldn’t wait to wake up for and that would keep me up at night with excitement. Looking back, I realized that my true passion was always there, hidden in my childhood. Even as a young child, my favorite shows were Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef. Little did I know that those early influences would come full circle in my journey today.
Taking that first step toward pursuing my passion was daunting, especially considering my parents’ expectations. However, I knew that in order to live a fulfilling life, I had to follow my dreams. Despite my initial concerns, my parents have become my biggest supporters. They now actively participate in my food journey, providing advice and even making appearances in some of my videos when I visit home.
The initial hurdles were challenging, but they were undeniably worth it. Today, I share every moment of my food adventure with my parents, and I am grateful for their support and encouragement. It is a beautiful feeling to have their backing as I pursue my passion and follow my dreams. To anyone facing similar struggles, remember that the first steps may be the hardest, but they are absolutely worth it when you find fulfillment and joy in living your truth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a full-time food content creator based in the city of my dreams, Orange County, CA, I have the privilege of sharing my passion for cooking and Vietnamese culture with the world. Through my weekly videos, I strive to make traditional Vietnamese and Asian cuisine more accessible to the everyday home cook, drawing on my own experiences as one.
In addition to creating recipes, I also produce food adventure videos where I explore and showcase local restaurants in the LA/OC area. These videos allow me to not only share delicious food but also capture the stories and experiences behind these establishments, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the culinary landscape in our community.
One of my greatest sources of pride is being able to showcase the richness and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine beyond the common misconceptions of pho and eggrolls. I believe that Vietnamese food is a tapestry of flavors, techniques, and regional specialties that deserve to be celebrated and explored. Through my content, I aim to educate and inspire others to delve deeper into the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine.
What sets me apart is my unique perspective as a Vietnamese American. I have the opportunity to share a fusion of both cultures and showcase who I am through the lens of food. By embracing my Vietnamese heritage and blending it with my American upbringing, I offer a fresh take on Vietnamese recipes and provide a bridge between cultures.
It brings me great pride to represent Vietnamese Americans and highlight the beauty of our heritage. Through food, I am able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of understanding, appreciation, and unity. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my culinary journey, and I look forward to continuing to share my love for food, culture, and identity with the world.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is authenticity and staying true to myself in both my food journey and in life as a whole. It has been a transformative experience to fully embrace my culture and incorporate it not only into my culinary creations but also into every aspect of my life. This authenticity holds great significance for me, considering my upbringing in an environment where Asians were a minority, and I often felt like I didn’t fit in. I carried a sense of embarrassment about my identity, attempting to hide it because it didn’t conform to the societal norm I saw around me. I vividly remember being teased about my lunch boxes and enduring hurtful gestures mocking my eyes during my grade school years.
Now, as an adult, the ability to wholeheartedly embrace my heritage and who I truly am has been a groundbreaking and liberating experience. Living authentically, without fear or shame, has become my greatest accomplishment. I have discovered a sense of freedom and self-acceptance that empowers me to be unapologetically myself. Through my food journey, I celebrate my cultural heritage and share it proudly with others, breaking stereotypes and expanding people’s understanding of Vietnamese cuisine and culture.
This journey of self-discovery and embracing my true identity has been empowering and transformative. It has allowed me to find my voice, express my creativity, and connect with people on a deeper level. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live authentically, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to embrace their own truth and live with courage and authenticity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenhdao.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenhdao/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.h.dao/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOKfI8wxyCTNVbU733lq6BQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenhdao
