Thuy’s Pho House
Come for the pho.
Stay for the good vibes.
By Jeff Fraga | Photos by Dinah Satterwhite
Born in Vietnam, Thuy Nguyen arrived in the U.S. as a 9-year-old refugee in 1975. Since then, she’s built a life rooted in gratitude, family and food. After visiting Bainbridge in 2000, she and her husband sold everything and moved to the island with their infant daughter. Twenty-four years later, she remains deeply connected to the community that supported her through both success and hardship, including the challenges of the pandemic.
A lifelong cook, Nguyen grew up helping in family restaurants and learning traditional food preparation long before “organic” and “farm-to-table” became trends. Though she never attended culinary school, her early experiences taught her the value of hard work and resourcefulness. Her restaurant, Thuy’s Pho House, is known for its fresh, MSG-free pho and authentic Vietnamese dishes, including bánh mì and noodle salad. Dim sum fans will be delighted to find that the restaurant serves dim sum on weekends. She emphasizes honesty in her cooking—using pure broths and transparent ingredients—and credits her loyal customers for keeping her business thriving.
Despite the long hours and the physical demands of running a restaurant, Nguyen finds joy in feeding people and nurturing community. Her five grown children, all of whom have helped in the business, now live across the country pursuing their own paths. Becoming a grandmother has deepened her desire to slow down and spend more time with family.
Nguyen attributes her optimism to her past: growing up poor during wartime taught her to be grateful for even the smallest blessings.
“Even when it’s bad, it’s not as bad as it could be,” she said. “I’m just grateful that I get to live here, raise my kids here and do what I love. When you have joy, love and compassion—that’s the real foundation of life.”
Thuy’s Pho House | 120 Madrone Lane | 206-842-1769
