You might think you know how to eat a vermicelli bowl, but let’s look at it through a chef’s eyes. 🥢✨
For Episode 5, I’m joined by a very special guest, @cadevaney at Lemongrass Café on 51st Ave. We’re diving into their signature spring rolls with veggies on the side, along with their deconstructed DIY salad rolls made with rice paper and the same ingredients found in the Five Colour Vermicelli Bowl (Bún Thịt Nướng).
When you have a guest who knows Edmonton as well as Carole Anne does, you have to bring your A-game.
How do you like your salad rolls? Do you enjoy rolling it yourself? Can you roll better than me? 😉
Check out the video to see the technique. 👇
Captured & Edited by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems | Ep. 05
#YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #LemongrassCafeYEG #GlobalNewsEdmonton YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants VietnameseCuisine VermicelliBowl YEGChef YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG HammerWoodMedia CaroleAnneDevaney
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort bowl in the city, you’ve found it. 🍜🔥
For Episode 4, we’re at noodleholic.
I’m diving into two of my absolute favorites: the Satay Noodle Soup with pork belly and brisket, and the Clay Pot Rice with Chinese sausage.
The Satay broth has an incredible depth—rich, nutty, and just the right amount of heat. Pairing that with the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and brisket is a game changer. But the real soul of this spot? The Clay Pot Rice. There is nothing like that perfect, crispy rice crust at the bottom of the pot mixed with the sweetness of the Chinese sausage.
It’s authentic, unpretentious, and consistently one of the best bowls in YEG.
Are you a noodle soup fan or a clay pot loyalist? Let me know your go-to order below. 👇
Captured & Edited by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems | Ep. 04
#YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #Noodleholic #YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants SatayNoodleSoup ClayPotRice YEGChef YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG HammerWoodMedia ChineseCuisineYEG
The magic usually happens behind closed doors, but for Episode 2.5, we’re heading Back of House. 🚪🔥
I’m taking you inside the kitchen at @castlebake to see the high-speed precision behind their famous Fatayer. There is a specific rhythm to this operation—from the mechanical stretch of the dough to the perfect timing of the rolling ovens. Watching a fresh batch of meat and spinach Fatayer come off the line is a masterclass in consistency.
Seeing the prep makes the first bite that much better. This is the foundation of a true hidden gem.
The full tasting and my review of Castle Bake drops this Wednesday. Keep an eye on the feed—you don’t want to miss the final result.
Captured & Crafted by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems: Mise en Place | Episode 2.5: Castle Bake Pita
#YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #CastleBake #YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants Fatayer MiseEnPlace BackOfHouse YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG HammerWoodMedia LebaneseFoodYEG
You can’t just order one thing here. 🥧🔥
For Episode 3, we’re at @castlebake to dive into a spread that defines the local food scene. We went all out—from the crunch of the Crispy Chicken Shawarma to the classic trio of Meat, Cheese, and Za’atar pitas.
The real standout? The Labneh Deluxe on Saj. There’s something about the way that Saj bread is stretched and fired that takes the creamy labneh to another level. It’s the perfect balance of texture and tradition.
Whether you’re in for a quick za’atar pita or sitting down for the full experience, this spot delivers that consistent, authentic flavor every time.
Which one are you grabbing first? Let me know in the comments. 👇
Captured & Edited by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems | Ep. 03
#YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #CastleBake #YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants Shawarma SajBread Zaatar YEGChef YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG HammerWoodMedia LebaneseFoodYEG
There’s a specific kind of warmth you only find in a Persian kitchen. 🇮🇷
For episode two of my series, I’m taking you to @taste.of.persia.yeg This spot is a staple for me when I want flavors that feel both refined and deeply nostalgic.
The Koobideh and Barg here are the absolute standouts. The Koobideh has that perfect fat-to-meat ratio that keeps it incredibly juicy, while the Barg is marinated to the point where the sirloin practically melts. It’s a masterclass in balance and fire-control.
Edmonton has so many of these family-run spots that deserve the spotlight. If you haven’t sat down for a tea and a kabob platter here yet, you’re missing out.
I’m still on the hunt for the city’s best-kept secrets. Which hidden gem should we hit for Episode 3? Let me know in the comments. 👇
Captured & Edited by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems | Ep. 02
#YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #TasteOfPersia #YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants PersianCuisine YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG HammerWoodMedia IranianFood YEGChef
You won’t find this spot on the main strip, but it’s exactly where I go when I’m craving for authentic Korean-Chinese comfort food. 🥢
For the start of my new series, we’re at Rae Mi Hyang. Their Jajangmyeon has that perfect, deep roasted bean flavor, and the Yu Rin Gi stays incredibly crisp even after it’s tossed in their signature spicy sweet soy. It’s a masterclass in the “niche” spots that make the Edmonton food scene so special.
I’m on the hunt for more under-the-radar kitchens. Where should I head next? Let me know your favorite hidden gem in the comments. 👇
Captured & Crafted by @hammerwoodmedia 🎥
Chef Vinh’s Hidden Gems | Ep. 01
. . . #YEGfood #EdmontonEats #ChefVinhHiddenGems #RaeMiHyang #YEGeats EdmontonRestaurants KoreanChineseFood YEGFoodie HiddenGemsYEG ExploreEdmonton SupportLocalYEG
Another night, same intention.
This one was for the investors and partners we work with day in and day out. People who’ve trusted us with real projects, asked the tough questions, and stayed locked in through the process.
It’s easy to focus on the builds themselves, but nights like this are a reminder that none of it happens without the people behind them. We’re genuinely grateful for the relationships we’ve built and the progress everyone’s making together.
Appreciate everyone who came out. More to come.
To the people we’ve been working with, building alongside, and watching grow over time. Seeing how far everyone’s come — in their projects, their confidence, their thinking — that’s the part that makes all of this worth it.
This was just the first one. A small way to pause, appreciate the people involved, and acknowledge the progress that’s been made. There’s another one coming right after, same idea, same intention.
Grateful for the people we get to work with. Excited for what’s ahead.
A standout evening at the BTL Dental Dinner Experience & TMJ Literature Review — surrounded by clinicians shaping the future of integrative dentistry.
Thank you @ab.sk.btl.canada@smittaay11 for including me 💫 Proud to represent forward-thinking dentistry in Edmonton and continue raising the bar in our profession.
So good finally meeting @the.sam.patel@owner.dentist and many other respected voices in dentistry and medicine.
Finished with a private Omakase by Chef Vinh Tran & Chef Isaac… unforgettable. Sushi will never taste the same 🍣🔥
Honoured to grow, connect, and contribute as an Edmonton dentist.
#yegdentist #edmontondentist #edmonton #dentist #cosmeticdentistry #invisalign #veneers #bestsushi #omakase
Sushi & Showhomes: Episode 3 🎃
Join @chef_vinhtran and @chris_with_kanvi for a halloween special as they SLICE 🔪 up a spooky-good dish
#Halloween2025 #YEGhomes #CustomHomeBuilder #Onyx
