Today we’d like to introduce you to My-van Truong & Kelly Nguyen
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Like so many others, we share an undeniable love for food. Houston, known for its vibrant and diverse food culture, boasts an incredible Vietnamese culinary scene that has always been close to our hearts. Growing up, we were lucky to be surrounded by authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and amazing local restaurants that shaped our taste and appreciation for great food.
We’ve always been inspired to start a business that supports quality time with friends and family. As we enjoy eating a banh mi sandwich, it’s hard to commit to an entire sandwich when at a party, especially a potluck. The simple issue sparked a vision to have traditional flavors of banh mi with a fun, shareable concept of charcuterie boards.
As best friends with a shared love for good food and creativity, we set out to create something unique. Our charcuterie boards offer the ability to create perfect Banh Mi bites—packed with all the bold, vibrant flavors you’d expect but designed to be easily enjoyed in a shareable, bite-sized format. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience that brings people together, whether at a party, a family dinner, or a casual get-together.
We’re passionate about introducing this fresh, modern take on a Vietnamese classic to Houston. It’s our way of honoring the rich culinary traditions we grew up with while offering a new way for everyone to enjoy them. Delicious, convenient, and perfect for any occasion—our boards bring a little piece of Vietnam to every gathering.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business for the first time comes with a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to navigating the client space while establishing our own unique identity. We’ve embraced the challenges and imperfections of our journey because they highlight how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come. This experience hasn’t just tested our friendship—it’s strengthened it. Working through disagreements and the inevitable pressures of launching a business has made us closer as friends and more effective as business partners.
Balancing this venture alongside our main jobs was also initially a major challenge, but over time, we’ve learned to manage our workload and establish healthy boundaries. These lessons have allowed us to prioritize our customers, ensuring they always receive the best food and service possible.
Despite the hurdles, this journey has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve had so much fun working together, meeting amazing new people, learning how to operate a self starting business, and constantly finding ways to improve. Every step of this process has been a valuable experience, and we’ve cherished it all. We are beyond excited to continue growing, evolving, and seeing where this adventure takes us next.
How do you think about luck?
We feel incredibly fortunate and blessed by the support we’ve received from our family, friends, and community throughout this journey. From the moment we soft-launched our business, the outpour of love and encouragement has been beyond anything we could have imagined. So many people reached out—not just to place orders, but to share kind words, offer advice, and provide valuable feedback that has helped us refine and improve every step of the way.
We thank friends who spread the word, family who stayed up late to help us prep, and customers who have ordered (and even came back for seconds)—all of these gestures have meant the world to us. For us to say that it was luck would be an understatement of how thankful and appreciative we are to everyone. We are so thankful for the love and support that has lifted us during the challenges and celebrated with us during the wins.
Pricing:
- “Whittle” Board – $27 (Serves 1-2)
- “Just Right” Board – $45 (Serves 3-6)
- “Issa Party” Board – $75 (Serves 1-10)
- Customized Orders Available – Message for more details
Contact Info:
- Website: https://banhmibarhtx.com/order
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banhmibar.htx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Banh-Mi-Bar/61565886202587/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@banhmibar
Image Credits
N/A
