Aurora, Colorado, has long been celebrated for its vibrant and diverse culinary landscape, particularly its rich array of Vietnamese eateries. Adding a fresh and innovative twist to this scene is Dân Dã, a family-run restaurant that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Helmed by sisters An and Thao Nguyen, Dân Dã offers a dynamic dining experience that both honors their heritage and introduces contemporary flair to Vietnamese cuisine that’s a living tribute to resilience, heritage, and the deep-rooted love of cooking that binds their family.
A Legacy of Culinary Excellence
The Nguyen sisters are veterans of the restaurant industry. “I basically learned how to cook in the womb,” An laughed. Their parents were the original owners of Denver’s iconic New Saigon, a beloved establishment that set the standard for Vietnamese dining in the area. “All sisters worked with dad in the front of house, while mom and I worked the back until 2015,” An explained. Building upon the legacy, An has embarked on her own culinary journey with Dân Dã, located at 9945 East Colfax Avenue in Aurora. The restaurant’s name, translating to “rustic countryside,” reflects their commitment to delivering the comforting essence of Vietnamese home cooking in a contemporary setting.
The heart of this story belongs to Thao Nguyen, the eldest of five sisters, whose journey to America began in 1979 when she and her parents fled Vietnam as refugees. Their escape was nothing short of harrowing—crammed onto a fishing boat built for eight but packed with over 200 desperate souls, all seeking freedom. In the chaos of the journey, her mother was nearly lost at sea, knocked overboard by the shifting crowd. If not for the frantic hands that pulled her back, their family’s story might have ended there. Instead, it was only the beginning.
Each sister has found her own way to pay tribute to their parents’ legacy. While her sister Thao shares their family’s refugee story, An carries that tribute through food. Her greatest desire is to stay true to authentic Vietnamese flavors while adding her own voice, ensuring the next generation understands the richness of their heritage. “We have so much to be proud of from our past,” she said. “It’s important to honor our roots, sustain them, and also leave our mark for the future.”
Building a Foundation in Food
Upon arriving in the United States, the Nguyen family wasted no time building a new life. Food became their foundation, their way of connecting with a culture that was both foreign and full of opportunity. Thao and her younger sister, An, the now-owner and head chef of Dân Dã, spent their early years living inside the family’s beloved restaurant, New Saigon. “We would put a little mattress on top of the chest freezers in our kitchen to nap on after school”, An reflected.
A Denver staple, known for its sprawling menu, New Saigon showcased their parents’ homeland with each piece of food served which preserved their culture in the only way they knew how—through taste and tradition. The restaurant became a place where An perfected her craft while her sisters learned the rhythms of the front of house operations. An immersed herself in kitchen life studying the secrets of slow-simmered broths, and the unbreakable bond that forms over shared meals.
A Menu That Reflects Contemporary Vietnam
Dân Dã’s extensive menu boasts over 65 meticulously crafted dishes, each showcasing the depth and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine. From time-honored classics to inventive happy hour bar foods, there’s something to tantalize every palate.
- Sizzling Skillet Dishes: These hearty offerings, considered beer food, feature proteins like little neck clams stir fried with spicy tamarind and lemongrass sauce. I was grateful to try a custom rendition that was to die for.
- Pork & Shrimp Chilled Spring Roll: A visual and gastronomic delight, this impressive roll, is an ideal choice for communal dining, encouraging guests to explore a variety of textures and flavors with every bite. Available for Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Fire Pot Catfish Soup (Canh Chua Cá): This robust and aromatic soup combines tender slices of fish with a medley of fresh veggies, offering a harmonious balance of heat and zest. The catfish was so tender it fell apart in the savory stew and complemented well with fresh taro root.
- Pork Egg Rolls (Chả Giò Thịt): Crispy and savory, these traditional fried rolls are filled with seasoned pork and vegetables, making for a delightful appetizer or snack. Available for Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Coco Curry Dungeness Crab (Cua Xào Cari): This large plate was more than enough for one. Savory coconut and curry Dungeness crab. Available for Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Papaya Shrimp Salad: Sweet and spicy salad served with shrimp crackers to temper the heat that builds with each bite. Available for Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, celebrating the rich culinary traditions of Vietnam while incorporating modern elements to appeal to a broad audience. The drink menu features vibrant drinks such as the Artichoke Herbal Tea and Green Milk Tea, which pair beautifully with the flavorful dishes.
An Atmosphere of Warmth and Community
Dân Dã, is Chef An’s ode to her family’s journey—a refined yet deeply traditional take on the dishes that shaped her childhood and redefined the Denver dining scene. While it doesn’t have the expansive menu items of its predecessor, each dish is a carefully curated homage to her mother’s recipes, passed down and perfected over decades.
Walking into the restaurant, you can feel the warmth—not just from the kitchen, where steaming bowls of claypot fish and fragrant, herb-packed noodle dishes come to life, but from the sisters themselves. After talking with eldest sister Thao over a hydrating Artichoke Herbal Tea, I learned about how her role was to handle administration and beverage making at Dân Dã.
27-year-old Kha, the youngest of them all, is a force of energy at Dân Dã, effortlessly weaving through the dining room, taking orders, greeting guests, and cashing out diners. An, who often spoke to me from the kitchen through the pass from back of house to front of house while preparing dishes for me to try, told a story of gratitude that drove her to success as she helped her parents build their restaurant for 30 years.
The intimate dining space is adorned with many traditional Vietnamese artworks including a striking mural by local artist Chad Bolsinger, depicting a young Vietnamese girl amidst a communal dining scene. This artwork encapsulates the restaurant’s mission to emulate the warmth and togetherness of sharing meals in Vietnam’s rustic countryside and the five flowers on the right side of the painting represent each sister.
The open kitchen design allows guests to observe the culinary team in action, fostering a sense of connection between the chefs and diners. An often takes a hands-on approach, personally delivering dishes and engaging with patrons to ensure a memorable experience. With me, An checked in many times to get my feedback on dishes as if there was anything new she could learn at this point.
The Nguyen family’s collaborative spirit is seen throughout Dân Dã. During my visit, the food didn’t stop coming—dish after dish, each one a masterful balance of flavors and textures. I found myself laughing, crying, and eating with the sisters, completely immersed in the Nguyen family’s story of survival and resilience.
A Must-Visit Culinary Destination
Dân Dã isn’t just about the food—it’s about family. During my visit, I was honored to sit and learn about the legacy of Denver’s Nguyen family. Seeing the sisters work together, each playing a vital role in the restaurant’s success, was just as inspiring as the food itself.
Sitting at the bar with them, laughing, crying, and eating, I couldn’t help but be moved by the weight of their story—the sacrifices, the perseverance, and the unwavering love for their heritage.
Denver’s food scene has long embraced Vietnamese cuisine, but Dân Dã is something special. For those eager to delve deeper into Vietnamese cuisine beyond the familiar pho and banh mi, Dân Dã provides an exceptional gateway. Its innovative approach to traditional dishes, combined with a welcoming atmosphere and the Nguyen family’s rich culinary heritage, makes it a standout in Denver’s dining scene.
Come hungry. Leave inspired, with an incredible insight into Denver’s Vietnamese culture and community.
Dân Dã is located at 9945 E Colfax Ave., Aurora. Its hours are Monday closed and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday