Becoming ~ The Best Vietnamese Food in Singapore

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~ Growing Up ~

Emina Dinh is a proud Vietnamese woman born and raised in Phan Thiết, the capital of Bình Thuận Province, a stunning coastal city in southeastern Vietnam. Known for its renowned fish sauce industry and tranquil beaches, Phan Thiết has rapidly evolved into a modern international tourist destination since the mid-1990s.

As the fourth of many children, Emina grew up in a small village house where her family farmed rice and dragonfruit to survive. They would occasionally supplement their livelihood by hunting for beehives or raising livestock. To earn extra income, Emina’s mother ran a small food stall, which is where Emina’s passion for cooking and her love for Vietnamese food in Singapore truly began.

Starting at a young age, Emina worked tirelessly and eventually saved enough money to construct a proper brick house with an attached shop. Her passion for cooking continued to grow until her mother passed away shortly after the move.

~ Moving to Singapore ~

Years later, Emina moved to Singapore and began working as an independent seamstress, specializing in Malay baju kurung for women and their families. The demand for her sewing was exceptionally high during the lead-up to Ramadan, with orders coming in as early as four months before the festivities.

During the off-peak seasons when demand for her costumes waned, Emina began selling Vietnamese food from her home to supplement her income. Each week, she would take customer orders through Facebook, meticulously preparing them in her home kitchen. With her trusty trolley, Emina would then travel across every corner of Singapore by train, bus, and on foot to deliver her customers' orders.

Vietnamese customers, in particular, were drawn to her authentic home-style cooking. Regular customers soon bonded and formed a close-knit social group. Emina’s home became a gathering place where she would cook halāl Phở Bò and other Phan Thiết dishes, satisfying her friends’ cravings for authentic home-cooked Vietnamese food.

~ Covid-19 Pandemic ~

Emina launched her hawker stall, Emina's Mi, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic at the famous Old Airport Road Food Centre in 2021. The name, "Emina's Mi," was a nod to her culinary journey of creating Vietnamese noodle soup cuisine. Initially, the menu featured only four classic items: halāl Phở Bò (beef noodle soup), halāl Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup), Gỏi Cuốn (fresh spring rolls), and Cơm Tấm (broken rice).

Word quickly spread, and customers and tourists from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond began to flock to her tiny 2x2 meter stall. Due to the overwhelming popularity, Emina expanded her menu to include other popular Vietnamese dishes such as halāl Bánh Mì (baguettes), halāl Chả Giò (fried spring rolls), and halāl Bún Thịt Nướng (dry noodles).

As a purveyor of halāl Vietnamese food, Emina adapted her dishes to suit the local Singaporean palate, introducing a hot chili condiment called "Chef's Chilli" and enhancing the use of herbs and meat. Despite these adjustments, she remained true to the Phan Thiết culinary traditions taught to her by her mother.

~ Kampong Glam~

Bistro Eminami opened its doors on the eve of Ramadan in March 2023 in the historic Kampong Glam district on Kandahar Street to complement options with restaurants near Bugis. It is the first halāl Vietnamese restaurant in Singapore, owned by a Muslim.

Now with an expanded menu of over 20 items, including Vietnamese vegetarian options and a comfortable dining area, Emina hopes her customers can enjoy delicious food in a setting that encourages conversation about Vietnamese travel and culture.

~ Pasir Ris ~

Eminami Pasir Ris launched in November 2024 at Downtown East. This new location marks a step toward being closer to our customers in the east of Singapore. The menu features many of the same popular items from her main location, with new and exciting additions coming soon.

~ Next ~

Emina Dinh's journey from a humble, impoverished village to a modern city and becoming a successful restaurateur is a testament to her dedication. Her story, the Emina Dinh story, continues to unfold as she pursues her passion for creating the best Vietnamese food in Singapore and providing excellent service for everyone.

Stay tuned!