Authentic? Absolutely! How can it not be? The chef is authentically Hmong, his experiences are Hmong, and thus his food is ? Hmong! Traditional? Not completely. I love it for what it is…an evolution of the Hmong food diaspora here in America! While visiting my beautiful niece and her little family, I had a strong hankering to eat Hmong food. She suggested this brilliant establishment. The wait was short and the portions abundant. While eating I was transported back to mom/dad’s kitchen, and the after school meals they would prepare for us! The sausage is excellent and had all the flavors of Hmong new year. Lemongrass, fat, herbs, salt…and crunch! The pork was perfectly cooked and we loved dipping it in hot sauce along with the sticky rice. I highly recommend this authentic Hmong dining experience and can not wait to dine at Vinai next time I visit. I just wish Seattle had something similar. Thank you Chef Yia for moving our food into the future while preserving our past! Cheers!
Food: 5
Megan M.
I tried Union Hmong Kitchen's tofu egg noodle soup and oh my gosh it rocked my world. It was so so so delicious and filling. It is absolutely worth every penny. The flavor is delicious and all the veggies tasted so fresh and crisp. I devoured the entire bowl. I definitely plan to go back and get more of their food.
Rebecca Seppanen
I loved the noodles and cozy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mustafa O.
The only Hmong restaurant on Lake St was disappointing. Proof that marketing doesn't work if the food is terrible. I wanted to try pho for the first time but the pho here is terrible. I'm not mad at the chef, I think he gave all he got to promote this establishment but it is what it is. Not coming back, sorry.
e n
no vegan options.
Joe D.
A warm bowl of khao poon on an icy Minneapolis January night really hits the spot. Highly recommended.
Eva D.
Hmmmm, was so excited. Sadly, it's lacking flavor to the point that it's pretty much tasteless. This is part of the Graze Food Hall where you have several options to choose from. 70's and 80's music is blaring at a decibel higher than I prefer. Service was fast, less than five minutes. Maybe why the tofu and noodles were tasteless. Overall, I'd skip. There are better, more compelling options.
Stephen P
We had been interested in checking out this place after enjoying Yia Vang’s “Relish” series of short videos about chef’s from various ethnic origins. We visited their West Lake St. Location. It is a counter service restaurant. It is a “bowl” concept where you choose a protein and then an array of side dishes. There are vegan choices. There are an array of beer, hard ciders and other beverages. I had undoubtedly the best fried tofu I have ever tasted. It was beautifully crispy and caramelized. It was served with a cold rice noodle salad, pickled vegetables and purple glutinous rice. Two platters and drinks came to $68, but the quality was up to the price. We will come again.
Got to try Union Hmong Kitchen by Yia Vang last night. Went with a couple of friends. Yia was there and I got to chat with him. I told him that I knew it had taken a long time for him to find a brick & mortar location, and that I was happy for him. He responded to our table by giving us an order of his Taro Chips. tasty toppings. I got the chicken and some more chips, Doll got the Tofu and Brussel Sprouts. Our friends got the same. The chicken was perfect, crispy skin and moist dark meat of the leg and thigh flavored with ginger and lemon grass. The tofu was marinated in sweet chili with thai basil. Doll loved it. Many interesting flavors for me, they will bring me bring me back! And Yia was so nice!
Brad M.
Very tasty food in a nice food hall setting. I ordered the pork belly with crispy brussel sprouts and a side of Hmong sausage. The meat was cooked nicely, but largely unseasoned, so try not to eat by itself. They both came with sauces packed with flavor that were super-delicious. The meat eaten with the provided pickles and sauces was wonderful. Brussel sprouts were nice and crispy and seasoned well.
Bob O.
Pork bellly was dry and flavorless. Brussel sprouts on the other hand had flavor but we're really greasy. Server came out and asked what we thought about the food and we told him but he chose not to address our comments. Seriously over priced at $22 for the quantity of food and the quality delivered.
KaSen L.
Union Hmong Kitchen in Uptown... Food was packed with flavors, the staff were very kind and attentive. However, it took a long time for the food to come out. I don't think it would be efficient for a high foot traffic day. We did go on a Saturday afternoon and beat the dinner rush (even then, food took awhile to come out). Good for a one time experience for us but it was not worth the price. Half rack of ribs (5piece) were $32 and an average bow of khao poon was $19. If you like spice filled broth on the thicker gravy consistency, you will probably like this recipe. I am more of a "coconutty" and diluted broth gal, I didn't finish my bowl.
Amanda S.
Have been wanting to check out the renowned Union Hmong for literal years and a friend coming to visit was the perfect opportunity. We headed to Graze for some drinks and food and I went down to the window to order (you can't scan and order from your table which would be really convenient). Got the sausage with Brussels sprouts. It was incredible! Comes with some purple stick rice and a side of spicy chili oil. The flavors are great and meld really nicely together. It is a little spicy for the heat averse. It's also a LARGE serving and I think would easily feed two. Will definitely order again!
Great place to hang out and have great spicy ?️. food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Noodles
The best of the best! So good. So great. Favorite place in town. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sticky Rice, Noodles, Hangover Noodles
Authentic? Absolutely! How can it not be? The chef is authentically Hmong, his experiences are Hmong, and thus his food is ? Hmong! Traditional? Not completely. I love it for what it is…an evolution of the Hmong food diaspora here in America! While visiting my beautiful niece and her little family, I had a strong hankering to eat Hmong food. She suggested this brilliant establishment. The wait was short and the portions abundant. While eating I was transported back to mom/dad’s kitchen, and the after school meals they would prepare for us! The sausage is excellent and had all the flavors of Hmong new year. Lemongrass, fat, herbs, salt…and crunch! The pork was perfectly cooked and we loved dipping it in hot sauce along with the sticky rice. I highly recommend this authentic Hmong dining experience and can not wait to dine at Vinai next time I visit. I just wish Seattle had something similar. Thank you Chef Yia for moving our food into the future while preserving our past! Cheers!
Food: 5
I tried Union Hmong Kitchen's tofu egg noodle soup and oh my gosh it rocked my world. It was so so so delicious and filling. It is absolutely worth every penny. The flavor is delicious and all the veggies tasted so fresh and crisp. I devoured the entire bowl. I definitely plan to go back and get more of their food.
I loved the noodles and cozy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The only Hmong restaurant on Lake St was disappointing. Proof that marketing doesn't work if the food is terrible. I wanted to try pho for the first time but the pho here is terrible. I'm not mad at the chef, I think he gave all he got to promote this establishment but it is what it is. Not coming back, sorry.
no vegan options.
A warm bowl of khao poon on an icy Minneapolis January night really hits the spot. Highly recommended.
Hmmmm, was so excited. Sadly, it's lacking flavor to the point that it's pretty much tasteless. This is part of the Graze Food Hall where you have several options to choose from. 70's and 80's music is blaring at a decibel higher than I prefer. Service was fast, less than five minutes. Maybe why the tofu and noodles were tasteless. Overall, I'd skip. There are better, more compelling options.
We had been interested in checking out this place after enjoying Yia Vang’s “Relish” series of short videos about chef’s from various ethnic origins. We visited their West Lake St. Location. It is a counter service restaurant. It is a “bowl” concept where you choose a protein and then an array of side dishes. There are vegan choices. There are an array of beer, hard ciders and other beverages. I had undoubtedly the best fried tofu I have ever tasted. It was beautifully crispy and caramelized. It was served with a cold rice noodle salad, pickled vegetables and purple glutinous rice. Two platters and drinks came to $68, but the quality was up to the price. We will come again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Got to try Union Hmong Kitchen by Yia Vang last night. Went with a couple of friends. Yia was there and I got to chat with him. I told him that I knew it had taken a long time for him to find a brick & mortar location, and that I was happy for him. He responded to our table by giving us an order of his Taro Chips. tasty toppings. I got the chicken and some more chips, Doll got the Tofu and Brussel Sprouts. Our friends got the same. The chicken was perfect, crispy skin and moist dark meat of the leg and thigh flavored with ginger and lemon grass. The tofu was marinated in sweet chili with thai basil. Doll loved it. Many interesting flavors for me, they will bring me bring me back! And Yia was so nice!
Very tasty food in a nice food hall setting. I ordered the pork belly with crispy brussel sprouts and a side of Hmong sausage. The meat was cooked nicely, but largely unseasoned, so try not to eat by itself. They both came with sauces packed with flavor that were super-delicious. The meat eaten with the provided pickles and sauces was wonderful. Brussel sprouts were nice and crispy and seasoned well.
Pork bellly was dry and flavorless. Brussel sprouts on the other hand had flavor but we're really greasy. Server came out and asked what we thought about the food and we told him but he chose not to address our comments. Seriously over priced at $22 for the quantity of food and the quality delivered.
Union Hmong Kitchen in Uptown... Food was packed with flavors, the staff were very kind and attentive. However, it took a long time for the food to come out. I don't think it would be efficient for a high foot traffic day. We did go on a Saturday afternoon and beat the dinner rush (even then, food took awhile to come out). Good for a one time experience for us but it was not worth the price. Half rack of ribs (5piece) were $32 and an average bow of khao poon was $19. If you like spice filled broth on the thicker gravy consistency, you will probably like this recipe. I am more of a "coconutty" and diluted broth gal, I didn't finish my bowl.
Have been wanting to check out the renowned Union Hmong for literal years and a friend coming to visit was the perfect opportunity. We headed to Graze for some drinks and food and I went down to the window to order (you can't scan and order from your table which would be really convenient). Got the sausage with Brussels sprouts. It was incredible! Comes with some purple stick rice and a side of spicy chili oil. The flavors are great and meld really nicely together. It is a little spicy for the heat averse. It's also a LARGE serving and I think would easily feed two. Will definitely order again!