In a city that is near bursting at the seams with innovative street food vendors and pop-up restaurants, it can hard for an independent business to make its mark.
What’s interesting to note then is that, with only one food festival under their belt, new kids on the block VietNom are doing just that.
A team of two armed with only a double fryer and expert experience in handcrafting spring rolls, Erica Henderson and Michael Ingleston have created an impressively ambitious new menu ahead of their first stand-alone pop-up this weekend.
Erica said: “It feels like it’s all happened really quickly within the last month.
“My family used to run a Chinese takeaway so I grew up in that environment but I’ve always wanted to have my own pop-up that does like fusion food.
“It’s become a real dream of mine over the last 10 years.
“We’ve recently moved back to Glasgow because my partner is from here so I thought it would be a great time to just go for it.”
A mix healthy mix of different cultures is clear to see within VietNom’s playful menu that ranges from Haggis Spring Rolls to crispy but succulent pork belly marinated in traditional Vietnamese flavours.
READ MORE: Did your favourite bag an award? Glasgow restaurants win big at Scottish Curry Awards
For Erica, finding the joy in fusion cooking came from growing up in a family where food was cause for celebration and togetherness.
She said: “My mum’s side of the family are Vietnamese, and the recipes that we cook with at Christmas, New Year or on birthdays are a labour of love.
“The main dish that I was interested in perfecting was our spring rolls which aren’t like the ones you would usually get at takeaway.
“They’re a traditional family recipe that uses pork and plenty of spices, and then we have our haggis ones which are a nod to my partner and sold out really quickly at our first event.
“Next we would like to do Welsh ones because that’s where I grew up.
“I’ve actually just come back from a weekend of menu testing with my family in Cardiff because the eldest of them know the recipes so well.
“It’s the two of us that run the business but the whispers from the family that help to keep us going.”
Despite having no previous experience as professional chefs, team VietNom will be stepping up to the plate and running a pop-up at the Hidden Lane Brewery in Finnieston this weekend.
It’s a major milestone in the couple’s journey towards becoming permanent players on the Glasgow street food circuit, but one they are more than ready for.
After weeks of recipe testing in their West end flat with thousands of pancake rolls wrapped in practise, the final menu looks set to be a smash hit.
READ MORE: We visit Dennistoun's new charitable restaurant Beat 6 by Chef Nico
A new focus on veggie friendly offerings like plant-based prawn crackers or sweet and fluffy doughnuts sandwiches with vegan ice cream is a true indication of a natural creative streak and flair that will see VietNom go far in Glasgow.
Erica said: “It’s fun, delicious, family inspired food that’s full of big flavours.
“I want to evoke that special kind of warm and happy feeling that only comes from eating really something really good.
“I love cooking so sharing that with people and being able to experience their reactions is just amazing.”
For more information on VietNom click here.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here