Khanh Le's Lan Viet: A Taste of Vietnam in the Heart of Columbus
The History of Lan Viet in Columbus, Ohio
As a Columbus-based marketer, foodie, and podcaster, I recently had the pleasure of diving into the flavors of Vietnam with Khanh Le, the owner of Lan Viet. Khanh unfolds the story of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and its evolving presence in the Midwest.
Khanh reminisced about his childhood meals – a simple yet comforting combination of white rice, boiled vegetables, and meat, all brought to life with a dash of fish sauce. When his mother took the reins of Lan Viet in the 90s, she skillfully tweaked the menu to suit the Midwest palate, striking a balance between authenticity and local tastes.
Chopped Cheese Banh Mi
The rich tapestry of Vietnamese food, highlighting the regional variations that make this cuisine so diverse. Khanh's excitement was palpable as he talked about Lan Viet's latest venture – a ghost kitchen whipping up a fusion delight, the Banh Mi Chopped Cheese. Additionally, he gave us a sneak peek into 'Common Rice', a new rice bowl concept set to debut at the Grandview market.
Khanh shared his personal shift from late-night munchies – often involving instant ramen with cheese – to healthier eating habits, a change spurred by his new role as a father. He loves local gems like Tensuke Market and Tacos D Kache, noting Tacos D Kache's incredible gordita and his role in introducing them to the Grandview market.
Lan Viet's menu stars: Pho and Banh Mi
Lan Viet's menu stars, Pho and Banh Mi, especially the Hanoi style steak pho with its rich, decadent broth, have been a hit. Khanh also opened up about past setbacks, including a failed restaurant venture in 2016. He described this experience as a valuable learning curve, his "real tuition," shaping his resilient approach to business and life.
In a surprising twist, Khanh revealed his hatred for ketchup and, more controversially, his opinion that Columbus, Ohio pizza is overrated. Our conversation also journeyed through his memorable meals in Vietnam, Los Angeles, and Texas, and our shared admiration for the late Anthony Bourdain.
Brick House Blue
This episode was recorded at Brick House Blue The Loop | 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 100, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Not only do they offer a stunning, acoustically optimized podcast studio, but the affordability is truly unbeatable at just $30 an hour. Beyond their podcast amenities, Brick House Blue is a vibrant hub for open coworking, impactful meetings, virtual mail services, and more. Nestled in the heart of Bridgepark Dublin, their location is both picturesque and convenient. And if you're ever in need of such a space, their website is a breeze to navigate and book. I can't recommend them enough. 614 feast podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast.