Try meals by Chef
Dan Nguyen
About
Before embarking on his celebrated culinary career, Chef Dan Nguyen worked on oil rigs. A graduate in petroleum engineering, Nguyen began his professional life on an offshore operation near Louisiana.
In 1985, at his mother’s request, he relocated to Chicago to assist his brother in the family’s restaurant business. Trading the warmth for Chicago’s brisk winters, Nguyen found comfort in recreating the vibrant, tropical flavors of Vietnam.
Together with his brother, Nguyen opened Pasteur in 1985, Chicago’s first Vietnamese restaurant and a pioneering establishment that introduced authentic Vietnamese cuisine to the city’s diverse dining scene. He later expanded his culinary portfolio as chef-owner of acclaimed concepts such as Viet Bistro and Simply It, and through partnerships with notable restaurants including Le Colonial in Chicago and Houston.
Even after long days in the kitchen, Nguyen continues to cook dinner for his family every night—an enduring ritual that he calls “the best time to reconnect and take things slower.”
Today, Chef Dan Nguyen is thrilled to bring Vietnamese cuisine to a larger stage at CookUnity, where he shares his deep-rooted flavors and traditions with eaters across the country.
Kitchens
Meals by Dan Nguyen are prepared fresh in small batches in local kitchens across the country.
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Let us know what you love to eat, then choose your meal plan –– from 4 to 16 meals per week.
Choose your meals
Our chefs are in constant creation mode. Every weekly menu boasts new craveable meals for you to order.
Heat and plate
Every meal comes with Chef heating instructions. Set the table, plate your meal, and savor the experience.
Repeat
Choose something new every week or stick with your staples. We'll be in the kitchen cooking up your next mouth-watering meal.
Dan Nguyen’s meal reviews
Indulge in the thoughts and stories surrounding meals by Dan Nguyen
4.1
Based on 83 reviews
Vietnamese Fried Chicken Tenders
The tenders were not crispy and the sweet potatoes were somewhat soggy. I reheated in the oven for 17 minutes.
John Everman · 02/22/26
Baked Five-Spice Tilapia
Perfect tasty lite meal while on GLP1. I'd eat it again and again!
Dina Schultz · 02/22/26
Char Siu BBQ Pork
a little cold after 350 for 14 mins in the oven
Matt Salud · 02/21/26
Vietnamese Fried Chicken Tenders
didn't get crispy in the oven.
Jennifer Damon · 02/21/26
Vietnamese Stir-Fried Rotini with Beef
No. It’s like a veggie tray was opened some thrown on top and Packaged.
Ann Taitano · 02/21/26
Broiled Char Siu BBQ Salmon
delicious!
Leah Nicotra · 02/20/26
Vietnamese Stir-Fried Rotini with Beef
I prepared this according to the Chefs Instructions. Overall good, but the pasta was too Al dente. Just need to adjust cooking time.
Timothy Callahan · 02/20/26
Char Siu BBQ Pork
It was delicious but more of the veggie would be good.
Nancy Talan · 02/20/26