Northwest Austin Edition | April 2023

DINING FEATURE Sunower Vietnamese Cuisine

Daughter carries on family legacy in revived local eatery A lthough Sunower Vietnamese Cuisine owner Anh Dang had never thought she would own a restaurant, she and her husband, Vinh Truong, are working to carry out the family legacy of providing authentic, traditional Vietnamese cuisine in Austin. Sunower was originally opened in North Austin o Research Boulevard in 1999 by Dang’s mother Nancy, and it was one of the only Vietnamese restau- rants in the area at the time, Dang said. Her mother closed and sold the restaurant in 2016. “When she closed, the community was really sad,” Dang said. Sunower’s new location in McNeil Crossing was opened with the help of Dang’s mother in 2021. Much of the original restaurant’s cooking sta made a return along with many longtime customers. While the restaurant has trimmed its menu from the original, serving authentic food true to the rst restaurant remains a priority, Truong said. This includes the dish that put Dang’s mother on the map 20 years ago—Sunower Crepes, made with turmeric our and a protein of choice. In addition to modernizing the menu, the interior of the restaurant is also important for the owners. “Food, of course, is important, but we want to create an experience for the customers,” Truong said. Dang and Truong said they are committed to main- taining the standard set by Dang’s mother in 1999. “Never in a million years did I think that all the old customers would come back and the neighborhood would be so warm and receiving of us,” Dang said. “We took a leap of faith. We’re so grateful.” BY GRACE DICKENS

Sunower Crepe ($16.95) This is a savory crepe with bean sprouts, pickled vegetables, lettuce wraps and house dipping sauce. Sunower Prawn ($21.95) This dish has jumbo tiger prawn, tomato, broccoli and butter noodles. Spring rolls ($5.95) This appetizer includes vermicelli rice noodles, mint, lettuce and a protein wrapped in rice rolls. 1 2 3

Many of the dishes served in the new location of Sunower Vietnamese Cuisine were also oered at the original location.

PHOTOS BY GRACE DICKENSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The new restaurant on Parmer Lane has three times as much space as the rst location.

From left, owners Vinh Truong and Anh Dang opened their restaurant in McNeil Crossing in 2021.

Sunower Vietnamese Cuisine 6001 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 440, Austin 512-291-6749 www.sunowerrestaurants.com Hours: Mon.-Tue., Thu.-Sun. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; closed Wed.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • MAY 2023