Chef Yia Vang

Honoring heritage and connection through food

Chef Yia Vang pays homage to his Hmong culture and history through his Minneapolis restaurant, Vinai. Through the universal language of food, he empowers his community to celebrate and share their own stories.

James Beard Foundation

Best New Restaurant

Vinai, Semifinalist, 2025

TIME Magazine

World's Greatest Places

Vinai, 2025

New York Times

50 Favorite Places in America

Vinai, 2024

Building community one meal at a time

Chef Yia Vang honors his heritage and builds community through food, and Vollrath's breadth of line opens a world of possibilities as he recreates his favorite Hmong dishes at Vinai. Read about Vinai's legacy and what changed the game in his kitchen.

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“I've worked with other pots and pans, other product, and literally six months in they started warping. What I love about Vollrath cookware is I know that it's going to be able to take a beating. It's been a game-changer for our kitchen.”

Yia Vang Chef and Owner - Vinai, Minneapolis

Chef's Vang's Go-To Cookware

77761

15-quart Tribute® brazier pan

MSRP $295.98

58814

14-inch carbon steel induction wok pan

MSRP $68.28

3414

14-inch Centurion® frying pan in natural finish

MSRP $449.16

58930

12 ½-inch carbon steel fry pan

MSRP $50.16

Chef Yia dishes on Hmong culture

In this Chef Series, Yia Vang talks Hmong food and how it relates to philosophy, freedom, and community. As the owner of Vinai restaurant and its pop-up predecessor Union Hmong Kitchen, he uses food and his favorite tools of the trade to tell stories of his family and culture.

Chef's Vang's Inspiration

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