Our Story

For sisters Van, Thu and My Chau, starting Lemongrass West Restaurant was a dream come true. They grew up in Vietnam during the war, and when the war ended in 1975, they fled the country on crowded boats along with the rest of their large family. Adrift in the South China Sea, they nearly died of thurst and starvation before they were rescued by large ships. They were among the famous "Boat People" who made their way to refugee camps in indonesia, and then from there, they were flown to Canada. Both Thu and My Chau spent many years working in major hotels in Calgary, hoping one day to be able to start their own restaurant.

That day came in October 2002, when the ownder of a Chinese Restaurant sold them his location. Lemongrass West was born! Now it is an award-winning Vietnamese Restaurant with a loyal clientele. Va, Thu and My Chau are proud of their menu of fresh ingredients and dishes made with their mother's recipes. If you visit Lemongrass West, you will sense the joy and pride they take in their restaurant, and their passion for making great food. You would never know the hardships and challenges they faced in their childhood, their long journey to Canada, and the hard work they have put into making their way in their new homeland. They are grateful and proud Canadian citizens as well as successful restauranteurs! Come and taste the best authentic Vietnamese food in Calgary, with three amazing women with a great story behind them.