Our Story

 

This is Thao & Nam, your hosts at Tóp Tép.

Tóp Tép means “munching loudly” in Vietnamese. Back when we were kids, our favorite activities were hanging out with friends after school and exploring street food and bustling alleyway eateries in Hanoi. We want to bring you the Vietnamese cuisine we experienced growing up.


The food we cook at Top Tep embraces classic Vietnamese dishes with modern twists. The menu will focus on fresh, flavorful and balanced food meant to be shared with friends and family. Started in San Francisco, now Los Angeles. We are proud to bring you our “home away from home”.

 
 


  • Co-Founder

    Born and bred in Hanoi, Thao immigrated to the US when she was 18. Hungry for the flavors of Hanoi, where she grew up, she started hosting dinners and gatherings as a way of cooking and sharing dishes from her hometown. In 2019, she and partner Nam Nguyen launched a quarterly pop-up dinner series called Tóp Tép—an homage to Vietnamese, and especially Hanoian, cuisine—which quickly found its home at Bar Hermanito. Thao has served as the Assistant General Manager at The Waterfront Venice, then at the newly opened Causita in Silver Lake, where she works alongside Chef Ricardo Zarate. Thao is now the General Manager at the Butcher’s Daughter Venice. She continues to pursue her passion of bringing people together—one dinner at a time—and sharing the familiar flavors of home with Los Angeles.

    IG: @thaopham26

 

Meet the Team

Two Hanoians who are passionate about bringing people together - one dinner at a time -

 


  • Co-Founder

    Born and raised in Hanoi, migrated to the US in 2015, Nam now resides in NYC.

    He has a career in consulting with a focus on strategic work for Fortune 500 companies in the life sciences industry. His experience includes commercialization & Go-to-market strategy, growth marketing, customer insights and buy-side due diligence.

    Nam has been involved in the food and beverage industry via his previous side gig as a food stylist and blogger.

    IG: @tasteofthebear