Viet-cajun Cuisine: a Unique Culinary Fusion Emerges in America

WHO:

CBS News Entertainment - Chef Trong Nguyen, who came from Vietnam as a teenager in the 1980s.

WHAT:

CBS News US - Nguyen's restaurant, Crawfish & Noodles, is a leading proponent of Viet-Cajun fusion cuisine.

CBS News Entertainment - The cuisine combines the clean bright flavors of Vietnamese food with the earthy, smoky spice of Cajun cuisine.

WHERE:

CBS News US - Nguyen's restaurant is located in Houston.

WHY:

CBS News Entertainment - Nguyen discovered that the flavors of Vietnamese food paired well with Cajun cuisine.

HOW:

CBS News US - The American melting pot has become a cauldron of international flavors, as exemplified by the fusion of Viet-Cajun cuisine.

(UPDATED June 28, 2026 15:19 UTC)

Chef Trong Nguyen, who immigrated from Vietnam as a teenager in the 1980s, has made a name for himself with his restaurant Crawfish & Noodles in Houston, which is a leading proponent of Viet-Cajun fusion cuisine. This innovative cuisine beautifully combines the clean, bright flavors of Vietnamese dishes with the earthy, smoky spice of Cajun cooking, showcasing the American melting pot as a vibrant cauldron of international flavors. Nguyen discovered that these distinct culinary traditions pair remarkably well, creating a unique dining experience that reflects his journey and the diversity of American cuisine.