Moi Vietnamese Grill chef’s labor of love

Tru Tran loves immersing himself in cooking. He enjoys the myriad possibilities of creating new flavors and the satisfaction of someone enjoying a meal he dutifully crafted in the kitchen.

A chemical engineer once by trade and a chef by heart, Tran said his love of cooking led him to partner with family and friends to open Moi Vietnamese Grill in Pflugerville. The restaurant, which offers Vietnamese cuisine in a sleek, open setting, opened its doors to customers June 1.

Tran, a 13-year Pflugerville resident, began working as an engineer at Samsung after receiving his chemical engineering degree from the University of Texas. The job offered financial stability and camaraderie with staff, but Tran said something was missing.

“There was just something inside me that I wasn’t fulfilling,” he said. “I’d go in (the office) and look at the clock, and then I’d go home and cook.”

With some nudging from his wife, Tran decided to leave Samsung and take a leap into the restaurant business.

“My wife, she’s always been there for emotional support,” he said. “She’s the one who pretty much kicked my butt until I did this.”

Tran’s sister-in-law, Ann Dang, and Dang’s friend, Khuyen Tra, created a partnership to open the restaurant. While Tran and Tra focused on cooking and creating recipes, Dang focused on the business side of things.

Dang, who invests in residential real estate and owns two businesses, said she shared Tran’s dream of owning a restaurant offering Vietnamese cuisine beyond the country’s national dish, pho.

“Everyone knows about eating pho, but we knew there’s a lot more flavor out there that hasn’t been exposed yet,” she said.

The restaurant’s concept is in its name, moi, which in Vietnamese means “to invite.” Tran said the sentiment is often given to elder family members at the dinner table in Vietnamese households.

To continue that concept of friendliness, Tran said they put a special focus on the restaurant layout. Long tables, which Tran built himself, and a bar foster conversation and a casual feel.

“It’s a welcoming environment to have guests chat with each other,” Tran said. “Who knows? Maybe they become best friends, or some good conversations happen.”

The menu is efficient and streamlined. Choices include four proteins — chicken, pork, beef or tofu — combined with either rice, vermicelli noodles or banh mi. Zucchini noodles are a lighter, healthier option on the menu.

The meal is filled out with numerous fresh toppings and a choice of nine homemade sauces.

As an engineer, Tran said he always strives for efficiency at the restaurant while keeping with the foundation of providing fresh, delicious food. Dang said they are planning to open another Moi Vietnamese Grill in Katy, which could follow with more locations in Round Rock or elsewhere in Central Texas.

All of it allows Tran do what he loves most: cooking food and serving it to satisfied customers.

“Serving great food, you get that instant gratification,” he said. “That’s what motivates me every day to improve on our food here.”