With student demand surging for healthy, flavorful and cost-efficient establishments, one woman, Thuy Do, has taken up the task of meeting the demographic’s desires.
Do, an SJSU alumna, has opened TD’s Kitchen Asian Fusion & Bar in her hometown, downtown San Jose. Her very first
restaurant is located approximately a mile and a half away from campus at the intersection of West Alma Avenue and
Almaden Road.
After graduating in 2009 with a biology degree, Do knew she would reach fulfillment by catering to her community.
In order to do so, she allowed her passion for cuisine to lead her overseas to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
There she shadowed Japanese chefs, learning techniques and flavor profiles which she brought back to the states.
Do’s love of food and her need for community involvement led her to create a space where everyone could wind down with homestyle dishes and watch
sports events.
From delectable chicken bowls to tasty appetizers such as spicy chicken wings and grilled tako,
TD’s Kitchen menu is robustly filled with pan-Asian savory bites that are undoubtedly worth trying.
This spot not only has a fine array of dishes, but also a grand assortment of cocktails and beers.
On Monday through Saturday, happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., when $3 beers and half-off select appetizers are offered.
The restaurant does not directly cater to vegetarian or vegan diets except for one vegetarian bowl, but plant-based eaters can order edamame plates or a mixed greens side salad.
Meals at Do’s premier restaurant are served in bento boxes that reflect her training days in Ho Chi Minh City.
There is little food-packaging waste here, with orders served in
sustainable cardboard trays, an act that leaves environmentally-conscious customers coming back
for more.
The minimalist dining setup is accentuated by tranquil greys and earth tones that make for a wonderfully serene environment.
Do said that she wouldn’t have been able to run her business without the help of her imaginative and devoted family.
Her niece and current SJSU student, Kristy Pham, regularly assists her aunt with marketing
and branding.
Do plans on expanding the menu further with sushi and more, as she continues on her new
restauranting journey.
It is a worthwhile dining experience that is guaranteed to please, so stop by and try your favorite memorable dishes.
