It’s not often that I write about restaurants – this is probably the third time since I launched this blog in 2009 – but I feel compelled to put in a good word for Chickpea Eatery at its new location in Danang. Founded in 2020, there’s also one in Hoi An. It was founded by Ms. Xuan Tu Mai, a Capstone student volunteer back in the day. Before that, she organized tours for foreigners under the auspices of Xuan Tu Vietnam Tours.

Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. It was a memorable dining experience, hands down the best vegan/vegetarian restaurant I’ve eaten at in Vietnam. I noticed that Tu Mai spoke to every customer, all of whom were beaming. (Both restaurants have a 4.9 rating on Google and a 5.0 on Tripadvisor.) Customers were Vietnamese and foreigners, including expats and tourists. Chickpea Eatery Vegan Restaurant also offers cooking classes.

I look forward to seeing the third and fourth Chickpea Eatery restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). I’ll become one of their most loyal customers and gladly spread the good word in my local and international networks. It’s a special place and a great model for other businesses beyond the hospitality industry. Tu Mai is doing everything right. She offers quality, value, compassion, and caring. Scaling up and maintaining quality across the board won’t be easy but I’m confident she’ll succeed if her staff are on the same page and properly trained.

Tu Mai is a successful young entrepreneur in a highly competitive industry and, more importantly, an inspirational role model for young Vietnamese who are still deciding what to do with their lives and who have not yet found their ikigai. She found her calling relatively early in life. Some people never do. While it’s never too late, the sooner the better. Her story is an inspirational one. Do good and do well.

Before we left, we picked three cards from a deck, meaningful and memorable gifts. I look at and reflect on their messages often.

Cháu Tú Mai: I wish you continued success in pursuing your Chickpea Eatery dream in Danang, Hoi An, and other locations throughout Vietnam, and developing your app, The Restful Mind, based on a book of the same name by Gyalwa Dokhampa, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa. (The Drukpa Lineage school is one of the independent Sarma (new) schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In Drukpa, druk means ‘dragon,’ a symbol of love and peace.) Here’s a brief description:

Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation with the Restful Mind. Born from our creators’ personal journey of growth and healing, this app offers a supportive space to cultivate inner peace, manage stress, and improve your overall well-being.

Feel the immediate effects of our guided breathing exercises, designed to center you in the present moment. Our curated collection of mindfulness practices helps you develop present-moment awareness while our emotional well-being tools guide you to understand and balance your emotions, even the most challenging ones.

Peace, MAA