Phonomenal Nights - by Pham (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Dinner parties--but make it Viet, with wildly creative recipes and innovative cocktails with a Vietnamese twist.

Meet the book that takes entertaining from bland to legendary and piles the table high with color and crunch.

Phởnomenal Nights is your ultimate guide to throwing a Vietnamese-style party that nobody wants to leave. Think interactive wrap feasts, show-stopping party boards, and cocktails so good they'll spark a karaoke session. Every recipe carries the spirit of a family who built a community from scratch--one bowl of phở at a time.

Fish sauce is your new best friend. Fresh herbs are non-negotiable. Stuffy? Absolutely not.

As the beating heart of Seattle's Little Saigon, authors and James Beard semifinalists Yenvy and Quynh-vy Pham have one mission: feed everyone, and feed them well. Whether you're hosting two people or twenty, the Phở Bắc sisters are pulling up a chair and showing you exactly how it's done.

Looking for your next Friendsgiving hit, weeknight dinner savior, or party move that sparks a chorus of "Whoa, what is THAT?" You'll be throwing a Viet party packed with flavor in no time with sizzling spring rolls, "snack your way through the night" party boards, dumplings, buttery roasted chicken phở, and unforgettable cocktails.

The Pham family's wild stories mingle with doable, crowd-pleasing recipes:

• Salmon ceviche on black sesame crackers
• Wrap feasts overflowing with roasted lemongrass ribeye
• Make-ahead Prawn and Brown-Butter-Leek dumplings

Divided into five sections covering batch cocktails (Cà Phê Jello Shot, anyone?), wraps you can make tableside, extra fancy party boards (impressive looking, yet actually simple), make-ahead dumplings, and one-pot wonders that can simmer all day, this is the essential entertaining cookbook you didn't know you needed.

With Phởnomenal Nights, every night shared with friends and family is a phenomenal night. Loud, generous, and completely delicious. Just like the best parties always are.

Review Quotes

"My favorite bowl of phở in Seattle comes from the Pham's restaurant, and knowing the story behind that broth--her family, their history, their obsession with feeding people--only makes it richer. Phởnomenal Nights brings that same energy to the home kitchen, with bold Vietnamese flavors, party-ready dishes, and recipes built for sharing."
--Kenji Lopez-Alt, New York Times-bestselling author of The Food Lab

"When I am looking for Vietnamese recipes, I crave fierce flavors, bold colors, and plates brimming with food. This book helps solidify the vibrant Viet culture the Phams been cultivating for decades through in their legendary Seattle restaurants."
--Thu Pham Buser, chef & culinary artist

"Phởnomenal Nights is such a beautiful celebration of Vietnamese American food and hospitality. The Pham family's story is deeply inspiring, and as a fellow Vietnamese American, I feel so proud seeing our culture represented with such joy and confidence. This book delights both the palate and the eye and is a vibrant testament to who we are."
--Nini Nguyen, chef and author of Đặc Biệt: An Extra Special Vietnamese Cookbook

"The Phamily share their awesome stories and recipes that totally show off their personalities. They're super welcoming, no-frills, and most of all, a blast. These characteristics shine through in the book: everyone's welcome at the table to share food and bring the party! Phenomenal!"
--David Choi, restaurateur and founder of Seoul Taco

"I was completely transported into a personal, delicious universe of recollection
and experiences. I loved every moment. This is a book for anyone who loves food!"
--Ken Hom, CBE, author, chef, and TV presenter

"The Pham sisters don't just give you recipes; they set you up to win. The dishes in the book are bold, the Pham sisters' teachings generous, and everything is a touch chaotic, in the best way, while deeply rooted in family and community. Don't sleep on this gem, it's the kind of book that will level up your hosting game and help you effortlessly impress everyone at the table."
--Kat Lieu, award-winning author of Modern Asian Baking at Home and 108 Asian Cookies

About the Author

QUYNH-VY PHAM was born in Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. As the second-oldest of five siblings, her earliest memories are tied to her parents' first pho restaurant, which set her on the path as a lifelong restaurateur. When she's not behind the bar or adopting more Pomeranians, you'll find her living a life of leisure, hanging out with her nieces and nephew, or catching up with friends over good food, strong drinks, or both.

YENVY PHAM was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, where she grew up as the youngest of five in a big Vietnamese family. Yenvy started working in her family's restaurant at the age of 12, and food has been her north star ever since. Her love of Vietnamese flavors is at the core of everything she does. She opened her first coffee shop in 2021 to celebrate the art of roasting and brewing. These days, she splits her time between running the restaurants, developing recipes, and navigating the daily challenge of keeping the businesses alive and thriving. She lives for lively dinner parties, karaoke nights, and making sure her neighborhood feels vibrant and full of life.