(This story is sponsored by Anh and Chi.)

Vancouver Vietnamese restaurant Anh and Chi is famously known for its delicious beef and water spinach salad, crispy spring rolls, lemongrass chicken, and DIY streetside platter. But most folks are unaware that the family-owned eatery has been raising money for local charities.

The beloved neighbourhood restaurant was opened by chef Vincent Nguyên and his sister Amelie Thuy Nguyên, both born to refugees from Vietnam. The duo shares a passion for community and design and bringing people together with food, as does their mother Lý Nguyên, the executive chef at Anh and Chi.

For the past five years, the award-winning restaurant has been the spot for neighbours, foodies, globetrotters, and folks from different cultures and generations to gather, sharing authentic Vietnamese cuisine and mouthwatering cocktails. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Anh and Chi will be revealing a new cocktail menu and special chef’s tasting in December.

In addition to serving dishes crafted from fresh and local ingredients, Anh and Chi launched its Reservation by Donation Program at the peak of the pandemic in December of 2020. To support the surrounding community, the restaurant allows guests to book a table by donating $10 per person to a charity of their choice.

In less than a year, Anh and Chi’s Reservation by Donation Program has raised more than $50,000 for Vancouver’s nonprofit organizations.

“The pandemic disrupted many businesses, organizations, and everyday life, leaving some groups of people in our community further marginalized,” says Amelie Thuy Nguyên, cofounder of Anh and Chi. “With the help of our staff, patrons, friends, and family, we were able to not only turn things around with our team but also contribute to our greater community during this crucial time. We’re only a part of the whole and it’s a privilege to connect the Anh and Chi community with organizations who lead very important work in our city.”

To date, Anh and Chi has connected their valued guests to several local organizations, including Directions Youth Services, Immigrant Services Society of BC, the David Suzuki Foundation, Bloom Group, Backpack Buddies, BC Hospitality Foundation, Elimin8hate, Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Vancouver Black Therapy Fund, and The Greater Vancouver Foodbank.

This holiday, reserve a table at Anh and Chi by donating to a charity of your choice at www.anhandchi.com/reservations.

Anh and Chi also encourages guests to walk-in as reservations are not required.