About Me

Thao was the former Managing Editor of Cubby, our resource for families at home. She's a writer and editor based out of Columbus, Ohio, where she chases her kindergartener around while embracing the messy joy of parenthood. Her debut novel, Banyan Moon, comes out in 2023 from Mariner | HarperCollins.


Latest Stories

Instant Pot Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)
The hot broth, brown-orange like a fall wreath, is studded with bold flavors.
Aug 17, 2023
This Vietnamese Chicken Salad Is One of My Favorite Easy Summer Suppers
Gỏi gà is fresh and tangy and everything I want to eat right now.
Jun 8, 2023
The $6 Snack I Serve at Every Party — Especially During the Spring
Groceries
They'll be the first thing to go.
Apr 7, 2023
These Viral Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Cookies Are My New Favorite Dessert
The viral recipe is every bit worthy of its million likes.
Nov 4, 2022
Fresh Tilapia and Pineapple Spring Rolls Are an Easy Summer Supper
The sweetness of the fruit marries perfectly with the fish and greens.
Aug 19, 2022
The 10 Recipes You Need for the Coastal Grandmother Summer of Your Dreams
Life has been really very heavy lately; the balm we need might just be a taste of cozy, escapist romance. 
Jun 12, 2022
This $30 Organizer Finally Helped Me Wrangle My Water Bottle Collection
Organizing Tips from The Kitchn
Do you also have a water bottle problem?
Jun 2, 2022
This Spicy, Small-Batch Condiment Was Gifted to Me by Kitchn’s Editor-in-Chief — And It’s Unlike Anything I’ve Ever Had
Groceries
I use it on eggs, dumplings, fried rice, roasted veggies, and more.
Apr 24, 2022
This Frozen Costco Find Transforms My Kitchen into a Boba Tea Shop
Groceries
At roughly $11 dollars, the pack comes out to a little less than a dollar a cup!
Apr 16, 2022
This Golden Bag Is Filled with the Best Potato Chips I Have Ever Tried
Groceries
"It completely ended my snack rut."
Apr 11, 2022
The $4 Trader Joe’s Find That Actually Gets Me Excited to Eat Salads
Groceries
"I could even see myself serving this salad at a summer gathering for guests."
Apr 3, 2022
The $10 Pantry Staple That’s Upgrading My WFH Lunches
Groceries
I have to admit, it's inspired by a TikTok trend!
Feb 27, 2022
The One Piece of Cookware That’s Making My February a Little Less Terrible
Tools
"There’s something so cozy about it."
Feb 23, 2022
Ina Garten’s Simple-yet-Decadent Chicken Thighs Will Bring Romance Back into Your Kitchen
Kitchn Love Letters
This dish looks (and tastes) so complex, but really only takes about half an hour to make.
Feb 9, 2022
This $11 Costco Find Is the Base for My Favorite WFH Lunch — And the Whole Thing Comes Together in 10 Minutes
Groceries
"They remind me of my old favorite from the mall food court!"
Feb 6, 2022
The Deep Longing of Tết and the Homecoming of the Vietnamese Community
It’s Tết, Vietnamese New Year, and we’ve found our way to each other. To comfort, community, and the things that tie it all together: Storytelling and food. 
Jan 26, 2022
The $35 French Knife That Teaches My Daughter Confidence in the Kitchen
Tools
It's ideal for kids who are curious about cooking.
Oct 1, 2021
My Borrowed Hunger: Searching for My Father Through Taste Memories
In my wildest dreams, my father and I share a meal. We sit next to a river at one of those outdoor cafes in Vietnam, watching boats angle through the water as we slap mosquitoes. In front of us, plates are stacked high with bar food like chao tom (shrimp patties wrapped around sugar cane), quẩy (deep-fried breadsticks), banh xeo (crispy coconut milk crepe), and a bowl of salted plums that make our lips pucker, their chalky residue tingling the edges of our mouths.
Sep 26, 2021
My Grandmother’s Vietnamese Corn with Scallion Oil Tastes Like the Best Parts of Summer
Most Wanted
The oil's sweet-and-salty richness is endlessly versatile, making it my new favorite condiment — especially when paired with fresh corn.
Sep 1, 2021
My Mom’s Meatloaf Mixes Americana with Vietnamese Home Cooking
Personal Essay
"We had no handbook for our new blended family, but Mom had a plan. She modeled us after the kind of nuclear unit we watched on evening sitcoms."
May 24, 2021