Local Artisans Series: The Iron Monk

A true pioneer of the food world known as the “Iron Monk,” Chef Kevin Tran has been dishing up absolutely delicious, satisfying vegan food for years at his celebrated Vietnamese restaurant Vinh Loi Tofu. As much as we love a standard curry duck soup or curry beef udon, Chef Tran's batch-made artisanal tofu-based dishes are just as flavorful, complex and savory as any meat we’ve ever had -- really nothing like the tofu most people are familiar with from the supermarket.

Most of all, Vinh Loi Tofu is one of those gem institutions that puts enormous pride and perfectionism into both the raw materials and finished product it serves to its customers. Dining at Kevin's restaurant is like having a world-class chef and personal nutritionist team up to cook you meals designed to make you live a very long, healthy, active life----all at wonderfully modest prices. Needless to say, this remarkable little restaurant has an enormous cult-like following of foodies, tri-athletes, and people who just love a perfectly executed Vietnamese feast. True originals like Kevin epitomize the values of the Alfi brand, and we are honored to have our products in the hands of such an artisan.