HaiSous

The story

HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen: Modern Vietnamese in Chicago | Michelin Bib Gourmand

A Modern Vietnamese Kitchen in Chicago's Pilsen

HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen is the critically acclaimed restaurant from chef and owner Thai Dang and his wife, director of operations Danielle Dang. Located in Chicago’s vibrant Pilsen neighborhood, the restaurant is driven by a clear mission: “We want to change how people feel about Vietnamese cuisine. We want to showcase flavors that people have never had and don’t expect in an atmosphere that is chic, approachable, warm & inviting.”

This approach has earned HaiSous a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation every year from 2017 through 2022 and again in 2026, a mark of “good quality, good value cooking.” Chef Dang has also been a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest, and the restaurant received a James Beard Award for Leadership & Resiliency in 2021.

Chef Thai Dang's Vision

Chef Thai Dang brings a classically trained French background to his Vietnamese cooking. His creative approach has garnered national and international attention, and he is recognized for pushing the boundaries of what Vietnamese cuisine can be. The menu is a reflection of his personal history, exploring the culinary significance of regions and time periods meaningful to his family.

What to Eat and Drink

The à la carte menu features Chef Thai’s famous crispy chicken wings with caramelized fish sauce and chili, along with dishes like papaya salad with house-made beef jerky, chopped clams with chili and toasted peanuts, and a grilled Australian wagyu with lemongrass and chili-lime-salt. The Grand Tasting Menu, priced at $68 per person for three courses served family style, rotates seasonally. Past menus have explored the flavors of Northern and Southern Vietnam, as well as the culinary relationships between Vietnam and Japan, China, France, Thailand, and Cambodia.

A $10 Happy Hour menu runs Wednesday through Sunday from 4pm to 5:30pm, offering a selection of small plates and cocktails. Sunday brunch is served from 10am to 2pm. Adjacent to the restaurant, the daytime café Cà Phê Dá serves Vietnamese coffee and Chef Thai’s Dang Good Wings.