About us
At The Ugly Bao, we are passionate about bringing modern, elevated Vietnamese cuisine to the world. Every dish we create is a labor of love, inspired by our founder, Linda, and her mom, Kim, who blend the rich traditions of Vietnamese flavors with a modern twist. We obsess over the quality of our ingredients to ensure every bite is an experience—one that feels like home.
But our mission goes beyond food. We believe businesses have a profound
responsibility to uplift their communities. That’s why we are committed to hiring, training, and empowering individuals who have faced barriers to employment. Through career development and support, we strive to provide meaningful opportunities for those eager to grow.
At The Ugly Bao, we’re not just serving food—we’re building a community, one bao at a time.
Linda Nguyen – Founder and CEO
Linda comes from a family of Vietnamese refugees and is part of the first-American born generation. Her inspiration for the ugly bao stems from her mom’s love of food and entrepreneurial spirit, and her own career experience in education and business. She earned her BA in Marketing, MA in Theological Studies, and Ed.D in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University.
When Linda isn’t working on a new recipe with her mom or talking up a storm about the baos, you can hear her singing Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs, or hanging out with her favorite (and only) niece.
Bryson Ishii – Founder and COO
Bryson was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University. He earned his BS in Accounting and BA in Entrepreneurship. Bryson has 15 years of experience as an executive in various industries including manufacturing, venture capital, and consumer products.
When Bryson isn’t working on a deal or finding a new partner for the ugly bao, he’s doing service in his community, enjoying a drink with his friends, or on the water.
Ms. Kim - Founder and Mom to All
Ms. Kim is not only a founder but also the matriarch of The Ugly Bao. All recipes undergo multiple taste tests from Ms. Kim and must receive her final approval. You can catch her behind the steamer at our pop-ups or chatting it up with all the customers. Be sure to say hi if you see her! You can even call her "Me" which means Mom in Vietnamese.
When Ms. Kim isn't drilling Linda for an improved iteration of a recipe, or making jokes with Bryson, you can find her at Church, hanging out with her favorite (and only) granddaughter, or shopping for deals on deals.