Viet Nguyen, a restaurant entrepreneur behind multiple Bay Area Vietnamese dining concepts, is preparing to open a full-service Vietnamese restaurant and bar in San Jose at 374 South First Street.
The new location is set to move into the former home of Eulipia Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Stritch, and Mama Kin, all of which have closed, leaving the building vacant, according to Mercury News. Nguyen purchased the two-story, 8,000-square-foot property in July 2025 for $2.2 million, financing the project with a $2 million loan from Bank of America. Customers can expect a full-service menu and bar spread across two floors, with a rooftop deck planned for the upper level.
The building, constructed in 1927, will undergo a comprehensive interior transformation, including the installation of an elevator and the addition of new staircases that connect the two floors and the roof. The first floor will feature a seating area on one side and a bar on the other, while the rooftop deck, set back from the front of the building with surrounding railings, will add an outdoor option without being visible from First Street.
Nguyen and architect Abraham Zavala are leading the redevelopment, aiming to bring the same Vietnamese dining style that Nguyen operates at Gao Kitchen & Bar in San Mateo and San Francisco, as well as Ben Tre Vietnamese Homestyle Cuisine in Millbrae, South San Francisco, and San Francisco. The project does not currently include applying for a historic permit for the renovations or rooftop addition.
The menu is expected to feature traditional Vietnamese dishes, similar to those at Nguyen’s other locations, combining casual dining with full-service options and a variety of beverages from the bar. The two-floor layout allows for both intimate meals and larger gatherings.
Nguyen has said the project is part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown San Jose’s SoFA district, attracting more visitors and collaborating with neighboring businesses. The new restaurant represents the expansion of his successful Vietnamese concepts into San Jose while maintaining his focus on quality and community-driven dining experiences.
