It took nearly two years for Danny Tran to realize his dream of opening a Chinese restaurant in downtown Snoqualmie. In November, his dream came true with the debut of Got Rice on Railroad Avenue.

“I love this town,” Tran said. “I just want to bring good food here.”

Tran has been in the restaurant business since 1984, soon after he emigrated from North Vietnam. His family is Vietnamese of Chinese descent.

The restaurant business has long been a family tradition. His grandfather owns a restaurant in Vietnam and relatives own restaurants in the Seattle area. Tran owned a restaurant – the Hunan Express – in California before moving nearer to his Seattle relatives.

Got Rice continues the family tradition with family members helping run the business. His brother, Cuong Tran, is co-owner, and his son, Kenneth Tran, a student at Bellevue Community College, came up with the restaurant’s name. Tran’s girlfriend, Lily Voong, is assistant manager. Other family members also fill vital roles in the restaurant.

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