Koole Mom Kitchen

Koole Mom Kitchen A place for authentic Vietnamese/Saigonese cuisine | Embracing motherhood with love, chaos, & fun | Sharing my love for food and yoga.

Let's connect and be Koole! Hi, I’m Diem Koole (formerly Nguyen)—a mom to two energetic ‘tornado’ kids! We love cooking, traveling, hiking, and making silly memories together. This page is where I share my daily life as a mom—juggling the chaos while keeping things (mostly) intact. Let’s connect and have some fun with us!

Highlights of our Boston/RI trip: Downtown Boston traffic was ugh, but honestly? What stuck with me most were the amazin...
03/07/2025

Highlights of our Boston/RI trip:

Downtown Boston traffic was ugh, but honestly? What stuck with me most were the amazing memories we made on this trip. Our days were jam-packed exploring Boston, Rhode Island, and Pembroke—and we loved every second (well, almost every second 😉).

💙 Rhode Island (visiting family):
• Lincoln Woods State Park – peaceful and scenic
• 4 Seasons Restaurant – Cambodian/Chinese comfort food!

🦆 Downtown Boston Highlights:
• Duck Tour with Boston Duck Tour – such a cool way to explore the city (Robin was so hilarious)
• Science Museum – hands-on fun for the whole fam
• Harvard Square – cute shops, people-watching, and college town vibes
• MIT Museum – surprisingly fun and inspiring
• Lunch at Carmelia’s – Yummy!
Parking in Boston wasn’t too bad—we paid $24–$40/day (cheaper than Portland, actually!).

🌊 Cape Cod:
• Skaket Beach – beautiful and calm for kids. Low tide on the beach was a big hit for my kids to explore and find beautiful seashells
• Lunch at The Knack – super chill vibe, get the fish tacos (thank me later!)

🏠 Where We Stayed:
We chose a waterfront house in Pembroke, situated directly on the lake. Total win! We kayaked, relaxed, and avoided the chaos of downtown.

I chose Pembroke because it’s midway between Boston, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod, which made our road trips much easier with the kids. Next time, we might try the T (public transit), but driving worked for us this time.

That’s all for now!
👉 If you're planning a trip or just love following family adventures, connect with me at www.thekoolemom.com or on FB at Koole Mom Kitchen, IG
Let’s share tips, swap stories, and stay Koole! 💛

I chose to stay in Sebago Lake simply because I wanted to get away from the busy towns. But little did I know, Sebago is...
29/06/2025

I chose to stay in Sebago Lake simply because I wanted to get away from the busy towns. But little did I know, Sebago is actually known for having the cleanest lake in Maine—what a lucky find! The 45-minute drive to Portland was a breeze, especially for our family looking for a peaceful getaway.

We stayed at West Cottage Sebago, tucked away in a quiet, charming area. One fun thing I learned while there? Many locals commute by boat! I thought, “That’s fancy, lol,” but it turns out it’s actually quicker and more convenient for many Maine residents. Island life goals, right?

Here’s a peek at what we did during our Sebago + Portland adventure:

🛍️ Portland Shops
We kept it chill and did some window shopping around downtown Portland. It was such a fun way to explore the city and take in the local vibe.

🦞 Lucky Catch Cruises – Lobster Fishing
This was a family favorite! My kids had so much fun baiting traps and pretending to grill the bait. We ended up buying two lobsters from the tour and brought them to the restaurant next door—they cooked them fresh for us!

🌊 East End Park & Beach
We devoured our lobster picnic here, and let’s just say the seagulls were very interested. They definitely drooled over our food!

🚂 Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad
We didn’t get to ride the train (because I hadn’t known about it ahead of time), but it looked like so much fun for young kids. Next time, for sure!

🏖️ Private Beach at Sebago Lake
After a long day in Portland, we just wanted to cool off. We paid a small $10 fee and ended the day with a swim in the lake. It was quiet, relaxing, and absolutely what we needed.

🍁 Wintergreen Farm Corliss
We kept passing this little maple syrup sign on our drives, and I’m so glad we finally stopped. Michael and his wife run the cutest sugar shack and are genuinely passionate about what they do. He walked us through the syrup-making process and shared a wealth of knowledge. I bought a couple of bottles—wish I had room in my suitcase for more!

🌽 Forrest Family’s Farm Stand
I’m absolutely in love with farm stands like this in Maine. We stopped by, picked up some goodies, and dropped our payment into the little “honesty box.” It warmed my heart—this is the kind of community I crave.

Once again, Maine has our hearts.
Sebago is officially on my “must-return” list. 💙

A Rainy Day in Boothbay That I’ll Never Forget 🌧️🦞🌸We left Bar Harbor and drove into Boothbay on a misty, rainy day. Eve...
27/06/2025

A Rainy Day in Boothbay That I’ll Never Forget 🌧️🦞🌸

We left Bar Harbor and drove into Boothbay on a misty, rainy day. Even under gray skies, we made the most of every moment here.
One of my favorite experiences was the Cabbage Island Clambake. I got to talk with the crew, and I could feel the pride in their voices. It’s more than just a job—it’s passion, tradition, and connection to the sea. I appreciate that so much.
I booked the 5pm tour and highly recommend it. And if you’re curious like me—ask the crew questions! They’re down-to-earth and full of great stories.
Boothbay gave us more than we expected. Here are a few gems we found along the way:
🍓 The roadside strawberry stand for strawberries and fiddlehead pickles
🦞 Shannon’s Unshelled - Their lobster rolls were simple, buttery, and unforgettable.
🚂 Railway Village Museum — fun for the kids and even better for us grownups.
🔥 Cabbage Island Clambake — book ahead!
🌸 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — The kids loved hunting for the giant trolls tucked among the trees, and I loved the peaceful walk through the blooming gardens.
💙

A Rainy Day in Boothbay That I’ll Never Forget 🌧️🦞🌸We left Bar Harbor and drove into Boothbay on a misty, rainy day. I w...
27/06/2025

A Rainy Day in Boothbay That I’ll Never Forget 🌧️🦞🌸

We left Bar Harbor and drove into Boothbay on a misty, rainy day. I was like "oh no". But somehow, Maine has a way of being beautiful no matter the weather.

Even under gray skies, Boothbay had its charm—and we made the most of every moment.

One of my favorite experiences was the Cabbage Island Clambake. There’s something about stepping onto that little island, knowing the crew only has a short season to welcome guests, and yet they give it their all. I got to talk with some of them, and you could feel the pride in their voices. It’s more than just a job—it’s passion, tradition, and connection to the sea. I appreciate that so much.
I booked the 5pm tour and highly recommend it. And if you're curious like me, ask the crew questions! They're down-to-earth and full of great stories.

Boothbay gave us more than we expected. Here are a few gems we found along the way:

🍓 The roadside strawberry stand — just a few miles from Orland. If you spot it, stop! We picked up fresh strawberries and a jar of pickled fiddleheads. That combo? Surprisingly addictive.

🦞 Shannon’s Unshelled (by the Railway Museum)— a small spot, but big flavor. Their lobster rolls were simple, buttery, and unforgettable.

🚂 Railway Village Museum — fun for the kids and even better for us grown-ups. It felt like stepping back in time.

🔥 Cabbage Island Clambake — book ahead! The island, the food, the people, and the view —all of it was worth the trip.

🌸 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — even in the rain, it was magical. The kids loved hunting for the giant trolls tucked among the trees, and I loved the peaceful walk through the blooming gardens.

Boothbay wasn’t in the original spotlight of our Maine trip, but it quietly stole the show. Rain and all. 💙

Three days in Bar Harbor weren’t nearly enough to explore this coastal gem! 🦞🌲It was my first time in Maine, and I’m alr...
22/06/2025

Three days in Bar Harbor weren’t nearly enough to explore this coastal gem! 🦞🌲
It was my first time in Maine, and I’m already planning a return (or a retirement plan lol). The kids had a blast hiking and real rock climbing every single day.

Nature, fresh air, and lobster—what more could we ask for? 💙

I made Vietnamese beef stew (Bò Kho) for a gathering with friends yesterday, and it was a big hit! Everyone loved it 🥰 T...
09/06/2025

I made Vietnamese beef stew (Bò Kho) for a gathering with friends yesterday, and it was a big hit! Everyone loved it 🥰

The best compliment I received was how thankful they were—not just for the food, but for introducing them to something new ❤️. I’d love to share meals like this with everyone—this is truly my passion!

I’ll forever appreciate the friendships we have. As we grow older, we may have fewer friends, but the ones who stay matter even more. 🫶

Yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️has been my passion, right alongside cooking 👩🏻‍🍳 and motherhood . But practicing here, surrounded by the brea...
05/06/2025

Yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️has been my passion, right alongside cooking 👩🏻‍🍳 and motherhood . But practicing here, surrounded by the breathtaking Chiricahua Mountains, is something special ⛰️⛰️. I’m here to breathe, refocus, and re-energize my whole being.

🥞 Fluffy Banana Pancakes – Our Family's Favorite!These pancakes are soft, flavorful, and the perfect way to use up those...
04/06/2025

🥞 Fluffy Banana Pancakes – Our Family's Favorite!
These pancakes are soft, flavorful, and the perfect way to use up those ripe bananas. Top them with maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream—or our kids’ new obsession: toasted coconut flakes! 🥥💛

Start your morning right. A good breakfast = energy for the day ahead!
👉 Get the full recipe: https://thekoolemom.com/fluffy-banana-pancakes-a-family-favorite-breakfast

24/05/2025

Do you dare to eat silkworms?

My kids didn’t like them—and honestly, neither did I. I don’t blame them!

Silkworms are actually clean, fatty, and a great source of protein. But nope, we’re good! 😅
I’d rather eat pork intestines, rabbit brain, or even blood cake than silkworms. LOL 🐛

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