Vietnamese is one of the most popular yet most misunderstood cuisines in Asia. There’s also way more to it than pho, banh mi and goi cuon (spring rolls), and Vietnamese people drink more than just ca phe sua da. It isn’t a “healthier” version of Chinese food either; it’s a rich and complex food culture (complete with variations and styles depending on the region) in its own right.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila will be paying homage to this diverse cuisine and its bright, playful flavors with its upcoming Vietnamese installment of the Flavors of the World culinary series. Running from April 23-29, 2018 at Spiral, this run will feature some of the best dishes from the Land of the Ascending Dragon care of Chef Duong Dai Doan and Chef Le Duy Thanh from Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Vietnam is home to a treasure trove of fresh flavors, and any Vietnamese cook worth his or her salt knows how to properly balance aroma, spice, sweet, savory and sour notes that exist in a single dish. Thanks to the country’s history and geography, its culinary landscape features influences from China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and France, and they come together to create something uniquely Vietnamese.
Chef Duong Dai Doan and Chef Le Duy Thanh will be showcasing many of Vietnam’s famous soups and noodle dishes, like bun thang (noodle soup with prawns, pork, mushrooms, salted egg and herbs from Northern Vietnam) and bun cha (noodles with grilled pork and mixed herbs that’s dunked into a bright dipping sauce). They’ll also prepare signature dishes such as roasted chicken with honey and spices, grilled chicken with turmeric, lime leaf and lemongrass, roasted pork belly, sautéed beef “luc lac,” squid curry and deep-fried crab nem (crab meat with onion, jicama, carrot and black mushrooms). Topping off the meal are sweet treats like black leaf cake, purple yam sweet soup and banh cha (a golden brown cake from Hanoi).
For an exclusive look into Vietnamese cooking techniques, take a seat at the Chef’s Table on April 24, 2018 at 11:30 am at the Davao and Boracay Show Kitchen and watch as the two chefs prepare your food with artistry and technical flair. This exclusive dining engagement is available at P2,500 per person, and a reservation is a must!
Spiral lunch is set at P2,750 (April 23-29), while dinner is set at P3,200 (April 23, 24 and 27) and P3,500 (April 25-26).
For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 2 551 5555 or email H6308@sofitel.com.
