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Vietnamese cuisine is making waves on the global culinary scene. More and more tourists travel to Vietnam to enjoy delicious dishes. But good food is not enough, restaurants are going the extra mile with unique service styles. These creative touches elevate the dining experience and attract more customers.
Creativity in service will create a highlight for the restaurant. Photo: Klook
It would be a mistake to miss out on these unique Vietnamese restaurants. When you get back, your friends will be jaw-dropping by your stories. Let's check out some of these one-of-a-kind places in the article below with Asia King Travel.
Have you noticed that blind people often have heightened senses? Their hands, ears, nose, and tongue become more sensitive to compensate for their lack of sight. Recognizing this, Noir Restaurant wants diners to experience food... in the dark.
Noir Restaurant menu is printed with braille so that customers can feel the experience of the visually impaired. Photo: Noir
Noir Restaurant is located at 180D Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Before your meal, you'll participate in some small games to get used to being without sight. All light-emitting objects like phones, flashlights, lighters, etc. must be left outside. No light can interrupt your experience.
In the dark room, you'll only be able to experience the food through smell, taste, and texture. Since you can't see anything, you'll need to eat slowly and smell carefully to guess what the dish is. This inadvertently makes the dining experience more fulfilling. You can customize the menu based on your dietary needs, or surprise yourself with a random menu. If you have any issues, the staff is ready to assist you.
Without light, can you differentiate between types of wine? Photo: Noir
After finishing your last dish, the staff will show you pictures of the food and describe the dishes. You'll be surprised when you compare your guesses with the actual dishes. Don't worry about eating in the dark, sometimes the absence of one thing makes other things stronger.
Sai Gon Clay Pot Rice Restaurant is a popular restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City for foreigners who want to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant has two branches at 59 Ho Xuan Huong and 27 Tu Xuong Streets, District 3. It specializes in simple but carefully prepared country-style dishes that are visually appealing.
To replicate the traditional Vietnamese way of cooking rice, the rice is cooked entirely in a clay pot. When cooked, some clay fragments may stick to the rice. Due to the small opening of the pot, it needs to be broken to remove the rice completely. If requested, the waiters will perform a special "breaking the pot, tossing the rice" show.
A waiter will smash the clay pot and toss rice for another to catch on a plate. Photo: Com Nieu Sai Gon
With quick and skillful movements, the rice is "flown" from one end to the other, creating an artistic performance that delights diners and keeps their eyes glued to the show. Sometimes, the staff accidentally drops some rice, bringing laughter to the diners. The fallen rice is collected and fed to livestock, ensuring no food is wasted.
Customers come to Sai Gon Clay Pot Rice to enjoy delicious food and watch a beautiful performance. Additionally, customers can learn more about the traditional pottery craft and the cooking methods of the Vietnamese people in the past. Painting on the clay pot also excites the little ones.
There are no fancy waiters; all dishes at The Train Restaurant are served via a mini railway. In the center of the restaurant, there is a model train set placed on a table. Surrounding the railway are miniature models of train stations, churches, castles, and villas, creating a European-style landscape. There are tables for about 50 guests arranged along the railway.
The train will make a complete circuit and stop right at the customer's table. Photo: VnExpress
The dishes will be placed on the cargo car of the model train and delivered directly to the customer's table. On average, the train will stop at each table for about 15-20 seconds for customers to take their food. The menu features multiple cuisines from Vietnam, Europe, Mexico, Korea, and more, attracting many foreign customers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Theu is the owner. She has traveled to Czechia, learned about this restaurant model and successfully applied it in Vietnam. The trains run at full capacity every single weekend. To experience the creative space of The Train Restaurant, head over to 41 Hung Phuoc 1 Internal Area in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.
Visitors to 76A Tran Huu Trang Alley, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City might find it strange to see people eating hu tieu without any visible restaurant. Upon closer inspection, they will discover that hu tieu is being served from the upper floor of a house by a rope. The owner of this unique eatery is Mrs. Nguyen Thanh Hong, fondly called Aunt Ba by her customers.
Aunt Ba cooks hu tieu on the upper floor and then lowers it down with a rope. Photo: ZNews
Aunt Ba shared that initially, the eatery also sold on the ground floor. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, she had to close to comply with quarantine regulations. Nevertheless, customers kept coming to inquire, so she invented the method of lowering the dish with a rope. Even after the pandemic, she continued to sell this way, and it has become a unique feature.
Regular customers simply sit, pour themselves a glass of iced tea, and call out for Aunt Ba. Upon hearing their order, she will immediately respond to confirm and start preparing hu tieu. The dish is placed on a tray and lowered down using a rope. Customers then place their payment back in the tray for Aunt Ba to pull up. For first-time visitors, the neighbors will show them where to sit and call out for Aunt Ba on their behalf.
A full bowl of hu tieu for just over a dollar. Photo: Travellive
Customers love the eatery because of Aunt Ba's friendliness, the delicious and affordable food - only VND 30,000 for a bowl of hu tieu. Many people visit the shop several times a week, and some even bring their colleagues or family along, making it difficult for Aunt Ba to keep up. However, she is always full of energy and smiles brightly when customers arrive.
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Normally, chickens can't fly, especially when they become a delicious dish on a plate. However, a restaurant in Da Lat has made it happen! Pallet Restaurant at 36 Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Da Lat City will let the chickens fulfill their wildest dreams... but from the kitchen to the dining table. The staff will zipline to serve the grilled chicken to customers.
The staff will help the chicken fly one last time. Photo: VinWonders
This literally “flying chicken” dish has made many diners open their eyes in surprise. After being cooked, the chicken is positioned with its wings spread wide. The staff, holding the hot plate of chicken, hangs from a 45-meter pulley and flies straight to the serving area. It looks fun, yet the staff must try hard to balance themselves while ensuring that the chicken doesn't fly off the plate.
A breezy and cozy outdoor space. Photo: Pallet Da Lat
Customers always praise the enthusiastic and funny staff also part-time circus performers. As a bonus, the restaurant also has a spacious and romantic outdoor area in the valley. At night, the restaurant transforms into a magical wonderland with twinkling lights and cozy bonfires. This is a must-visit destination whenever you come to this dreamy city.
Contrary to the principle of "the customer is always right," some eateries in Hanoi have no qualms about treating customers poorly. The grumpy owners are always ready to scold you if don't please them. “Eat if you want, or leave”. New customers may feel offended and won't return. Strangely, the eatery is always crowded. Perhaps it's because the food is delicious, or maybe the harsh words somehow become appealing?
The most famous "scolding" hawker stall is probably the one owned by Ms. Thao at 41 Ngo Si Lien Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi. Her scolding has even made it to CNN. Chef Anthony Bourdain personally tried the noodle soup and didn't spare any praise (luckily, he wasn't scolded).
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Ms. Thao is grumpy because she has had many rude customers. Photo: aFamily
Not to be outdone by Ms. Thao, Ms. Nhan also has her unique style. Her stall at 11 Trung Yen Alley, Hang Bac Street, Hoan Kiem District is known for delicious food and, of course, the owner's signature grumbling. However, Ms. Nhan doesn't scold customers without reason. She only raises her voice when someone wastes her time. Despite this, the restaurant is always packed with frequenters who are used to her ways.
Ms. Thao and Ms. Nhan's tough exterior is just a way to cope with the hardships. Photo: aFamily
Regular customers of this kind of restaurant in Hanoi have shared some survival tips. First, order clearly, and avoid making too many requests. Second, have cash ready to pay immediately after eating. Most importantly, don't question the seller; they're always right here. For foreign tourists, the owner might be more polite, but it's best to follow the three tips above and have a local friend with you.
Many Vietnamese restaurants, intentionally or unintentionally, have unique service styles. Customers not only enjoy delicious food but also memorable experiences. It's a piece of local culture right on the dining table. So contact Asia King Travel and plan your experience today.
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