What is modern cuisine and how did this term emerge in Asia? In Asia, and also in Vietnam, this modernist cuisine is applied to create exceptional dishes: science of cooking, creative food presentation, fusion cuisine, and more. Chapter Dining and Chef Quang Dung had the opportunity to lecture on Modern Cuisine at VinUniversity on March 12. Let’s dive into the art of Modern Asian Cuisine and discover how we incorporate these trends into Northwest Vietnamese dishes for the perfect fine dining experience.
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Lecture with Chef Quang Dung at VinUniversity
“Modern Cuisine” and “Modern Asian Cuisine” are becoming increasingly popular and widely discussed in Vietnam. Chef Quang Dung from Chapter Dining recently gave a lecture to Hospitality Management students at VinUniversity (Hanoi, Vietnam).
The students were introduced to these terms and also gained a fundamental understanding of “food” and “cooking” in the F&B industry. Chef Quang Dung provided in-depth insights into basic scientific techniques in modern cuisine and conducted a practical session on “Modern Gelation – Spherification”.
The lecture offered valuable experiences for Vietnamese students and marked a step forward for Chapter Dining in sharing information on this topic.
What is Modern Cuisine? Science of Food and Cooking
When we talk about cuisine, we often think of food and cooking. The term “food”, as defined by Codex Alimentarius, is “anything intended for human consumption but is not a drug”. Meanwhile, “cooking” is the process of transforming ingredients, which are either inedible or not delicious, into something edible and delicious through heat, force, and chemical reactions.
So, what is modern cuisine? It is a way of using food and cooking, to create a cuisine that focuses on innovation, creativity, and scientific techniques, which began in the 20th century.
Renowned chefs like Ferran Adrià and Gordon Ramsay have pioneered this culinary movement, introducing new cooking techniques to the world and offering diners a fresh perspective on food and modern cuisine.
In Vietnam, Modern Asian Cuisine also embraces technology and scientific methods to craft exceptional dishes that captivate not only with their flavors but also through surprising and unique presentations from the innovative spirit of chefs.
What defines Modern Asian Cuisine?
Modern Asian Cuisine is known for its diversity and strong influences from many countries such as Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand, India,… By blending time-honored recipes with contemporary cooking techniques, restaurants elevate traditional dishes to create a dining experience that captivates global diners. More specifically, at Chapter Dining, our chefs embrace creativity, transforming local and organic ingredients into something entirely new, to craft a “new image” of familiar food, making each dish not only a delight for the palate but also a story of innovation and modern cuisine.
It continues to evolve, bringing diverse trends like sustainable gastronomy (Farm-to-Table, Zero Waste), and fusion cuisine, which merges different culinary traditions to create groundbreaking flavors. When it comes to modern Vietnamese cuisine, Chapter Dining also applies modern culinary trends, elevating ingredients in every fine dining experience in Hanoi.
One standout dish is banh mi, featured in most of our Chapter Menus, which we present through the deconstructed food trend. Traditional Vietnamese banh mi is known for its incredible combination of ingredients. But at Chapter Dining, we meticulously deconstruct its elements, plating them before diners to showcase each ingredient. This approach transforms banh mi from a simple dish into a work of art, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam.
Application of Modern Asian Cuisine at Chapter Dining
At Chapter, Modern Asian Cuisine is ever-present in every fine dining experience. First and foremost, we are committed to promoting Northern Vietnamese cuisine to all diners by carefully selecting local ingredients from our local farms. The next thing is the Sustainability aspect so that every meal in our restaurant benefits both the diner’s health and the environment.
Then, with a creative approach — blending science in cooking techniques, trends, and global inspirations — Vietnamese cuisine is harmonized to be more accessible to international diners. We innovate while staying true to the authenticity and the identity of each region in Vietnam.
One of our signature dishes at Chapter Dining was the Iberico Candle (Chapter Menu – From The Land, 2022). Yes, you heard it right, an edible candle served in our restaurant. Using advanced scientific techniques, Iberico pork fat is rendered down with butter and special spices and then cooled into a candle. During the dining, the Iberico candle is lit, allowing guests to enjoy its nutty flavor by dipping toasted bread into this melted lard.
Our chefs continuously research and innovate to bring Modern Cuisine to every meal while staying rooted in Northern Vietnamese culinary traditions. At Chapter, every fine dining is more than just food — it tells a story to our diners.
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Chapter Dining
12C Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Mon – Sat from 18:00 – 23:00
Tel: +84 333 201 221 – Reserve a table
Email: reservation@chapter.vn
