In Vietnam, the connection between food and maternal love is universal. No matter how many delicious dishes we try elsewhere, the experience of sitting down to a meal prepared with care and affection by our mothers is incomparable. That is the only thing Mr. Duy bore in mind when he opened “Bếp Hên” a traditional Vietnamese family-style restaurant in Da Nang. Whether a flavorful Vietnamese braised fish or a simple, nourishing vegetable dish, the essence of enjoying a home-cooked meal in a comfortable setting is ever-present. At Bếp Hên, every meal tells a nostalgic story, bringing back cherished memories of home and recalling the boundless love of a mother through typical Vietnamese home-cooked dishes for everyone.

“Bếp Hên”

In Vietnamese, “Bếp” means both “stove” and “kitchen,” symbolizing warmth, family, and tradition. Along with this is “Hên,” a dialect word in some Vietnamese areas that signifies luck or smoothness when doing something. “I believe ‘Bếp Hên’ represents a place where the warmth of home cooking and a seamless experience when enjoying shared meals with loved ones come together to bring a relaxed feeling for guests,” says Mr. Duy with a graceful smile. 

This name exudes the image of what the restaurant aims to offer, a sense of comfort and nostalgia, and the simple joy of a home-cooked meal. In combination with that is a pleasant atmosphere filled with warmth and happiness, offering a flawless experience for all who dine at Bếp Hên.

“Về Nhà Có Cơm”

Mr. Duy was raised on the simple home-cooked dishes of his Hue-originated mother. Hue, an ancient city well-known for its rich culinary heritage, deeply influenced his upbringing. His childhood was steeped in family traditions, particularly those of his mother’s kitchen, which he fondly considers as the foundation that nurtured his passion for traditional Vietnamese family-style cuisine.

Certain intimate dining moments with family from those years are flooding Mr. Duy’s memory. “After a hectic day at school, I was always eager to go back home because I knew my mother was waiting for me with the tempting aroma of dishes wafting from our kitchen,” he reminisces. This deep connection to his mother’s cooking inspired the logo of his restaurant, “Về Nhà Có Cơm,” which means “There is always a meal waiting for you at home.”

“I think this is a gentle reminder filled with affection from Bếp Hên that no matter how far you go, there is a delicious home-cooked meal on the table preparing for you,” he proudly claims.

The Irreplaceable Touch of a Woman’s Hands in a Taste of Home

Many people still believe that professional chef jobs are typically for men and only appreciate those male roles. “For many years, I have recognized a lot of conservative people still have taken Vietnamese women’s efforts and sacrifices surrounding the stove at home for granted. However, I have broken that stereotype,” shares Mr. Duy. This is why Bếp Hên’s kitchen is staffed exclusively by women, bringing a unique, home-like warmth reminiscent of a mother or grandmother preparing food to the dining experience. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to pay homage to and take pride in the incredible talent and efficiency of our female chefs, especially throughout our long culinary journey.”

Every Pot Has Its Lid

The first step in opening Bếp Hên was finding the perfect space, ideally an old house, and determining how to decorate it while preserving its original ancient beauty. According to Mr. Duy, “every pot has its lid.” He believes that the delicious taste of each meal comes not only from the quality of the food but also from the ambiance and setting in which it is enjoyed. 

From the tables and chairs to the bowls, chopsticks, and even the copper “mâm”, a circular food tray, he has spent five years searching and strictly choosing the original ones all over Vietnam to “recreate the traditional dining environment as authentically as possible.” Moreover, because of growing up in Vietnam’s coastal regions and being aware of sustainable development, Mr. Duy also found innovative ways to incorporate his personal history into the restaurant’s design. He repurposed old materials, like wooden planks from old fishing boats, to make windows and doors for the restaurant or old iron frames to turn them into “bánh tét”-shaped ceiling lights, adding the rustic and unique charm of Bếp Hên.

Mr. Duy feels that the modern lifestyle has gradually eroded the spirit of traditional meals which is valuable time for family members gathering together around “mâm” to share intimate stories, bonding the family tie. Therefore, he hopes that this space will revive forgotten memories in each person. “In particular, at Bếp Hên, foreigners who want to learn about Vietnamese culture can experience a truly traditional atmosphere and meals, helping them better understand the long-standing and invaluable traditions of Vietnamese culinary practices,” he adds.

Celebrating the Flavors of Vietnam with Bếp Hên

Each region in Vietnam has its own distinct dishes and flavors. For example, the North prefers fresh, light flavors, while the South loves sweet and sour tastes. Central Vietnam’s people have a preference for spicy and salty food. However, there are intersections of Vietnamese cuisine between regions. “You can find a typical family meal everywhere with a bowl of hot sticky rice, a bowl of green vegetable soup, a plate of thinly sliced boiled pork, or a pot of braised fish that form the soul of a home-cooked meal,” says he.

At Bếp Hên, Mr. Duy aims to balance the flavors of the three regions with basic yet nutritious dishes to meet the needs of diners from all over, not only meat lovers but also vegetarians. “I opened this restaurant in 2015, and since then I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with new dishes to perfect the menu,” shares he. Dishes at Bếp Hên are often presented so beautifully that no one can resist tasting them immediately upon seeing them.

Eventually, good news came to pay off the hard work. Bếp Hên has recently been honored as one of the Michelin Selected 2024 restaurants in Da Nang for its nonstop dedication to Vietnamese culinary culture. “I was surprised and glad when I heard the news. But… just that! The only value to me is the recognition from guests who visited and gave us positive feedback. That is the motivation for us to be better in the long run,” he humbly says.

Bếp Hên Restaurant
Address: 47 Le Hong Phong, Da Nang
Tel: 093 533 77 05
Mail: haiduy14284@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bep.henvn