The Nguyen Dynasty’s legacy continues to live on in Hue, Viet Nam, and we don’t just mean the Forbidden Purple City and the many imperial tombs in the hills.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
Establishments like An Nhien Garden Restaurant continue to uphold Viet Nam’s regal legacy. Run by the descendants of a Nguyen nobleman who first arrived in 1558 CE, An Nhien takes care to serve authentic vegetarian dishes that draw inspiration from both Hue traditional foods and recipes created by “Ngự Thiện,” the Nguyen dynasty’s royal chefs.
The sisters An and Nhien Nguyen now oversee the restaurant’s operations on their 400-year-old ancestral garden property in Hue – a cozy culinary empire which would do their esteemed forefather proud. We talked to Nhien Nguyen about the restaurant’s origins, where they draw inspiration from, and how they’re both maintaining and adapting old traditions within their extensive vegetarian menu.
Can you describe the concept and inspiration behind An Nhien Garden Restaurant?
In retrospect, the inspiration for An Nhien Garden Restaurant sprouted within the confines of the hospital. A cherished family member fell ill and required adherence to a strict plant-based diet. This prompted us to explore crafting nourishing meals that catered to both healthy and recovering members of the family.
We already had access to vegetarian restaurants at the time, yet we struggled to find one that served meals that would meet our dietary needs. Eventually, my sister and I decided to found our own place that harmonized both physical and spiritual nourishment.
The name An Nhien was derived from our own names. In Vietnamese, my sister An’s name means “Peace”, and Nhien – my name – means “Nature”. When the two names are put together, they create another word that translates to “Inner Peace”, and this word has been the guiding ethos behind every facet of An Nhien Garden Restaurant.
Everything we do is to serve the purpose of creating a place that helps people recharge the “peace battery” inside them.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
Can you describe the location of the restaurant, and its history?
An Nhien Garden is set just four kilometers from the city center. It might appear a bit distant to some, yet I perceive this distance as a necessity. We can host guests in a peaceful neighborhood, shielded from the cacophony of urban life, but still close enough to encourage visitors in the city center to come on in.
Imagine Hue City without its iconic landmarks – the Imperial Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and its majestic mausoleums. That was how my ancestor Nguyễn Thưởng found the place, back in 1558 CE when he followed Lord Nguyễn Hoàng – founder of the Nguyễn dynasty – from Thăng Long (Hà Nội today) to Thuận Hóa (Thừa Thiên Huế today).
When he arrived, my ancestor encountered what locals referred to as long mạch, meaning “dragon veins” in English. This refers to a network of subterranean water sources, likened to the intricate veins of a dragon. In feng shui, this discovery was immensely auspicious: these underground water channels symbolized vitality and prosperity, laying the foundation for optimism and promise in this new land.
For 465 years, this land has been our cherished home, and I now stand proudly as a descendant of the 21st generation, deeply rooted in this lineage.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
What are An Nhien Garden restaurant’s most popular dishes, and what makes them unique?
An Nhien Garden’s culinary uniqueness stems from our commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The use of healthy seasonings and condiments, derived from fresh vegetables, allows for a better fusion of flavors, achieving natural umami without prolonged cooking times that might compromise nutritional properties.
Moreover, our presentation caters to tourists’ aesthetic sensibilities without compromising the authentic tastes reminiscent of family recipes.
That is why our best-selling dishes tend to be traditional Hue food with a fusion touch of appearance, such as Fig With King Trumpet Mushroom Salad (pictured above), Lotus Rice, An Nhien Spring Rolls, Hue On A Tray etc.
Can you discuss any seasonal or special menu items that highlight local produce?
Hue’s unique climate and fertile soils provide us with an array of exceptional plants and vegetables. The “Thanh Trà” pomelo from Thủy Biều region is prized for its juicy and fragrant pulp – when the pomelo trees bear fruit in summer, our Pomelo Salad becomes a sought-after delicacy, capturing the essence of this season in a best-selling appetizer.
June brings hot and humid air, suitable for lotus flowers. When in season, we harness every element of the versatile lotus plant: lotus seeds join rice for a fulfilling main course, or accompany various vegetables to create light, refreshing snacks.
The delicate lotus petals, carefully wrapped around green tea, represent one of highest forms of enjoyment for tea drinkers. Even the lotus roots, known for their medicinal properties and a standby in many royal dishes, find their way into our menu. Even the small bitter germs within the lotus seeds can also be brewed into a soothing tea, ideal for those troubled with insomnia.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
What traditional Vietnamese vegetarian dishes are on the menu?
Nearly all of our dishes are traditional Vietnamese vegetarian dishes. We’re committed to preserving traditional Hue vegetarian cuisine at An Nhien Garden, down to learning the craft from descendants of the esteemed “Ngự Thiện,” the Nguyễn dynasty’s royal chefs.
This commitment involves reviving treasured recipes that risk fading into obscurity: our menu includes such rare treats like “Yam Sweet Soup” (Chè Tiến Vua), “Lotus Rice” (Cơm Sen), and “Hue on a tray” (Mâm Bánh Huế, pictured above), all of which are meticulously crafted to reflect Hue’s royal culinary heritage.
How do you ensure the freshness and quality of your ingredients? Can you tell us about your sourcing process for your ingredients?
We collaborate with local suppliers and farmers closely to ensure that we have fresh produce every day to maximize their freshness.
At An Nhien Garden, our “Menu of the Day” is shaped by the availability of fresh ingredients coming in each day, which ensures a delightful and ever-evolving dining experience for visitors. This chalkboard menu not only caters to diners seeking the freshest produce, but also adds an element of surprise for our beloved regulars, preventing any culinary monotony.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
What role does sustainability play in your restaurant’s philosophy and operations? How do you minimize food waste in your kitchen?
An Nhien Garden is not simply a restaurant; to us, it is also a medium through which we honor the past and nurture future generations to come. It is why An Nhien Garden intertwines sustainability with gastronomy. This belief is deeply rooted in both our overall mission and our day-to-day decisions.
For instance, some might argue that the use of organic produce does not always equate to sustainability due to higher resource demands. However, we believe that organic farming methods lead to healthier soil and support biodiversity, making it a more eco-friendly choice. It is also our job to get our kitchen staff on board on why we choose certain producers and not others.
In addition, we also work on crafting a menu whose dishes employ multiple parts of the same plants or vegetables, or multiple dishes having the same ingredients to reduce food loss. Furthermore, we compost our organic waste; the resulting fertilizer continues the cycle of life, where waste transforms into nourishment.
How do you educate your staff about sustainability and eco-conscious cooking?
An Nhien Garden was opened in May 2020, but all our staff started their full-time job over a month prior, focusing on training, which included eco-conscious practices.
By imparting knowledge that I personally received from local and international NGOs and institutes such as the Mekong Institutes or WWF Vietnam to my staff, we foster a shared ethos of sustainability throughout the team.
We discourage single-use plastics from the top of our supply chains, by giving reusable shopping bags to our shopping staff, as well as advocating sustainability with our suppliers so that we understand each other in this respect.
Image courtesy of An Nhien Garden Restaurant
Can you share any challenges you’ve faced in maintaining a sustainable vegetarian restaurant?
Navigating a vegetarian business in a community where traditions are deeply rooted presents its share of challenges.
The cultural association of plant-based meals solely with the Full Moon and New Moon posed an initial hurdle when we first opened, requiring time for the public’s acceptance of vegetarian dining beyond those designated days. Overcoming the misconception that vegetarian meals should be significantly cheaper was another challenge.
Additionally, sourcing produce required us to find reliable farms and producers. Implementing a thorough vetting process became essential.
Balancing a menu that appeals to both tourists and locals while preserving the essence of ancient cuisine is an ongoing daily challenge – one that requires finesse in presenting traditional flavors in an appealing manner.
How does the local community in Hue support your vegetarian offerings? What support do restaurants like yours get from government or the VNAT?
The establishment of the Hue Green Hub in the third quarter of 2023 marks a significant milestone, uniting owners and managers of local businesses committed to sustainability and environmental preservation. This platform provides a collaborative space for like-minded individuals to forge deeper connections, both professionally and personally, fostering understanding and mutual support in our shared cause.
Moreover, the Hue government’s proactive initiatives in promoting the city as a green destination resonate deeply with the spirit of sustainability.
Their dedication to various projects, aimed at maintaining cleanliness and enhancing the city’s allure for eco-conscious travelers, aligns seamlessly with the values upheld by An Nhien Garden. These efforts not only amplify the city’s appeal but also reinforce the commitment to environmental consciousness and responsible tourism within the community.
To learn more about An Nhien Garden Restaurant, visit their official website, or check out their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
