“It’s like a soul-satisfying feeling when you’re eating something that just hits your heart.”
— Nina Compton
There are dishes that linger in a guest’s mind with a warmth and familiarity that feels like a comfort to the soul. For Chef Dong Hoang Nam, the journey in the kitchen has always begun with that simple desire: to pour sincere emotions into every plate to find resonance with those who savor his food.
A natural connection to the land of mist
Growing up with the gentle pace of Da Lat – a fertile land with fresh produce all year round – a passion for vegetables, fruits, and rustic ingredients naturally grew within Chef Nam. The land of mist forged his habit of listening to the ingredients, along with a delicate sensitivity to the freshness and rustic aroma of each local product. To him, vegetables and fruits are not just ingredients on a plate, but wholesome gifts from nature that need to be treated with respect and balance.
Beginning his professional culinary path in 2016, he spent many years honing his craft in classical French cuisine, absorbing systematic methods from masters such as the Pourcel Brothers, Richard Toix, and Frederic Thevenet. His solid foundation in Western techniques has become a bridge that helps him fully honor the richness of Vietnamese produce combined with East Asian flavors in every dish.
Meticulousness – Passion – Creativity: A humble professional philosophy
In his daily work, Chef Nam always finds inspiration in the dedication and caution of the Japanese people, taking three core values as his guiding principles:
- Meticulousness: Listening to and respecting each natural characteristic of the ingredients to find the most harmonious way to process them.
- Passion: Putting full care into every step of preparation, turning every moment in the kitchen into a lasting creative joy.
- Creativity: Seeking fresh ways to bring traditional flavors into contemporary culinary life in an approachable way.
To him, cooking is a bridge connecting the preparer and the recipient, a place where passion can touch emotions and bring pleasant moments to each diner.
Listening to time: Modern culinary techniques and the art of preservation and fermentation
The highlight of Chef Nam’s style is his appreciation for the flow of time combined with patience in the kitchen. Instead of looking for quick shortcuts, he chooses to combine modern culinary techniques with the art of preservation and fermentation – two factors that work in harmony to expand the spectrum of flavor:
- The art of preservation and fermentation: It means honoring the natural state and enhancing the depth of local produce. Through natural biological transformation over time, ingredients are awakened with subtle, profound, and rich layers of flavor that standard heat-based methods struggle to create.
- Modern culinary techniques (Modernist Cuisine): Acting as a scientific standard that helps the chef understand and master the physical structure of ingredients. By controlling temperature and precise environments, this technique retains the moisture, delicate texture, and purest nutritional source within each component.
The intersection of these two schools is not about showing off complexity, but rather a way for the chef to express respect for the ingredients: using modern techniques to cherish the structure, and borrowing the art of time to awaken the soul of the dish.
The journey with NÚC Kitchen & Bar and the continuation
The year 2020 marked a meaningful milestone as he took on the position of Executive Chef. This was a phase where he was both directly shaping the flavor profile of the menu and accompanying, inspiring, and sharing experiences with young colleagues in the kitchen.
Attached since the early days, he worked alongside the team to build an approachable and open culinary style at NÚC Kitchen & Bar. As the development journey moves into a new phase, that persistent work ethic has been entrusted to Chef Tommy to carry on. Currently, in his role as Culinary Advisor, Head Chef Nam continues to support from behind the scenes to preserve the inherent warm core values.
A parallel journey at ÚNU Eatery & Bar and Ômm Mixology
Currently, Head Chef Nam holds a concurrent role as head chef at both ÚNU Eatery & Bar and Ômm Mixology – two spaces with two completely different creative ranges.
While ÚNU offers a free-spirited, vibrant, and cozy culinary perspective, typical of an eatery, Ômm is where he indulges in deep technical exploration through unique event banquets. Here, he designs menus that harmoniously pair with the art of cocktails (pairing) during guest shift nights or international collaborations that require precision and experiential depth.
No matter the position, this quiet head chef maintains his inherent composure and humility – meticulously gathering local ingredients to bring warm and emotionally complete dishes to every visiting guest.
