Chef Nguyen Dong Hai Honoured as ‘Master Culinary Artisan of Vietnam’

Chef Nguyen Dong Hai Honoured as ‘Master Culinary Artisan of Vietnam’

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 29, 2025

In a proud moment for Vietnam’s culinary world, Chef Nguyen Dong Hai, Executive Chef at Azerai La Residence, Hue, has been awarded the prestigious title of "Master Culinary Artisan of Vietnam." This rare national honour recognises his exceptional skill, cultural contribution, and unwavering dedication to preserving and innovating Vietnamese and Hue cuisine.

Presented by the Vietnam Handicraft Villages Association, the title is bestowed only once every few years, with fewer than ten chefs across the country selected in each cycle. Chef Hai’s recognition is a testament to his decades-long culinary journey and the profound impact of his work—serving everyone from international royalty and dignitaries to celebrities and global culinary icons.

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“Chef Hai embodies the essence of Hue's culinary heritage while infusing it with a global perspective,” said Minh Phan Trong, General Manager of Azerai La Residence, Hue. “His dedication, humility and creativity have earned him this well-deserved recognition.”

Chef Hai joined La Residence in 2005 and quickly became the visionary force behind several of its signature dining experiences, including The Colonial Life—a unique blend of Nguyen Dynasty imperial cuisine and French gastronomy. His celebrated “Majestic Menu,” crafted for the 2017 visit of Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, continues to be one of the hotel’s most iconic offerings.

Internationally, Chef Hai’s talent drew praise from the late Anthony Bourdain during his 2014 visit to the hotel. Bourdain particularly admired Hai’s inventive take on the Vietnamese banh mi, now known affectionately as the “La Residence Banh Mi.”

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Throughout his career, Chef Hai has worked with renowned chefs from around the world, and continues to serve as a mentor, training hundreds of aspiring chefs through collaborations with Hue Tourism College. His influence extends beyond the kitchen, playing a key role in shaping Vietnam’s future culinary landscape.

Located in a beautifully restored 1930s colonial mansion, Azerai La Residence, Hue is known for its art deco charm and riverside elegance. Recently named one of Vietnam’s top 16 hotels for 2025 by The Times (UK), it is part of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha’s growing Azerai portfolio.

Congratulations to Chef Nguyen Dong Hai on this extraordinary achievement—a recognition not just of individual excellence, but of Vietnamese culinary heritage on the world stage.


Seoul Dak Expands Footprint with First Mall Outlet at Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai

Seoul Dak Expands Footprint with First Mall Outlet at Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Seoul Dak has marked a key expansion milestone with the launch of its first-ever mall outlet at Phoenix Marketcity in Kurla, Mumbai. Known for introducing authentic Korean flavours to Indian diners, the brand has previously built its presence through high-street locations and now enters a high-visibility retail environment for the first time.

The new outlet has been designed to bring the energy of modern Seoul into a mall setting, blending neon-inspired interiors, youthful design elements, and a vibrant ambience suited for both quick bites and relaxed dining. With this launch, Seoul Dak aims to make Korean cuisine more accessible to Mumbai’s growing base of K-culture fans, families, and young professionals.

As interest in Korean entertainment, fashion, and food continues to rise in India, the brand is focusing on offering an immersive dining experience rooted in authenticity while reflecting contemporary Seoul’s cultural identity.

The menu continues to highlight Seoul Dak’s signature offerings, led by its popular Korean Fried Chicken available in flavours such as Volcano, Hot & Spicy, Ganjang, and K-BBQ. The outlet also features Korean staples including Ramen, Tteokbokki, and Korean Corn Dogs, along with refreshing K-Pop Coolers and indulgent Bingsus.

To mark the launch, Seoul Dak will host a grand opening event on 10th July featuring interactive games, live entertainment, and themed experiences including a photobooth inspired by Korean pop culture. The celebration is expected to bring together food lovers and fans of Korean culture in Mumbai.

Speaking on the launch, Sean Lee, Founder of Seoul Dak, said the Phoenix Marketcity outlet represents a new chapter for the brand as it expands into mall formats. He added that the goal is to offer not just authentic Korean food, but also a cultural experience that reflects the creativity and vibrancy of Seoul.

With this opening, Seoul Dak continues its growth journey in India, focusing on expanding its footprint through new locations, menu innovations, and culturally driven dining experiences that bring Korean flavours closer to Indian consumers.


Third Table Redefines Goa Café Culture with a “Third Space” Built for Long-Stay Living

Third Table Redefines Goa Café Culture with a “Third Space” Built for Long-Stay Living

By Hariharan U

Published on June 29, 2026

Goa’s evolving café culture is no longer just about holiday stops and beachside breaks. A quieter shift is underway in areas like Porvorim, where cafés are beginning to reflect a more permanent way of living rather than a temporary escape.

At the centre of this change is Third Table, a new café founded by Anjali Gupta and located between Panjim and the busy Candolim–Calangute stretch. The neighbourhood itself has seen a steady rise in expats, remote workers, and creatives over recent years, particularly after the widespread adoption of flexible and work-from-anywhere lifestyles. What was once a transitional space is now becoming increasingly rooted in everyday living.

Third Table is built around the idea of a “third space”, neither home nor work, but something intentionally in between. It is designed as a place where mornings are unhurried, work feels less transactional, and time is experienced at a more natural pace. The café reflects a broader behavioural shift in Goa, where longer stays are reshaping how people interact with food, community, and public spaces.

This philosophy extends into the experience itself. Rather than fixed meal formats, the menu features customizable breakfast boards, allowing guests to build their own plates depending on their pace and preference for the day. The offering is complemented by design-led desserts and freshly brewed canned coffee, blending a sit-down café experience with a more flexible, contemporary format suited to hybrid lifestyles.

Inside, the space is defined by natural light, greenery, and a calm aesthetic that encourages guests to stay longer than planned. The atmosphere is intentionally unhurried, aligning with the café’s core idea that it is not a stopover, but a place to settle into.

Third Table also reflects a wider transformation in Goa’s identity. As the state increasingly becomes a long-stay base rather than a short-term vacation destination, cafés are evolving into anchor points in daily routines. Spaces like Third Table are emerging not just as food and beverage outlets, but as essential parts of how people structure their everyday lives.

For founder Anjali Gupta, the concept draws inspiration from European café culture, where cafés function less as transactional spaces and more as places of ritual, familiarity, and community. Third Table brings that sensibility into a Goan context, blending global influence with the region’s inherent “susegad” approach to life.

Rather than positioning itself as just another café in Goa’s growing hospitality landscape, Third Table is attempting to redefine what a café can represent in a place that is steadily shifting from tourism-led rhythm to lived-in experience.

At its core, Third Table is not just responding to Goa’s café scene, it is responding to how people now choose to live there.


Kinya Coffee Introduces Weekend Breakfast Experience in Bengaluru's Indiranagar

Kinya Coffee Introduces Weekend Breakfast Experience in Bengaluru's Indiranagar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 28, 2026

Kinya Coffee is bringing a fresh take on Bengaluru's growing breakfast culture with the launch of The Weekend Breakfast, a curated morning experience designed for those who enjoy good food, exceptional coffee and unhurried conversations.

Hosted every Saturday and Sunday at its Indiranagar café, the initiative celebrates the idea of slowing down and making breakfast an occasion rather than a routine. Inspired by the café cultures of cities such as Paris, London and Melbourne, the experience aims to create a welcoming space where guests can gather, connect and enjoy their weekends at a relaxed pace.

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Located in one of Bengaluru's most vibrant neighbourhoods, Kinya Coffee is tapping into the city's evolving appreciation for breakfast-focused dining experiences. As more people embrace leisurely mornings, breakfast is increasingly becoming a social and cultural experience rather than simply the first meal of the day.

The menu brings together a selection of globally loved breakfast dishes, including Eggs Benedict, Turkish Çılbır, Shakshuka, Japanese Tamago Sandwiches, breakfast boards, pancakes and French toast. Each dish has been thoughtfully prepared to offer familiar flavours with attention to detail and quality.

Complementing the food menu is Kinya's specialty coffee and matcha programme. Guests can choose from espresso-based beverages, pour-over coffees, cold brews and ceremonial-style matcha, all crafted to enhance the overall breakfast experience. The focus is on creating beverages that encourage guests to linger a little longer and enjoy the moment.

Beyond the menu, The Weekend Breakfast is designed as a gathering space for Bengaluru's diverse community. Whether it's entrepreneurs catching up before the week ahead, families enjoying quality time together, friends reconnecting over coffee or travellers exploring the city's café culture, the experience offers a setting that brings people together.

In a fast-paced world, Kinya Coffee's latest offering embraces the simple joy of slowing down. With comforting food, carefully crafted beverages and a warm atmosphere, The Weekend Breakfast aims to become a go-to destination for Bengaluru's weekend mornings.

  • Location: Kinya Coffee, 12th Main Road, Indiranagar
  • Date: Every Saturday & Sunday
  • Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

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