Bistro Hoi An Opens Its Doors at Elements Celebrating the Aromatic Cuisine of Vietnam's Rich Heritage

Bistro Hoi An, a culinary tribute to the fresh, fragrant flavours and diverse tastes of Vietnam, opens its doors at Civic Square in ELEMENTS, West Kowloon today, occupying a commanding two-storey space fronting the outdoor piazza, where the tantalising aromas of the country's plentiful herbs will ignite fun-filled gatherings and private events.

Authentic dishes prepared with an innovative hand elevate Vietnam's lively street-dining tradition, enriched by an exciting drinks menu peppered with Vietnamese spirits and exotic botanicals. Happy Hour (daily, 3pm – 8pm) is true to its name with 20% off on selected beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails and spirits.

Managed by Cafe Deco Group, Bistro Hoi An embodies Vietnam's culinary heritage, blending the cosy neighbourhood dining of the French colonial era with the cultural richness of ancient Hoi An, a historic port city. Reflecting its name, meaning "peaceful meeting place," the interior features vibrant traditional lanterns and a spacious design of over 5,500 sq. ft. Seating more than 170 guests across two levels and outdoor tables, the décor combines wood, leather, exposed brick and sleek tiles, enhanced by a brown and grey colour palette and a mural depicting local life along the Hoi An canals. The restaurant can also be hired privately for unforgettable parties.

Delightfully Diverse Dishes Showcasing Colour, Flavour and Fragrance

The true essence of Vietnam is seen in the kitchen, where the team imports a vast array of herbs, spices and other key ingredients essential for the cuisine's complexity and uplifting aromas, such as mint, Vietnamese coriander, perilla, basil, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, ginger and shallots alongside housemade fish sauce (nuoc cham), pickles, sesame oil and chilli oil. The fragrant green herbs and fresh red chillies form pretty, powerful garnishes for favourite Vietnamese dishes enhanced by creative touches.

Cooling summer appetisers with a spicy kick and an East-meets-West vibe include Shrimp Ceviche (HK$138), where sashimi-grade tiger prawns bathe in fruity calamansi nuoc cham; and Beef Tartare (HK$148), a tongue-tingling mince of beef from France seasoned with fish sauce, chilli and cilantro, garnished with betel leaf and rice powder, and served with crunchy youtiao (fried dough sticks).

The journey continues with Chargrilled Pork Jowl (HK$105) featuring generous slices of the flavourful pork cut, paired with green papaya salad, shallots and moreish tamarind sauce. Cilantro pineapple dipping sauce enlivens Vietnamese Chicken Skewer (HK$105), while Buttered Garlic Chicken Wing (HK$88) sees the plump chicken joint first deep-fried, then fried with butter and garlic.

Perfect for the summer months, Vietnamese salads and traditional rolls come with crisp seasonal vegetables, herbs and a dash of flair. Honey Pomelo Prawn Salad (HK$138) blends sweet, citrus and seaside flavours. Deep-fried to perfection, Crispy Pork & Taro Spring Roll (HK$88) is cushioned by fresh outer wrappings of lettuce, pickle and fresh herbs; by contrast, the soft exterior of Rice Paper Roll is enhanced by crunchy fillings of Soft Shell Crab (HK$118), Prawn & Avocado (HK$98) or the vegetarian combination of Mango Avocado (HK$82).

Nodding to French Indochina tastes of old, the signature Banh Mi baguettes are stuffed with Grilled Pork (HK$128), Roasted Chicken (HK$128) or Grilled Beef (HK$138), complemented by foie gras pâté, pickles, fresh herbs and mayonnaise.

Classic fiery pho and other noodle-soup bowls are the natural stars of the colourful menu. In the fragrant and satisfying Bun Bo Hue treat of US Beef Brisket, Rare Beef, Pork Belly (HK$138), the vermicelli soaks up a rich layered broth featuring beef bones simmered for more than 12 hours. Vietnamese crab and fresh tomatoes are slow cooked for the seafood stock of Crab & Tomato Rice Vermicelli Soup (HK$135), topped with king prawn and minced pork.

Bistro Hoi An's delectable Bun Tron platters are refreshingly light and flavourful, with the rice-noodle salad brightened by the crunch of housemade pickles, roasted peanuts, shallot chips and caramelised onion as well as aromatic Vietnamese herbs. Meat lovers will favour Grilled Chicken Vermicelli Platter (HK$115), while Eggplant Avocado Bean Curd Vermicelli Platter (HK$108) is a wholesome must-have. Decadent curries featuring egg are sprinkled with sweet basil and served with baguette: choose from Soft Shell Crab in Special Egg Curry (HK$198) or King Prawn in Special Egg Curry (HK$268).

The 'Bigger Bites' section of the menu welcomes popular dishes like Hoi An Suckling Pig (HK$288) drizzled with hot sriracha hoi sin sauce and garnished with cooling pickle and fresh herbs. The photogenic Turmeric Whole Seabass (HK$238) comes with sides of roasted peanuts, lettuce, pomelo and rice vermicelli. Chargrilled M9 Wagyu Bavette (HK$338) is another standout, its premium marbled meat enriched with sticky beef sauce, pickles and shallot chips.

Roasted Three Yellow Chicken (HK$186, half) is marinated with lemongrass, palm sugar and lime leaves before roasting, then topped with caramelised palm sugar crumbs and served with the chef's three-flavoured sauce. Succulent Vietnamese Style Sauteed King Prawn (HK$288) is a must-try, showcasing vibrant colour and rich flavour from annatto seeds and foie-gras sauce. The prawns are perfectly cooked, creating a satisfying bite that pairs beautifully with the creamy, umami richness of the sauce, which can be mopped up with the accompanying baguette.

Desserts bring the spicy-sour-salty Vietnamese dining experience to a sweetly refreshing conclusion – starring Caramelised Popcorn Banana (HK$72) with Lotus Biscoff gelato and raspberry; Coconut Sherbet (HK$72) dressed with mango, pomelo, peanut, lime and honeycomb; and Affogato (HK$72) featuring Lotus Biscoff gelato doused with Vietnamese espresso.

Drinks Laced with Local Ingredients Reflecting Vietnam's Energy and Charm

Like the food menu, the all-new drinks menu favours Vietnamese herbs and home-grown ingredients, providing a one-of-a-kind pre- or post-dinner drinking experience. Botanicals like juniper, pepper and tea headline the award-winning small-batch Lady Trieu Contemporary Gin (HK$98), while the floral Lady Trieu Dalat Flowerbomb Gin (HK$108) showcases jasmine, chrysanthemum, lotus and coriander, and Lady Trieu Sapa Citrus Tea Gin (HK$108) is a heady herbal pour. The first premium dry gin distilled in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Baigur (HK$108) reveals notes of citrus, spices, petals and juniper berries. Sampan Rhum (HK$98) made with local sugarcane juice is a dry, white Vietnamese rum with floral and salty undertones.

These local spirits infuse a list of ingenious, expertly crafted Cocktails which look as delicious as they taste. Served in a bowl, Go with the Pho (HK$118) blends Lady Trieu Contemporary Gin and Cointreau with cinnamon, black cardamon, star anise, coriander, lime, and uniquely, beef broth, while the delightful Dalat Garden (HK$118) features Lady Trieu Dalat Flowerbomb Gin alongside elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, apple juice and lavender syrup.

Bui Vien Espresso Martini (HK$108) is an adrenaline rush of Sampan Rhum, Vietnamese coffee and crème de cassis. Sweet chocolate meets bitter-sour in the tall, slim cocktail of Hanoi Nights (HK$98), mixing crème de cacao brown, Campari, calamansi syrup and tonic water; and Sapa Colada (HK$98) serenades rice, with Vietnamese rice wine, Sampan Rhum, rice milk, pineapple juice, butterfly pea and a frothy topping of toasted rice foam.

Mocktails (all HK$78) are equally eye-catching, particularly the rosy spectacle of Hoi An Cong Chua, starring lychee, calamansi juice and elderflower syrup with carbonated rose tea. Phu Quoc Sunset is a tropical holiday thirst-quencher combining pulpy grapefruit purée, lime, soda and smoked sea salt, while Lush is a green, creamy dream of Sicilian pistachio paste and coconut milk sweetened by raspberry purée.

Bistro Hoi An's kitchen signatures can be washed down with a tempting range of bottled beers (HK$78 each) hailing from Vietnam, including craft beer specialist iBiero's innovative Hanoi Autumn Lager with Pandan, Brown Chocolate Stout, and Vanilla Cream Ale; and Purpose Cucumber Pilsner and Quietest Creature Lemongrass Wit wheat ale from Saigon brewery Heart of Darkness. Saigon Cider Original Apple presents a light, crisp alternative to beer.

Vietnamese coffee is known for its strong Robusta beans and slow-drip phin brewing through a metal filter. Bistro Hoi An is the perfect place to savour the country's French-inspired café culture and eclectic local coffee tastes, with the likes of Cà Phê Sữa (Coffee with Condensed Milk, HK$55), Strawberry Cà Phê Sữa (HK$60), Cà Phê Trứng (Coffee with Egg Yolk & Condensed Milk, HK$60), Cà Phê Muối (Coffee with Condensed Milk & Sea Salt, HK$60) and the tropical coffee cooler of Cà Phê Dừa (Iced Coffee with Condensed & Coconut Milk, HK$60).

"We are excited to welcome the opening of Bistro Hoi An at ELEMENTS, West Kowloon, a palace of 'floating lanterns'," says Angelo McDonnell, CEO of Cafe Deco Group. "Its atmospheric two-storey space provides a full immersion into Vietnamese heritage, while the authentic yet innovative dishes capture the country's fragrant essence and joie de vivre."

For more information, please visit www.cafedecogroup.com/en-us/brand/Bistro%20Hoi%20An/.