Nhà Ở Restaurant has a beautiful view of serene nature. VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

By Thương Nguyễn

Savouring local cuisine is often one of the most memorable parts of any journey. During my recent trip to the central province of Phú Yên, I had the pleasure of experiencing a fresh take on traditional dishes at Nhà Ở Restaurant.

Located within Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô, the restaurant offers breathtaking views of the beach and rolling green hills, creating a perfect backdrop for tasting the local flavours of this beautiful region.

Nhà Ở Restaurant, affectionately known as the “House of Life” by its staff, features a bright, airy terrace where diners can feel at one with the pristine natural surroundings while enjoying the distinctive local culinary experiences.

The rice crepes are made by a chef right in the restaurant lobby. VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

The restaurant's name, meaning simply “home”, evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity. The minimalist interior design is complemented by Indochinese antiques and locally crafted furnishings, adding to the intimate ambience.

Authentic cuisine

The breakfast menu at Nhà Ở focuses on local specialities such as bánh cuốn Phú Yên (fresh spring roll made with rice crêpes filled with herbs, vegetables, and meat); bánh hỏi, a dish of delicate rice vermicelli woven together and served with roasted pork and spicy dipping sauce; and Phú Yên-style bún cá (fish noodle soup).

My favourite dish was the rice crêpes, expertly prepared by the chefs right in the restaurant lobby, following traditional methods. Each crêpe is thin and delicate, lightly brushed with scallion oil, and filled with finely ground pork and wood ear mushrooms, served piping hot. The combination of local rice crêpe craftsmanship with northern-style hot pork-filled crêpes results in a unique flavour, served in the central region style with thinly sliced cucumbers, basil, chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage), and dipping sauce poured over the top.

'Bánh hỏi heo quay' (a dish made with tiny strings of rice vermicelli woven together, combined with roasted pork and spicy dipping sauce). VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

In addition to these specialities, the breakfast buffet offers various choices, from Vietnamese to Western cuisine, set in a tranquil morning atmosphere with soft sunlight and gentle breezes.

For lunch, I highly recommend the wood-fired pizzas or the fresh clam pasta with melted cheese served with toasted bread. The pasta noodles are cooked to the perfect texture – slightly chewy yet soft – infused with flavourful seasoning. The sauce is meticulously prepared, achieving the ideal consistency to coat each strand of noodle, resulting in a well-balanced dish.

Fresh clam pasta with melted cheese served with toasted bread. VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

All ingredients at Nhà Ở are sourced through the "farm-to-table" model from local suppliers. The resort even maintains its own vegetable garden, ensuring self-sufficiency and contributing to the sustainable development of the local area.

For dinner, guests can indulge in the flavours of the central region with fresh seafood, prepared using natural grilling techniques or simmered in sour soups with characteristic central Vietnamese greens.

This cooking method preserves the natural taste, savouriness and crispness of the seafood, offering an "authentic" experience that reflects the quality of the catch from Sông Cầu – a town known for having the best fish from Cù Mông Lagoon and the finest rice from Phú Dương paddy fields.

On the evening of my visit, the table next to ours was enjoying a hot pot, the savoury smell of the sour soup broth with fish and home-grown vegetables filling the air. It left me eager to return and share this dish with my own family. A holiday feels even more complete when sharing delicious meals.

Grilled squid with passionfruit sauce. VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

After dinner, a stroll to the adjacent Hầm Bar is a must. Here, you can enjoy classic cocktails and beverages in a space that resembles an exclusive club from the Indochina colonial era, with its sophisticated interior design. Leather lamps, green marble, and antiques from both northern and southern Việt Nam create a rustic yet luxurious atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and sharing stories.

Hầm (Basement) Bar offers classic cocktails and beverages. VNS Photo Thương Nguyễn

According to Alain Bachmann, general manager of Nhà Ở, the restaurant's culinary team has spent considerable time exploring Sông Cầu and nearby fishing villages.

“Our chefs didn’t just engage with the local people; they immersed themselves in the experience of various traditional dishes to truly understand the roots of Phú Yên's cuisine,” he said.

“They then applied their culinary expertise to create unique new menu items that are deeply rooted in the region's rich cultural heritage and abundant local ingredients.

“Driven by a passionate dedication to traditional cuisine and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, our chefs strive to bring forth a captivating array of dishes for diners,” he added. VNS