Take a culinary journey through the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at Maroochydore’s newest restaurant and bar.
In less than two months, Hoang Ky Tran and Nhan Huu Phan transformed the former Enigma Restaurant and Cocktail Bar on Ocean Street into their dream venue, Viet Haus Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar.
Officially opening the new venture two weeks ago was a mixture of excitement and relief for the native Vietnamese men.
“We are loving being able to share our rich culture of Vietnam with the Coast,” Mr Tran said.
“We offer traditional and authentic meals and have tried to re-create an atmosphere of Vietnam inside.
“The customers are starting to get to know us and are coming back, so that’s a good sign. We are getting really good feedback and bookings have been good for this time of the year.”
After many years living in Brisbane, the business partners decided this was the year to make the dream of living on the Sunshine Coast a reality.
“We are loving living here already,” he said.
“We were still living in Brisbane up until two weeks ago, so the fit-out took two months, which was longer because we weren’t living here yet.
“They had the frame of the restaurant already, so we just widened it inside. The design of the restaurant is based on the authentic old schoolhouse in Vietnam.”
With a focus on traditional Vietnamese street food such as pho noodle soup, banh mi and rice paper rolls, he said guests could also expect a fusion twist on some main course menu items.
“We use the freshest ingredients for our meals,” he said.
“We plan to expand the menu by continuing to get feedback from the customers.
“We will be adding some vegan and specific gluten-free menu items for the customers too.
“In the bar, we have Vietnamese beer, Saigon, which is getting good customer feedback. Then we have other international beers like Peroni, Asahi and we will be getting Tiger lager on tap.”
The drinks menu also features an extensive range of wine and cocktails.
With a strong hospitality background, Mr Tran grew up working in his mother’s restaurant in Brisbane.
He said he was thrilled to now look after the front of house of his own restaurant, with long-time chef Mr Phan manning the kitchen.
“It’s a team effort,” he said.
“It’s been working well and we will look at expanding our staff as we grow the business.
“We hope to build a rapport with the customers and put Ocean Street on the map in the Sunshine Coast restaurant scene for traditional Vietnamese food.”
Viet Haus Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar is at 9/20 Ocean Street, Maroochydore.
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