ZAO - Vietnamese Rooted Eatery
Hanoi
Reviews
such a well-rounded dining experience from incredibly creative, experimental dishes with great flavour combinations, brilliant and welcoming service, to a cozy, intimate ambiance. hats off to the chefs and Zao team, everything hits the mark!
TLDR: A fusion of amusing & appetizing (7.5/10) ZAO is beautifully decorated. Though I didn’t capture any interior photos, I loved the open-kitchen setup and the low, ambient lighting. The warm yellow tones don't just elevate the aesthetic; they provide a fantastic lighting source for food photography. "Tôm Đào" is a dish of shrimp served in a sour, shaved-ice sauce and topped with scallions. While it’s a fun textural experience, the execution is relatively simple. It’s worth trying once, but what you see is what you get. You're not getting complex molecular gastronomy or blown away, but I don't think you'll be disappointed either. Their stuffed chicken wing is one of their more popular appetizers, for good reasons. As a mushroom fiend, the stuffing was right up my alley. The skin was perfectly crisp. While I couldn't quite identify the accompanying sauce, it was light and creamy with a clean finish. One of my favorite dishes, for sure. ZAO has their own rendition of Huế's "Bánh bột lọc". This one is a mixed bag. On one hand, I really enjoyed the umami from smoked eel & foie gras. Amazing experience. Not huge fan of the texture though. The stuffing was sparse, so the bánh bột lọc just crumbles after the first bite. Not a bad dish, all things considered. The duck dish was cooked amazingly. A beautiful pink interior with a crispy skin exterior. While the chef(s) clearly knows their way around a duck, the sauce was a bit bland and didn't quite pull its weight. The dish was carried entirely by the quality of the meat. Though I may not eat swordfish often, it's always such a delight when I do. Sword fish always has this meaty texture from all the tightly packed muscle fibres that I adore. I think ZAO's chef cooked it amazingly here as well. Again, the sides and sauce were lacking. ZAO seems to exist in a bit of a limbo. They label themselves as "Fun & Casual Dining," yet their prices feel a bit high for the casual crowd. The lack of a seasonal or rotating menu might deter guests from returning after that first visit. Overall, I had a wonderful time.
After a long day, having dinner at Zao Eatery felt like a gentle reset. The space and service here create a sense of ease almost immediately, not overly fancy, but warm and thoughtfully put together. The atmosphere is cozy enough for a date, a catch-up with close friends, or even a small family outing with teenagers. The interior leans toward a soft, intimate vibe, with just the right level of lighting and spacing to make you feel comfortable without being too quiet or formal. It’s the kind of place where conversations can flow naturally after a long day. As for the food, everything was well-presented and generally well-balanced in flavor. I tried five dishes in total, while none felt truly outstanding, they were enjoyable enough to lift the mood and leave me feeling satisfied. The highlight for me was definitely the brioche with salted honey butter - simple yet surprisingly delicious, with a soft texture and a rich, slightly sweet-salty finish. Overall, a pleasant dining experience that’s more about comfort and atmosphere than bold culinary surprises
Great place to have a date or just sit with your friends and talk for a long time Amazing cocktails , salmon dish (hoi hurong) was really tasty and fresh! Dear dished were also good - not the greatest thing you tasted, but still very acceptable quality of all the ingredients Atmosphere here is on the point and staff is super polite
Made a last-minute reservation, and there was a bit of confusion at first since they couldn’t find it right away. We had to wait for a short while, but once that was sorted, the staff were really welcoming and helped us navigate the menu. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, exactly what you’d want for a casual night out. But also very suitable for a celebration. The food was delicious; the chicken wings are a must-order! We had a bottle of white and a bottle of red to go with the meal, and wrapped up the evening with some great old fashioneds. Overall, a lovely spot with good food, friendly service, and a cozy vibe. Happy to see places like this in Hanoi!
