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EL Doko – the name holds an interesting story. "El" in Spanish means "the" – also the place where the Teppanyaki stove was invented. In English, these are the first two letters of the number 11. "Doko" in Japanese means "where," quite similar to the name of Dong Khoi Street. The name is an invitation for diners to visit 11 Dong Khoi Street, home to a Japanese restaurant that harmoniously combines Omakase and Teppanyaki culinary styles.
EL Doko - a name that holds an interesting story.
Upon entering EL Doko, diners will be overwhelmed by the luxurious and modern ambiance, while still retaining the refined essence of Japanese culture. The restaurant has a main dining area and private rooms for those who wish to host parties.
A surprising and visually stunning combination.
At EL Doko, diners will embark on a surprising culinary journey with Omakase. There's no fixed menu; diners entrust their faith to the chefs, allowing them to discover dishes prepared with the freshest, seasonal ingredients. Ingredients are imported directly from Japan and other countries around the world. In particular, fresh seafood from Japan is imported by air 2-3 times a week, ensuring freshness and quality. Some rare and hard-to-find seasonal items include matsutake mushrooms, black cod testicles, white cod, pufferfish, and pipefish.
All ingredients are imported from Japan, ensuring freshness and authentic flavor. (Photo: Ha Mai Trinh)
Steamed dish: Dobin (tea pot soup) is made from fresh fish bones, combined with fresh seafood, and simmered for about 3 hours.
Sashimi includes: Japanese tuna belly, fresh Japanese octopus, Siroebi white shrimp, sweet shrimp, and red snapper.
Teppanyaki is more than just a culinary style; it's an art form. At EL Doko, diners can admire the chef's skillful techniques on a Teppan grill (made of cast iron or steel) and enjoy dishes prepared hot right there, preserving their delicious flavors. The flickering flames, the delightful sizzling sounds, and the enticing aromas will captivate you and completely enchant you during this performance.
Teppanyaki, a skillful performance by the chefs.
Teppanyaki with tender and flavorful Kagoshima A4 beef.
Garlic beef fried rice (fried directly on the Teppan grill).
Speaking to Travellive, Ms. Ni (manager of EL Doko restaurant) said: "Currently, EL Doko is one of the rare restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City that harmoniously combines Omakase and Teppanyaki. While Omakase offers sophistication and mystery, Teppanyaki is vibrant and full of energy. EL Doko wants to give diners a unique experience, allowing them to enjoy Omakase while admiring the performances of Teppanyaki chefs."
Be more open-minded in enjoying Japanese cuisine.
What makes EL Doko so appealing is the direct interaction between diners and chefs. You can freely chat, share your preferences and desires, and let the chefs create dishes tailored to your individual tastes. The charming, friendly, and deeply knowledgeable chefs, along with their professional service style, always leave a strong impression on every diner.
Here, diners are quite excited to experience the teppan grill.
Fresh, authentic cuisine, a luxurious ambiance, and the cheerful, genuine service from the chefs are what always keep customers coming back to EL Doko.
In the Omakase menu, diners will be pleasantly surprised to find Vietnamese ingredients appearing in Japanese cuisine. As he skillfully presents the dishes, Andy (Omakase chef at EL Doko) shared: "We always strive to preserve the authentic, fresh Omakase flavors while also creatively incorporating Vietnamese ingredients into our dishes. For example, this steamed egg with shrimp and Ikura dish is a combination of traditional steamed eggs and freshwater shrimp from the Mekong River. Not only does it retain the characteristic sweetness, but this innovative approach creates a unique and novel flavor, making the meal appealing in a Japanese-Vietnamese style."
Steamed Egg with Shrimp & Ikura - a combination of traditional steamed eggs and freshwater shrimp from the Mekong River. (Photo: Ha Mai Trinh)
The luxurious, modern, and cozy atmosphere, along with attentive service from EL Doko, will create the perfect dinner for you and your loved ones.
