VI
EN
To combine and transform the wonderful qualities of lotus, Senté has created incredibly refined dishes. In a conversation with Travellive, Ms. Le Ngoc Quynh – the founder of Senté – shared: “Five years ago, Senté started as a small tea shop, offering refreshing seed drinks that evoke childhood memories. Then, fortunately, thanks to the love of our customers, we gradually became a restaurant specializing in healthy food.”
Impressive from its very name, Senté is a combination of "Sen" and "Santé" in French, meaning health. As a heartfelt message, the restaurant hopes that each diner will feel happiness and peace of mind.
Senté is a combination of "Sen" and "Santé" in French, meaning health.
Unique architecture with its own distinct character.
Senté's design reflects the characteristic architecture of Hanoi: "small alleys, small streets, my house is there." Located on Nguyen Quang Bich street, the restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery from plants and flowers in the nostalgic atmosphere of a French colonial-era villa. Following the slow-moving alleyway paved with red bricks and shaded by bougainvillea trees, diners will step into a truly unique space. In contrast to the hustle and bustle outside, a small garden, comfortable sofas, and wooden tables and chairs create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Senté's design reflects the architectural characteristics of Hanoi: "small alleys, small streets, my house is there."
The Lieu Giai branch is designed in a rustic, traditional style, with many innovative features while remaining environmentally friendly. The restaurant is beloved by diners not only for its food but also for its decor, which is rich in traditional character. Most impressive is the use of rice husks as a unique building material. The creatively designed rice husk walls are rustic yet innovative, reflecting a distinct style.
Unique cuisine featuring lotus
The choice of lotus as the main ingredient for the menu stems from the cultural and traditional value that this flower represents. All parts of the lotus plant are utilized to create a variety of delicious dishes. At the same time, using the national flower in the food also expresses love for Vietnamese cuisine.
The choice of lotus as the main ingredient for the menu stems from the cultural and traditional values that this flower represents.
To combine and transform the wonderful qualities of lotus, Senté restaurant has created incredibly exquisite dishes.
The dishes are imbued with the essence of nature, creating a refined yet intimate experience. Prepared using European methods, Vietnamese cuisine presented at the restaurant offers a familiar feel, both modern and authentic, with wholesome, healthy ingredients. Instead of explosive flavors from spices, each dish delivers a pure and rustic taste.
Senté has a concise menu, but each dish is associated with a meaningful story. Just by reading the name of the dish, diners can see the meticulous research into each component of the lotus plant, from lotus seeds, lotus leaves, lotus stems, lotus roots… to create simple, familiar dishes that are still fragrant, subtly delicious, and especially good for health.
All parts of the lotus plant are utilized to prepare a variety of delicious dishes.
Senté has a concise menu, but each dish is associated with a meaningful story.
To enjoy delicious lotus-based dishes year-round, the restaurant places special emphasis on ingredient selection. The main inspiration for the dishes comes from carefully selected, high-quality lotus from Hue and Northern Vietnam. Northern lotus blooms seasonally and is used for tea, with lotus flowers and leaves available seasonally. Hue lotus, on the other hand, is available year-round, transported from Central Vietnam to Hanoi, and preserved in an optimal cold environment. The restaurant primarily uses Hue lotus due to its delicate texture and fragrant aroma.
Each spice combined with lotus is carefully researched, creating a harmonious blend that enhances the pure flavor of the ingredient. These dishes encapsulate the love and dedication of our experienced team of chefs, bringing a fresh "breath" of life.
The dishes at Senté are infused with the essence of nature, creating a refined yet intimate experience.
Senté has become a favorite destination for many diners in Hanoi and foreign visitors.
Bringing Vietnamese cuisine to the world stage.
Recently, Senté also became one of the restaurants selected by Michelin. Sharing her feelings about this special event, Ms. Le Ngoc Quynh proudly said: “We never thought we would be named on the Michelin stage on June 6th. Remembering the days of experimenting with stevia for fish sauce, tasting dozens of bowls a day until our tongues were numb; the days when we closed the restaurant at 11 pm, and the staff still happily stayed to discuss the evening's service; the scorching hot days searching through workshops in Bat Trang to find the right type of ceramic glaze…”
Speaking about future plans, Ms. Le Ngoc Quynh added: “Senté will bring more complete and creative culinary journeys to diners with a consistently soft and graceful menu. Each menu will be a little story about the chef and the process of finding inspiration for the dish.”
Senté has also become one of the restaurants selected by Michelin.
