A distinct cultural space that is indigenous
Hidden in a small alley right next to the bustling Cho Gao Street, Dana Vegan House is like a peaceful destination, bringing a feeling of relaxation and closeness to nature. At first glance from the outside, diners are easily attracted by the rustic, simple space with familiar images such as rice bags, rice bundles or traditional rice winnowing machines beautifully arranged right in front of the door.
More specifically, Dana Vegan House is also a unique cultural destination, where art, culture and vegetarian cuisine are harmoniously and delicately combined. Inspired by the image of a "rice warehouse", the restaurant offers a cozy, rustic space, bringing diners back to simple childhood memories. Every architectural line and every decorative item is meticulously cared for, expressing a philosophy of living a kind and loving life.
First floor space at Dana Vegan House
“When I think of rice, I immediately think of my grandmother, who is also my inspiration. I still remember how she taught me to wash rice without letting any grain fall out or to eat rice until the last grain. Therefore, I realize that rice or rice culture is the morality of Vietnamese people. That is also the idea that helped me build the restaurant concept as well as the name 'Dana' which means to help and give”, founder of Dana Vegan House - Ms. Huyen Vu shared.
As soon as you step in, you will feel like you are transported back in time to the image of Thanh Thang Long rice warehouse in the past. Few people know that Dana Vegan House is located at 12 Dong Thai Street, which used to be the rice warehouse of Mrs. Luong Thien - a wealthy and famous merchant with a kind heart. In the year of drought and crop failure, she opened her rice warehouse to help the poor, and was loved and appreciated by everyone.
Dana Vegan House is located at 12 Dong Thai Street
Through the ups and downs of history, the rice warehouse has been used for many different purposes: from a military base during the war, a food store during the subsidy period to a house, restaurant, bar... And now, this place has become Dana Vegan House - a renovated vegetarian house with a strong cultural imprint and conveying a message of love.
The first floor space opens up, taking diners back to the old days of Hanoi, inspired by the undulating tiled roofs and the pressed bamboo panels of the market stalls. During the day, the panels are raised as canopies, and at night they are lowered to act as doors. This impressive design not only creates a unique and distinctive feature, but also contains the historical story of the Thang Long Citadel rice warehouse.
The work "Harvest Wishes"
The work "Our village's rice bag"
Continuing the journey, diners will walk to the Bar area - the heart of the first floor - where the restaurant's best products are displayed. The wooden shelves are made from old wood, giving a feeling of age, quietness but still fresh thanks to the colors of the products illuminated by warm yellow light. The combination of the roughness of the sackcloth, the smoothness, reflection of the mirror and the old wooden surface has turned the Bar into a unique contemporary installation art work.
More than just a regular bar, this area also plays the role of introducing a meaningful story. Every design detail brings diners an impressive experience and opens up cultural and historical values hidden deep inside.
Unique Bar Area
It can be seen that the first floor is the "bustling destination of Cho Gao street", where you can experience the hustle and bustle and discover diverse vegetarian products. Meanwhile, the second floor brings a peaceful and relaxing feeling like entering a "food plant research room". The system of bottles, test tubes, pots of rice plants and food plants such as corn, potatoes, cassava... will make diners interested and curious.
In particular, Dana Vegan House not only attracts diners by its unique vegetarian cuisine but also by its impressive architectural space. This place was restored from the original materials of a 100-year-old house of a family in Nam Dinh, bearing the mark of time and traditional cultural values.
Works "Old Northern House" and "Red Cotton Flower"
To recreate an ancient but still impressive three-room house, Dana founder - Ms. Huyen Vu and artist Duc Phuong were inspired by the lamps covered with Do paper with yellow light to create a cozy and a bit of "innovation" for the traditional Northern house. And the vegetarian restaurant suddenly became a giant lamp, covered with paper sheets that are used for painting and always have warm, familiar but still unique colors.
“In the face of the current urbanization issues, the house on the second floor seems to convey the existence of values in the folk, the ingenuity, sophistication but also the simplicity and closeness of our grandparents. The house is a memory attached to a long life. The way we propose is our connection to our ancestors”, said artist Duc Phuong.
The roof is made of thousands of pieces of do paper.
The system of hanging lights hanging low to the floor like cotton flowers is also an impressive unique feature. This idea was inspired by artist Duc Phuong from the straw bundles after the bountiful harvest of farmers. The straw bundles symbolize the end of the rice plant but are also the beginning of abundance.
At the end of the journey to explore the impressive space, diners will come to the restaurant's open kitchen. This place is designed with modern architecture that allows you to directly see talented chefs meticulously and professionally preparing dishes. The friendly, close feeling spreading from the open kitchen will make diners feel like they are enjoying a warm family meal.
Innovative vegetarian cuisine
Unlike the popular vegetarian view in the world, the vegetarian culture of Vietnamese people is still heavily influenced by religion. Vegetarianism in Vietnam is not simply abstaining from meat but also shows compassion, purity and respect for all living creatures.
Understanding the profound value of Vietnamese vegetarian culture, Dana Vegan House pursues the philosophy of “upgrading the local and updating the world”. This place cherishes organic, highly indigenous ingredients to preserve, conserve and elevate Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
Tan Minh Perilla Rolls
Chau Thanh mushrooms roasted with salt
Spring Roll
Not only limited within the traditional framework, vegetarian cuisine at the restaurant is breathed with a fresh “Western breeze” through the ingredients, presentation and style of enjoyment. When enjoying the exquisite vegetarian dishes, diners can feel the appreciation of the precious values of Vietnamese agricultural products. Because the restaurant has cleverly selected fresh seasonal ingredients to prepare vegetarian dishes, bringing the freshest and most complete culinary experience.
Above all, the journey of enjoying vegetarian cuisine also leads diners to dishes that are meticulously and elaborately prepared, preserving the natural deliciousness of the ingredients. And when enjoying vegetarian dishes at Dana Vegan House, diners not only satisfy their taste buds but also enjoy the fresh, cool atmosphere as if they were immersed in nature.
Hang Chuoi Rice Milk Shake
