VI
EN
A distinct and local cultural space.
Nestled in a small alley right next to the bustling Cho Gao street, Dana Vegan House is a peaceful haven, offering a relaxing and close-to-nature atmosphere. From the outside, diners are easily captivated by the rustic, simple ambiance, with familiar images such as sacks of rice, bundles of rice stalks, and traditional rice winnowing machines beautifully displayed right at the entrance.
More specifically, Dana Vegan House is a unique cultural destination where art, culture, and vegetarian cuisine are harmoniously and subtly combined. Inspired by the image of a "rice granary," the restaurant offers a cozy, rustic atmosphere, transporting diners back to simple childhood memories. Every architectural detail and decorative item is meticulously crafted, reflecting a philosophy of living with kindness and love.
Ground floor space at Dana Vegan House
“When I think of rice, I immediately think of my grandmother, who was also my inspiration. I still remember her teaching me to wash rice carefully, making sure not to let any grains fall, and to eat every last grain of rice. Therefore, I realize that rice, or the rice-farming culture, is a fundamental principle of Vietnamese culture. That's also the idea that helped me build the restaurant concept and aligns with the name 'Dana,' which means helping and giving,” shared Ms. Huyen Vu, founder of Dana Vegan House.
Upon entering, diners are transported back in time to the image of the ancient Thang Long rice warehouse. Few know that Dana Vegan House, located at 12 Dong Thai Street, was once the rice warehouse of Mrs. Luong Thien – a wealthy and renowned merchant known for her benevolent heart. During a drought and crop failure, she opened her warehouse to help the poor, earning the love and gratitude of everyone.
Dana Vegan House is located at 12 Dong Thai Street.
Throughout its history, the rice warehouse has served various purposes: from a military base during wartime, a food store during the subsidy period, to housing, restaurants, and bars... And now, it has become Dana Vegan House - a modernized vegan house deeply rooted in culture and conveying a message of love.
The ground floor space opens up, transporting diners back to the old days of Hanoi with inspiration from the undulating tiled roofs and the woven bamboo screens of the market stalls. During the day, these screens are erected as canopies, and at night they are lowered to serve as doors. This impressive design not only creates a unique and distinctive atmosphere but also holds a historical story about the Thang Long Citadel rice warehouse.
The artwork "Wishes for a bountiful harvest"
The artwork "The Rice Bag of Our Village"
Continuing their journey, diners will stroll to the bar area – the heart of the first floor – showcasing the restaurant's finest products. The wooden shelving system, crafted from reclaimed wood, evokes a sense of antiquity and tranquility, yet remains fresh thanks to the colors of the products illuminated by warm yellow lighting. The combination of the rough texture of burlap, the smooth, reflective surface of mirrors, and the weathered wood transforms the bar into a unique contemporary art installation.
More than just a regular bar, this area also serves to tell a meaningful story. Every design detail provides diners with an impressive experience and unveils the cultural and historical values hidden within.
Unique bar area
The first floor is the "bustling hub of the Rice Market area," where you can experience the lively atmosphere and discover a diverse range of vegetarian products. Meanwhile, the second floor offers a peaceful and relaxing feeling, like stepping into a "food crop research lab." The system of bottles, test tubes, pots of rice plants and other food crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava will intrigue and fascinate diners.
In particular, Dana Vegan House attracts diners not only with its unique vegetarian cuisine but also with its impressive architectural space. It was reconstructed using the materials of a more than 100-year-old family home in Nam Dinh, bearing the strong imprint of time and traditional cultural values.
The works "Old Northern Vietnamese Houses" and "Rice Flower"
To recreate an ancient yet impressive three-room house, Dana's founder, Ms. Huyen Vu, along with artist Duc Phuong, drew inspiration from traditional Vietnamese paper lanterns with their warm yellow light, creating a cozy atmosphere and a touch of "innovation" for the traditional Northern Vietnamese house. The vegetarian restaurant was transformed into a giant lantern, encased in sheets of paper originally used for painting, always possessing warm, inviting colors while remaining unique.
“In the face of current urbanization issues, the house on the second floor embodies the presence of folk values, the ingenuity, subtlety, yet simplicity and familiarity of our ancestors. The house is a memory connected to a long-standing life. The way we present it is a way of connecting us to our ancestors,” artist Duc Phuong said.
The roof is made of thousands of pieces of handmade paper.
The system of hanging lights cascading low to the floor like rice flower blossoms is also a unique and impressive feature. This idea was inspired by the bundles of straw left behind by farmers after a bountiful harvest. The straw bundles symbolize the end of the rice plant but also the beginning of abundance.
After exploring the impressive interior space, diners will arrive at the restaurant's open kitchen. Designed with modern architecture, this area allows them to directly observe the talented chefs meticulously and professionally preparing dishes. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere emanating from the open kitchen will make diners feel as if they are enjoying a warm family meal.
Vegetarian cuisine is evolving.
Unlike the prevailing vegetarian views around the world, Vietnamese vegetarian culture is still heavily influenced by religion. In Vietnam, vegetarianism is not simply about abstaining from meat, but also about expressing compassion, purity, and respect for all living beings.
Understanding the profound value of Vietnamese vegetarian culture, Dana Vegan House pursues the philosophy of "upgrading local cuisine and keeping up with the world." Here, we cherish organic, highly local ingredients to preserve, conserve, and elevate Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
Tan Minh Perilla Leaf Roll
Chau Thanh mushrooms roasted with salt
Springtime
Not confined to traditional forms, the vegetarian cuisine at the restaurant is infused with fresh Western influences through its ingredients, presentation, and dining style. While enjoying the exquisite vegetarian dishes, diners can appreciate the value of Vietnamese agricultural products. This is because the restaurant skillfully selects fresh, seasonal ingredients to prepare vegetarian dishes, offering a fresh and complete culinary experience.
Above all, the journey of enjoying vegetarian cuisine leads diners to dishes that are meticulously and elaborately prepared, preserving the natural flavor of the ingredients. And when enjoying vegetarian food at Dana Vegan House, diners not only satisfy their taste buds but also enjoy a fresh, cool atmosphere as if they were immersed in nature.
Hang Chuoi Rice Milkshake
