Introducing – Vietnam: The Cookbook

More than just phở, bánh mì, or bún chả, Vietnamese food offers a rich and diverse tapestry of flavours, techniques, and regional specialties. Our latest “food bible” Vietnam: The Cookbook is the ultimate celebration of this vibrant cuisine, offering a deep dive into the dishes found in everyday Vietnamese homes and the country’s most authentic traditional recipes. Transporting the home cook from the bustling back streets of Hanoi to the dynamic food culture of Ho Chi Minh City, at the heart of this landmark cookbook is an author, an acclaimed chef and food consultant with a passion for sharing Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

Born in Paris to a Vietnamese Dutch family, Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen honed her skills in some of the world’s most respected kitchens, including playing a pivotal role in shaping the menu development at London’s Bao restaurants, alongside co-founder Erchen Chang. In 2019, she was recognised as a rising star by the Great British Chefs website.

But it doesn’t stop there. In order to research and write Vietnam The Cookbook, Anaïs made the life-changing decision to relocate to Vietnam, immersing herself fully in the food culture there. She spent an entire year traveling from north to south, learning from local cooks, discovering rare ingredients, and mastering regional techniques.

Her journey took her from the highlands of Hà Giang, where black pigs roam, to the Mekong Delta, where she encountered sticky rice and Khmer noodle soups. Every dish in Vietnam The Cookbook is infused with her firsthand experience, deep respect for tradition, and love for Vietnamese food. The result is a groundbreaking collection of 445 authentic Vietnamese recipes—each thoughtfully crafted, rigorously tested, and beautifully photographed on location.

Organised by the method and style in which the dishes are prepared and eaten in Vietnam, the recipes range from popular and iconic dishes such as bánh mì to snacks, sandwiches, appetizers, salads, grilled dishes, stir-fries, wraps and rolls, hotpots, noodles, rice, broths, cakes and desserts, as well as pickles, sauces, dressings, pickles, and other pantry staples. Whether you’re looking to master classic summer rolls, rice cakes, and hotpots or explore hidden gems like Huế-style baby snails and Mekong Delta delicacies, from beloved classics to lesser-known regional specialties, this book makes Vietnamese cooking approachable for everyone.

Take a look at Vietnam the Cookbook in the store.