“4-Hands Dinner” — 𝐀 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 with Guest Chef Fumio Yonezawa

November 21-22, 2025 - A heartfelt culinary dialogue between two friends, each deeply rooted in and proud of their respective Vietnamese and Japanese food cultures. Through a shared creative vision, the two talented chefs captivated guests with a 13-course tasting menu, rich in nuance and captivating flavors. 

Chef Cường, guided by a steadfast pursuit of seasonal freshness and the distinctive qualities of regional produce, transforms local ingredients into dishes that distill their purest essence. Meanwhile, guest chef Fumio Yonezawa presents Japanese specialties through the lens of Western cooking techniques, bringing depth and refinement to each course. Distinct yet unified, the harmonious interplay of these culinary philosophies came together to create a truly memorable and flavorful dining experience.

Chef Fumio Yonezawa (left) - Chef Cuong Nguyen (right)

Through the seamless collaboration of the two chefs, ingredients that might seem worlds apart were thoughtfully composed and delicately paired, creating striking highlights throughout the dinner. Local specialties such as Kaffir and Cà cuống (water bug) were set alongside Japanese delicacies like yuzu, bonito, and salted plum, resulting in unexpectedly delicious combinations. 

Notably, the menu also introduced an ingredient appearing at An’s for the very first time - suckling pig - which quickly became a standout main course, warmly received by guests. Its thin, crisp skin gave way to succulent, tender meat, served with xương sông, an aromatic herb whose distinctive fragrance lingers memorably on the palate.

Throughout the 13-course journey, native herbs and Lý Sơn seaweed added further layers of aroma and flavor, enhancing each dish with depth and subtlety. Completing the experience, the table was elevated by a thoughtfully curated wine pairing, specially designed by the An’s Saigon team, bringing a sense of harmony and quiet sophistication to the evening.

“A Flavorful Dialogue” was not merely a dinner, but a vivid testament to the power of cultural exchange expressed through the language of flavor. Beyond pleasing the palate, it told profound stories of land, people, and culinary philosophy. While this collaboration has come to a close, its lingering impressions - and the fresh inspirations born from the meeting of East and West, Vietnam and Japan - will undoubtedly continue to resonate and be shared.