Bangkok--25 Apr--Delivering Asia Communications
New COCA flagship opens in vibrant district of Vietnamese capital with a lively menu of Asian flavours complemented by stylish contemporary decor
COCA Restaurants Worldwide has opened a new 4-story flagship restaurant in the bustling Ba Dinh district of the Vietnamese capital.
The grand opening event offered food lovers the chance to meet renowned Thai Chef Pitaya Phanphensophon, the man behind one of Asia's most successful restaurant brands and to watch a video tour by Chef Pitaya who visited Hanoi's fresh markets to select fresh ingredients for the restaurant to ensure his standards are met. Guests then enjoyed a selection of these fresh dishes, to showcase the diverse range of flavours on offer on the varied new COCA menu.
Working closely with a well-established Vietnamese partner, Ms. Diep Nyugen a successful local restauranteur, the new COCA Hanoi is part of an ambitious regional expansion strategy that sees the brand opening new concept restaurants in key cities across Asia. The menu also embodies an evolution for the brand with a bountiful selection that extends far beyond COCA's legendary hotpot dishes to offer an extensive choice of simple, healthy, lively Asian cuisine that appeals to multigenerational families and business clientele.
"Our partner for this project understands just how sophisticated the dining scene has become in places like Hanoi and she spared no expense on the design or quality of experience offered to customers. The menu includes a vast choice of appetizers like drunken chicken, durian seafood roll, as well as a few Thai favourites such as larb – spicy minced pork and tasty rice and noodle dishes like COCA Stir fried noodles or braised prawn with glass noodles to complement the signature hotpot selections. Family friendly sharing plates like the Cajun seafood bucket or wok fried curry crab (Poo Phad Phong Karee) offer variety. There are also plenty of child friendly items, which ensures there's something for everyone," says Trevor MacKenzie, Managing Director of COCA & Mango Tree Worldwide.
Inspired by Indochinese architecture, but with a contemporary twist; the relaxed, comfortable ambience, warm service and colourful, extensive menu at the new COCA Restaurant in Hanoi is designed to appeal to a wide range of ages groups, tastes and diner preferences. Business clients, young families and customers with more traditional preferences are all well catered for with a range of "must-try dishes" that includes the brand's top quality signature Ying Yang hotpot, available with fresh premium selections like live prawns and fish.
"The bustling location with views of Thanh Cong Lake (Success Lake) from the second and third floors, offers locals and visitors a lively dining scene and caters to office workers during the day and local residents in the evening. We are confident that COCA's strong reputation in the Vietnamese food and hospitality sector will enhance the existing offerings. Diners in Vietnam look for quality, variety and value. These are all benchmarks of COCA Restaurants Worldwide, " added Mr MacKenzie.
COCA Restaurants are already well known in Vietnam for their signature hotpot dishes and tom yum soup, but the brand's owner, Pitaya Phanphensophon, also continually introduces new flavours to suit local tastes. He actually developed a special pork bone stock specifically to suit the Vietnamese palate. Since then, new menu items and concepts have been introduced at several COCA Restaurants across the country, all designed to meet local diners culinary cravings in each specific location.
While Pitaya Phanphensophon supports the COCA Restaurant brand's expansion across the Asia region, he always remains true to his philosophy of only serving food that he would give to his own children. This approach guarantees that high quality, fresh, locally sourced, flavourful ingredients are used in every dish on the menu.
"We believe in evolving and growing with our diners, of course, but our commitment to good food and excellent value for money is something that will never change," says Pitaya.