A Night of Storytelling on a Plate

There are dinners that fill the stomach, and those that stir the soul. Sóno’s new tasting menu, Tales & Tastes, belongs wholeheartedly to the latter.

 I had the honour of joining an intimate evening on July 25, 2025, as Sóno officially unveiled this thoughtful, deeply personal menu crafted by Chef Kiên Phan. What unfolded wasn’t simply a dinner — it was a journey through Vietnamese folktales and childhood memories, retold in flavours, textures, and emotion.

The atmosphere itself was magic. Hoa Tay’s artful direction transformed the space into a dreamscape, made even more surreal by the captivating Mystic Night Show. The soft, poetic décor by WhenStill Workshop wrapped the room in quiet beauty, while ELCi’s elegant door gifts were a graceful finishing touch.

But at the heart of it all — the food.

Black Buffalo & Golden Cow (Trâu đen, Bò vàng) stayed with me long after the last bite. Inspired by a tale of mythical opposition, this dish brought harmony from contrast — the refinement of Kagoshima A5 Wagyu meeting the wild strength of Lai Châu buffalo jerky. A confit egg yolk, mirin-laced jus, and crisp ice plant tied it all together with bold complexity and unexpected tenderness.

Gold for Gratitude (Ăn khế trả vàng) was quiet, nostalgic brilliance. Silken foie gras paired with tart starfruit, pineapple compote, spicy fish sauce gel, and Vietnamese herbs, a moment where French technique embraced Vietnamese memory. I couldn’t help but think of my grandmother’s garden and the old khế tree she loved.

Then came Battle of Land and Sea — my personal favourite. A reimagining of bún ốc chuối đậu through the legendary tale of Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh, where Patagonian toothfish, banana mousse, tofu skin, and a fragrant tomato broth became a lyrical dance of land, sea, and soul. Elevated, theatrical, and deeply comforting all at once.

With Tales & Tastes, Chef Kiên doesn’t just cook — he tells stories. These aren’t just his tales, they’re ours too. Familiar, yet rediscovered. Vietnamese, but universally felt.

Special thanks to Jessie Phạm for the kind invitation, and to Tracie May Wagner, the Muse of Saigon, for sharing such lovely company throughout the night. Some evenings leave you full. Others leave you moved. This one, it did both.