Golden Forest, Silver Sea

A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam’s Living Landscape

At Gia, every journey begins with a question: How can Vietnamese ingredients, when treated with care and understanding, reveal their purest and most precious flavors?

“Golden Forest, Silver Sea” is our answer this season – a tasting menu shaped by nature, memory, and the quiet sophistication that defines Vietnamese cuisine.

Where Flavor Begins: Respecting the Ingredient

In Vietnamese cooking, flavor is not about excess. It lies in the ability to elevate what is pure and original, and to apply restraint with intention.

Often, it is not the ingredient itself that defines a dish, but how we choose to treat it. This philosophy – simple in appearance, yet deeply refined – is what allows even the most humble ingredients to find their place on a fine dining table. And that, in many ways, is unmistakably Vietnamese.

Vietnamese cuisine may appear understated at first glance, but within its simplicity lies a level of detail that often takes years to truly understand. At Gia, our journey with Vietnamese food is still unfolding – and “Golden Forest, Silver Sea” is one chapter in that ongoing exploration.

Golden Forest, Silver Sea: Nature as Our Guide

Vietnamese culture holds an idiom: “Rừng vàng, biển bạc” – Golden Forest, Silver Sea – a poetic expression for the country’s abundant and breathtaking natural beauty. Inspired by the constant movement of nature, we felt the need to reconnect more deeply with it – not just to observe, but to understand and feel it with all our senses.

This menu is an invitation to slow down. To experience the land, the sea, and the fertile plains of Vietnam – thoughtfully, quietly, and completely.

Stories from the Land: Selected Ingredients

Pheasant from Nghệ An

Recently introduced into farming by local farmers, pheasant has become a valuable agricultural product in Nghệ An. Raising pheasant requires patience and meticulous care – a deep understanding of the bird’s habits, diet, and lifecycle.

Nghệ An, long regarded as a land of resilience and ingenuity, offers the perfect environment for this ingredient to flourish. Through the farmers’ determination and thoughtful cultivation, pheasant has emerged as a modern counterpart to historical delicacies once reserved for royalty.

Mantis Shrimp from Côn Đảo

From the southern seas of Côn Đảo comes mantis shrimp, a rare gift from the ocean. Living entirely in the wild, hidden among coral reefs, sand, and rocky crevices, its flesh is firm yet tender – shaped by constant movement through open waters.

The journey to bring mantis shrimp ashore is never simple. Fishermen set sail before dawn, relying on tides, weather, and sometimes sheer luck. At Gia, it is served with crab roe sauce and house-made chili, inviting diners to experience the deep, soulful flavors of the sea.

A Journey of Three Regions

Drawing from ingredients, cuisine, and cultural heritage across Vietnam, Golden Forest, Silver Sea embraces the richness of the country’s ecosystems. From northern herbs and mountain forests, to wind-swept coastlines, and down to the fertile southern plains – this menu reflects a land abundant in life and flavor, and a culture deeply rooted in harmony with nature.

These flavors are honest. They are grounded. And they return – again and again – shaped by season, memory, and care.

An Invitation from Gia

Overwhelmed by the gifts nature has given, we wish to share with you everything we have gathered along the way – and to welcome you back to Golden Forest, Silver Sea, just as we ourselves were once welcomed.

The journey is ready to begin.

Book your table to explore the new tasting menu – Khải Hoàn – December 2025→ Reserve your experience at Gia

About Gia

Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia is a contemporary fine dining restaurant proudly listed in the MICHELIN Guide Vietnam. Led by Chef Sam Tran, Gia tells Vietnam’s culinary story through seasonal tasting menus that bridge tradition and innovation. Each dish reflects the restaurant’s philosophy – to honor Vietnamese ingredients, elevate local craftsmanship, and create a dining experience that feels both personal and timeless.

Recognized among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Top 51–100) and The Best Chef Awards, Gia continues to celebrate Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage with modern artistry and quiet confidence.

→ Discover more about Gia: gia-hanoi.com/home