Playing with Fire - Gia x Quince Saigon, A Dialogue Shaped by Flame

In 2022, at the end of April, Gia welcomes Quince Saigon for a special collaboration dinner titled “Playing With Fire.” 

More than a shared menu, this event brings together two chefs united by a deep respect for fire -  the original source of cooking, transformation, and flavor. Led by Chef Sam Tran of Gia and Chef Julien Perraudin of Quince Saigon, the dinner explores how heat, restraint, and intuition shape ingredients into something greater. 

Across a carefully composed tasting menu, flame becomes both technique and language, guiding a culinary dialogue rooted in craftsmanship, memory, and precision.

Fire As Origin, Where Cooking Begins

Fire has always held a powerful place in human culture. It represents energy, passion, and the moment raw ingredients begin their transformation into food. In cooking, fire is never merely a tool; it is a living element that demands understanding and respect.

The depth of aroma, texture, and balance in a dish depends on how well a chef listens to the fire — how heat is controlled, when it is restrained, and when it is allowed to speak boldly. Playing with Fire begins from this shared belief: that mastery lies not in domination, but in dialogue with flame.

Quince Saigon, Forged By Flame, Refined By Restraint

Located in a restored heritage villa in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Quince Saigon is a destination where fire defines identity. Quince embraces wood fire cooking as both a craft and a philosophy, one that demands patience, intuition, and respect for ingredients.

Inspired by Melbourne’s contemporary dining culture, Quince’s cuisine balances boldness with clarity. Grilling, roasting, and slow exposure to heat are used to draw out natural depth rather than mask flavor. Each dish reflects a belief in elevated simplicity, where high-quality produce, precise heat control, and thoughtful restraint allow ingredients to speak with confidence.

Since opening in 2018, Quince has been recognized for its clarity of vision and consistency:

• Best Chef of the Year by Vietcetera Restaurant & Bar Awards (2019, 2020)

• Featured in 50 Best Discovery by S.Pellegrino (2020)

• Quince Bangkok ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Top 100) in 2021 & 2022

  
  

A Tasting Menu Shaped By Flame, Texture, And Memory

For Playing With Fire, the tasting menu highlights how flame can transform familiar ingredients into layered experiences, warm, grounded, and quietly expressive.

Scallop | Cà Cuống | Chả Quế Espuma: Inspired by the memory of bánh cuốn and chả quế, this dish translates Vietnamese street flavors into a refined, contemporary form. The sweetness of scallop is lifted by cà cuống’s aromatic depth, while chả quế espuma adds warmth and familiarity.

Langoustine | Yam Som Dressing | Coconut: Bright, delicate, and layered. The natural sweetness of langoustine is balanced by the sharpness of yam som dressing, softened by coconut. Fire plays a minimal role here, reminding us that restraint is also a form of mastery.

Mushroom Congee | BBQ Bone Marrow | Imperial Caviar: A dish built on comfort and patience. Earthy mushrooms form the base, enriched by the smokiness of barbecued bone marrow. Imperial caviar introduces salinity and texture, completing a composition that feels generous yet composed.

Aged Pigeon | Massaman | Shallot Relish: Fire reveals complexity here. The aged pigeon carries depth and tenderness, complemented by the warmth of massaman spices. Shallot relish provides brightness, ensuring balance rather than heaviness.

Across the menu, fire is present not as a dominant force, but as a guide, shaping texture, anchoring flavor, and allowing memory to surface naturally.

Playing With fire Is Not Bravado, But Trust

This collaboration is not about intensity for its own sake. It is about knowing when to step back, when to lean in, and when to let heat do its quiet work.

Across one evening at Gia, guests are invited to experience how two kitchens interpret flame through their own cultures, aligned not by similarity, but by mutual understanding.

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.

→ Reserve your experience at Gia

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