Madame Hanoi

With a background firmly rooted in the highly technical skills of Japanese cooking, chef Nic Watt has always been a passionate lover of Asian cuisine.

On visiting Vietnam on honeymoon with his wife, Nic was instantly drawn to Vietnamese food with its heavy influence of French Colonialism. From baguettes to coffee, the influence has been far-reaching on this already gastronomically renowned nation.

Ho Chi Minh City was conquered by France in 1859 and was the capital of the French colony and renamed Saigon. Today it remains the largest city in Vietnam and the indelible mark of the French influence remains on everything from elaborate architecture to street names and most notably, the cuisine. This European influence gave rise to an entirely new taste to traditional Vietnamese food, while also showcasing the way the Vietnamese have put their own stamp onto food introduced by the French.

It is this unity that shines through the inspired menu at Madame Hanoi. A desire to feature dishes that are both uniquely Vietnamese and unmistakably French, sit in unity alongside dishes that harmoniously blend the two.

A globetrotter at heart with a career spanning all four corners of the globe, Madame Hanoi is Nic’s most personal project to date. A love for shared experience with friends and a passion for truly authentic Asian cuisine using only the very best produce is the driving force behind Madame Hanoi.

On finding the former railway site in Adelaide, Australia — with its distinctive and impressive original 19th C architectural features, combined with South Australia’s abundance of some the world's best produce, the idea for Madame Hanoi crystallised.

So from the hustle and bustle of old Hanoi, to the sophisticated boulevards of the 5th arrondissement, let Madame Hanoi indulge the dreamers and adventurers, the families and friends to come together on flavour filled adventure.