Moca Dining — Restaurant in Hà Nội

My recent visit to Moca Dining in the capital city of Hanoi was a culinary journey that left me thoroughly impressed and eager to return!Nestled in the heart of Hanoi, this gem has been offering a delightful fusion of Vietnamese flavors, sophisticated ambiance, and impeccable service that sets it apart from the rest since 1997 and is just steps away from the iconic St Joseph’s Cathedral!

Upon entering Moca Dining, I was immediately struck by the chic and elegant interior design, which exuded an air of refinement and sophistication! I absolutely loved the ambiance, decor and friendly nature of the team as well! From the moment I was greeted by the attentive staff, I knew that I was in for a treat. They guided me through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, sharing their recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of my dining experience was nothing short of perfect. The culinary adventure began with a tantalizing amuse-bouche, featuring shrimp with mango shallot, mint leaves, coriander, Tabasco, and apple vinegar, as well as croquet with shitake, king mushroom, shallot, egg, and parmesan. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, setting the stage for the feast to come!

Moving on to the starters, the langoustine lobster with sous-vide egg, iberico pork, and fish caviar sauce was a true delight! The combination of flavors was exquisite, with each ingredient complementing the others perfectly. And the Pho with puffed pastry, Wagyu beef, and Vietnamese herbs was a comforting and satisfying dish that really did feel like an elevated version of the popular classic Pho due to the use of the finest Wagyu beef! I loved the way it was presented table side as well and also how it took its inspiration from the French Onion Soup in its appearance! For the main course, I opted for the grilled cod fish with fermented rice and dill sauce. It was a dish that showcased the chef's skillful technique and attention to detail, with the fish cooked to perfection and the sauce adding a delightful touch of tanginess! To accompany my meal, I indulged in a selection of exquisite cocktails from their unique drink menu. Each cocktail was expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, providing the perfect complement to the dishes. One of the highlights of the dining experience was the presence of a robot server, which added an element of fun and innovation to the proceedings. It was a unique touch that made the experience even more memorable! As the meal drew to a close, I savored the dessert, Moca Cafe Flan, a creamy and indulgent treat that provided the perfect ending to a truly unforgettable dining experience. The little theatrical drip of coffee on top of it really made it more enjoyable too

Overall, my experience at Moca Dining was exceptional in every way. From the exquisite cuisine to the elegant ambiance and impeccable service, every aspect of the dining experience surpassed my expectations. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to Hanoi, Moca Dining is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to indulge in a memorable...

A bit disappointed but I see potential in the future if they can improve.

I had dinner and ordered the Empress Elegance Set Menu. Overall, I’m only impressed with the welcome dishes as they were quite fun and interesting to eat, the bread was so soft, simple yet good, goes well with butter (it didn’t go very well with the dipping sauce included, hard to describe the taste, which was not to my personal preference. If you eat the sauce separately, it tasted fine, but if you dipped the bread in it, the sweetness and buttery didn’t fit with the sauce).

The second thing I found okay was the burrata salad aka appetizer, the first dish in the set menu. However, in terms of presentation, not so much. The red-colored dish brought out the soggy water from the burrata, which looked a bit unappetizing. With not so much of a contrast in terms of color, the red dish already blurred out the color of the fruit salad (not to mention, the color of the fruit choice were already pale color palette), and then it was garnished with the black flower thingy on top which created zero highlight to the food (I suggest remove the garnish so the white burrata will have drastic color contrast with the red dish, which will bring the concentration to the salad and the dish will look more appetizing).

The rest was surprisingly too normal. The scallop itself was unsavory, “the green purée was purposefully bland so that it will highlight the savory of the scallop” - that was what the staff said, I get the idea but the scallop was also bland and the additional sweet and sour strawberry didn’t help at all, so this dish was distasteful.

I was hoping the steak could be a bit better, but it was also not very good. I ordered medium rare and they had an exquisite color. However, the meat was dry, and again, unsavory or maybe unseasoned? The sauce was good, but even when I ate it with the sauce, I could notice that the meat was bland (this blandness comes from the beef itself), so maybe check again with the supplier of the meat and check the quality of the beef as well. Sadly, the highlight was the garnish. What a disaster dish! And I also wonder why the restaurant didn’t set up the table with salt and pepper, aren’t those the basic set up in fine dining restaurants?

Last dish was the dessert, which I chose the lemon meringue and crumble. I enjoyed the creativeness in the visual of this dish. The taste was decent, but not much of a wow, like any other place with lemon cake that I’ve tasted before.

Drinks were great, I enjoyed the welcome drink and the strawberry tea.

Really love the atmosphere and the vibe of this place, very modern and chill and romantic.

Overall, for a fine dining restaurant, I was hoping a bit more of creativity and appetite, I get the concept and the idea but they will need to improve more. 1mil/pax is not a SUPER expensive but not a cheap price either in the Vietnam economy, so you have to make the guests feel like the products and services you’re providing are worth the value of...

Situated at 16 Nha Tho Street, adjacent to the iconic St. Joseph's Cathedral, MOCA Restaurant stands as a culinary haven in the bustling heart of Hanoi. Upon entering, guests are immediately embraced by its warm, cozy atmosphere, creating an inviting space that promises relaxation and comfort.

Despite its modestly curated menu, MOCA Restaurant excels in delivering an exceptional dining experience. Each dish showcases the pinnacle of Western cuisine, distinguished by its exquisite quality and delectable flavors. Additionally, the restaurant boasts a selection of fine wines, carefully chosen to complement its culinary offerings.

The value of the dining experience at MOCA Restaurant is unmistakably evident, with pricing that reflects the superior quality and service provided. The staff further enhances the overall ambiance with their unwavering warmth and friendliness, ensuring that each visit is memorable, and instilling a desire to return among its patrons.

In conclusion, MOCA Restaurant is a gem within Hanoi, offering a serene dining atmosphere accompanied by dishes of outstanding quality and taste, all served by a genuinely hospitable team. It is a must-visit for those seeking to indulge in an impeccable Western...