Morning Glory Original — Restaurant in Hội An

Nestled in the heart of the city, Morning Glory offers an inviting blend of traditional Vietnamese flavors, capturing the essence of Hoi A cuisine. Upon entering the restaurant, we were struck by its warm and ambient interior, subtly illuminated with a relaxed vibe. Although we walked quite deep into the establishment before any staff interaction, the friendly greeting eventually came, making us feel welcome.

Opting for a more comfortable dining experience, we chose to head upstairs, where the air was cooler and the atmosphere a little quieter, offering a pleasant reprieve from the bustling downstairs area. The upstairs seating allowed for a more serene dining experience, ideal for savoring the intricacies of the dishes.

We started with the white rose dumplings, an iconic Hoi An dish. These delicate dumplings, beautifully arranged on the plate, were a great start to the meal. Their slightly chewy texture paired well with the shrimp filling, enhanced by a mild dipping sauce that added a subtle flavor without overpowering the dish.

The Bánh xèo, or crispy pancake, was another highlight. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this dish was packed with a delightful mix of flavors and textures. The accompanying herbs and dipping sauce added a refreshing touch to the dish, making every bite a burst of flavors.

The Cao lầu, a local noodle specialty, delivered an authentic taste of Hoi An. The chewy noodles were balanced with the tender pork, crunchy vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The subtle smokiness in the dish elevated it, showcasing the depth of Vietnamese cuisine. This was undoubtedly one of the standout dishes, full of flavor and texture.

For dessert, we tried the mango sticky rice and crème caramel. The mango sticky rice was a refreshing contrast to the savory mains, with the sweetness of the mango pairing beautifully with the creamy, slightly sweet coconut sticky rice.

However, the crème caramel was a disappointment. While the dessert itself had a good flavor, the presentation left much to be desired. It was served with ice on and around the dessert, likely an attempt to keep it cool in the heat. Unfortunately, this resulted in a soggy texture, which detracted from the smoothness and richness typically associated with crème caramel. This was a stark contrast to the otherwise excellent dishes and is something I would avoid ordering in the future.

Final Thoughts: Morning Glory excels in delivering authentic, flavorful Vietnamese dishes, especially their mains, which were bursting with rich, vibrant flavors. The ambiance, especially upstairs, offers a cozy, relaxed space to enjoy a meal. However, some attention to detail, particularly with dessert presentation, would enhance the overall dining experience. I would highly recommend the white rose dumplings, Bánh xèo, and Cao lầu, but skip the...

I had the most disturbing and unpleasant experience in this restaurant. The owner should educate the staffs about the concept of HYGIENE. The staff was very rude and not clean.

Before eating, my mom asked for her personal scissors because her teeth was not good for chewing. She needed it to cut the food into small pieces. The staff gave her scissors, and my mom had been using this scissors with her spoon and chopstics for about 30 minutes. Suddenly, one of the staff took off her scissors without asking, while she was having her meal. By using this scissors, this staff was about to cut off the vietnamese pancake which was supposed to be served for other customer. This was very UNCLEAN behavior. So, my mom let the staff stop using scissors and cutting the pancake because doing so was NOT CLEAN. My mom was trying to tell the staff the reason why it's not clean to use the scissors for other customer's food, because she had been using this scissors just as same as her personal spoon and chopsticks. HOWEVER, THE STAFF LAUGHED at my mom and told the other staffs in Vietnamese some words (which I couldn't understand, but I definitely understood the nuance) The staff told my mom that she will wash the scissors after cutting off the pancake for other customers, which was still NOT HYGENIC at all. Despite the staff's unhygienic behavior and rude attitude, I tried to explain why her behavior was not clean. But it seemed she didn't really care and left the scissors on our table without any apology. More disturbing thing happened. While I left the table to go to bathroom, other staff cleaned up the foods and plates without properly asking.

This restaurant is more fancy and expensive than other local restaurants. So I expected the better service and the good level of HYGIENE. Personally I was very disappointed and even angry at the staff's attitude. I think no one would like to have a pancake to be cut by the scissors which had been used by...

Embarking on a culinary adventure at Morning Glory Original was a mixed experience of delectable delights and service nuances. The flavorful journey began with the coconut and pineapple juices, which proved to be a refreshing prelude to the feast that followed. The balance of sweetness in both juices was impeccable, setting a high standard for what was to come.

The pork skewers emerged as a highlight, impeccably grilled to perfection. Paired with fresh vegetables and rice paper, they offered a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The stewed duck with tangerine and caramelized onion showcased culinary mastery, with its intensely flavorful and tender meat standing out as a culinary triumph.

However, the dining experience encountered a slight hiccup in the service arena. The staff's rapid clearing of dishes created an atmosphere that hinted at a rush to turnover tables.

The stir-fried morning glory with garlic delivered a well-executed kick, thanks to the judicious addition of chopped chili. The Cao Lau further demonstrated Morning Glory Original's prowess, with noodles reminiscent of Japanese udon cooked to perfection, achieving the ideal balance between texture and flavor.

An additional culinary gem at Morning Glory Original was the steamed fish in banana leaf, a delightful resemblance to the beloved otah otah. This dish proved to be a revelation, with a symphony of spices and a generous array of ingredients contributing to a burst of flavors and textures. The tender, flaky fish, enveloped in the fragrant banana leaf, showcased a meticulous attention to detail that elevated the...