Chef Hien Restaurant — Restaurant in Ninh Bình Province

Awesome vịt quay/grilled duck and amazing team!! I do not have enough words to describe how kind, genuine, and sweet everyone here was. Two gentleman were the main ones serving us tonight. Cost for how delish everything was makes it seem unreal (in a great way!)

A local actually advised us that duck is a recommended dish in this city and, this restaurant was one of their top 2 favourite spots.

Considering how busy the restaurant was, they were accommodating and attentive from the moment they saw us approach, to the moment we left. As you can see in other customer’s pictures, it’s quite a big restaurant. What you don’t see pictured is that they have a second floor that they are also serving.

Their nem was crispy, huge, and tasty. Their duck was fantastic. It’s not just rotating and the front of the restaurant for show. I didn’t expected quite a lot of meat but, was pleasantly surprised when half a duck was presented to us. It was juicy, soft, and the skin was lightly crisp. The natural flavours of the really shines and the light lemongrass scent adds a nice touch.

You may have to wait a bit for your food, especially if you are ordering duck. Please be patient and enjoy a drink while you’re waiting. Or nem or another dish on the side while you are waiting for the duck. It’s worth the wait.

Also, a little something to know when it comes to a lot of Vietnamese food. Dishes are often served to share with family/friends. It’s family style for your food to arrival all at once and is meant to be eaten together and shared...

Nestled in the heart of Ninh Binh, Chef Hien Restaurant is a culinary gem that seamlessly marries tradition with innovation. Our gastronomic journey unfolded with the exquisite roast duck, a symphony of flavours that danced on our taste buds, leaving an indelible mark of culinary excellence. The morning glory followed suit, a verdant crescendo that celebrated the freshness of local produce.

Braised pork, a masterpiece of succulence, captivated our palates with its tender embrace of savoury notes. The sour fish soup, a culinary sonnet, spoke volumes of the chef's prowess in balancing tanginess and depth. Each dish narrated a story of culinary finesse, a testament to Chef Hien's dedication to crafting a symphony of tastes.

Our encounter with the owner added a personal touch to this epicurean experience, topped with her excellent display of the English language. The ambience resonated with warmth, a testament to the proprietor's genuine passion for hospitality.

In the realm of prices, Chef Hien's offerings stand as a beacon of value. The marriage of quality and affordability is a rare feat, and this establishment deftly achieves that delicate balance.

In conclusion, Chef Hien Restaurant is not merely a dining experience; it is a rendezvous with culinary artistry. Your taste buds will thank you, and your soul will savour the memories of this...

Chef Hien is one of a few restaurants on the main strip in Tam Coc which has live rotating duck spits. We specifically chose this restaurant since it was more full which guaranteed higher food turnover and the spit master was also actively tending to the cooking ducks. This restaurant has a huge menu which is usually a red flag as no establishment can do every dish well. My suggestion is to stick with their freshest offering which is the roasted duck. Each order comes with half a duck and a bowl of rice. You can even see the spit master freshly cut up your duck at the front and hand it to the server. The duck had that classic coal bbq flavor with saltiness and a hint of lemongrass. It comes with a salty/sweet dipping sauce as well. It was delicious and vaguely similar to Peking duck if you've ever had it.

In terms of service, the lady in charge speaks both English and French. Another reviewer did mention there was a young female server taking orders who seemed very indifferent and gave off the "I don't want to be here" vibe. I can confirm that this is indeed true. That level of service doesn't bother me too much and I can only assume this must be someone's daughter being forced to work at the family business. Orders are also taken digitally so you can review your total on the boss lady's phone...