A BRIDGE TO THE PAST: MS. MAI THI TRA AND IMPERIAL HUE CUISINE Ms. Mai Thi Tra is more than an expert; she is a custodian of history. A descendant of Queen Mai Thi Vang, wife of King Duy Tan, she is the sole living witness of the Nguyen Dynasty, and the first honorary member of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association. Her expertise in Hue Imperial Cuisine, honed from childhood under the tutelage of her family, encompasses the secrets of royal dishes, exquisite jams, and delicate cakes. A respected judge at culinary competitions and a familiar face on television, Ms. Tra is dedicated to introducing, promoting and sharing the unique flavours of Hue with the world. Chef Huan Tran's collaboration with Ms. Tra is a powerful example of his commitment to showcasing Vietnam's culinary legacy. "Collaborating with artisan Mai Thi Tra, learning about Hue royal gastronomic artistry, was an incredibly valuable and meaningful experience for me and the young chefs of Regent Phu Quoc," he shares. "Ms. Tra comes from a noble family of the Nguyen Dynasty; her aunt was the wife of King Duy Tan, one of the people who preserve and promote the distinctive values of Hue royal cuisine, which features dishes imbued with the history and culture of the Vietnamese people."
REIMAGINING ROYAL FLAVOURS: SIGNATURE DISHES AT RICE MARKET This partnership means the team have been able to bring some truly exceptional dishes to the Rice Market menu, each pay homage to the sophistication of Hue Imperial Cuisine. The ‘Nem Cong Cha Phuong’ (Peacock and Pheasant Rolls), a dish from the prestigious ‘Bát Trân’ (Eight Rare Dishes), stands as a symbol of elegance. Once a ‘soul’ dish at imperial banquets, it traditionally used the meat of peacocks and pheasants, reflecting the rarity and nutritional richness of these ingredients. Rice Market's September 2024 rendition reimagined this classic, preserving its essence while adapting it to modern palates by using more healthy, fresh vegetarian ingredients. The delicate "Banh Dau Xanh" (Mung Bean Fruit Cakes), a sweet treat reserved for royalty, showcases the meticulous preparation (Mung bean cakes are meticulously crafted through cleaning, steaming, pureeing, sweetening the mung bean, before shaping into fruit forms, coating with jelly, and hand-painting for vibrant, glossy results) and artistry inherent in Hue's culinary traditions. The ‘Hue Rice with Seasonal Salt’, elevated to a royal dish by King Minh Mang in 1825, features a dazzling array of 20 different salt mixtures, each a carefully balanced blend of flavours. Rice Market's Hue Royal Night offering highlighted the cultural significance of these seasonings, using Phuoc Tich Village's "Gao Heo Ran" (red rice) steamed in clay pots, and stewed salt prepared using a traditional method.
PRESERVING HERITAGE, INSPIRING THE FUTURE Chef Huan's ambitions reach beyond that of simply creating exquisite meals; he is committed to preserving traditions for future generations through food, and this partnership with Ms. Tra was part of that vision. "This collaboration was inspired by my love for traditional Vietnamese cuisine and my desire to offer Regent Phu Quoc guests unique dining experiences that connect Vietnamese culture with our international visitors," he says. "We're also proud to inspire younger chefs, helping them understand and promote Hue royal cuisine and Vietnam's traditional culinary values through their own creativity." The Hue Royal gastronomy collaboration with Ms. Tra provided invaluable learning opportunities for the Regent Phu Quoc chefs, allowing them to delve into the intricacies of Hue's culinary techniques. "We learned a lot about the sophistication of this specific style of cuisine’s processing techniques," Chef Huan notes. "I have integrated some of these techniques into the Rice Market menu... and this is just the beginning." By showcasing these dishes to Regent Phu Quoc’s international guests, Rice Market helps preserve and promote Vietnam's culinary heritage with each dish connecting the historical dots through plated artistry of Hue’s imperial past, ensuring these traditions live on through the passions of future generations in culinary excellence.
RICE MARKET’S CULINARY COLLABORATIONS A Celebration of Vietnamese Gastronomic Heritage At Regent Phu Quoc’s Rice Market, dining transcends mere sustenance; it becomes an immersive cultural experience and a journey through Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. This transformation is the vision of Executive Sous Chef Huan Tran, whose passion for preserving and showcasing Vietnamese gastronomic artistry has led to remarkable collaborations with various artisans. A collaboration with Ms. Mai Thi Tra, a living embodiment of Hue’s imperial culinary traditions,
in September 2024 provided a glimpse into the future of Regent Phu Quoc’s mission, led by Chef Huan, to preserve and celebrate Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage.
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