Bobby Chinn - Hanoi-based chef, Asia Cafe show host

Bobby Chinn, a New Zealand born Chinese-Egyptian chef and restaurateur based in Hanoi has been stirring up trouble in Vietnam since 1994. Along with Frenchman Didier Corlou who was at the Metropole Hotel and now has his own restaurant Verticale, Bobby was one of the first foreign chefs to come to Vietnam.

He's opened and closed a number of restaurants in Vietnam; doing business as a foreigner has it's many ups and downs. His current eponymous eatery called Restaurant Bobby Chinn remains steadfast. It's located in the Hoan Kiem District and offers interesting takes on Vietnamese food. Like many chefs, Bobby's cooking reflects who he is, where he's been. He used to live in San Francisco so his interpretation is California-Vietnamese, which means there's a bit of the Pacific Rim, France, and the Mediterranean too, along with fresh, seasonal organic ingredients.

In late October at the Asia Society in New York, I met Bobby as we were both on a Vietnam food panel. With a background in finance and stand-up comedy, he's smart, funny and energetic -- a savvy entertainer. He's full of self-deprecation when he describes how he had to invent his own version of Vietnamese since it's a hard language to master. Listen to his Vietnamese on this YouTube trailer for a new television travel/food show, World Cafe Asia. He's got a bit of Anthony Bourdain's sincerity and brashness and sounds a bit gravely/serious like Anderson Cooper on CNN:

"Who is Bobby Chinn?" - World Asia Cafe trailer on YouTube

At the Asia Society event, Bobby prepared a take on a Vietnamese pho cuon -- hand-held rolls comprised of the pho beef and herb garnishes wrapped up in a fresh rice sheet. It's retro food that's come back in full force in Hanoi for the past couple of years. Bobby's version had duck gizzard confit and Japanese shiso, a stand-in for Vietnamese tia to, which is hard to get in New York these days. Freshly made Cantonese haw fun from Chinatown was the perfect, supple rice wrapper. 

Bobby is a very nice person who respect Vietnamese people and their cuisine. He also loves to joke around. "You know what my name means in Vietnamese?" he asked me. I was trying to botch "Bobby Chinn" in Vietnamese but didn't get the joke. "Bop chim, bop chim, " he barked. "That means strangle the bird. I do my best Foghorn Leghorn  whenever I hear that."  (Foghorn Leghorn is an American cartoon character based on a rooster.)

His show airs in Asia on Discovery's Travel and Living channel. If you watch it, post your thoughts!

Comments

[Jaden]

I saw him a couple of times on Tommy Tang's show. I thought the two of them every incredibly obnoxious to the point of painful to watch. I'll watch Bobby's show to support my fellow Asians, and I'm hoping that he's better than what I've seen.

[Cathy]

I'm gonna have to agree with Jaden. I've caught World Asia Cafe on a number of occasions and found Bobby Chin rather annoying. If he toned it down a bit, I'd enjoy his show much more.

Perhaps I would like him more in person?

[Andrea Nguyen]

Ladies,

I've not seen the show but understand what you mean. I can't stand to watch most of the shows on the Food Network.

Some people when they're in front of the camera become overbearing. Bobby is a nice person in person. But he is a showman. Nowadays, food programs focus more on entertaining rather than education. It's a shame.

I've watched most of the Bobby Chin episodes and find them very entertaining and not at all obnoxious. He's really funny and rather down to earth in his own way.

[Jenn]

I've never met Bobby Chinn himself, but did have the chance to eat at his restaurant in the Hoan Kiem District. I'm not Asian, just like Asian (and specifically Vietnamese food) so take my review for what it is worth.

The food was very inventive, flavors much like that of other food I ate during my visit (nice balance of hot, sweet, salty, etc.) but much more expensive. I think what was even more impressive than the food (hard to imagine, as the food really was wonderful) was the atmosphere. It was simply beautiful in there and trendy at the same time. Almost like an oasis for this first-time trip overseas for me. There are seats that overlook the Lake Hoan Kiem and the city, perfect for watching it all go by.

When I finally make it back to Hanoi, I will try to squeeze in a lunch there again. It's hard to justify eating there more than once as the cost is so high compared to local spots, but compared to here in the States the meal is a practical steal. I really wish I had his coconut sticky rice pudding dessert recipe!

[Andrea Nguyen]

Jenn,

You're right about the atmosphere at Bobby's restaurant. It's dramatic and very elegant. You can't miss it when you walk by.

He's got a bevy of women cooks in the back. You're fortunate to have dined there. Thanks very much for your positive, balanced feedback.

Jenn

Thanks for the restaurant review, sounds like the place to dine. The website sounds like it doesn't serve the restaurant justice since the site looks quite ordinary.

[Andrea Nguyen]

Yep, the Bobby Chinn website badly needs attention.

[Roshi]

I love bobby chinn.My mom and,i make a point not to miss his show on travel and living.I am mad about his attitude.How he speaks,his humour.I would love to meet him,if,ever get a chance.
If you are reading this message bobby,then promise me,that next time you come to India don't go back with out meeting me.U are most welcome.I"ll appreciate if you stay with my family.I"ll show you what real India is.

[Andrea Nguyen]

Roshi, Thanks for the impassioned remarks about Bobby! I'm sure he appreciates them.

[magdalene]

Finally caught up with Bobby's travels on the discovery channel and living. He is a good host but at times he tries too hard and this is annoying. He is a sport and certainly knows his stuff. I take my hat off to him because I can never do what he has done. Change careers to be a good chef. I cannot be interested in cooking as he does. The most I can be in the kitchen is three days and its back to survival food for the rest of the week. But after watching his shows, I am still keen of cooking and did try out some of the dishes featured.I cooked some of them for my Christmas party 2007. The tips that he gives were helpful. For the rest of 2008, hope to cook more.
Hope there will be new episodes featuring Bobby Chinn.

[magdalene]

Finally caught up with Bobby's travels on the discovery channel and living. He is a good host but at times he tries too hard and this is annoying. He is a sport and certainly knows his stuff. I take my hat off to him because I can never do what he has done. Change careers to be a good chef. I cannot be interested in cooking as he does. The most I can be in the kitchen is three days and its back to survival food for the rest of the week. But after watching his shows, I am still keen of cooking and did try out some of the dishes featured.I cooked some of them for my Christmas party 2007. The tips that he gives were helpful. For the rest of 2008, hope to cook more.
Hope there will be new episodes featuring Bobby Chinn.

[Andrea Nguyen]

Good for you Magdalene. Glad to know that you've been inspired by watching Bobby Chinn!

[Andrea Tehan]

I just saw Bobby Chinn on Anthony Bourdains "No Reservations" season 3 premiere and instantly recognized him. While I haven't actually seen Bobby's show, I have eaten at his restaurant in Hanoi and have met him in person. He's food is out of this world delicious and inventive, and he's a really funny guy. If you're ever in Hanoi, it's definitely worth a visit!

[Andrea Nguyen]

Thanks Andrea! Bobby is ha-ha funny.

[Smoky]

Please no more World Cafe. Bobby Chin is rude, obnoxious, annoying and has no sense of humor. Unfortunately he is part Asian and yet treats the locals in the show, mostly Asian, with not much respect.Please enough.

[Andrea Nguyen]

Point well taken, Smoky.

[Nadeshiko]

He is great!I love his show and his energy!I hope he continues to host the show!And visit Brasil sometime!