Enrique P.
Google
The East is one of those restaurants in Hanoi that immediately catches your attention thanks to its Michelin recommendation and elegant setting. The atmosphere is refined yet comfortable, with a modern Asian aesthetic and attentive service that make it an appealing place for a nice evening out. Expectations are naturally high given its reputation — and while some dishes lived up to that standard, others left me wanting a bit more.
I started with the fried Vietnamese crab spring rolls, which unfortunately were quite disappointing. The texture was fine — crispy on the outside and well-fried — but the filling lacked flavor. The crab meat had almost no taste, and it didn’t capture that sweet, delicate flavor you’d expect from fresh crab. For a dish that sounds so promising on the menu, it fell short of expectations, especially at this level of dining.
Things improved with the green papaya salad, which turned out to be the highlight of the meal. Fresh, bright, and perfectly seasoned, it had that balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make Vietnamese salads so addictive. Every bite was refreshing and full of texture. I’d definitely recommend this dish — it’s one of those simple yet perfectly executed plates that show the kitchen’s potential when they get it right.
The eggplant was also very good. Soft, flavorful, and well-seasoned, it had a nice smoky undertone and a depth that made it memorable without being overpowering. It worked beautifully as a side dish and complemented the lighter flavors of the salad.
However, the beef served in a bamboo tube was another disappointment. The presentation was interesting and visually appealing, but the meat was tough and lacked punch. The flavors were rather flat — not bad, but far from what you’d expect from a Michelin-recommended restaurant. It felt like a missed opportunity: the concept and plating were impressive, but the execution just didn’t deliver the boldness or tenderness the dish needed.
The service throughout the meal was attentive and professional. The staff were polite, spoke good English, and made sure everything arrived on time. The ambiance was also lovely — calm, elegant, and ideal for a quiet dinner.
In terms of pricing, it’s definitely on the higher end for Hanoi, but that’s expected given its Michelin mention and upscale presentation. Still, when you pay a premium, you expect consistently strong dishes — and not everything here hit that level.
Overall, The East is a stylish restaurant with some standout items — particularly the papaya salad and the eggplant — but also some inconsistencies that hold it back. With a bit more attention to flavor and texture, especially in the seafood and beef dishes, it could easily live up to its full Michelin potential.
