Anna and Ni Nguyen, the chef-owners of the acclaimed Denver restaurant Sap Sua, share their culinary journey and partnership. They discuss how their Vietnamese heritage influences their unique fusion menu. The couple dives into the challenges of running a restaurant together, their diverse cooking influences, and the importance of collaboration in the kitchen. They also reveal how to adapt their recipes for home cooks while maintaining authenticity. The conversation highlights the emotional connections food creates and inspires aspiring chefs.
Anna and Nien Nguyen highlight the significance of merging traditional Vietnamese flavors with modern creativity to attract diverse audiences.
The restaurant Sapsua exemplifies the power of collaboration and open communication, fostering a supportive environment for culinary innovation among the team.
Deep dives
Introduction to Sapsua's Culinary Philosophy
Sapsua, a restaurant in Denver, embodies the concept of continuous improvement reflected in its name, which translates to 'almost' in Vietnamese. The chef-owners, Anna and Nien Nguyen, draw inspiration from their experiences growing up as first-generation Vietnamese Americans, merging traditional Vietnamese dishes with elements of contemporary creativity. They emphasize a playful yet respectful approach to their culinary heritage, often adapting beloved dishes from their childhood while also experimenting with flavors that resonate with a diverse audience. This fusion creates a menu that honors tradition while inviting diners to explore Vietnamese cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere.
The Journey to Opening Sapsua
Anna and Nien's journey to opening Sapsua was sparked by the reality of furloughs during the pandemic, leading them to reflect on their dream of running a restaurant. After years of working in fine dining in Los Angeles, they seized the opportunity to develop their restaurant concept while living in Colorado, closer to family. They experienced unexpected enthusiasm from the local community toward Vietnamese flavors, which encouraged them to focus on showcasing authentic ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Their story exemplifies how the pandemic fueled creative ventures and redefined paths for aspiring restaurateurs.
Collaboration and Team Dynamics in the Kitchen
At Sapsua, collaboration is a core value, reflecting a team culture that appreciates each individual’s contributions in the kitchen. The cooks are encouraged to participate actively in dish development, which can involve experimenting with new flavors before service hours or bringing ideas from home. This collaborative energy extends beyond the kitchen into interactions between staff, such as sharing feedback on new dishes in a supportive atmosphere. By fostering open communication and shared creativity, Anna and Nien create a space where the team can thrive and innovate together.
Translating Restaurant Recipes for Home Cooks
The process of adapting Sapsua's recipes for home cooking involves thoughtful collaboration between the restaurant team and food editors at Bon Appetit. They carefully select recipes that represent the essence of Sapsua while considering what home cooks can realistically achieve. For example, dishes like the fish with coconut caramel are adapted from chef Nien's traditional family recipe to ensure that they remain accessible. This practice illustrates the importance of connecting restaurant-level innovation with home cooking, allowing more people to savor the restaurant's flavors in their own kitchens.
Bon Appetit's annual Best New Restaurants list is live! This year, we're spotlighting 20 new American restaurants that we're particularly excited about. To celebrate the list's release, Chris sits down with Anna and Ni Nguyen, married couple and chef-owners of the Denver, Colorado restaurant Sap Sua. They talk about their partnership in and out of the kitchen and dig deep into the three Sap Sua recipes featured in this month's Bon Appetit magazine.