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!
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.
Posted by: Jaden | November 13, 2007 at 09:27 PM
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?
Posted by: Cathy | November 15, 2007 at 01:43 AM
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.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | November 15, 2007 at 02:03 PM
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.
Posted by: | November 20, 2007 at 01:49 AM
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!
Posted by: Jenn | November 20, 2007 at 05:44 AM
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.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | November 20, 2007 at 10:24 AM
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.
Posted by: | November 20, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Yep, the Bobby Chinn website badly needs attention.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | November 20, 2007 at 05:31 PM
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.
Posted by: Roshi | December 16, 2007 at 03:53 AM
Roshi, Thanks for the impassioned remarks about Bobby! I'm sure he appreciates them.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | December 16, 2007 at 02:25 PM
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.
Posted by: magdalene | January 02, 2008 at 07:20 AM
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.
Posted by: magdalene | January 02, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Good for you Magdalene. Glad to know that you've been inspired by watching Bobby Chinn!
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | January 02, 2008 at 05:38 PM
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!
Posted by: Andrea Tehan | January 07, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Thanks Andrea! Bobby is ha-ha funny.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | January 07, 2008 at 10:01 PM
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.
Posted by: Smoky | February 29, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Point well taken, Smoky.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | March 02, 2008 at 09:40 PM
He is great!I love his show and his energy!I hope he continues to host the show!And visit Brasil sometime!
Posted by: Nadeshiko | March 12, 2008 at 10:21 AM
On the subject of Bobby Chinn, I caught his show for the first time last night. I am Vietnamese and am deeply insulted by Mr. Chinn's attitude and treatment of locals on his show. He referred to one dessert as tasting like an old shoe, and another (which someone was eating) as tasting like leather. He also seemed to disregard people quite easily. While I crave greater knowledge re: Asian cuisine, I'm afraid I will have to find it elsewhere. Also, in regard to the feedback to some of these posts, why invite people to post comments if you're only going to acknowledge the pro-Bobby ones? Isn't criticism as valuable, if not more so, than compliments?
Posted by: Thuy | June 18, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Erm, Thuy, I've acknowledged the +/- and neutral feedback too. Television should NEVER be the only source for learning. You need to talk to actual people, read, and most importantly, cook.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | June 18, 2008 at 11:04 AM
where abouts can i purchase these products in melbourne, australia?
regards
helena
Posted by: helena | June 27, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Oh baby...Bobby is HOT!!! He's has an attitude to die for! I'm like a HUGE fan of his show World Cafe Asia and have watched all of them. In fact I've watched all the repeats as well....Wish I could meet him some time and extend my compliments....Nevertheless shall visit his restaurant when in Hanoi...If you're reading this Bobby...Love you darling & God bless!!
Posted by: Visha | August 15, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Andrea, "bop chim" is vulgar if you didn't know that.
Posted by: T | December 13, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I just watched World Cafe Asia: Penang presented by Bobby Chinn. Must say I really tried to enjoy the show having grown up in Penang myself. But he is just unbearable. He's so obnoxious and disparaging to local culture that it's obscene
Posted by: Kevin | January 11, 2009 at 05:40 AM
I agree Bobby Chinn is offensive and rude to local people he meets on his travels and makes fun of their culture. Just because he is half Chinese and half Egyptian it doesn't give him the right to make inappropriate and offensive comments about other peoples' customs. Quite often the joke is at the expense of the people who he is interviewing or have invited him into their homes and kitchens. He's not funny or entertaining - I cringe everytime I watch him...just another obnoxious ego trying to make a name for himself.
Posted by: rupa | March 16, 2009 at 05:58 AM