Buzz
Sen Viet Buffet boasts 160 exquisite Asian and European delicacies, nestled on the 18th floor of the upscale Sahul Hotel, offering breathtaking views of the sparkling city skyline at night.
The distinctive allure of Sen Viet Buffet consistently draws a bustling crowd of reservations.
I decided to dine at Sen Viet Buffet today. Typically priced at 350k per person, I managed to secure a deal through Pasgo, reducing it to just 249k per person. I chose this venue based on recommendations from a friend who praised its wide array of Asian, European, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes, including traditional favorites and seafood options. What I particularly enjoyed was the elevated dining experience on the 18th floor, offering a picturesque, airy, and romantic ambiance. It's no wonder why families and couples alike flock to this spot.
I braved 18 floors for a taste of the 160-dish buffet spread.
The buffet dining area offers panoramic views of Hanoi city.
The food counters at Sen Viet Buffet
For appetizers, there's an extensive selection including sushi, salads, tempura, pizza, and fried buttery bread… Trying out 5-6 types of sushi alone left me feeling pleasantly full! Starting with these lighter bites sets the stage for a truly indulgent culinary adventure.
A variety of sushi options on the appetizer counter: salmon roe sushi, fresh salmon sushi wraps, seaweed-wrapped sushi rolls…
Despite its modest appearance, this dish is surprisingly refreshing and light, making it perfect for an appetizer.
Main dishes at Sen Viet Buffet: There's quite a selection to choose from, but what I appreciate the most is the attentive staff who promptly replenish dishes that are running low, ensuring there's no shortage or long wait for food like at many other buffets.
The main dish counter offers a wide array of options to scoop up, but it's best to stick to the dishes you enjoy and maybe try a few adventurous ones :)
The roasted bird in the picture looks incredibly appetizing!
I'm a fan of fried and crispy dishes, so I made a beeline for this section first. The fried items here aren't overly greasy or heavy, but I only sampled a bit of everything because I still had to move on to the traditional Vietnamese, Asian, and seafood sections.
One word sums it up: fried food heaven!
The Vietnamese food section at Sen Viet Buffet is set up like the traditional street food stalls from the past, which is very visually appealing. They have all sorts of roasted birds, balut eggs simmered in mugwort, banh xeo, tiny savory pancakes, Thanh Tri rolled cakes, pho, vermicelli noodles, and more… At first glance, they may not seem different from the dishes I eat regularly, but after trying a few bites of the cakes and a bowl of noodles, I realized they have a unique and distinct flavor profile.
The Vietnamese food counter at Sen Viet Buffet offers a wide variety, and what's impressive is that they have a few waitstaff dressed up as village girls, quite charming and hospitable, really catering to guests.
They have all kinds of mixed noodle dishes available, but it's best to try out some new and unique items like regional cakes, or Hue-style cakes… For rice and pho, you can get them at the market for just 30k per bowl!
The seafood section is stacked with fresh delights, it's a sight to behold!!! My personal favorite is the live oysters, plump and juicy, they look absolutely enticing, whether squeezed with lime or enjoyed raw, they're simply divine :)
Oh, look at that seafood…
So plentiful! With this amount of food, dining by the sea would easily cost 500k per person
Oh! During the 'halftime break,' I even managed to pick up a couple of neat tips from the chef at Sen Viet Buffet on how to prepare oysters quite nicely. While I'm at it, I'll share them with you all:
- Raw oysters with lime sauce: First, prepare 2 kg of fresh oysters, 1 tube of lime sauce (readily available at the supermarket), minced garlic chili oil, and lime.
Step 1: After bringing the raw oysters home, they need some preparation. Use a knife and brush to clean off any mud or sharp edges from the oyster shells, or you can thoroughly rinse them under strong running water. Next, place the oysters in the microwave and heat for 1-2 minutes to naturally open them up. Then, transfer the oysters to the freezer compartment of the fridge and let them chill for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Step 2: Cut the lime into small pieces, removing the seeds. Prepare the dipping sauce according to your taste preferences. When eating, squeeze lime over the oyster, then dip it into the sauce and enjoy!
- Four Corners-style Oyster Sauce: Prepare gutted oysters + oyster water. Additionally, you'll need: garlic, ginger, chili, MSG, vinegar, sugar, bouillon, oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
Step 1: Slice ginger into strips + finely chop chili, garlic. Then, sauté half of the ginger strips until fragrant.
Step 2: Put chopped chili and oyster water into a pot. Add a bit of bone broth + boiling water + vinegar + sugar + bouillon + oyster sauce + sesame oil + soy sauce to create a sweet-sour flavor. Add a few spoons of cornstarch and stir until the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Place the oysters into the sauce until they are cooked through, add shredded ginger, mix well, then serve hot for the best taste :)
My husband loves oysters, and so do I =))
Stir-fried squid is delicious, but I haven't tried boiled snails yet
I'd like to give this fish dish a LIKE
Concluding the dessert spread at Sen Viet Buffet: A quick count reveals over 20 dessert options ranging from trendy to familiar such as lotus seed longan sweet soup, almond jelly, various mousses, French pastries, fruit platters, and some traditional Vietnamese sweets like green rice flake cake, honeycomb cake… Plenty to choose from!
Looking at the dessert counter of Sen Viet Buffet feels like being in a candy wonderland. The photos are real, the items are real, so I'll let you all comment on it =))
This cake is edible, but it's all sweets, so if you're watching your figure, just give it a taste and that's it!
We often make this type of sweet cake at home, but it's true that the quality at upscale restaurants is incomparable. The cake is fluffy and the fresh cream is smooth, not overly sweet to eat again.
I devoured all 5 of these! :)
Overall, I find this buffet restaurant quite decent, with a wide variety of dishes, especially considering the discounted price of 249k per person, the quality is a steal compared to many other places like Sen Buffet in Tay Ho or Su Buffet on Nguyen Du Street.
Some tips for dining at Sen Viet Buffet
Address: Sen Viet Restaurant - 684 Minh Khai Street, Sahul Hotel, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Dining in the evening offers a stunning cityscape view through the glass windows.
Going in the evening or on weekends conveniently allows for leisure activities at Time City nearby, or from Sen Viet Buffet, you can easily head to the central area of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, which are very close (about 6-10 minutes by motorbike).
Booking through PASGO offers a 29% discount when dining at Sen Viet Buffet compared to the original price, which means from 350,000 VND to 249,000 VND per person.
If you book through PASGO and dine with a large group, you can get even more discounts (for those interested in dining, call 1900 6005 for free advice).
