Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen is a chef and consultant whose career has taken her all over the world. Born in Paris to a Vietnamese-Dutch family, she has lived and worked in London, and today resides in Vietnam. She began her career in kitchens including Auberge de Chassignoles, Café Bar Universal, Trullo, and Bao London. In recent years, she has focused on development and consulting work, and has opened her own restaurants in Vietnam. Her Instagram videos showcase the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine.

Reviews

“A definitive guide for anyone looking to cook with depth and confidence.” – Interior Review

“Beautiful.” – The Quality Edit

“A dazzling title.” – Kirkus

“A deeply researched work of cultural and culinary knowledge.” – Epicurious, Fall 2025 Cookbooks Pick

“Showcases the vast range of Vietnamese cooking, shining a light on lesser-known regional dishes.” – Bon Appétit, Best Cookbooks of Fall 2025

“Captivating.” – Book Riot

“Chef Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen brings both local insight and a discerning outsider’s eye to this Southeast Asian nation’s culinary traditions.” – The Boca Raton Observer

“A comprehensive and fascinating dive into one of the great Asian cuisines.” – Restaurant


“This is a book designed to both inspire and educate in equal measure.” – Ape to Gentleman

“Phaidon’s books are always giftable.” – The Strategist

“This beautiful cookbook takes readers on a journey through Vietnam’s farms, fields, bustling markets, and narrow city alleys, collecting recipes from local cooks.” – TIME

“This dive into Vietnamese cooking with more than 400 recipes… covers everything from snacks and soups to rolls and rice dishes.” – The Strategist, Best Cookbooks to Gift in 2025

“A collection of culture and history, designed to inspire and educate.” – The Berkshire Eagle

“Whether mastering classic summer rolls, grilled pork with vermicelli, or discovering lesser-known specialties such as mung bean dumplings, this is a book designed to both inspire and educate in equal measure.” – Ape to Gentleman

“Captivating photography transports you to the heart of Vietnam’s kitchens and markets, while beautifully written text introduces you to the traditions of home cooking.” – Olive

“The passion in this book is unmistakable, showing the historical context of Vietnam’s deep connections to its food…” – The Caterer

“Ca Dao van Manen notes that some herbs can be difficult to source in the UK, but this is precisely what makes the book ideal for chefs – it is not simplified according to ingredient availability, but leaves it to the reader to decide how to interpret the dish. The book encourages readers to expand their understanding of what delicious can mean.” – The Caterer

“Phaidon’s ‘bible’ dedicated to one country – this one is truly thorough and rigorous in its depiction of over 400 recipes. I hope Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen was well compensated for this, as it is impressive and should be a reference for anyone wanting to take a deep dive into Vietnamese cuisine.” – Ed Smith, Rocket & Squash