NOIR REVIEW - DINING IN THE DARK

Picture the scene, it’s Natalie’s birthday and as always I’m on the hunt for something unique to surprise her with. If we were at home I would be prepping for this day weeks or even months in advance, however, life on the road doesn’t permit that; so once I knew for sure that we would be in Ho Chi Minh City, I had to act fast. And then I saw, Dining in the Dark…

A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE – DINING IN THE DARK IN HO CHI MINH

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Thankfully it didn’t take much research to come across Noir. Being ranked as one of the top restaurants in HCMC with solid outstanding reviews on Trip Advisor, I was naturally curious to find out more. And it was only after reading through some of the comments that the penny finally dropped. Noir is Vietnams first and only dining in the dark experience. I’d heard of similar restaurants back in London, but admittedly I hadn’t ever been tempted to try one. I guess there’s something daunting about not being able to see what you are eating – Plus I’m a messy eater at the best of times! Noir did sound special though. Not only did they have exceptional reviews, but I also learned that a large percentage of their employees are either deaf or blind/visually impaired. I found it inspiring that they were offering these individuals a career trajectory and that a percentage of profits is donated to local supporting charities. I was looking for something out of the ordinary and it seemed I had found it, so I immediately made a reservation.

As we arrived at Noir. we were politely greeted by the manager and asked to take a seat in the lounge area. There we enjoyed a complimentary welcome drink as he eloquently described what we could expect from the evening. I had decided to keep Natalie in the dark (excuse the pun) until we arrived at the restaurant, therefore it was amusing to see the bewildered look on her face as it was explained that our dining experience was to be in complete darkness. We were told that without sight, all of our other senses are heightened; therefore we would be using taste & texture to identify the food and touch to navigate our way around the table.

THE MENU

From the menu we were given the option of 3 different cuisines – Western, Eastern or Vegetarian, however, all dishes would be kept a secret until the end of the meal. There was also an extensive drinks menu including wine, cocktails, spirits or even secret pairing options. After both deciding on the Western menu and a nice bottle of Malbec, there was one last thing for us to do. As a fun & creative way of preparing us for the dining experience, we were presented with a simple puzzle that was to be completed blindfolded. As we struggled to identify the correct shapes for the empty spaces, we revelled in amusement at how we were ever going to manage to feed ourselves in complete darkness.

When it was our turn to be seated we eagerly made our way towards the dining room. Understandably they do not permit any phones or other light sources in the room, therefore we were asked to store any belongings we had in the lockers outside. Next, we were introduced to our blind waiter ‘Bow’, whom through the heavyweight of darkness, very carefully lead us to our seats. Following a brief explanation on how to navigate the table, we were left to our own devices. And it wasn’t long before we broke out into nervous giggles. Being immersed in darkness with nothing but the gentle sound of other diners as company, was understandably a little strange at first. However, after successfully locating the wine, it didn’t take us long to relax into the situation. And all there was to worry about then, was what culinary delights they had in store for us!

The first course was served promptly and consisted of 4 different dishes, strategically laid out on a tray in front of us. We were advised to start from the top right and work our way clockwise, leaving our inner child wondering – ‘what will happen if I don’t?’ But anyhow we played by the rules, and with each dish were rewarded with an expl0sion of different flavours and textures. We took absolute delight in guessing what each of the dishes could be and therefore were pleased that we followed their recommendation to have the same menu. We toyed with using the cutlery at first, however soon discovered we could eat far more efficiently using our fingers, and for this, we were grateful that nobody could see us. Well apart from the infrared cameras that they no doubt have installed!

Ultimately we were served 11 incredible dishes – 4 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts, each completely unique & delectable in taste. When we were done, we were taken back to the lounge area and quizzed on the food we had eaten. The quiz revealed that the palate sure can be deceiving when you are unable to see what is in front of you. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose any of the dishes that we sampled that night, as they only update the menu quarterly (and I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun for anyone). However what I can say, is that we tried things that we would never have thought to order ourselves. Yet we thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

As the evening drew to a close, it has to be said that we were both a little sad it was over. However, thankfully there was one final surprise to come. I had organised for the restaurant to prepare Natalie a birthday cake, and as we finished the last of our wine, appreciating what a fantastic evening it had been, the staff gathered to sing her a happy birthday. First with the song and then in sign language by their deaf employees. It was a beautiful end, to a beautiful evening, and when I saw it bring tears (of joy) to Natalie’s eyes I knew I’d done well!

I can’t express enough what a unique and wonderful experience Noir was for us. All of the staff ensured we had a magical evening from start to end and we can’t wait to experience dining in the dark again, somewhere else in the world.

For current list of prices, please click HERE.

NOIR MAP LOCATION

WHERE TO STAY IN HO CHI MINH

Hostel – Dormlink&club – Located in the city, this accommodation boasts a garden, bar, shared lounge and free breakfast!

Budget Private – Kem’s Nest – This affordable accommodation offers River/City views and a shared kitchen. But most of all, soundproofing! You will want this staying in the City.

Luxury – RiverGate JuneHome Luxury – For a little extra, a touch of luxury includes, soundproofing, stunning city views, fully equipt kitchen, breakfast, a garden with an outdoor swimming pool.

For more Accommodation in Nusa Penida, you can check the latest prices here.

More on Vietnam

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out our other articles to help plan your trip.

Did you enjoy our experience of dining in the dark in Ho Chi Minh?

Well, that concludes our unique experience dining in the dark in Ho Chi Minh. We hope you enjoy your time in this magical country. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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