French-Vietnamese chef Vincent Cao Minh has reached a new milestone in his culinary career, co-creating a distinctive fusion of Japanese precision and Michelin-caliber Vietnamese cuisine. The exclusive collaboration extends across 29 Teishoku 8 restaurants in Taiwan, in partnership with Sushi Express Group — a Taiwanese hospitality group that operates 295 Japanese dining outlets across the country.
This partnership represents more than just a collaboration between Chef Vincent Cao Minh – founder of Maison 1929, a celebrated establishment featured in the Michelin Guide for two consecutive years – and a renowned Japanese chain. It serves as a cultural bridge and a proud showcase of Vietnamese culinary identity on the international stage.
The special menu, co-crafted by Chef Vincent, offers a harmonious blend of rich meats, fresh seafood, and signature sweet-and-savory notes. This trio of Vietnamese-inspired dishes aims to take diners on a refined, multicultural sensory journey. The menu is scheduled for a limited three-month run, from April 2026 through June 2026.
Born in Paris to a Vietnamese mother, Vincent Cao Minh was immersed in the rich heritage of Vietnamese cuisine from a young age. Following his innate culinary calling, Vincent Cao Minh began his journey with an internship at a Vietnamese restaurant on the hillsides of Montmartre. At 16, he enrolled at the Jean Drouant-Mederic Hotel Management School – one of Paris’s oldest and most prestigious hospitality institutions. There, he received formal training in culinary arts, guest services, and restaurant management, laying the foundation for his future career.
Choosing to build his legacy in Vietnam, Vincent leveraged his expertise in presenting Vietnamese flavors within a refined French dining ambiance. He quickly found success in elevating Vietnamese cuisine for an international audience. Following six years of refining his signature East-meets-West philosophy, his vision was validated when both of his restaurants, Chào Bạn and Maison 1929, were repeatedly honored in the Michelin Guide (2023, 2024, and 2025).
Moving beyond traditional boundaries, Vincent and his team have introduced modern interpretations that seamlessly weave European culture into Vietnamese roots. Standout creations include Charcoal-grilled Beluga Sturgeon, Chicken Soup with Lotus Seeds and Mushrooms, and his recent “best-seller,” Pandan Crème Brûlée — a surprising and delightful French-Vietnamese fusion.
For Chef Vincent, these dishes are more than just food; they carry a message of authenticity. He acts as a cultural ambassador, telling stories through his own experiences, love, and ambition – never through imitation. To him, the most authentic cuisine is that which touches memory and emotion.
Vincent Cao Minh is the founder of “Chào Bạn” and “Maison 1929.” Over the past three years, both establishments have secured spots in the Michelin Guide and appeared in numerous international travel publications, becoming premier destinations for food enthusiasts in Vietnam.
The following dishes were creatively adapted by Vincent Cao Minh for the 29-restaurant chain in Taiwan, utilizing premium local ingredients:
Grilled Beef & Pork Rice Vermicelli: A meat-lover’s dream featuring melt-in-your-mouth braised beef tendon paired with aromatic flame-seared char siu pork belly. Mixed with a savory sauce and served with crispy spring rolls, it delivers a dynamic contrast of textures in every bite.
Vietnamese Sour Crab Vermicelli Soup: A rich crab broth simmered with sweet fish stock, accented by the tang of tomatoes and signature Vietnamese sweet-chili paste. Served with crispy Japanese shrimp tempura, the silky vermicelli absorbs the delicate sweetness of the seafood for a refreshing yet bold experience.
Grilled Pork Knuckle Rice Vermicelli: Pork trotters are slow-braised to tender perfection, glazed with an exclusive sauce, and lightly torched to release a smoky aroma. The dish is rounded out with traditional fish sauce, roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, and savory dumplings — a harmonious sweet-and-savory symphony.
