Hibana by Koki

Hibana by Koki is a 14-seat teppanyaki counter in the basement of Capella Hanoi, at 11 Lê Phụng Hiểu in the Tràng Tiền ward of Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam, near the Opera House. It holds one Michelin star, and chefs grill each course in front of guests. The cuisine is Japanese teppanyaki, with menus that pair Japanese technique and imported seafood with Vietnamese seasonal produce across a single evening seating. The signature dishes are teppanyaki wagyu, seasonal Japanese seafood courses and vegetable courses using Vietnamese produce. The counter format puts diners face to face with the chefs, so the cooking itself is part of the entertainment and the pacing of the meal follows the grill. The dining room is intimate and hushed, with counter dining, chef-facing seats and attentive hotel-level service; smart dress suits the setting, and noise is low apart from the sound of the grill. A beverage programme is available in keeping with a hotel fine-dining venue, including pairings that suit Japanese cuisine. The restaurant opens daily from 18:00 to 22:00 with a single evening seating, and lunch is by arrangement. Reservations are essential because there are only 14 counter seats, and bookings are made through Capella Hanoi, including by phone on +84 24 3987 8888. Prices are at the top end of Hanoi dining, around 3,500,000 to 6,500,000 VND (USD 134.60 to 250.00) per person. The restaurant's page on the Capella Hotels website gives further details. Because the counter is small and the seating is fixed, arriving on time matters, as courses are prepared for the whole counter together. The hotel location on Lê Phụng Hiểu is central and close to the Opera House and Hoàn Kiếm Lake.