Vietnamese cuisine is coming to Jeddah by way of Beverly Hills

The award-winning Crustacean will open at Jeddah Yacht Club next month.

Lately, it seems like Riyadh’s dining scene is having all the fun — Gymkhana, Joan’s on Third, and Spago by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck have all opened in recent months. But Jeddah’s in for a treat, too. Crustacean, the award-winning Beverly Hills institution, is set to make its debut in the Saudi city, bringing diners a new twist to modern Asian cuisine from Wednesday, 1 May. Founded by Chef Helene An, Crustacean Jeddah is scheduled to open at Jeddah Yacht Club as part of a joint venture between hospitality group Cool Inc and House of AN, an industry-leading group of restaurants run by four generations of Vietnamese women.

House of AN began in 1971 with grandmother Diana An, who was later joined by daughter-in-law Helene An, followed by Helene’s five daughters and now, her granddaughter. Each of the An women plays a crucial role in running the family’s culinary empire as it continues to expand, currently comprising a full catering division and five unique restaurant concepts — the most famous one being the flagship Crustacean Beverly Hills. Opening in Los Angeles in 1997, it now boasts a sizable celebrity clientele.

The high-end eatery is renowned for its signature Vietnamese-inspired cuisine, created by Chef Helene An. Also known as the “Mother of Fusion”, she was the first to introduce Vietnamese cuisine to mainstream America. With a menu rooted in Vietnamese-inspired cuisine and a focus on fresh seafood and healthy fare, Crustacean Jeddah promises a fine dining experience in a contemporary, beautifully designed setting. Here, guests can expect modern Asian cuisine with a European sensibility, fusing Vietnamese, Chinese and French flavours to create Chef Helene An’s signature cooking style. The menu features Crustacean’s globally known classics such as AN’s Famous Garlic Noodles and Dungeness Crab, as well as a diverse array of revamped and vegan dishes available exclusively at the Jeddah venue. And just like all other House of AN venues, the new outpost will feature the legendary Secret Kitchen, a separate kitchen enclosed within the main one, where the most closely guarded recipes are prepared.

With limited nightly seatings, the exclusive restaurant features lush, modern interiors and a neutral colour palette. Versatile spaces with sliding room dividers, meanwhile, will allow for multiple dining experiences ranging from intimate meals to large gatherings. A small outdoor patio area will offer al fresco dining, while inside the restaurant, nature weaves through nearly every table thanks to Crustacean’s signature underfloor Koi Pond feature, giving guests the illusion of walking on water.

GO: Follow @crustaceanrestaurant.sa on Instagram for more information.