Founded by Jimmy Pham, an Australian Vietnamese, KOTO, which stands for Know One Teach One is a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program in Hanoi. Through donation and restaurant's profit, KOTO takes in around 25 disadvantaged youths aged between 16-22 years old every 6 months to join its 24 months hospitality training program. To date, they have trained over 300 individuals with 100% job placement rate.
KOTO Hanoi opened its doors in 2000 and has since evolved from a small sandwich shop into a 120 seats restaurant. Situated next to the Temple of Learning, this elegant three story French Art Nouveau townhouse is open everyday, with the exception of Monday evening, which is closed for cooking classes.
The lavish menu offered both international and Vietnamese cuisines cooked by well educated trainees. The casual atmosphere coupled with friendly wait staffs made it an ideal place for diners to relax and unwind.
Traditional Vietnamese Ice Coffee (29,000 VND ~ RM4.2)
Freshly squeezed Passion Fruit Juice (45,000 VND ~ RM6.5)
Koto Spring Roll Combo (90,000 VND ~ RM13) - A variety of spring rolls (pork, prawn, beef and vegetables) served with two different Vietnamese sauce. The generously filled spring rolls were delicious when dipped into the sweet and salty sauce, bringing all the elements together.
Bun Bo Nam Bo (105,000 VND ~ RM15) - This southern style wok fried beef on rice noodles with fresh mixed herbs, peanuts, lime, chili and garlic was interestingly delicious.
Nem Lui (90,000 VND ~ RM13) - We enjoyed wrapping our grilled minced pork on the rice paper and filling it up with local fresh herbs and rice noodles.
Lemongrass Chicken (135,000 VND ~ RM20) - The lemongrass free range chicken skewer with lime leaves was served together with some vegetables and steamed rice. The sauce was lovely thanks to the flavorful lemongrass gravy.
Unlike most of the restaurant we have visited, KOTO is an unique restaurant with a mission. The meal at KOTO was truly inspiring, serving traditional and international dishes at moderate prices.
Verdict: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN
Address: 61 Pho Van Mieu, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Phone: +84 4747 0337
http://www.koto.com.au/
Shouls have more organization like this...
ReplyDeleteTo help d disadvantage ppl...
I also like d mince pork.. Looks nice n delicious..
Yeap. You can start a KOTO KL =)
DeleteThumbs up to the owner for the noble deed esp the vocational training for the youths. I will go for the coffee and passion fruit drink as I had somewhat the same at Sao Nam, the Vietnamese restaurant in Empire Subang. Please also pass my the lemongrass chicken served with the rest.
ReplyDeleteI admire the owner's passion and good deed.. =)
DeleteThe spring roll combo looks so fresh. Thumbs up for socially responsible organizations.
ReplyDeleteRight on... double thumbs up for him =)
Deletethe Bun Bo Nam Bo looks like a healthier version of char kuey teow, yeah. but yeah, all the food looks so nicely prepared & appetizing =)
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, it is very clean =D
Deletethe Koto Spring Roll looks good...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant effort with the vocational training for the youths. Would be good if more local institutions follow suit.
I know..we need more young inspired ppl in KL.
DeleteI like the sound of this place, and it is a good thing to support them too!:) The food and the environment looks really welcoming, which adds the more reason to dine here more often ;)
ReplyDeleteThe food was not too bad but I would def dine here just to give some support. =)
DeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI'm a Malaysian working and living here in Hanoi. Besides Koto, there is also another restaurant located in the Hoan Kiem district called 'Hoa Sua Training Restaurant' which provides a vocation for disadvantaged street children & youths. The children & youths here are trained in the restaurant in various task ranging from cooking to service and even help in managing the restaurant. I have dine in this restaurant several time now and I have enjoyed the food here tremendously. Have a look at the web links below:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293924-d1493954-Reviews-Hoa_Sua_Training_Restaurant-Hanoi.html