Two cuisines, two countries and two chefs are at the helm of a new boutique dining experience in Adelaide’s inner west.
TaiNam is the creation of Hugo and Hannah, two former private chefs with extensive experience designing intimate dining experiences. Its name combines the places closest to them, ‘Tai’ from Taiwan and ‘Nam’ from Vietnam, reflecting their respective backgrounds and the cultures that have shaped their approach to food.
Now, they’re bringing that experience into a permanent home, with an Asian-influenced fine dining restaurant taking shape along Port Road in Thebarton.
With bookings now live, diners can get first pick of a time that suits when the doors fly open on Friday September 4.
“The purpose of TaiNam is to share the beauty and diversity of Asian cuisine through a modern dining experience,” Hannah told Glam Adelaide.
“Coming from Taiwan and Vietnam, we are naturally influenced by our own cultures, but we also celebrate the incredible diversity of Asian cuisine, bringing together flavours, techniques and stories from across Asia while showcasing the beautiful produce of South Australia.”
TaiNam’s menu gives a clear picture of how the duo are bringing their philosophy to the restaurant.
Dishes span laksa prawn toast, MB7 Wagyu nori bites with golden kimchi and leek emulsion, umami shallot pancakes with gochujang and parmesan, and charred MISA tofu with mapo tomato and onsen egg.
Larger plates include 72-hour pork with garlic mustard and miso glaze, Beachport rainbow trout with capsicum sriracha and cashew, and a 300g MB6–7 Wagyu striploin served with black garlic and the restaurant’s own TaiNam N°8 sauce.
“Our menu starts with the flavours we grew up with and the memories we’ve carried with us, then wanders a little further, inspired by the ingredients, cultures and food we’ve discovered along the way.”
Dessert continues the cross-cultural approach, with a Vietnamese coffee tiramisu featuring Baileys and almond, alongside the MISA Tofu Cloud with ginger syrup, apple and miso rice crunch.
There is also an $89 per person chef-selected feed me menu for diners who would rather leave the decisions to Hugo and Hannah, with the option to add the Wagyu main for an additional $20 per person.
“By combining Asian flavours, modern culinary techniques and South Australian ingredients, we create dishes that feel familiar yet offer something new.”
Having started in their own small kitchen and spent years creating private dinners, events and functions, opening a venue of their own marks the next step for Hannah and Hugo.
“After years of private dining, we want to bring that same personal connection into our restaurant and share the beauty of Asian cuisine with the people of Adelaide and Australia,” Hannah said.
TaiNam will officially opens its doors to the Adelaide foodies on Friday, 4 September, so come curious and hungry.
TaiNam
When: Fridays from 5:30pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 9pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 3pm.
Where: 77 Port Road, Thebarton
For updates, click here.
