“We want customers to see the process of how the dishes are made, to smell the aromas from the food, to experience coming home. A place for getting together with family.”

Sochi is introducing Chicagoans to a more traditional, yet elevated take on Vietnamese cuisine. It all comes down to the hidden details, the extra steps that people may not even notice, that make each dish special.

The egg rolls, for example, are wrapped in a special rice paper from Vietnam, not the wheat paper most people are used to seeing. The Southern-style pho features flatter, wider noodles, while the broth is cooked, then simmered perfectly the first time and served to order. Even the toppings deserve attention, as the bean sprouts are cut on each end, and sliced jalapeños are replaced with a homemade chili paste. 

From the Goi Vit Thanh Da (banana blossom duck salad) to the coffee flan, the flavors of each dish are inspired by wife-and-husband Chinh Pham and Son Do’s memories of growing up in Saigon.