Our Story
Award-winning Vietnamese cuisine
Crafting beautiful dishes in Marlow since 2017
From Hai Phong, a port city in Vietnam to Suum Kitchen, Marlow
The smell of sizzling garlic, the warmth of a family meal, the chatter around a busy table – just some of Chef Nhan’s memories of growing up in Vietnam. Family life centred around food and it’s where his love of cooking began.
Moving to England as a student was an adventure, but Nhan yearned for the flavours of home: the herbs, broths, the balance of sweet, sour and salty. And so, he began to cook. Time-honoured, family recipes, handed down through generations.
A Love Story Built on Food
In 2009, Nhan met someone who saw food the way he did. Pham, his now wife, and a passionate traveller, shared his love for exploring flavours. Nights were spent discovering new restaurants, tasting dishes from different cultures and dreaming of a place of their own; a restaurant that would bring authentic Vietnamese cuisine to England.
In 2017, their dream became a reality when they opened the doors on Suum Kitchen – their very own Vietnamese restaurant in Marlow.
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Mastering the Craft
Suum, roughly translated, means ‘a cosy gathering around the table’ and soon became the ‘go-to’ place for people searching for a new culinary experience; South Asian food cooked from the heart.
It’s still the only Vietnamese restaurant in Buckinghamshire and one of only a handful across the Home Counties. Suum Kitchen was an instant success, but Nhan wanted to take Vietnamese cuisine to the next level, blending traditional cooking methods with the elegance of fine dining.
In 2021, he took a leap of faith and enrolled at the world-renowned cookery school, Le Cordon Bleu London. There, he studied alongside chefs from around the world, learning the science of flavour, the discipline of fine dining, and the art of turning simple ingredients into the extraordinary. He went on to qualify, the top of his course in cuisine and patisserie.
Chef Nhan’s Philosophy
Nhan passionately believes that food should tell a story, it should take you somewhere, it should feel like home. His dishes are bold, vibrant, and deeply personal. Using fresh ingredients, sourced locally where possible, fragrant herbs, deep marination and a lifetime of dedication, he blends tradition with innovation, elevating every dish.
For Nhan, food isn’t just about cooking, it’s about bringing people together, taking them on a journey and elevating their senses – one dish at a time.
Nhan Nguyen
Head Chef & Owner
A passionate foodie and pioneering Vietnamese chef
Trained at Le Cordon Bleu London – with an understanding of the science of flavour, as well as the discipline of fine dining, he has mastered the art of turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. A testament to his brilliance, his teachers still make the journey to eat at Suum Kitchen.
Chef Nhan’s mission
To take Vietnamese cuisine to the next level and share this with the people of Marlow. Blending traditional Vietnamese flavours with the elegance of contemporary fine dining is Nhan’s passion.
His philosophy is simple…
- Food should tell a story.
- It should take you on a journey.
- It should make you feel right at home.