Sen Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar
Monday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Tuesday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Wednesday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Thursday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Friday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Saturday11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
SundayClosed.
SEN, meaning lotus flower, is an authentic Vietnamese kitchen and bar that has long been a mainstay in Mount Eden. Housed in a historical building that was once occupied by the Colonial Ammunition Company, the restaurant resembles the classic style of restaurants frequently found back in Vietnam. The name SEN is symbolic, as the lotus blossom signifies purity and the potential for enlightenment.
Many moons ago, the team who founded SEN surveyed the local landscape and observed a noticeable lack of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Prompted by the desire to enlighten Aucklanders to the mouth watering flavours and assortment of colours found in the hectic streets and bustling alleyways of Vietnam, the idea for SEN blossomed and in time, flowered.
The vision at SEN is to take its patrons on a journey through the vibrancy of Vietnam, using natural and fresh ingredients from Mother Nature to create aesthetically pleasing and delicious dishes. The food is light, healthy, and hopefully nostalgic for anyone who has travelled to Vietnam and experienced its delicious food. For those who have never been: it’ll make you want to go!
Each dish is prepared just as it would be in Vietnam, with traditional techniques and everyday ingredients, to ensure the flavour profiles match those that locals would expect. The menu harmoniously blends together the five elements of taste: sweet (earth), salty (water), sour (wood), spicy (metal) and bitter (fire). Expect ingredients such as lemongrass, fish sauce, shrimp paste and plenty of fresh herbs - especially coriander and Vietnamese mint. It’s hard to go past the pho (be transported to Hanoi with a single whiff!), the buncha (Hanoi style grilled pork paired with chilli sauce and rice noodles) and of course, the banh mi.
Vietnamese food is a journey for the senses and SEN is no exception.
Words by Nicole Mudgway & Photography by Jerome Warburton
Information not correct? Report an error
Location
26 Normanby Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Nearby Places
Bloc
BLOC is many things. All under the one roof. It’s Citta Design, BoConcept, the World Beauty Store and the curated design collection of popular Father Rabbit.
Holiday
Who doesn't love the feeling of being on holiday? That’s the ethos behind Holiday, an understated café in Mount Eden aiming to bring the relaxed joy of a...
Georgia Jay
There is no staple more important to a person’s wardrobe than a quality leather bag, and Georgia Jay sure knows how to make them.
Goodness Gracious Café
They say that good things come in small packages and Goodness Gracious is no exception.
Similar Places
Little Bird Kitchen
100 percent plant based 100 percent whole foods 100 percent of the time.
Peach's Hot Chicken
Don’t fact-check us on this, but we’d say a mouthful of Nashville Hot Chicken has been proven to send serotonin levels through the roof.