There is a new Hispania Nha Trang chef appointed at Gran Meliá Nha Trang. Javier Gonzalez Salido is the new Chef de Cuisine at Hispania Nha Trang, the resort’s signature Spanish dining destination.
The luxurious seafront sanctuary on Vietnam’s stunning central coast, has delighted diners with its refined gastronomy ever since it opened its doors last year. Now, Vietnam’s first Gran Meliá resort will raise the culinary bar even higher.
Hispania Nha Trang, which welcomed guests for the first time in December 2023, is the first Asian establishment by famous Spanish chef Marcos Morán, the fifth generation of a legendary family of chefs who oversees a series of prestigious restaurants in Europe, including Hispania in London and Brussels, and the Michelin-starred Casa Geraldo, which has 130 years of history. Chef Javier will use his passion, experience and exceptional skill to present Chef Marcos’ “100-Year” menu, which blends time-honoured recipes with contemporary techniques, while also infusing dishes with his own unique sense of artistic flair.
Chef Javier Gonzalez Salido, Hispania Nha Trang
Having commenced his career at Michelin-rated Ibérica by Nacho Manzano in the UK, Chef Javier went on to hone his talent in a series of prestigious kitchens all across Europe, including StreetXO in London, the Spanish-Asian fusion restaurant that earned three Michelin stars. Most recently, he served as Executive Chef at Laxeiro, the Spanish family-run establishment that has been an institution on London’s highly competitive food scene for more than 40 years.
Now, Chef Javier will oversee the creation of world-class Spanish cuisine at Hispania Nha Trang, which brings the flavours of the Iberian Peninsula to life with the freshest Vietnamese ingredients – including local seafood from the pure waters of Nha Trang Bay. The menu includes popular dishes that feature at Hispania London and Brussels, plus time-honoured recipes re/imagined with modern techniques that reflect the latest Spanish culinary trends.
Signature dishes include Hispania’s Arroz en Paella del Señoret, a traditional Valencian paella with local squid and prawns, enhanced with homemade aioli, Salpicón de Bogavante y Langostinos, a vibrant Spanish seafood salad with local Nha Trang lobster, monkfish and prawns, and Arroz Meloso de Calamares en su Tinta, a visually dramatic plate of “mellow” rice with squid cooked in its own ink, shrimp carpaccio, and aioli.
With a choice of small plates, rice dishes, premium meats such as Galician blonde sirloin steak, Iberico pork, and Segovian-style slow-roasted suckling pig cooked on a Josper grill, plus locally-sourced seafood, and delectable desserts, plus Chef Marcos’ exquisite Tasting Menu, Hispania Nha Trang sets the stage for truly unforgettable occasions. Most recently, the restaurant unveiled its Fiesta del Brunch, a vibrant celebration of social dining which is staged every Sunday and showcases fine Spanish cuisine including shared tapas, seafood platters, and sizzling Josper-grilled meats, accompanied by refreshing drinks and live DJ performances.
“We are excited to welcome Chef Javier to Hispania. Having crafted Michelin-starred delicacies at some of the finest Spanish restaurants in Europe, he brings his unparalleled culinary creativity to Hispania Nha Trang. Our signature dining destination has already gained a strong reputation among our discerning guests and visiting diners alike. Now, we look forward to elevating our experiences to even greater heights,” said Stanley Chang, the resort’s Director of Food & Beverage.
Gran Meliá Nha Trang is a haven of fine gastronomy with a choice of original restaurants and bars. Hispania Nha Trang is complemented by Shibui, the Japanese dining destination that dazzles guests with its highly artistic plating, personal tableside presentation, and exclusive private dining room. Chef Danny Yong, who trained under two-star Michelin chefs and wowed diners at the acclaimed Sorae Sushi Sake Lounge, transports guests’ senses to the “Land of the Rising Sun” with refined cuisine that puts a creative twist on traditional recipes, including kaiseki cuisine, hand-cut sushi, and the chef’s own omakase selection, in a stunning seafront setting overlooking Nha Trang Bay. Natura meanwhile, presents authentic Vietnamese and international specialties in a spectacular seafront setting. In-villa barbecues and private cooking classes further immerse passionate foodies in a world of epicurean excellence.
Nestled directly on the shores of Nha Trang Bay and overlooking Fairy Mountain, Gran Meliá Nha Trang seamlessly blends this five-star brand’s Spanish style, sophisticated design and personalised service with the charm, beauty and elegance of Vietnamese culture, all just 55 minutes’ drive from Cam Ranh International Airport.
