Scampi and Chef Jacob Trinh Bring Vietnamese Nhau Culture to Philly With a Special Pop-Up Dinner
Scampi and Chef Jacob Trinh Bring Vietnamese Nhau Culture to Philly With a Special Pop-Up Dinner
Something a little different is landing on Scampi’s patio this weekend. On Saturday, June 21, from 4 to 9 PM, Scampi (617 S Third St) is hosting a Nhau-style pop-up dinner, the result of a collaboration between Scampi’s Liz and longtime friend Chef Jacob Trinh, fresh off a trip to Vietnam.
For those unfamiliar, Nhau is a Vietnamese social drinking culture built around eating and drinking with friends, with no particular occasion required. It’s casual, communal, and exactly the kind of low-key hang the patio setting was made for. The event is BYOB, but Chef Trinh is bringing his own twist to the table: a “Vietnamese” take on a Hennessy-and-Sprite city-side called the Henny-Wide. If you know, you know.
The menu, titled “An Choi — Eat Playfully,” leans into classic, shareable Nhau dishes influenced by Chef Trinh’s recent trip with Red Boat Fish Sauce. Every dish is built for the table:
- Gỏi Đu Đủ Khô Bò — Green papaya salad with beef jerky, peanuts, tamarind soy dressing, and shrimp crackers for scooping. A perfect opener that sets the playful tone for the meal.
- Thịt Ngâm Nước Mắm — Fish sauce-pickled pork belly, grilled and served alongside chili fermented bean curd and fresh mustard greens. Bold, funky, and deeply satisfying.
- Đậu Hũ Chiên Sả Ớt — Crispy fried tofu with lemongrass, Thai chilies, garlic, and shiso. A vegetarian standout that brings serious heat and fragrance.
- Cơm Gà Hội An — The large-format centerpiece and a specialty of Hội An: chicken salad, chicken-fat rice, deep-fried chicken, and broth, finished with a lime leaf chili sauce. This one’s meant to be shared.
No formal ticket is required, but reservations are recommended. Guests can book through OpenTable by selecting June 21st on Scampi’s reservation page.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Vietnamese cuisine or just looking for a fun, easygoing dinner with friends this weekend, this pop-up is shaping up to be one of the more memorable nights on Philly’s dining calendar.
