Root-to-stem Cooking – Honoring Every Part of the Ingredient

According to Tales by Chapter’s root-to-stem cooking philosophy, every part of a vegetable is honored, leaving nothing behind. Every fragment of produce is transformed into subtle textures and delicate flavors that enrich each carefully composed dish. Discover how Tales by Chapter elevates this philosophy into a refined and sustainable culinary experience.

What Does Root-to-Stem Cooking Truly Mean?

Root-to-stem cooking redefines how we view plant-based ingredients, inviting a deeper respect for nature’s full bounty. It mirrors the nose-to-tail philosophy but celebrates fruits and vegetables instead of meat. Every stem, leaf, peel, or rind that often goes unnoticed becomes a chance to create something flavorful and nourishing. Carrot tops can be blended into vibrant pesto, while cauliflower leaves transform into crisp, savory chips. 

This approach honors both the ingredient and the environment, reducing food waste without compromising elegance or taste. It’s not only a method of cooking but also a mindful way of engaging with what we eat – an invitation to taste abundance in every humble part of a plant.

Tales By Chapter Perspective: When Sustainability Meets Creativity

At Tales By Chapter, root-to-stem cooking begins with a simple belief: every part of a plant carries its own story. In a kitchen without meat, eggs, or dairy, creativity becomes the most essential ingredient. Chefs don’t just follow recipes, they observe, question, and experiment until each vegetable reveals its fullest expression. 

A carrot’s root may be slow-roasted for sweetness, while its greens are turned into a bright, herbal emulsion. Cauliflower stems, often overlooked, bring a tender crunch to a delicate salad. Nothing goes to waste, and nothing is ordinary. Through this approach, Tales redefines plant-based dining, showing that refinement and sustainability can share the same plate. From root to stem, every dish becomes a quiet dialogue between flavor, craft, and respect for nature’s generosity.

How Tales By Chapter Brings Ingredients to Their Full Potential?

At Tales By Chapter, ingredients are explored beyond their surface value, each part is studied for its hidden potential. From corn kernels to carrot leaves, every element finds new life through thoughtful technique and imaginative transformation.

The Essence of Corn – More Than Just the Kernel

Corn, in the hands of Tales By Chapter’s chefs, becomes more than a sweet golden grain. Every part, from kernel to husk carries its own character and purpose. Once the kernels are used for savory creations, the remaining cob is reimagined behind the bar as a fragrant, herb-infused drink.  The silky husks may serve as a natural wrap or a delicate garnish, bringing subtle aroma and warmth to the plate. This thoughtful process reflects a quiet conversation between the kitchen and bar, where creativity replaces waste and every layer finds new meaning.

Through the root-to-stem cooking principle, a humble corn transforms into a complete sensory experience. In every dish, the essence of corn reminds diners that sustainability is not a limitation, but a source of endless inspiration.

From Vegetable Peels to Plant-Based Textures

Tomato skins, beet peels, and pumpkin stems rarely find their way onto a fine dining plate. At Tales, they begin a second life through gentle cooking, cold-drying, and careful pressing into vivid plant-based sheets. Each sheet carries its own texture such as crisp, translucent, and full of quiet beauty. 

Created in collaboration with artist Chloehien Nguyen, these “botanical leathers” merge culinary craft with artistic expression. Yet their charm lies not only in appearance, but also in experience. Guests are invited to touch, guess, and smile as they realize these delicate forms once came from what many would discard. At that moment, perception of root-to-stem cooking shifts. Waste becomes wonder, and something forgotten turns meaningful again. Through these textures, Tales reminds diners that creativity often begins where convention ends.

From Scraps to Star – The Journey of Carrot Leaves 

In our kitchen, creativity begins where others might see waste. Carrot leaves, once trimmed away, are given a second chance. Instead of fading into compost, they find new purpose through patience and care. Our chefs grind the leaves finely, then fold them into a Northern Vietnamese inspired cham cheo, rich with mac khen, ginger, and toasted hat doi.

The aroma is earthy and vivid, carrying the scent of the land itself. When paired with our fermented carrot roots, the sauce reveals a balance between sweetness and spice, between memory and imagination. This transformation speaks not of novelty but of respect – respect for the ingredient, for the craft, and for nature’s quiet generosity. What was once discarded now stands at the center of the plate, reminding us that refinement can grow from the humblest beginnings.

Root-to-stem cooking honors every part of a plant and ensures nothing goes to waste. Tales by Chapter interprets this philosophy as an invitation to transform humble ingredients into elegant, flavorful creations. Visit Tales by Chapter to experience fine Vietnamese plant-based dining where sustainability meets refined culinary artistry.

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Tales by Chapter

The first zero waste plant-based dining in Vietnam

Add: 10 Nguyen Thanh Y, Tan Dinh, Ho Chi Minh City

Hotline: +84 368 150 125

E-mail: reservation@talessgn.com – Reservation

Opening hours: 7.00pm – 11.00pm (Closed Sunday)