It was the year of the worst nuclear disaster in human history, at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union.
It was also the year of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, just 73 seconds after liftoff.
In Belgium, the year was also notable for a huge demo by over 50,000 against government austerity measures.
It wasn’t all bad news, though….Belgium managed to finish 4th in the Word Cup in Mexico.
The year in question – 1986 – was also notable for something else in Belgium. It was the year when Vietnamese-born businesswoman Katia Nguyen opened what was, back then, probably the first Vietnamese restaurant in the whole country.
Unlike today, there were few, if any, such places in Belgium and the success story that Vietnamese cuisine was to become was still in its infancy.
Fast forward to today and the said resto, L’Orchidee Blanche is gearing up to celebrate a very special anniversary: its 40th birthday.
That will come next year but both Katia and her hard working team are already getting excited at the prospect of commemorating what is, for the horeca trade, a quite remarkable milestone.
The fact that the resto still survives, despite health pandemics, economic crises etc, is quite a feat in itself.
So, it begs the question: what is the secret of Katia’s success story?
Well, you just have to have a short chat with either or and/or her staff to get an idea of that.
“I love my job,” Katia told this website, adding, “That includes the ‘social side’ of it.”
That means meeting and greeting, in person, people who dine at her lovely eating establishment in Ixelles.
They include everyone from young students studying at ULB university, located close by, to the “great and good” of Belgium life, ranging from assorted VIPs, ambassadors, politicians, professors and scientists. It’s also the place of choice for top companies like Emirates, the airline, which recently used the rest for a banquet to launch new routes.
The said students may be able to only afford one dish and a drink but they are given equally the same warm welcome as a well-off ‘VIP’ with unlimited wealth.
“I feel very happy to see people happy and enjoying themselves when they are here,” adds Katia, saying, “This invariably helps me to go home at the end of a shift and sleep well.”
You can see why Katia (and her staff) are held in such high regard by the warmth and affection that they extend to her and them (some of this is also reflected in the wonderful online reviews the resto enjoys).
But staff satisfaction is another reason why, after nearly 4 decades, this resto continues to survive and flourish.
“I respect my staff and they respect me,” adds Katia.
It is a sentiment echoed by Yi, one of the female staff members here who, as with most of them, has worked for Katia for many years (in her case more than ten). Yi, born in China but raised in Belgium, says, “The boss looks after all of us very well.”
Another is Tan, who hails from Can Tho in South Vietnam, who once served Barrack Obama during the American President’s stay at the Hilton hotel in Brussels.
He worked for Katia some years ago, left to work at the hotel’s restaurant (where he encountered Obama) but returned to L’Orchidee Blanche six months ago – and is more than happy he did.
“It’s obviously different to working at a hotel but very enjoyable,” says Tan, who is one of a 5-strong front of house team (the others all female).
One of the eye catching things about this place – apart from the delicious food – are the quite beautiful and very colourful tunics/uniforms the ladies wear – most of them acquired by Katia on one of her visits back to Vietnam.
But, of course, it is the cuisine that remains the main appeal for most and, here, you really cannot go wrong.
So, what are the customer favourites? Well, for starters, the Vietnamese croquettes/nems go down a treat while Pho soup, an Hanoi speciality, and spring rolls, are other best sellers.
From a very extensive mains list the duck (cooked the “Peking way”) is very popular as are grilled shrimp and curry sauce, crispy chicken with tamarin sauce and, for veggies maybe, the tofu and vegetables.
If you order in advance you might like to try the equally mouth-watering full Dorade (a fried fish),a Vietnamese speciality. There are also three specialities on the card.
Desserts are just as lovely and include another speciality from Katia’s homeland called “Che”. Oh, and it is not just the French who do great crepes… there is a Vietnamese version, just as nice, called Banh Xeo. There’s also a nice selection of drinks, including good wines.
Considering the sheer top notch quality of the food here the prices are remarkably reasonable, with starters from just €14 and mains from €18.5. The choice is wide and varied but, whatever you plump for, you will not be disappointed.
Full credit to Madame Duyen, the head chef, and also Thuy (head waiter) who’s worked for Katia for 25 years no less. Most of the team are (still) women which partly reflects the key role the female plays in a typical Vietnamese restaurant.
Over the years, Katia has had numerous entreaties to open another L’Orchidee Blanche but has always resisted, preferring to focus solely on just the one which she continues to do to this day.
And that possibly is, above all, the secret of Katia’s success: she and her dedicated and loyal team, mostly from Vietnam, are still doing what was done when this fantastic resto opened all those years ago… serving up great food along with equally great service.
The takeaway service, which took off during the pandemic, is also healthy, accounting for up to 25% of Katia’s trade.
The ground floor can seat up to 38 and the first floor space about 36. With the fine weather upon us, bear in mind there’s also a lovely garden at the rear, seating 30, and a nice terrace at the front with space for up to 20 (ideal for smokers).
If you visit now, you cannot miss the resto: it is decorated outside (and inside) with some beautiful flowers……. orchids, of course.
L’Orchidee Blanche
436 Chaussee De Boondael, Brussels
02 647 5621
https://www.orchidee-blanche.com/
