'Idea was to have fun': Celebrity chef Harsh Dixit shares how he prepared Vietnamese snake dish for Virat Kohli & Anushka

Celebrity chef Harsh Dixit, known for cooking for Bollywood stars and sports personalities, recently shared a unique dish he created for Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s anniversary in December 2019. “You have to keep things interesting,” says Chef Harsh in a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India. For the couple’s anniversary, he prepared Pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Vietnamese cuisine often incorporates snake, in the form of snake wine or even meat. Since they were following a gluten-free diet at the time, he used rice noodles instead of the usual chicken or beef broth.

Introducing Vegan ‘Snakes’

Chef Harsh added a playful twist to the meal. “So, how about serving ‘snakes’ to vegans?” he said. The star ingredient became snake gourd, a long, green vegetable popular in Asian cuisine, known for its mild flavour and high nutritional value, including vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Chef Harsh stuffed it with peanuts, coconut, tofu, and a hint of coriander, then smoked it to enhance the taste. The dish was served with water chestnuts, enoki mushrooms, chillies, and a lemongrass-ginger-coriander root broth, with chilli oil on the side.

A Thoughtful Dining Experience

“The idea was to have fun while staying within the dietary boundaries. That's what being a private chef is about,” Harsh explained. The dish highlighted creativity while respecting dietary choices, turning the anniversary meal into a playful and memorable experience.

Vietnamese Pho

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, widely recognised as the country’s national dish. It typically consists of rice noodles served in a clear, fragrant broth made from beef or chicken, along with fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. Pho is often enjoyed as a breakfast or lunch dish in Vietnam and has gained popularity worldwide for its balance of flavors and comforting qualities.