Inside Wafaifo Resort Hoi An’s Josper Charcoal-Wood Grill: A Fire-Driven Dining Experience

At Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, one dining feature truly stands out – the powerful, flame-driven Josper charcoal-wood grill, which is located at the resort’s on-site restaurant – XUA & NAY. Widely used in top kitchens around the world, the Josper oven combines the precision of an enclosed grill with the primal appeal of open-fire cooking, delivering bold, smoky flavours that elevate every bite.

In this blog, we dive into what makes the Josper grill experience at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An so special. Let’s uncover how this Spanish-made grill is the heart of one of the most memorable dining experiences in Hoi An.

Why Fire-Led Dining Feels Especially Meaningful In Hoi An

Long before Hoi An became a trading port, local kitchens relied on wood flames, clay pots, and patient heat to draw flavor from the land. As merchants from China, Japan, and beyond arrived, fire remained central – grilling, roasting, slow stewing – methods shaped by both village tradition and maritime exchange.

You still see it today. Clay-pot braises simmer over embers. Fish and pork are wrapped in banana leaves and kissed by charcoal. Even cao lầu, the town’s most iconic dish, begins with fire – rice soaked in lye water made from burnt ash, a process passed down through generations. Beyond the kitchen, fire carries meaning: in lantern-lit streets and ancestral homes, flame symbolizes connection to memory and continuity. Fire-led dining feels deeply at home here – shaped by time, guided by care, grounded in the belief that what matters most should never be rushed.

Understanding The Josper Grill As A Medium, Not A Machine

At first glance, the Josper Grill might look like a sleek, high-performance oven, and it is. But in the context of Wafaifo Resort Hoi An’s kitchen, it’s a medium – a living, breathing part of the culinary process at XUA & NAY restaurant that demands skill, instinct, and respect.

Unlike conventional cooking tools, the Josper uses a mix of natural charcoal and wood fire, turning the act of grilling into something interactive and sensory. This somewhat reflects a kind of work ethic in Hoi An, where craftsmanship and process are central to culture, from tailoring to lantern-making to food. The Josper aligns perfectly with that mindset: you don’t use it; you work with it. Its high-heat, enclosed system allows ingredients to caramelise quickly while locking in moisture and natural flavour. But it’s not about overpowering the ingredient. It’s about amplifying what’s already there, whether it’s a river prawn, a marinated duck breast, or a slice of grilled eggplant from a nearby farm.

Why Wafaifo Resort Hoi An Chose Josper Charcoal-Wood Grill: Story Inside A Complex Cooking Technique

Fire as culinary philosophy: a story of the greatest invention by humanization

In Central Vietnam, fire has always been more than heat – it’s the source of life, memory, and togetherness. In villages around Hoi An, families still gather around wood-burning stoves where meals are prepared.

At Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, the Josper Grill reflects the most human form of cooking: instinctive, sensory, and immediate. Just like the Hoi An elders who still toast rice crackers over coals or stew soup on open hearths, the Josper demands touch, timing, and respect. By embracing fire, Wafaifo Resort Hoi An invites guests to reconnect with one of the most meaningful rituals in Vietnamese life: cooking with intention.

The grill experience: how space contributes to the overall journey

The Josper grill is positioned at the heart of an open kitchen, designed not to hide the flame, but to let guests feel the energy of fire. This layout mirrors the communal spirit of Hoi An’s food culture. In the morning markets of Hội An wet markets, vendors cook live in front of passersby. In homes, guests are often seated near the family stove, where food is always a shared process.

Wafaifo Resort Hoi An brings that same openness into a refined setting, where the design respects both Vietnamese hospitality and the modern traveller’s desire for authentic connection.

Story of the wood: profound history of the land told by the fuel

Wood carries memory. Its aroma is never just “smoke” – it’s a signature shaped by the land it came from, the way it was dried, the way it burns, the way it lingers. In wood-fired dining, fuel isn’t background; it’s part of the ingredient story. The scent it gives off can feel nostalgic even when you can’t explain why. That’s the quiet power of cooking with wood: it leaves an impression that feels natural and layered, like a place you’ve walked through slowly and can still picture later.

In Vietnamese cooking, the wood you burn matters as much as the dish you serve. Different woods produce different aromas, from the subtle sweetness of fruit trees to the earthy depth of long-seasoned hardwoods. In Hoi An, where the land is layered with agricultural tradition and natural richness, even the fuel carries a story.

At Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, the Josper Grill isn’t just powered by any charcoal – it’s powered by locally sourced, sustainably selected hardwood. In doing so, the resort respects the land’s cycles and rhythms, tapping into a deeper connection between food and place.

Inside the Josper Grill Experience at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An

From the moment you step into Wafaifo, the presence of the Josper grill is felt rather than announced. There is a gentle warmth in the room, a steady focus behind the open-fire station, and aromas that unfold quietly instead of overwhelming the space. The sounds are controlled and familiar – a restrained sizzle, a shift in heat, a pause before plating – signaling a process that values timing and care over spectacle.

At the core of the Josper experience is the balance between wood and charcoal. Charcoal provides stable, high heat, while wood introduces aromatic depth and subtle sweetness. Used together, they allow ingredients to cook evenly while developing layered flavor, making fire a guiding element rather than a dominating force. This balance defines the character of each dish at Wafaifo and shapes how flavors are built, not rushed.

Wood plays a specific role in this process. Its purpose is not to mask ingredients, but to give them dimension over time – adding warmth, gentle smokiness, and a finish that lingers without becoming heavy. Unlike conventional grilling, this approach relies on attention and restraint, allowing flavors to develop gradually and remain clear.

• Aromas that emerge slowly rather than all at once
• A rounded, lingering finish instead of sharp or aggressive smokiness
• Balance between heat and clarity, so ingredients retain their identity
• Subtle depth that stays with you after the meal, not just during it

Who This Fire-Driven Experience Is Meant For

This is destination dining for travelers who love food the way they love places – slowly, attentively, and with curiosity. You don’t have to be a grill expert to appreciate it. The experience is simply best suited to people who notice the atmosphere, who care about how something is made, and who enjoy meals that feel composed rather than rushed. It’s also ideal for couples and friends who want dinner to be part of the journey, not a break from it.

• • For the curious food explorers: this is the chance to taste Hoi An’s fire-based cooking with a modern lens
  • For lovers of depth and craft: this experience suits those who appreciate complex flavours paired with natural wine or a crafted cocktail.

• For small groups, couples or solo diners who like to watch the flames: If you’re looking for a different dining experience, there’s always something satisfying about sitting close to the grill and watching the food being fire-cooked in front of you.

A Passionate Experience Rooted at Wafaifo Hoi An

The Josper grill isn’t an add-on here – it’s part of the restaurant’s identity, shaped by place and pace. Fire, wood, and craft come together in a way that feels inseparable from Hoi An itself: calm, intentional, and quietly rich in detail. Long after the last course, what remains isn’t just flavor – it’s the memory of warmth, the gentle rhythm of the evening, and the feeling that you experienced something made with care.

• A dining approach grounded in craft and patience
• A flavor profile shaped by wood + charcoal balance
• An atmosphere designed for unhurried, meaningful meals
• A lasting impression that feels tied to Hoi An’s spirit

A great meal has a way of anchoring a trip in memory long after everything else fades – and at Wafaifo, the Josper Grill is where that kind of evening is made. If you’re planning a stay that includes a Wednesday or Saturday, the 50% off Josper Steak offer – the ultimate midweek and weekend treat for true steak lovers. Savor the rich, smoky flavor of premium cuts cooked to perfection in our Josper grill, now at an unbeatable price. Reserve your table now.