Buzz
The announcement of 4 Michelin-starred restaurants on June 6, 2023, has created a huge buzz in the culinary world. Michelin stars are considered the most prestigious ranking system by Michelin Guide. These restaurants are recognized for their exceptional food quality and are definitely worth a visit. To learn more about this, please follow the article below!
Elegance Fills the Air at Michelin-Starred Vietnam Restaurants Gala Night
The Michelin Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City Gala took place on June 6, 2023, in Hanoi with the support of Sun Group. The event was held in a grand atmosphere and was attended by dignitaries both domestically and internationally. Particularly noteworthy was the presence of exceptionally talented chefs.
Adding to that grand atmosphere was the participation of the Sun Symphony Orchestra. Their timeless melodies helped enliven the Michelin-starred Vietnam restaurants award ceremony. The event also featured a sumptuous dinner with a variety of enticing dishes. These dishes were prepared by both Vietnamese and international chefs.
The award ceremony received significant attention from culinary enthusiasts. (Image Source: Collected)
The Michelin managing director emphasized that the awarded restaurants underwent meticulous evaluation. The results are based on long-standing criteria, ensuring uniform assessment of restaurant quality worldwide. Stars awarded to restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, are comparable to those in London and Paris...
Criteria for Selecting Michelin-Starred Vietnam Restaurants
Michelin has officially set foot in Vietnam last December. Since then, undercover inspectors have been scouring Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to seek out hidden culinary gems. They are a team of highly skilled inspectors with sophisticated palates and extensive culinary knowledge.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are considered two regions brimming with culinary potential. Hanoi is renowned for its elegance and serenity, while Ho Chi Minh City boasts a vibrant, youthful culinary culture. Experts have made secret, incognito visits and conducted rigorous evaluations.
Four restaurants in Vietnam have received prestigious Michelin stars (Image Source: Collected).
This ensures that the list of honors is extremely high-quality and deserving. It is the result drawn from incognito visits and rigorous evaluations. This inspection team almost exclusively visits restaurants for a single evaluation.
Vietnamese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi proudly awarded Michelin stars. These eateries are evaluated based on 5 criteria: food quality, culinary technique, balance and harmony of flavors, chef's personality and the sustainability and consistency of dishes over time. Thus, the awarded restaurants truly stand out in quality, and if you have the chance, you should definitely visit and try them out.
Vietnamese restaurants celebrate receiving Michelin stars.
A total of 103 restaurants were selected, with 70 of them listed by the Michelin Guide. These restaurants cater to every budget and offer 20 different culinary styles. What they have in common is the clear representation of Vietnam's culinary identity.
Among the 70 restaurants proposed by the Michelin Guide, 38 are in Ho Chi Minh City and 32 are in Hanoi. Additionally, 29 restaurants are listed under the affordable dining category (Bib Gourmand), with 16 in Ho Chi Minh City and 13 in Hanoi.
Four Vietnamese restaurants have achieved prestigious Michelin certification for the first time. They are Anăn Saigon, Hibana by Koki at Capella Hanoi hotel, Tầm Vị, and Gia. Let's explore what makes these 4 Vietnamese restaurants receiving Michelin stars stand out!
1. Anăn Saigon
One of the Vietnamese restaurants awarded Michelin stars is Anăn Saigon. Before receiving this award, the restaurant was honored at another award ceremony, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, held in Singapore. It is also the only representative from Vietnam to appear in the honored top. Along with many other rankings and quality assessments.
Anăn Saigon's head chef is Vietnamese-born Peter Cường Franklin. He believes that what sets his restaurant apart is offering customers many choices. People can choose from tasting menu options or order à la carte. This is still uncommon in Vietnam and the world.
The head chef of Anăn Saigon with his staff (Image Source: Collection)
The à la carte menu includes dishes such as taco-style banh xeo, Dalat Pizza, foie gras spring rolls... And the tasting menu offers 2 types: Saigon Tasting Menu (10 courses) and Chef's Tasting Menu (12 courses). The Saigon Tasting Menu features traditional Vietnamese dishes presented in a modern way, while the Chef's Tasting Menu includes dishes from all regions of Vietnam.
2. Hibana by Koki
Hibana by Koki is the only Japanese-style restaurant among the 4 Vietnamese restaurants awarded Michelin stars. Hibana by Koki features a unique style of cooking on a hot table (Teppanyaki culinary style). The restaurant is led by Chef Yamaguchi.
His dishes not only stimulate the taste buds but also possess a visually pleasing aesthetic. The dishes made here almost meet all three elements: kansha (respect for ingredients), the harmony of umami (the fifth taste), and omotenashi (the Japanese art of hospitality).
This is the first Japanese restaurant in Vietnam to receive a Michelin star (Image Source: Collection)
The restaurant is located at Capella Hanoi hotel. Here, it boasts an exceptionally unique collection of sake. You can hardly find these bottles of sake anywhere else. There is also a collection of royal teas and unique cocktails. As well as dishes made with the finest ingredients. For example, Japanese sea bream, Yaeyama Kyori beef from the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa...
3. Tầm Vị
Tầm Vị is one of the 4 Vietnamese restaurants awarded Michelin stars. If you're on a Hanoi tour, you can take the time to visit here. This restaurant is famous for its home-cooked meals with strong Northern flavors. Most of the inspirations in the dishes, as well as the decor, are inspired by the Dong Kinh period.
The space at Tầm Vị is very peaceful. The style is recreated similar to old houses. You'll find bamboo chopsticks, old tables and chairs, and familiar chopsticks... Especially, the menu of the restaurant changes according to the season. That's why depending on when you come here, you'll experience different cuisines.
Warm and rustic ambiance inside Tầm Vị restaurant (Image Source: Collection)
When dining at Tầm Vị, you can order each dish separately according to your preference. Or you can also order a set meal. For example, stir-fried water spinach, shrimp and pork rolls, braised pork, mango salad with dried shrimp... And of course, white rice or black bean rice is essential. The delicious, fragrant taste of the dishes will surely leave diners impressed.
4. Gia Restaurant
The next Vietnamese restaurant to receive a Michelin star is Gia Restaurant in Hanoi. Chef Sam Trần of this restaurant has also won the Young Chef Award from the Michelin Guide. Gia specializes in Vietnamese cuisine. However, the presentation of the dishes will make it hard for you to recognize that these are familiar dishes.
The space and design of the restaurant are inspired by the Temple of Literature. At Gia, there's no à la carte option. The restaurant only offers a Tasting Menu with 10 pre-set dishes accompanied by beverages. And on average, every 3 months, the restaurant changes its menu once. Dishes that appeared in the previous season will hardly appear in the new season.
The talented young chefs of Gia Restaurant (Image Source: Collection)
Young chefs always strive to 'preserve' ingredients that are gradually being forgotten. For example, betel leaves, water spinach... And traditional familiar dishes will be recreated with a fresh perspective.
Vietnamese restaurants awarded Michelin stars are a step forward in Vietnamese cuisine. This will help Vietnamese dishes reach further. As a result, tourism in Vietnam is also gradually flourishing. If you're a food lover, you should try dining at these restaurants at least once! Surely, the unique flavors and experiences will leave an unforgettable impression on you. To book a tour to Hanoi, contact Mytour via hotline Mytour!
