Buzz
The announcement of 4 Michelin-starred restaurants on June 6, 2023, has reverberated throughout the culinary world. Michelin stars are considered the most prestigious ranking system by Michelin Guide, signifying exceptional food quality. These restaurants are truly deserving of your attention. For more information, read on!
Experience the Elegance of Michelin-Starred Vietnam Restaurants Gala Night
The Michelin Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City Gala took place on June 6, 2023, accompanied by Sun Group in Hanoi. The event exuded an aura of sophistication, attended by dignitaries and renowned chefs from around the world.
Adding to the grand atmosphere was the participation of the Sun Symphony Orchestra. Their timeless melodies added a vibrant touch to the Michelin-starred Vietnam restaurants award ceremony. The program also featured a sumptuous dinner with a variety of tantalizing dishes, prepared by both Vietnamese and international chefs.
The award ceremony garnered significant attention from culinary enthusiasts. (Image Source: Collected)
The Michelin managing director emphasized that the awarded restaurants underwent meticulous evaluation based on long-standing criteria. This means that the star quality of restaurants worldwide is assessed uniformly. 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 officially set foot in Vietnam in December last year. Since then, undercover inspectors have traveled across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in search of hidden culinary gems. They comprise a team of highly skilled, discerning experts with profound culinary knowledge.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are considered two regions brimming with culinary potential. Hanoi is renowned for its refinement and serenity, while Ho Chi Minh City boasts a youthful, energetic, and diverse culinary culture. Experts have made secret, incognito visits and conducted rigorous evaluations.
4 prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants in Vietnam (Image Source: Collected)
This ensures that the list of honored establishments is of exceptional quality and merit. It's a result drawn from discreet visits and stringent evaluations. The inspection team typically visits restaurants only once.
Vietnam Michelin-starred restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are assessed based on 5 criteria: food quality, culinary technique, flavor balance, chef's personality, and sustainability over time. Thus, awarded restaurants truly excel in quality. If given the chance, you should definitely visit and try them out.
Vietnam restaurants proudly receiving Michelin stars
A total of 103 restaurants were selected, with 70 restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide. These restaurants span across all budgets and encompass 20 different culinary styles. What they have in common is a distinct representation of Vietnamese cuisine.
Among the 70 restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide, 38 are in Ho Chi Minh City, 32 in Hanoi. Additionally, 29 restaurants are listed under the Bib Gourmand category. This includes 16 restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and 13 in Hanoi.
And there are 4 Vietnamese restaurants that have achieved prestigious Michelin certification for the first time. These include Anăn Saigon, Hibana by Koki at Capella Hanoi Hotel, Tầm Vị, and Gia. Let's explore what makes these 4 Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurants stand out!
1. Anăn Saigon
One of the Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurants is Anăn Saigon. Prior to this award, the restaurant was honored at another prestigious event, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants held in Singapore. It was also Vietnam's sole representative in the honored list. It has received numerous other rankings and quality evaluations.
Anăn Saigon's chef is Peter Cường Franklin, a Vietnamese native. He believes that what sets his restaurant apart is offering diners multiple choices. People can opt for a tasting menu or order à la carte, which is still uncommon in Vietnam and around the world.
The head chef of Anăn Saigon along with his staff (Image Source: Collected)
The à la carte menu includes dishes such as taco-style banh xeo, Dalat Pizza, foie gras spring rolls... And the tasting menu consists of 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 various regions of Vietnam.
2. Hibana by Koki
Hibana by Koki is the only Japanese-style restaurant among the 4 Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurants. It offers a unique Teppanyaki cooking style, where dishes are prepared on a hot table. The restaurant is led by Chef Yamaguchi.
His dishes not only tantalize the taste buds but also possess a visually appealing aesthetic. The dishes crafted here almost perfectly embody three elements: kansha (respect for ingredients), the harmony of umami (the fifth taste), and omotenashi (Japanese hospitality art).
This is the first Japanese restaurant in Vietnam to receive a Michelin star (Image Source: Collected)
The restaurant is located in Capella Hanoi Hotel. Here, you'll find an exquisite sake collection that's almost impossible to find elsewhere. There's also a collection of royal teas and unique cocktails. Additionally, the dishes feature the finest ingredients, such as Japanese sea eel, Yaeyama Kyori beef from the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa...
3. Tầm Vị
Tầm Vị is one of the 4 Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurants. If you're on a Hanoi tour, you can spare some time to visit here. This restaurant is renowned for its home-cooked meals with a strong Northern flavor. Most of the inspirations in the dishes, as well as the decorations, are drawn from the Dong Kinh era.
The space at Tầm Vị is very tranquil. The style resembles old houses. You'll encounter bamboo chopsticks, old tables and chairs, and familiar chopsticks... Particularly, the menu of the restaurant will change according to the season. Hence, depending on when you visit, you will experience different cuisines.
The cozy, rustic interior of Tầm Vị restaurant (Image Source: Collected)
When dining at Tầm Vị, you can order individual dishes according to your preference. Or you can also order a set meal. For example, stir-fried morning glory, shrimp and meat rolls, braised pork, mango salad with dried shrimp… And certainly, rice cannot be missed. The flavors of the rustic dishes will surely leave a lasting impression on diners.
4. Gia Restaurant
The next Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurant is Gia, located in Hanoi. Chef Sam Tran of this restaurant has also won the Michelin Guide's Young Chef Award. Gia specializes in Vietnamese cuisine. However, the presentation of the dishes will make it difficult for you to recognize familiar ones.
The space and design of the restaurant are inspired by the Temple of Literature. Gia does not offer à la carte options. The restaurant only has a Tasting Menu with 10 pre-set dishes and accompanying drinks. And on average, every 3 months, the restaurant will change its menu once. Dishes that appeared in the previous season are unlikely to appear in the new season.
The talented young chefs of Gia Restaurant (Image Source: Collected)
Young chefs always strive to 'preserve' ingredients that are gradually being forgotten. For example, betel leaves, water spinach... And traditional dishes will be recreated from a fresh perspective.
The Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurants mark a milestone in Vietnamese cuisine. This will help Vietnamese dishes reach even further. As a result, tourism in Vietnam is also gradually thriving. If you're a food lover, you must 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 of Hanoi, contact Mytour via hotline Mytour!
