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Cuisine is one of Vietnam's proud assets, boasting unique, diverse, and distinctive flavors. Many dishes in Vietnam capture the attention of international tourists. One way to evaluate the quality of these dishes is through Michelin stars. But what exactly are Michelin stars? How are they rated? And which Michelin restaurants are in Saigon? This article will answer all your questions!
What is Michelin?
Michelin stars are a rating system for culinary quality, originating from the famous gastronomic guidebook The Michelin Guide - a magazine that introduces specialty dishes and quality dining locations worldwide. It's a prestigious award in the culinary world, comparable to the Oscars in film or the Grammys in music.
Top 4 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Saigon
On the evening of June 6th in Hanoi, Michelin Guide announced the list of the first 4 restaurants honored with Michelin stars in Hanoi and HCMC. Specifically, they are as follows:
Michelin Awards | Image: Marketingtime
Anăn Saigon
As of August 2023, Anăn Saigon became the first restaurant in HCMC to be honored with a top Michelin star by the Michelin Guide. This culinary gem is the brainchild of Peter Cuong Franklin, who wears the dual hats of management and head chef.
Unlike other flashy establishments, Anăn Saigon sits within the old market area on Ton That Dam Street, seeking refuge from the city's hustle and bustle to prioritize a simpler way of life and familiar ingredients to better touch the hearts of its customers.
Anăn Saigon | Photo: Vietcetera
The dishes here are delicately and meticulously crafted, blending traditional Vietnamese cuisine with contemporary trends. As a result, the flavors of each dish never fail to surprise the palates of customers. Here are some recommended dishes at Anăn Saigon.
Gia Restaurant
Located peacefully on Van Mieu Street, Gia Restaurant is built on the foundation of a hundred-year-old ancient villa. The restaurant is designed with a creative architectural style, with uneven stairs sloping at 75 degrees, embellished with exquisite carvings on the walls, along with paintings inspired by lotus flowers and patterns at Van Mieu. Thanks to this, despite its elegance, the restaurant still exudes a sense of familiarity to its customers.
Gia Restaurant - One of the 4 Michelin-starred restaurants in Vietnam | Photo: VOV.VN
Notably, the menu here is not fixed because of Michelin Chef Sam Tran - the powerful head chef at Gia Restaurant who favors the 'seasonal' style. Therefore, the menu here changes every 3 months to create novelty, excitement, and curiosity for its customers.
Hibana by Koki
Unlike Anăn Saigon or Gia Restaurant, Hibana by Koki is owned by a Japanese individual, located in the basement of the Capella Hotel in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Set in the S-shaped strip of land, Mr. Koki aims to bring the unique culinary flavors of his homeland closer to everyone. This is also the only name in the list representing the cuisine of the Land of the Rising Sun.
With pride in traditional cuisine, the dishes at Hibana by Koki faithfully recreate the philosophy of the Japanese people, from hospitality, manners to the flavor of Teppanyaki - a characteristic of Japanese cuisine.
Hibana by Koki - Japan's first Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam | Photo: Green Grocer
According to the Michelin guide, the menu at Hibana by Koki stands out with luxurious flavors, all dishes here are made from premium and high-quality ingredients, imported directly from Japan about 2 times a week.
Tầm Vị
Nestled on the small Yen The street, Tầm Vị restaurant is built and designed in the style of a classic tea house from the North, giving diners the most intimate and authentic experience of Hanoi.
The restaurant deliberately focuses on nostalgia, investing heavily in decoration, using Chinese furniture. Moreover, from the walls, ceilings, floors, stairs to even the dining utensils, everything carries the warmth of a space in an ancient house.
Tầm Vị - Michelin-starred restaurant | Photo: Green Grocer
Especially, amidst hundreds of thousands of luxurious dishes, prepared and combined in Asian cuisine, the menu at Tầm Vị still retains the childhood flavors with familiar dishes of Northern children such as braised fish, fried eggs, fried tofu, boiled morning glory, and pumpkin soup with shrimp.
Michelin Restaurant Evaluation Criteria
As Michelin is an international award, to achieve this star, restaurants and chefs must undergo rigorous evaluations based on the following criteria:
Michelin Guide's criteria for assessing dishes | Photo: Vn Economy
Food quality
Cooking technique:
Freshness and creativity:
Location and menu:
Value:
Culinary experience and service:
Amenities and space:
Uniqueness and reputation:
According to Guide.Michelin.com, quality meals around the world are a collective effort of an entire team rather than an individual. Therefore, stars are awarded based on the quality of food service rather than individuals.
Types of Michelin stars:
Through Michelin stars, the overall quality of a restaurant is summarized as follows:
Michelin star rating criteria | Image: DNSE
Categories of awards in Michelin Guide Special Awards
In addition to Michelin stars, the Michelin Guide also awards special prizes to honor outstanding restaurants and chefs who have made significant contributions to the culinary industry. Some common awards include:
Sommelier Award:
Service Award:
Youthful Talented Chef Award:
Distinguishing Michelin Guide & Michelin Stars
People often mistake Michelin Guide & Michelin Stars as one. However, Michelin Guide & Michelin Stars are two completely different concepts.
Michelin Stars
Michelin Guide
Hotels near Michelin Star restaurants in Saigon
If you're in other provinces and visiting Saigon to experience Michelin Star restaurants, you can consider the hotels near Michelin Star restaurants listed below:
Hotel Nikko Saigon
Located in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Nowzone commercial area, Hotel Nikko Saigon is a 5-star standard hotel offering comprehensive amenities, from flat-screen TVs to bathrooms and accompanying utility services.
Hotel Nikko Saigon | Photo: Tripadvisor
Especially known for its city view, spacious rooms, and gentle earthy tone decor, Hotel Nikko Saigon is rated 9/10 for both quality and service.
Caravelle Saigon
Located in the heart of District 1, Caravelle Hotel offers luxurious accommodation amidst the bustling city. With elegant architecture and impressive interior design, it has created exceptional resort experiences for its guests.
Caravelle Saigon | Photo: Tripadvisor
Moreover, the hotel provides all the amenities of a 5-star hotel such as a swimming pool, fitness center, spa, restaurants and bars, 24/7 room service, and parking service.
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint
The biggest advantage of Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint is to provide its travelers with a sense of peace, comfort, and relaxation with all the amenities after a tiring day. With luxurious, modern design, it also features a rooftop swimming pool, gym, multipurpose meeting hall, relaxing spa, and even a spacious restaurant that can accommodate over 1000 guests.
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint | Photo: Tripadvisor
With the aim of offering its guests a truly wonderful retreat like their own home, all staff here are carefully trained in their professional skills, dedicated to their work to provide travelers with the most complete experiences.
Here are the top Michelin restaurants in Saigon evaluated by Michelin Guide. Each restaurant has its own characteristic in cuisine and architectural style. This Michelin star recognition also opens up for international visitors to see the uniqueness and novelty in Vietnamese cuisine, breaking away from the old-fashioned paths while still preserving the essence of the nation. Don't forget to book your flight tickets and hotel rooms with Mytour for a chance to receive surprising deals.
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