Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Vietnam

Are you a foodie- someone who enjoys and explores other cuisines as a hobby because you have a strong love for food? Do you like to travel as well? One of the best things about traveling is trying out new foods and enjoying amazing culinary experiences.

Today's fervent foodies go above and above, even taking worldwide trips, to sample the best foods from around the world. They frequently decide to go to Michelin-starred restaurants, which are considered to be among the best dining facilities in the world.

What distinguishes a restaurant with a Michelin star? Which dining establishments need to you check out on your subsequent visit to Vietnam ?

There is a significant history behind the Michelin Star rating system. The Michelin tire manufacturer was the first. With so few cars on the road in 1900, the firm began producing guidebooks. To encourage car driving, these guidebooks included evaluations and maps of nearby eateries and accommodations. They subsequently covered additional nations after initially focusing mainly on France.
The eatery area was incredibly well-liked. Unidentified inspectors continue to visit restaurants to assess them for the Michelin guide. A restaurant can be awarded one of three stars if it is deemed worthy: one star for being very good in its category; two stars for being great and worth making the detour; or three stars for having outstanding food that warrants a special journey and Bib Gourmand Award- best value for money restaurants – offering a three-course meal at a reasonable price. 

Why not make time on your next vacation to Vietnam to visit several Michelin-starred restaurants? Here's a list of amazing restaurants in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city that you shouldn't miss.

1* Michelin-star restaurants in Vietnam

Anan Saigon

The only restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to be listed among Vietnam's top four Michelin-starred establishments is Anan Saigon.

The Michelin Guide describes Anan Saigon as a modern Vietnamese restaurant where chef Peter Cuong Franklin creates wonderful flavors by utilizing current cooking techniques to modify street cuisine recipes.

A range of sophisticated meals with well-balanced flavors and textures are available on their menu, including wagyu beef marrow noodle soup, shrimp meat tacos, roast duck rice paper, and fresh tuna tartare.

Chef and restaurateur Peter Cuong Franklin started Anan Saigon in Vietnam after earning expertise in Hong Kong, Chicago, and Bangkok. "We incorporate various international elements while always respecting Vietnam's rich history and traditions," said Chef Peter Cuong Franklin. Our specialty foods, which include foie gras spring rolls, taco pancakes, and Da Lat pizza, are inventive and unexpected while maintaining their distinctive Vietnamese flavors."

At the end of March, in Singapore, during the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 awards ceremony, Anan Saigon was acknowledged as the only representative from Vietnam on the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

Address: 89 Ton That Dam, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Open for dinner from 5 PM to late, Tuesday to Sunday (Close Monday)

Gia

Run by Michelin-starred chef Sam Tran, this is a contemporary Vietnamese eatery. The cuisine varies with the seasons and showcases Vietnam's rich culinary legacy.

A great dining experience is created by the thoughtfully prepared dishes, which include a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

The restaurant called Gia gets its name from the Vietnamese term "Gia dinh," which means family. It is located on Van Mieu street. After spending many years working overseas, Chef Sam Tran and his partner Long Tran made this decision out of nostalgia. The Michelin book mentions that the neighboring Temple of Literature served as inspiration for the restaurant's design.

"From now on, our trip will be different, but two things will never change. First of all, the word "Gia" is derived from "Gia dinh," which represents the fundamental principles that Gia upholds. Sam Tran, chef and co-founder of Gia, said, "Secondly, Vietnamese cuisine has always been our foundation for exploration and growth, serving as a means to share stories about Vietnamese culture and life."

 Address: 61 Van Mieu, Dong Da District, Hanoi city

Opening time: 

Lunch time: Thursday to Sunday | 11:30 - 14:30 (last order at 13:00)

Dinner time: Tuesday to Saturday | 18:00 - 11:00 (last order at 20:45)

Hibana by Koki

The lone Japanese eatery on the list is Hibana by Koki. It is located in the Capella hotel's basement. This tiny restaurant with only 14 seats serves exquisite teppanyaki meals, expertly prepared by chef Hiroshi Yamaguchi.

The meal here is praised by the Michelin Guide for its extraordinarily rich flavors. Top-notch ingredients, such as Hokkaido hairy crab, lobster, sea urchin, Yaeyama Kyori beef, and abalone, are imported twice a week from Japan to enhance the flavor.

Address: 11 Le Phung Hieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday

Koki Hibana: 11:30 - 13:30 and 18:00 – 22:00 (last order 20:30)

Koki Izakaya + PDR: 11:30 - 13:30 and 18:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:30)

Akio Bar & Lounge: 11:30 - 13:30 and 18:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:30)

Tam Vi

The Tam Vi restaurant embodies the spirit of Northern Vietnamese culture. Its exterior design is reminiscent of a traditional tea house, and handwritten signage and Chinese-style furniture add to the atmosphere.

The restaurant serves food from all around Vietnam, including the North, Center, and South. Notable suggestions from the Michelin Guide are Canh Cua Mồng Tơi (Ceylon spinach crab soup with a delicate crab flavor and refreshing broth) and Chả Ốc (Vietnamese ham with conch, served with herbs and vermicelli in fish sauce).

Address: 4B Yen The street, Dong Da, Hanoi

Opening time: 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM

Other culinary experiences that are worth exploring 

Apart from the four restaurants that have received Michelin stars, there are establishments on the shortlist that are equally worth exploring. These consist of Bib Gourmand restaurants that serve excellent food at reasonable costs, a Michelin Special Award-winning restaurant, and a Michelin Selected restaurant (recommended by Michelin).

Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư

There are three locations of this phở restaurant in Hanoi. Though modest, it is highly appreciated. In the city, be wary of counterfeit versions, though. There are ten mouthwatering phở options on the menu, including bắp trần (beef fillet), nạm (flank beef), and tái and chin (brisket). The little kitchen in the corner, visible through a glass divider, is run by a talented team. The phở itself has soft, melt-in-your-mouth beef and is wonderfully refreshing and fulfilling.

Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Phở Gà Nguyệt

A variety of chicken parts are included with the chicken noodle dish, but the delicate thigh is a personal favorite. It works well in recipes with dry noodles as well as soup. You can swap out the wings for the breast or the thighs, and you can add sauces to suit your preferences. Popular for late-night meals, the establishment is open till midnight.

Address: 5B Phu Doan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

Chả Cá Thăng Long

The standout dish at this place is chả cá, which is grilled catfish seasoned with turmeric. What makes it special is that it's cooked right at your table in a sizzling saucepan, along with spring onions and dill. It's served with vermicelli noodles, coriander, shrimp paste, and peanuts, creating a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

Address: 6B Duong Thanh Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tuyết Bún Chả 34

The specialty of this food stand is its bún chả, a dish of rice noodles, freshly chopped herbs, and grillable pork. You can order extra spring rolls for added crispiness, and you can dip the noodles into the delicious broth if you'd like.

Address: 34 Hang Than, Nguyen Trung Truc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam

Don Duck Old Quarter

This vibrant Old Quarter eatery is sure to gratify any duck lover. They provide a large selection of dishes that highlight your preferred bird. I recommend tasting the duck phở noodle soup for a truly local flavor. Try the grilled Peking duck if you're feeling particularly adventurous. In addition, they serve duck deep-fried with a sweet-and-sour sauce, in spring rolls, and in hotpots. This eatery is a favorite among many because of the great food, laid-back environment, and affordable costs.

Address: 29 Bat Dan, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền

Many residents claim that this little stand has been providing the tastiest cơm tấm (broken rice dish) in town since the 1990s. Steamed broken rice paired with a perfectly cooked pork chop marinated in a secret sauce and barbecued over charcoal is their most well-liked dish. It comes with a delectable sweet-and-sour fish sauce and pickled radish. There's a chicken variant as well.

Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Dim Tu Tac (Dong Du)

In the city, Dim Tu Tac runs four eateries. With space for more than a hundred patrons, the Dong Du location is constantly busy, especially at lunch. Their menu offers a selection of traditional Cantonese meals that are presented in a modern yet welcoming setting. There are many different things to choose from, such as dim sum, soups, seafood, and BBQ foods. For a real Cantonese dining experience, this restaurant is your best bet because they use traditional cooking techniques to produce meals with flavorful textures and appealing prices.

Address: 55 Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

Hum Garden

Situated just outside the city center, on a quiet street in a residential area, is this quaint home. It has a charming patio, courtyard, and charming outdoor furniture. The restaurant offers vegetarian fare with a contemporary flair that is inspired by Vietnamese cuisine. Fresh, organic foods that are obtained straight from farmers are given priority. The deep-fried mushroom rolls are a noteworthy menu item that is truly wonderful.

Address: 32, D10 Street, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

Xôi Bát

Steamed sticky rice, or xôi, is a popular Vietnamese dish that's typically eaten for lunch or breakfast. A group of young people decided to refute the idea that xôi is just an inexpensive and easy fast food alternative in 2021. They opened up Xôi Bát, a charming little restaurant with a contemporary interior and fine attention to detail. A delicious variety of soft sticky rice made with quail eggs, pig ears, and fried shallots is served at Xôi Bát. When combined with soup and kimchi, this dish, called xôi phá lấu trứng non, makes for a filling and tasty supper.

Address: 8 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 7, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hồng Phát (District 3)

Hủ tiếu Hồng Phát noodles, introduced to Saigon in the 1970s, are a representation of the merger of Khmer and Choazhu traditions. This welcoming restaurant welcomes patrons all day long and offers courteous service.

Address: 389-391 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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