Located inside an old market on Ton That Dam Street near Bitexco Financial Tower, Anan specializes in street food-inspired dishes created by its owner and chef, Peter Cuong Franklin.
Franklin is also famous for inventing the $100 banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) that is topped off with French foie gras, truffle, a traditional garnish of sliced cucumbers, cilantro and mint and served with a side of fried sweet potatoes and caviar.
If tourists want to experience a fine dining banh mi, advance booking is required.
Other dishes that have helped the restaurant gain a reputation among international foodies are banh xeo taco, a dish consisting of a central Vietnamese region-style banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) folded into the shape of a Mexican taco and filled with shrimp and pork, Hanoi-style grilled catfish or beef stew.
Born in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat, Franklin migrated to the U.S. in 1975 and had a career in banking before deciding to follow his passion for food.
In 2021 his restaurant was named among Asia’s 100 best by William Reed Business Media, a U.K. business magazine and digital media company.