Saigon restaurant ranks among Asia's 50 best

Food and beverage specialist 50 Best is a U.K.-based organization that showcases the latest trends around the world, explores a variety of food cultures and pays tribute to restaurants, bars, chefs, and bartenders. The ranking of the 50 Best is as prestigious as the World Travel Awards in the field of tourism or Skytrax in the aviation industry.

Anan Saigon, the only representative of Vietnam, is ranked 40th on the list. The eatery, located at No. 89 Ton That Dam Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, specializes in local dishes such as banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), cha ca (fish with dill & turmeric), and noodle dishes. The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. every weekday, except Monday. Anan Saigon was also featured in Asia’s 50 best restaurants in 2021 and 2022, and was named Asia's best restaurant at World Culinary Awards 2022.

This year's winner is Le Du in Bangkok, Thailand, operated by owner and Thai chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn. This restaurant is a modern Thai-inspired eatery that offers a four- and six-course tasting menu focused on seasonal Thai ingredients. In 2022, Le Du was ranked 4th.

The top 50 also includes restaurants from China (12), Japan (10), Singapore (9), Thailand (9), Korea (4), India (3), and the Philippines (2). Most of the restaurants on the list are upscale; street food eateries rarely appear.

The awards are granted based on the real experiences of more than 300 critics, chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary experts from around the world. Some of the voting factors include the restaurant's dining experience, whether the meals can please everyone's palate, from casual eater to gourmet, and whether the meals display the sophistication and complexity of culinary cultures.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants is an annual award that began in 2002. In 2013, the awards expanded to two categories, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.