5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

By Tam Anh   August 30, 2024 | 08:00 pm PT
Discover home-style Vietnamese cuisine at these five Michelin-recommended restaurants, celebrated for their dishes, quality, and dedication to culinary excellence.
5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Tam Vi, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Two years after Michelin's arrival in Vietnam, Tam Vi has retained its Michelin star. Located in a two-story house on Yen The Street, it offers a setting for around 100 diners at a time with about 20 tables.

The restaurant's décor reflects a traditional Vietnamese home, with antique furniture and bamboo chopstick holders. The courtyard, shaded by trees, is perfect for a cool day.

Photo by Giang Huy

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Opened in 2019, Tam Vi was named by the owner Mai Anh, combining her mother's name "Tam" with "Vi", meaning taste. The restaurant's mission is to serve traditional Vietnamese meals that families can enjoy together.

Their menu boasts over 100 dishes, with customer favorites like braised fish, fried eggs, fried tofu, and more. The average cost for a meal of 4-5 dishes ranges from NVD250,000-VND300,000 ($10-12) per person.

Photo by Giang Huy

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Vi An, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Located at 145 Hoang Cau Street, Vi An made the Michelin Selected list for 2024. The restaurant's philosophy centers on sharing the flavors and culture of Vietnamese rice dishes with everyone, focusing on northern cuisine.

The space combines traditional Vietnamese values with modern design, with wooden furniture and greenery, offering a peaceful atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of Vi An

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

The menu includes both à la carte and set meals. Popular dishes include boiled cabbage with egg dipping sauce, pork stew with quail eggs, and fried spring rolls.

Prices start from VND15,000 (60 U.S. cents) per dish, with set meals beginning at VND200,000 per person. Private rooms, communal spaces, and parking are available, and dessert is complimentary.

Photo courtesy of Vi An

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Xoi Com, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Located in a collective housing apartment at 36 Lang Ha Street, Xoi Com has retained much of its original architecture. The restaurant's tableware, including hand-crafted bowls and plates, is sourced from traditional craft villages.

The dessert plates are made from ash glaze, a distinctive type of Vietnamese pottery glaze from the 11th century, which has now become rare. The connection to the past is also evident in the rice-serving chopsticks, with one end larger than the other, used to scoop rice.

Photo by Tung Le

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

The menu changes daily, with no leftovers reused to ensure freshness. Dishes rotate seasonally, with sour flavors dominating in summer and spicy, warm dishes in winter. Each day, the restaurant offers around 15 dishes, with 6 dishes rotating daily while the other 9 remain fixed or are seasonal. The dishes are made from up to 45 different ingredients.

Xoi Com has been awarded the Bib Gourmand for two consecutive years. The dishes are served in small portions, with an average cost of VND200,000 ($8) per person.

Photo by Tung Le

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Nha Tu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Located at 129/4 Vo Van Tan Street, Nha Tu received the Bib Gourmand in 2024, described by Michelin as an "oasis" amidst Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant is filled with greenery and offers a rustic atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of Nha Tu

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

The dishes are inspired by family meals or discoveries made during the owner Tu Dang's travels. She is known for her attention to detail in both the preparation of the dishes and the service at the restaurant.

Must-try dishes include steamed snails stuffed with minced pork, oyster omelet, or stir-fried pork intestines with pickled mustard greens. Another crowd favorite is the oyster hotpot and chicken hotpot with sour e leaves.

Prices range around VND15,000-120,000 per dish, with hotpots priced around VND320,000-350,000 per set.

Photo courtesy of Nha Tu

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

Cuc Gach Quan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Located at 10 Dang Tat Street, Cuc Gach Quan has maintained its Michelin's Bib Gourmand status, given to restaurants serving good food at affordable prices, for two years. The restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine from all three regions of the country. Its garden offers a retreat for family gatherings and friendly get-togethers.

Cuc Gach Quan has welcomed many dignitaries and celebrities during their visits to Ho Chi Minh City, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, as well as actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Photo courtesy of Cuc Gach

5 Michelin-recommended Vietnamese family restaurants

The menu is diverse, focusing on vegetable-based dishes with limited starch. Popular items include fried rice with salted fish, stir-fried vegetables with garlic, and gourd soup with shrimp.

The presentation is rustic, using clay bowls, banana leaf wraps, earthen pots, and traditional rice holders familiar to Vietnamese households. Cuc Gach Quan avoids using any plastic utensils.

The average price per meal is higher than at similar rice restaurants, ranging from VND300,000 to VND350,000 per person.

Photo courtesy of Cuc Gach

 
 
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