The Michelin Guide honored a total of 109 dining establishments in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in the Michelin Selected category, including 14 new entries, at a ceremony on June 5.
Michelin Selected list is recommended by Michelin inspectors for dining establishments that are worth trying but do not meet the criteria for Michelin Star or Bib Gourmand awards, the latter for eateries offering delicious food at affordable prices.
The Michelin-Selected distinction recognizes establishments that deliver exceptional dining experiences and ensure customer satisfaction.
Ho Chi Minh City has six Michelin-selected restaurants appearing for the first time: Hoi An Sense, The Albion by Kirk Westaway, Ba Co Loc Coc, Okra FoodBar, ST25 by KOTO and Nephele.
In the photo is the interior space of Hoi An Sense with traditional wooden house architecture.
Photo by Hoi An Sense
Hoi An Sense's dining room is separated by wooden walls, creating a private space for diners.
Opened in 1998, the restaurant is located on the sixth floor of a building on Phan Ke Binh Street in District 1.
Michelin describes the wooden house space with lotus ponds and lanterns at Hoi An Sense as "giving the feeling of stepping into the ancient town of Hoi An itself."
Michelin recommends diners try Hue-style spring rolls with pork and sour shrimp, served with raw vegetables, purple sweet potatoes and a light vinegar dipping sauce.
Another dish that visitors should try is grilled seabass wrapped in pork belly on lemongrass stalks (pictured), served with pickled radish and perilla leaves.
Photo by Hoi An Sense
Located on Tran Cao Van Street in District 3, Ba Co Loc Coc is renowned for its premium seafood and snail menu.
Recognized by the Michelin Guide as an ideal destination for snail lovers, the restaurant offers a rich variety of preparations.
Diners are encouraged to try snails cooked in coconut milk, curry, or steamed with green pepper. Another popular option is apple snails steamed with ginger and lemongrass.
Each dish is served with a dipping sauce made from fresh herbs.
The menu is available in Vietnamese and English, with illustrations to make ordering easier. Staff are always on hand to recommend dishes suited to individual tastes.
Photo by Ba Co Loc Coc
Okra FoodBar, opened in 2023, is located on Le Van Mien Street in Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City.
As described by the Michelin Guide, the restaurant features a modern bar layout facing an open kitchen, with counter seating that creates an intimate and relaxed dining experience.
The chef crafts a menu rooted in local ingredients, blending traditional and contemporary techniques, with inspiration drawn from charcoal grilling and Vietnamese street food.
Pictured is the rosemary pork ribs: slow-grilled and glazed with a rosemary sauce infused with dashi, a blend of Mediterranean herbs and the umami-rich sweetness of Japanese broth.
The dish is topped with furikake for crunch and oceanic flavor, and served with Vietnamese-style pickled okra for a refreshing, tangy finish.
Photo by Okra FoodBar
Nephele, tucked away in an alley on Nguyen Cuu Van Street in Binh Thanh District, opens only in the evenings and offers a curated tasting menu.
The lively ground-floor bar is a popular spot to enjoy cocktails before or after a meal. One highlight is the house-made sourdough, fermented for 36 hours and grilled to a golden, crispy crust, served with beeswax and truffle butter crafted in-house.
Pictured is the pan-fried scallops with salted pork, sweet beans, and basil leaves.
Photo by Nephele
