In the pulsating heart of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has cooked up a storm, claiming its coveted spot on the global gastronomic radar. With a fresh roster of 2023 Michelin Selected dining establishments, the city seamlessly blends the intricate art of fine dining with its rich, street-food heritage. As the aromas of time-honored phở stalls intertwine with the sophisticated scents of modern gourmet kitchens, Saigon invites the world to a grand feast of flavors, traditions, and profound culinary innovation, according to Splash magazine.

NORIBOI

Noriboi stands as a testament to the art of Omakase, reimagined through the lens of their modernist approach to Japanese cuisine, and their usage of molecular gastronomy techniques to ignite and enthrall diners’ senses. Each dish, from the impeccably sourced Japanese imported fish to the melt-in-your-mouth A5 grade Wagyu beef, is transformed into a culinary masterpiece, blending traditional flavors with avant-garde methodology. This is NOT your typical sushi bar experience — it is an artfully crafted presentation of taste, texture, and the highest culinary innovation.

NORIBOI restaurant. Photo: Splash magazine

Gastronomy is more than just culinary preparation; it also includes a thorough study of ingredients, processes for preparation, flavor combinations, and presentation that result in a flavorful, functional, and artistic dining experience. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to compare gastronomy to “magic” in culinary technology, given that it is supported by several sophisticated tools and catalysts to produce incredibly exceptional effects that elevate the food.

NORIBOI selects only the highest quality and freshest natural ingredients. Each day, seafood products are carefully selected, prepared, and served at their peak flavor. The otherwise simple décor is intentionally sparse to act as a blank canvas on which the food will be allotted space to shine. The courses build on seasonal properties utilized only in their freshest, most delicious state. Each dish is composed to ensure that the ingredient's most basic, innate character persists.

Anan Saigon

Anointed with a coveted Michelin Star in 2023 and listed as #40 of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023, Anan Saigon is considered by culinary enthusiasts to be one of Ho Chi Minh City’s top-tier dining destinations. Brainchild of Chef-owner Peter Cuong Franklin, he elevates traditional Vietnamese street food and beloved national dishes, with the application of French cooking techniques, to execute simply sublime plates that highlight the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Currently offering both a-la-carte and two exquisite tasting menus, a dinner at Anan Saigon cannot be missed during your travels to the city; if you can snag a reservation that is.

The high cuisine at Anan Saigon restaurant. Photo: Splash magazine

From the gorgeous rooftop, you can take in Ho Chi Minh City’s neon-studded skyline providing a glimpse into the cosmopolitan cultivation taking place in modern-day Vietnam. Unlike other rooftops in Ho Chi Minh City, Anan Saigon’s rooftop offers a true urban ambiance making way for a great place to sip a few cocktails and enjoy a few delectable dishes.

The Anan Saigon experience includes the restaurant on the ground and first floor, an outdoor deck area with a “bia hoi” and street food vibe, and the picturesque 6th-floor rooftop bar.

Nen Light Restaurant

2023 Michelin Selected Nen Light Restaurant‘s philosophy is to present highly creative, storytelling-tasting menus with a focus on hyper-local Vietnamese ingredients. Photo: Splash magazine

2023 Michelin Selected Nen Light Restaurant‘s philosophy is to present highly creative, storytelling tasting menus with a focus on hyper-local Vietnamese ingredients discovered during foraging trips throughout Central Vietnam. Founder/Chef Summer Nen debuted her latest culinary exploration last Thursday, Sto:ry Menu #5: Days of 22, which notably took a full year to develop, telling the tale of her university years in Japan. With conversation and music pairings, along with premiere wine and sake pairings to complement the meal, each beautifully executed dish is a testament to creativity, innovation, artistry, and an unbridled passion for singular Vietnamese flavors.

SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch

A sweet destination in HCMC. Photo: Splash magazine

With two locations in Saigon’s District 1, SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch has firmly positioned itself as the city’s crown jewel of daytime dining, offering a symphony of flavors, and a bountiful menu, that resonates from morning ’till late afternoon. Their house-made pastries, each a testament to artful baking, perfectly complement an array of imaginative coffee creations that push the boundaries of traditional brews. From the first bite to the last sip, SOKO isn’t just setting the brunch standard — it’s a culinary institution in its own right that deserves a place on this carefully curated Top 5 Best of the list.

TRE Dining

Each dish, and meticulously crafted cocktail, narrates a story, inviting diners into the rich depths of Vietnam’s gastronomic heritage. Photo: Splash magazine

2023 Michelin Selected TRE Dining, a luminary in Thao Dien’s already luminous culinary tapestry, elegantly melds tradition with innovation through its contemporary Vietnamese-inspired creations. Each dish, and meticulously crafted cocktail, narrates a story, inviting diners into the rich depths of Vietnam’s gastronomic heritage. Whether opting for a curated set menu or exploring their a-la-carte treasures, guests at TRE are guaranteed a culinary voyage like no other, making it a definitive must-try in the city’s elegant gourmet diary.

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