To Pho Minh, Ba Ghien Broken Rice, Cuc Gach and the paradise around Binh Tay market according to Michelin

Sharing with Michelin Guide, Vo Thanh Vuong said that Ho Chi Minh City is a place where the lights never go out. That is what attracted Vuong to live here in 2009 and start pursuing his " culinary dream".

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the F&B industry went in an uncertain direction, but for this chef, it became a rare opportunity to slow down and look deeper.

“Initially, I was obsessed with technique. Our first four seasonal menus focused on fermentation, salting, and aging, which are techniques that require time, patience, and precision. I loved the process, but something was missing,” Vuong shares.

To find the answer, Vuong decided to return to his roots, combining the flavors of his childhood with modern processing techniques.

He said that was the turning point that reminded him that Vietnamese cuisine was not something he needed to modernize, but something he needed to honor and develop.

And after 10 years here, Vo Thanh Vuong calls Ho Chi Minh City his home. He invites us to "go for a spin" around his favorite places that make this city special.

Pho Minh Restaurant 80 years old

Vo Thanh Vuong said if he has time in the morning, he will go to Pho Minh, an 80-year-old pho restaurant hidden in a small alley. The broth is light but rich, and you can see the care in it.

"It reminds me why simple dishes, when prepared well, don't need to be complicated," he said.

In addition to pho, the restaurant also serves pate chaud, a meat-filled pastry that can only be found in the city's most traditional pho restaurants.

Come to Brick House for a home-cooked meal

“I love meals that feel like home… I often go with friends and family to share food and stories,” Vo Thanh Vuong said.

Accompany the rice with meat, fish, tofu, and vegetables. The best meals always have a balance of sweet, salty, and sour flavors.

Although there are countless rice shops throughout the city, one of Vuong's favorite places is Cuc Gach Quan.

District 4 has Oanh Oc

Vinh Khanh Street in District 4 is a famous culinary street with sidewalk eateries selling snails and seafood until late at night.

Late at night, this chef sometimes stops by Oc Oanh. The place is noisy, a bit chaotic but full of energy like Saigon. Here the snails are always fresh, the dipping sauce is rich and goes great with a cold beer.

Traditional Ba Ghien Broken Rice

Vo Thanh Vuong also often visits Ba Ghien Broken Rice. The grilled ribs are fragrant, juicy and just the right amount of burnt. The rice is fluffy, the pickles are crunchy and everything is just right.

This broken rice restaurant has been a favorite in Ho Chi Minh City since the 1990s. While grilled ribs are the most popular choice, the restaurant also serves chicken, meaning you have a reason to visit at least twice a week.

Head to Elgin or Coco Dining for the best views

If he wants a drink and something nice to eat, he'll go to Elgin. It's peaceful, the food is exquisite. Or Coco Dining - not only because he works there, but it feels like home.

Both Elgin and Coco Dining are located on the border between District 1 and District 3, where tree-lined boulevards become pleasant green spaces, and are home to some of the best restaurant and bar scenes in the country.