1 Anan Saigon, the only name in Ho Chi Minh City with 1 Michelin star
For a long time, Anan Saigon has been famous as a fine dining restaurant hidden in the heart of the old market on Ton That Dam street with little traffic. If you rush by, many people will surely miss this restaurant honored with 1 Michelin star.
However, Anan Saigon has proven its endless creative ability when honored with a series of prestigious awards. After only 2 years of operation, the ‘brainchild’ of chef Peter Cuong Franklin quickly received the award ‘Best Restaurant in Vietnam within the framework of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2021 and 2023″, before when receiving 1 prestigious Michelin star.
So, what’s special inside the restaurant once famous for its bowls of pho and loaves of bread that cost $100? Let’s learn more with Vietnamtravelio!
2 Where is Anan Saigon?
Address: 89 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 17:00 – 23:00
Reference price: 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND
Although hidden in the heart of the old market, Anan Saigon still exudes ancient beauty tinged with time, recreating the beauty of the Old Market with modern accent details. It is the smart design that helps Anan Saigon exude a familiar beauty, both traditional but also modern and new.
In particular, at Anan Saigon there is also Nhaunhau rooftop bar designed in a spacious garden style. This helps diners, especially young people, have an ideal space to gather with friends, chat all night and admire the impressive street lights.’
3 What is special about Anan Saigon?
3.1 Space, architecture and clever layout at Anan Saigon
The specialness of Anan Saigon comes from the space itself, the layout, and the clever use of objects to exude the beauty of the old market, but at the same time still have a modern breath.
Originally a fine dining restaurant, luxury is the top priority for chef Peter Cuong Franklin. More specifically, Anan Saigon has clearly recreated that spirit but at the same time still retains the traditional breath, making the restaurant space both modern but still full of old elements.
In particular, Anan Saigon also cleverly incorporated familiar images of the old market to make the space more impressive. The restaurant borrowed the image of an old corrugated iron roof to design the metal chair body.
Meanwhile, the incomplete doors became the inspiration for Anan Saigon to make the ceiling panel more impressive. Even the image of ordinary plastic chairs has been integrated to become luxurious, unique versions of stainless steel tables.
Anan Saigon is also dotted with decorative details that are simple but not simple, and are punctuated with paintings depicting nostalgic hometown scenes. Therefore, surely many people will feel familiar and peaceful if they have the opportunity to stay at Anan Saigon to dine.
3.2 Food flavors honor traditional Vietnamese cuisine
Besides the space, the dishes honoring traditional Vietnamese cuisine are the factors that help Anan Saigon become a top name in the hearts of gourmet diners.
Chef Peter Cuong Franklin has skillfully combined his extensive architectural knowledge of Southeast Asian street cuisine with contemporary international techniques. Therefore, diners can feel very different flavors even though the dish looks very familiar.
It will not be difficult for you to come across more luxurious versions of dishes that seemed very familiar before. The menu at Anan Saigon is very diverse, but the most outstanding ones are the Caviar dipping cakes, inspired by traditional sandwiches, or the bowl of pho and a loaf of bread priced at $100.
In particular, the pho bowl is an impressive combination of 7 types of meat, including Wagyu beef and lean American beef. Each type is prepared in its own style so it has a unique flavor. The restaurant’s broth is also simmered entirely from beef bones, combined with spices and cooked continuously for 2 days, so it is very different from other places.
Anan Saigon is also the ‘home’ of the most expensive loaf of bread to date, with a price of $100. The reason for this price is because the restaurant uses expensive high-quality ingredients, in addition to traditional dishes such as foie gras, truffle mushrooms, and caviar.
Besides, Caviar dipping cake inspired by Vietnamese sandwiches is also honored to participate. Combined with the typical French tart preparation method, the chef used a cake made from a mixture of rice flour and eggs, topped with salmon eggs, smoked salmon and fresh cream to create a plate. Eye-catching food in both color and taste.
Anan Saigon is the perfect destination for gourmets. It seems that popular dishes, through the hands of talented chefs, also become more delicious and attractive. Don’t forget to share with Vietnamtravelio your unique culinary experiences if you have the opportunity to visit Anan Saigon!
