What makes the two Michelin-awarded vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City so special?

Báo Thanh niên•09/06/2023

Accordingly, Hum and Chay Garden both appeared in the Michelin Bib Gourmand category (restaurants with delicious food at affordable prices) along with 27 other restaurants serving savory dishes. Previously, these were two well-known restaurants and were favored by many diners in Ho Chi Minh City.

A 5-year journey of culinary creation.

According to the Michelin Guide, Chay Garden (District 3) is located at the end of a quiet alley in the heart of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. This vegetarian restaurant serves delicious and affordable Vietnamese dishes, such as braised eggplant with banana and tofu.

“The old-fashioned house has a shady courtyard, providing the perfect backdrop for the upscale dining experience here. The small dining rooms are thoughtfully and attractively decorated, and one room features a colorful fresco,” the Michelin Guide describes.

Nestled at the end of a quiet alley in the bustling city center, this vegetarian restaurant serves delicious, affordable Vietnamese dishes such as braised eggplant with banana and tofu. The old colonial-style house has a charming, tree-shaded courtyard, providing the perfect backdrop for this upscale dining experience. The small dining rooms are thoughtfully and invitingly decorated, and one room features a colorful mural.

Michelin Guide introduces Chay Garden

Prior to this prestigious award, Chay Garden stated that the restaurant was delighted and honored to be one of 16 restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City to receive the Bib Gourmand award on June 6th.

For the restaurant, the Michelin Guide recognition is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the Chay Garden team in providing diners with a wholesome, multi-sensory culinary experience. It also motivates the "vegetarian garden" to continue its journey of exploring and creating dishes made from plants.

2 nhà hàng chay ở TP.HCM hiếm hoi đạt giải thưởng Michelin có gì đặc biệt? - Ảnh 3. — The restaurant's braised eggplant with banana dish was featured.

"This wonderful achievement is thanks to the love and appreciation of our valued customers, as well as the tireless efforts of the entire restaurant team throughout our 5-year journey of striving and development. This also represents a great responsibility for us to always maintain the quality of our food and service, contributing to the collective effort to elevate the essence of Vietnamese cuisine in the eyes of international friends," said a representative of the vegetarian restaurant.

2 nhà hàng chay ở TP.HCM hiếm hoi đạt giải thưởng Michelin có gì đặc biệt? - Ảnh 4. — The restaurant offers a diverse and visually appealing menu.

Commenting on Chay Garden, chef Vo Quoc also said: "The food is presented simply but beautifully, from the bowls and plates to the napkins. The dishes are uniquely prepared and very delicious, though a little too sweet for my taste. The drinks are homemade, so they are unique, delicious, and very healthy."

Ranked among the world's best vegetarian restaurants.

The Hum vegetarian restaurant branch (Thu Duc City), which recently won the Bib Gourmand award, was also ranked 10th in TripAdvisor's list of the 25 best vegetarian restaurants in the world in 2021.

The vegetarian dishes, inspired by Vietnam, are rich in modern trends and utilize mostly fresh, organic ingredients sourced directly from farmers. The crispy fried mushroom rolls are simply unique!

Michelin Guide's review of Hum

"This charming house, with its courtyard, pleasant patio, and antique interior, is located outside the city center, nestled on a quiet residential street," the Michelin Guide commented on the space at Hum.

2 nhà hàng chay ở TP.HCM hiếm hoi đạt giải thưởng Michelin có gì đặc biệt? - Ảnh 7. — The Michelin Guide has given Hum's dishes high praise.

Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper , a representative of the restaurant said that Hum has been present in Ho Chi Minh City for over 10 years with many branches. The restaurant's menu features nearly 65 dishes and 90 drinks, with prices ranging from 70,000 to 300,000 VND per dish. On average, each customer spends about 350,000 - 400,000 VND per meal.

“Although they are all vegetables and fruits, plant-based dishes can absolutely achieve ‘culinary excellence,’ refined in color, aroma, and taste. We hope to serve plant-based dishes that give diners a range of emotions, making them feel cared for and fully experiencing all their senses… In terms of taste, we have our own secrets that create a unique and unforgettable flavor,” the restaurant stated. The chefs here do not use MSG but instead season with the natural flavors of vegetables and fruits.

2 nhà hàng chay ở TP.HCM đạt giải thưởng Michelin có gì đặc biệt? - Ảnh 6. — Hum's space

Ms. Phan Thanh Thao (26 years old, Thu Duc City) - a regular customer of the restaurant - said that what makes her frequent visits is the open, meditative atmosphere, with an emphasis on greenery creating a feeling of closeness to nature.

"Whenever I'm stressed or under pressure at work, I often invite my friends here for a meal. The exquisite flavors of the plant-based dishes, combined with the relaxing atmosphere, help to melt away all my fatigue," said a customer.

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