Du Yen is one of the rare vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, although it is a "newbie", it quickly "caught the eye" of Michelin Guide reviewers, and was honored twice in a row in the Michelin Selected category (recommended by Michelin). What is special about this vegetarian restaurant?
Michelin Guide has praised the butterfly flower spring rolls, beautifully decorated with edible pansies, which are one of the "best-sellers" of Du Yen vegetarian restaurant.
Photo: Cao An Bien
Peace in the city
In the hot summer, we visited Du Yen vegetarian restaurant, nestled under the cool green trees in Thao Dien area (An Khanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City) and unexpectedly found peace in a quiet space, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
We first learned about Du Yen nearly 2 years ago, when the restaurant was unexpectedly honored by the Michelin guide. Curious about a young vegetarian restaurant that had been open for less than a year but had already made Michelin's anonymous reviewers "fall in love", we went to enjoy it.
Restaurant nestled under the cool green trees in Thao Dien area
Photo: Cao An Bien
Michelin GuideMany diners, including me, are curious about the identity of the "person behind" Du Yen and ask: "Who is the owner of this vegetarian restaurant and what is their secret to being honored by the Michelin Guide after only opening for 1 year?"
According to Thanh Nien , Du Yen vegetarian restaurant is the passion of the famous former national football player Nguyen Viet Thang, currently the head coach of Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc Club, and his wife, Ngoc Anh. This has been Ngoc Anh's dream for 10 years, but 3 years ago was the right time for her and Nguyen Viet Thang to realize that idea.
Ms. Ngoc Anh shared that she has been a vegetarian for many years, for the health benefits. In addition, she loves the beauty of Thao Dien area, green, fresh, peaceful, separate from the hustle and bustle of the city. That is also the reason why the restaurant is located here, with the owner's wish that when customers come to dine, they will "dispel their worries with Du Yen".
Peaceful and gentle space at Du Yen vegetarian restaurant
Photo: Cao An Bien
The appeal of butterfly flower spring rolls
Talking about the secret to being honored by the Michelin Guide and loved by many diners, the vegetarian restaurant owner said it all lies in the quality of the products and the dedication that she and her restaurant team put into each dish served to customers.
"Honestly, I'm just a "newbie" who has been in the F&B industry for a few years now, since the Covid-19 pandemic. I don't have much experience in this field, what I have is passion. I have put all my love into the restaurant. Many people think that behind Du Yen must be an experienced owner in F&B, but that's not true," Ngoc Anh shared.
Sticking to meditation and vegetarianism while pursuing a "healthy eating, healthy living" lifestyle for many years, owner Du Yen said that she has had many experiences with vegetarian cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and in Vietnam in general. Those experiences have helped her and her husband devote all their efforts to developing the vegetarian restaurant and gaining the reputation it has today.
Photo: Cao An Bien
The menu at the vegetarian restaurant has about 70 dishes.
Photo: NHCC
"I am a lover of beauty, so in the vegetarian dishes at Du Yen with its colorful flowers, every dish must be aesthetically pleasing. With my vegetarian culinary experiences, I also have certain standards for the flavors of the dishes and of course, any vegetarian dish on the menu must first conquer my taste, must be meticulous and be the pride of the restaurant," the owner added.
Currently, Du Yen has about 70 dishes, with prices ranging from 90,000 - 160,000 VND/dish, with vegetarian hot pot dishes at the restaurant costing 300,000 - 400,000 VND. Every 3 - 4 months, the restaurant will launch many new dishes to refresh the culinary experience of customers.
The restaurant said that besides Vietnamese customers, 50% of the diners are foreigners from China, Korea, India, America, Europe... One of the famous dishes and considered a "best seller" at this vegetarian restaurant is butterfly flower spring rolls.
Photo: NHCC
Indian mushroom puffs are a vegetarian version of the famous Indian Pani Puri. The native dish has a hollow, fried flour dough shell. The chef then hollows out the inside to stuff it with mashed potatoes, sauteed chicken, green peas, onions and a spicy, sour and sweet pani sauce. Du Yen restaurant's version has a variation, replacing the filling with chopped stir-fried straw mushrooms, decorating the shell with butterfly flowers and desiccated coconut, and omitting the pani sauce.
Photo: NHCC
Butterfly flower spring rolls include carrots, lettuce, eggs, vermicelli and pansy flowers to highlight both the appearance and flavor, creating a light sourness. This dish has peanut sauce as a dipping sauce. In addition, lotus petal spring rolls, baked bell peppers, and tat bat are also among the dishes that many diners choose to enjoy when visiting the restaurant.
Actor Huy Khanh, one of the restaurant's regular customers, said that he is not a vegetarian. However, the vegetarian dishes at Du Yen are good for your health, made from vegetables, tubers, fruits, mushrooms, etc. Not only are they eye-catching in appearance but also have a fresh, unique flavor, making him a regular customer of the restaurant.
Diners are excited to eat at Du Yen
Photo: Cao An Bien
"All the dishes that the restaurant serves are beautiful, I can't bear to eat them! Once I eat them, I love the taste and come back many times. The vegetarian dishes at Du Yen are rich and suitable for Vietnamese taste," commented actor Huy Khanh.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bat-ngo-voi-nguoi-dung-sau-nha-hang-chay-tphcm-duoc-michelin-vinh-danh-2-nam-lien-185250731073217252.htm
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