The paper's reporter Jennifer Johnston New Zealand Herald took a 17-day spring trip to Asia on a cruise ship and on the 15th day, the ship slowly sailed down the Saigon River and finally docked in Ho Chi Minh City. Tourists have two nights in the most populous city in Vietnam and can freely explore the cuisine here.
The group of tourists on the cruise booked dinner at Anan Saigon out of curiosity because this is the only restaurant with a Michelin star (1 star awarded by the Michelin Guide in 2023). The restaurant is also on the list of 50 best restaurants in Asia in 2021, 2023 and in the same year was voted the best restaurant in Vietnam.
Chef Peter Cuong Franklin and his colleagues at Anan Saigon
Chef Peter Cuong Franklin opened Anan Saigon in 2017. Anan (meaning “eat, eat”) is located in District 1 on a narrow alley in the middle of one of the busiest food markets in Ho Chi Minh City – the market Old.
Peter quit his job at a bank in the US and pursued his love and passion for food. He studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. After working in restaurants abroad and running two restaurants in Hong Kong, Peter returned to Vietnam in 2017.
His childhood memories are surrounded by food. His mother runs a small noodle shop in the living room, he says, and his creations are inspired by her and Vietnam's vibrant street food culture, while adding French culinary techniques. from Le Cordon Bleu training course.
A loaf of “Michelin” bread in Anan
“Anan is a modern Vietnamese restaurant but at the same time has historical and traditional roots. People often ask why I chose to open Anan in a local market instead of a 5-star hotel. Because the market is a place that provides fresh local ingredients but is also a source of inspiration for cuisine in Anan," he explained.
“As cuisine and society modernize, we must not lose our traditional culture. The Old Market's deep historical roots remind me and my team to prepare authentic dishes that people love to eat, stay close to real life, and most importantly, don't forget our roots," he said. added.
Hanoi fish cake dish
In November 11.2023, Peter also opened Pot Au Pho on the 3rd floor above Anan. This heralds a decades-long effort to elevate pho, Vietnam's national dish, to new heights. It is also a tribute to his mother's traditional noodle shop in Da Lat in the past.
Jennifer Johnston's group of 5 friends chose the 10-course “Chef's Tasting Menu.” Co believes that Anan focuses on modern presentation and that each dish is a work of art. The taste is amazing. Chef Peter visited the table and showed diners how to enjoy bun cha Bourdain (fifth dish, named after super chef Anthony Bourdain).
Anan is the only restaurant with stars in Ho Chi Minh City
“This is the 'one bite, one drink' version of our famous spring rolls,” he explains. Peter carefully picked up the spring roll on the plate and wrapped it in a cabbage leaf. When chewing, all the flavors are released, he explains. At the same time, you can taste a little garlic with pork, pickles and herbs...
Her group of friends divided the bill into 5 parts, each person paid about 2,1 million VND. Although this was the most expensive meal the group had in Saigon, as a Michelin-starred restaurant, it was indeed “cheap.” Upon returning to the ship, one of the group summed up the dining experience perfectly: “Anan is a great combination of East and West.”
