Why has bread been absent from Michelin stars for two years?

At the Michelin Guide 2024 announcement ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of June 27, Michelin officially revealed all the selected restaurants in the Michelin Guide Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Specifically, there are 3 new restaurants joining the Michelin one-star list, bringing the total to 7.

Four Michelin one-star restaurants announced last year - Gia, Hibana by Koki, Tam Vi and Anan Saigon - retained their titles. In addition, the 2024 Michelin one-star list welcomes two new restaurants and one upgraded restaurant.

7 Vietnamese restaurants to be awarded Michelin stars in 2024

Two new restaurants have been awarded one Michelin star: Akuna (Ho Chi Minh City), which serves creative European dishes with Vietnamese influences , paired with premium wines; and La Maison 1888 (Da Nang), which serves a five- or seven-course menu with premium ingredients from Vietnam, France and Japan.

The only restaurant from the Michelin Selected list to be upgraded to a Michelin star is: The Royal Pavilion (HCMC). The restaurant offers a variety of dishes for guests to choose from, all-inclusive menus that pay homage to Cantonese culinary heritage, and a dim sum menu served at noon.

Many Vietnamese restaurants want to be "mirrored" through Michelin

Responding to Thanh Nien reporters at this event, Mr. Ha Van Sieu - Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said that Michelin Guide 2024 has many clear improvements compared to 2023.

"By 2024, Michelin's message is very clear: cuisine is the direction of Vietnamese tourism. Mechilin's name has been very positively received by the Vietnamese market after a year, many restaurants want to affirm themselves, to be 'mirrored' through Michelin," said Mr. Sieu.

Mr. Ha Van Sieu - Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

According to Mr. Sieu, Vietnamese restaurants have a great need to be recognized by Michelin, because this brand shines globally, meaning that the value that domestic restaurants have is equivalent to other restaurants around the world.

"We highly appreciate the Mechilin Guide's solid steps, affirming the prestigious value of Vietnamese cuisine in the world," said the Deputy Director.

The viewpoint of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration is to encourage and facilitate Vietnamese restaurants to access world-class standards. Thereby promoting the image of a quality and reliable Vietnamese destination. The criteria set by Michelin can be considered a tool for Vietnamese restaurants to invest and adjust to gradually gain recognition.

Mr. Sieu also said that Vietnamese cuisine has been proactive in promoting recently. "In addition to the Michelin Guide being a global brand, Vietnam also has many awards and attractive programs," Mr. Sieu said.

Bread is completely absent.

This year, Michelin has many notable new points. It can be said that the first restaurant in Vietnam in Da Nang was awarded the Michelin Green Star. This award honors dining places that aim for sustainable cuisine and are environmentally friendly.

Nen Danang is the first restaurant in Vietnam to be awarded the Green Star award for sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

In addition, the Bib Gourmand award (good food, affordable prices) increased to 58 dining establishments, double that of last year, and there were 16 establishments from Da Nang, 5 establishments from Hanoi; and 8 establishments from Ho Chi Minh City.

Michelin also announced 99 dining establishments (including 40 new ones) listed in the Michelin “selected list”. These establishments are not yet eligible for stars or the Bib Gourmand award, but are attractive suggestions for visitors and have the potential to be upgraded in future Michelin seasons.

58 restaurants received the "Bib Gourmand" award for good food and affordable prices; banh mi is still absent from this award list.

Dozens of restaurants and eateries in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang were honored in various categories, but Vietnamese diners still wonder where banh mi is on the Mechelin map, when in its second year in Vietnam, there is still not a single restaurant/eatery selling banh mi appearing in any award?

Answering this question, Mr. Ha Van Sieu said: "Banh mi, pho or any dish are all on the strict selection process of Michelin. Once certified, that restaurant must have vitality in the future, we cannot be hasty. Michelin's way of doing things is very strict and has its own secrets. However, from the perspective of the tourism industry, in my opinion, any place or product that has appeal or concentrates a large market demand will be selected. Places with many restaurants, many special dishes, typical Michelin will seek out...".

When asked if Vietnam provides advice and direction on dishes and restaurant locations for Michelin appraisers, Mr. Sieu said that the Vietnam National Tourism Administration has worked with Michelin many times to guide Michelin in selecting destinations with many restaurants and typical dishes; at the same time contributing to the resonance and promotion of Vietnamese tourism.

"For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, a major destination with many unique restaurants, Michelin's appearance is a breakthrough move, hitting the 'headquarters' of Vietnamese cuisine. That is also our suggestion," said Mr. Sieu.

The Deputy Director added: "We also suggest to Michelin destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ha Long, Phu Quoc... which are places that attract many international visitors to Vietnam. The Michelin star certification is responded to by international tourists, international tourists will contribute to spreading and creating a trend with trusted addresses to experience and enjoy Vietnamese cuisine."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-banh-mi-hai-nam-vang-bong-o-sao-michelin-185240628081950153.htm