Ho Chi Minh City gets one Michelin star
Saigon, the only restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City awarded with one Michelin star, is located in an inconspicuous alley. Unlike other Michelin restaurants, customers at Saigon do not necessarily need to order a complete set meal. They can order a la carte and combine the dishes according to their appetite. Before eating, my companion and I shared a bowl of noodles at a nearby snack stand before entering the restaurant.
The first dish, Duck & Banana Blossom Salad, can be said to be the most Vietnamese-flavored dish among the four dishes we ordered; the second dish, Salmon Caviar Waffle Tart, is the most famous dish of the restaurant. It has a crispy crust and melt-in-the-mouth filling. It makes people finish it without realizing it. It is quite special and worth a try. The third dish, Grilled Squid, was pretty average. I felt like I could find it outside, except that the sauce was slightly different. Finally, the Crab Fried Rice was pretty good. Mixing everything together and eating it together was delicious and filling.
There are quite a variety of drinks. The environment on the third floor is similar to a bar, where you can see the bartender making the drinks for you on the spot. As for the first and second floors, they are more like restaurants. If you want a complete set, you will dine here.
All in all, it’s an interesting Michelin one-star experience. People who have never tried a Michelin restaurant may want to use this as a starting point!