Breaking News: Four Vietnamese Restaurants Debut in Asia’s 50 Best Inaugural “Essence of Asia” Collection

To support the recovery of the hospitality sector, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – in association with S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna – announces ‘Essence of Asia’, an unranked collection of restaurants that represents the spirit of Asian gastronomy.

The inaugural collection comprises some of Asia’s most authentic and diverse dining experiences and reflect the breadth of the region’s gastronomic scene from street food to time-honoured institutions. These establishments are integral to Asia’s culinary ecosystem and honour culinary traditions, reinvent indigenous cuisines and revive centuries-old recipes, all while playing a key role within their communities.

The collection comprises establishments in 49 cities across 20 countries and territories, stretching from Pakistan across to Japan. The collection complement the ninth edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, which will be revealed on Thursday, 25th March.

Notably, four Vietnamese establishments have been included in this collection.

The Banh Mi Queen - Madame Khanh, Hoi An

Photo credit: Fred Wissink

Famed for being the “Banh Mi” queen, Nguyễn Thị Lộc, 83, makes the best bánh mì in Hoi An—and probably all of Vietnam. Attracting tourists far and wide as well as locals alike, Lộc's shop is located 15 minutes north of the Thu Bon river and has been serving up her deliciously moreish bánh mìs for more than 30 years. People know her name and her reputation precedes her, Lộc, is a street food icon whose banh mì is a Vietnamese tourist's rite of passage. It’s safe to say, if you’re in Vietnam for one reason - let this be it.

Address: 115 Tran Cao Van Street Hoi An, Quảng Nam Province, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6:30AM–7:30PM
Price: 20,000 VND

The King of the North - Pho Gia Truyen, Hanoi

Photo credit: Fred Wissink

It’s easy to single out Pho Gia Truyen from its competition, simply look for the pho store with the longest line. Known for its clear, simple yet hearty soup, Pho Gia Truyen’s pho is packed with fresh vegetables and meat that simply puts it a cut above the rest. Standing in line and finding a seat can cost you anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour but trust us, it’s well worth the wait.

Address: Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn, 49 Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6–10am, 6–8:30PM

Ngoc Suong Seafood & Bar - Ho Chi Minh City

Photo credit: Ngoc Suong Seafood and Bar

Think Michelin standard cuisine centred around the freshest of seafood and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Ngoc Suong Seafood and Bar. Armed with four generations of culinary ingenuity and innovation as well as sleek and modern interiors, Ngoc Suong Seafood and Bar is a welcomed and obvious contender in the inaugural collection.

Address: 08 Nguyễn Siêu, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000
Opening Hours: 11am - midnight daily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ngocsuongsnb

Pizza 4P’s

Photo credit: Pizza 4P’s

An establishment that needs no introduction, Pizza 4P’s was founded in 2011 by Yosuke Masuko and Sanae Masuko and has since grown to more than 20 locations across Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang and Nha Trang. Famed for its house-made cheese using fresh cow milk, Pizza 4P’s cheeses have amassed such a clout following from Vietnamese residents and hospitality establishments alike such that it now produces 400 servings of 8 different kinds of cheese daily in its cheese studio in Don Duong, an hour away from Da Lat. If that’s not deserving of an award, I don’t know what does.

Address & Operating Hours: https://pizza4ps.com/location/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pizza4Ps/

Full ‘Essence of Asia’ List

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