Nguyễn Thanh Hà

The prestigious Michelin Guide has again listed the leading Quán Ăn Ngon and Ngon Garden restaurants on their culinary map, for a second year running.

Owned by the Phúc Hưng Thịnh Co., these two eating establishments are a beloved restaurants for locals, dignities and also foreign foodies and visitors to Việt Nam.

Since officially arriving in Việt Nam last year, the Michelin Guide has become a must-read food bible for discerning Vietnamese diners, particularly foodies. On Friday (June 27), the Guide once again listed famed restaurants across the country including Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and HCM City.

The new green rice decoration attracts a lot of diners to Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant in Hà Nội. — Photos courtesy of Quán Ăn Ngon restaurant chain

Being the world’s most reputable culinary handbook, Michelin Guide rates restaurants via its 'Star System'. Those who earn a coveted listing are valued and rated based on five global criteria which include: materials, cooking skills, harmonious taste, how the chef’s personality translates into his dishes, the consistent quality of those dishes and across the whole menu.

Oversea Vietnamese Dương Lệ Mẫn from the UK said that every time she returns to Hà Nội for her business, she invites commercial partners to have lunch or dinner at Quán Ăn Ngon or Ngon Garden.

Skilled chefs are lauded for cooking tasty great dishes to serve dinners and foodies.

“At these restaurants we not only enjoy amazing dishes from the country’s three regions, but also seasonal decorations such as flower gardens or now a green rice field. We feel as if we are in the nature of countryside that is now located in the heart of the capital. It is so relaxing.”

Trần Ngọc Phượng who lives in Hà Nội's suburb Ba Vì District said recently she was invited by her younger sister to enjoy dishes at Quán Ăn Ngon.

“Just entering the restaurant gate, we immediately enjoyed smelling ripe sticky rice surrounding us with a familiar fragrance, as if we were in the countryside. Walking near the rice field which is turning a beautiful yellow colour, I couldn’t hold back my strong emotions to ask why the restaurant owner can bring such a large rice field (although the rice has been planted in large tanks) into the heart of the capital like this. I just thought I was lost in the ripe rice of my childhood. It was so great,” said Phượng.

A high-ranking chef at Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant prepares dishes to serve guests.

Phượng’s younger sister Lê Hoài An, who is a familiar customer of these restaurants, said she likes Ngon Garden’s seasonal decorations which reflect not only traditional style but also the owner’s passion, love and delicate nature.

“At Ngon Garden, diners can enjoy not only abundant quality dishes but also experience beautiful landscape such as the road of flowers or the green rice field,” An said, adding: "It is so much more relaxing and is nothing like anywhere else in the capital."

She said enjoying the rice field at Ngon Garden Restaurant, her childhood memories have rushed back. “It helps me to remember my path to school which is in between the large rice fields with herds of buffaloes, images of our Quang Minh Village in Hà Nội’s Ba Vì District and cheerful farmers harvesting the ripe rice.”

Dinners to Ngon Garden Restaurant at 70 Nguyễn Du Street are interested in delicious dishes and also lanterns and rice field road to their tables.

An says she and her family are long-term fans of these restaurants.

“We enjoy dishes including desserts at these restaurants every weekend or to celebrate family anniversaries."

She also recommends the venues to her friends and when it comes to organising a party, these are the only two names on her lips when choosing the right venue to combine fine foods with a vibrant atmosphere.

An also expressed her great thanks to the restaurant owner who is also an inventor and creator of these beautiful decorations and tasty great dishes.

A cool and beautiful arranged corner of Ngon Garden Restaurant.

A group of foreign foodies from France said it’s hard for them to find other restaurants serving with abundant specialties by skilled chefs like at Ngon Garden where they can experience a large garden decorated with many rare and specious flowers, looking over to the romantic Thiền Quang Lake. They can also discover ancient French rooms named Sapa, Long Biên and Mùa Gặt, as well as look at valuable Vietnamese paintings displaying at the restaurant.

The six-year old restaurant has welcomed many high-ranking delegations from North Korea, France, Luxembourg and many other countries.

The delegates said they would never forget the restaurant for its special dishes that all carry Việt Nam’s own characteristics, and cannot compare to food served elsewhere. Many of them have promised to return as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, a painter Phan Hùng Thắng said he likes Ngon Garden Restaurant for its Indochina architecture. It preserves traditional style, but within a contemporary context.

“Located at one of most beautiful streets in Hà Nội, Ngon Garden is a beloved place for big events such as cultural exchange and party celebrations of artists and intellectualities,” said Thắng.

Lẩu bông (Hemibagus fish hotpot with fresh flowers and vegetables) is one of most beloved dishes by foodies.

Owner of these restaurants, Phạm Bích Hạnh said apart from serving gourmets with the most tasty and delicious dishes, her big wish is to bring foodies with great feeling and experience through decorations from the past to present.

Winning Michelin Guide recognition for Hạnh’s two eateries for the second time is a great pride for her and all of her staff at these restaurants, she said.

With ideals of bringing special culinary flavours from the country’s three regions to fostering Vietnamese soul in the heart of Hà Nội, Quán Ăn Ngon is always an ideal place for Vietnamese to meet and unite together to enjoy traditional specialties and express their love for their homeland, and also for foreign visitors to enjoy most Vietnamese tasty dishes.

Hạnh’s spirited menu of 'From Street To Table' includes some hundreds of dishes with their own characteristics and flavours that have served millions of diners and food lovers from inside and outside the country over the past 20 years.

Recognition from Michelin is proof Hạnh’s hard work, and the amazing efforts of all her team have really paid off.

She said: "For me and all culinary creators, a Michelin award is a dream we all hope to one day turn into reality.

“We are proud of these awards so much, but we won’t rest on laurels. We have to use this as a springboard to improve our dishes even more to bring Vietnamese cuisine to the rest of the world,” Hạnh said. — VNS