Surprised by the person behind the vegetarian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City honored by Michelin for 2 consecutive years

Du Yen Vegetarian Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City has been honored by Michelin Guide for two consecutive years. The owner behind it is a face that surprises many people.

Du Yen is one of the rare vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, although it is a "newbie", it quickly "caught the eye" of Michelin Guide reviewers, and was honored twice in a row in the Michelin Selected category (recommended by Michelin). What is special about this vegetarian restaurant?

The Michelin Guide has praised the beautiful butterfly flower spring rolls with edible pansies, which are one of the "best-sellers" of the vegetarian restaurant Du Yen.

Photo: Cao An Bien

Peace in the city

In the hot summer, we stopped by Du Yen vegetarian restaurant, nestled under the cool green trees in Thao Dien area (An Khanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City) and unexpectedly found peace in the quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

We first learned about Du Yen nearly 2 years ago, when this restaurant was unexpectedly honored by the Michelin guide. Curious about a young vegetarian restaurant that, despite being opened less than a year ago, had already made the anonymous Michelin reviewers "fall in love", we went to enjoy it.

Restaurant nestled under the cool green trees in Thao Dien area

Photo: Cao An Bien

Located in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of the city, the restaurant has 2 floors with a rustic, luxurious space. The diverse menu includes Vietnamese dishes along with European, Asian and Thai options.

Butterfly flower spring rolls are attractive and beautiful spring rolls with edible pansy flowers. Served with peanut dipping sauce, it goes well with crunchy vegetables. Hue cake tray with vegetarian version of famous Hue cakes, wrapped in banana leaves, dipped in fish sauce.

Michelin Guide

Many diners, including me, are curious about the identity of the "person behind" Du Yen and ask: "Who is the owner of this vegetarian restaurant and what is their secret to being honored by the Michelin Guide after only opening for 1 year?"

According to Thanh Nien , Du Yen vegetarian restaurant is the brainchild of the famous former national football player Nguyen Viet Thang, currently the head coach of Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc Club, and his wife, Ngoc Anh. This has been Ngoc Anh's dream for 10 years, but 3 years ago was the right time for her and Nguyen Viet Thang to realize that idea.

Ms. Ngoc Anh shared that she has been a vegetarian for many years, for the health benefits. In addition, she loves the beauty of Thao Dien area, green, fresh, peaceful, separate from the hustle and bustle of the city. That is also the reason why the restaurant is located here, with the owner's wish that when customers come to dine, they will "dispel their worries with Du Yen".

Peaceful and gentle space at Du Yen vegetarian restaurant

Photo: Cao An Bien

The appeal of butterfly flower spring rolls

Talking about the secret to being honored by the Michelin Guide and loved by many diners, the vegetarian restaurant owner said it all lies in the quality of the products and the dedication that she and her restaurant team put into each dish served to customers.

"Honestly, I'm just a "newbie" who entered the F&B field a few years ago, after the Covid-19 pandemic. I don't have much experience in this field, what I have is passion. I've put all my love into the restaurant. Many people think that behind Du Yen must be an experienced owner in F&B, but that's not the truth," Ngoc Anh expressed.

Sticking to meditation and vegetarianism while pursuing a "healthy eating, healthy living" lifestyle for many years, owner Du Yen said that she has had many experiences with vegetarian cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and in Vietnam in general. Those experiences have helped her and her husband devote all their efforts to developing the vegetarian restaurant and gaining the reputation it has today.

Photo: Cao An Bien

The menu at the vegetarian restaurant has about 70 dishes.

Photo: NHCC

"I am a lover of beauty, so in the colorful vegetarian dishes at Du Yen, every dish must be aesthetically pleasing. With my vegetarian culinary experiences, I also have certain standards for the flavors of the dishes and of course, any vegetarian dish on the menu must first conquer my taste, must be meticulous and be the pride of the restaurant," the owner added.

Currently, Du Yen has about 70 dishes, with prices ranging from 90,000 - 160,000 VND/dish, with vegetarian hot pot dishes at the restaurant costing 300,000 - 400,000 VND. Every 3 - 4 months, the restaurant will launch many new dishes to refresh the culinary experience of customers.

The restaurant said that besides Vietnamese customers, 50% of the diners are foreigners from China, Korea, India, America, Europe... One of the famous dishes and considered a "best seller" at this vegetarian restaurant is butterfly flower spring rolls.

Photo: NHCC

Indian mushroom puff pastry is a vegetarian version of the famous Indian Pani Puri. The native dish has a hollow, puffed-up dough shell. The chef then makes a hole to stuff it with mashed potatoes, sauteed chicken, green peas, onions, and a spicy, sour, and sweet pani sauce. Du Yen restaurant's version has a variation, replacing the filling with chopped, sauteed straw mushrooms, decorating the shell with butterfly flowers and desiccated coconut, and omitting the pani sauce.

Photo: NHCC

Butterfly Spring Rolls include carrots, lettuce, eggs, vermicelli noodles and pansies (pansies) as the highlight of both appearance and flavor, creating a light sourness. This dish has peanut sauce as a dipping sauce. In addition, lotus petal rolls, baked bell peppers, and tat bat are also among the dishes that many diners choose to enjoy when visiting the restaurant.

Actor Huy Khanh, one of the restaurant's regular customers, said that he is not a vegetarian. However, the vegetarian dishes at Du Yen are good for health, made from vegetables, tubers, fruits, mushrooms, etc., not only eye-catching in appearance but also have fresh and unique flavors, making him a regular customer of the restaurant.

Diners enthusiastically enjoy their meals at Du Yen

Photo: Cao An Bien

"All the dishes that the restaurant serves are beautiful, I can't bear to eat them! Once I eat them, I love the taste and come back many times. The vegetarian dishes at Du Yen are rich and suitable for Vietnamese taste," commented actor Huy Khanh.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bat-ngo-voi-nguoi-dung-sau-nha-hang-chay-tphcm-duoc-michelin-vinh-danh-2-nam-lien-185250731073217252.htm