Netizens argue over Pho Khoi Hoi and Bun Bo Hue 14B chosen by Michelin

Man Moi is a new name in this year's Bib Gourmand list - Photo: FBNH

This is one of the questions after Michelin Guide announced the list of dining establishments in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi named in the Bib Gourmand category on June 20.

The Bib Gourmand category recognizes restaurants that have "good food and affordable prices."

The list caused mixed opinions.

According to information from Michelin Guide, this year, there are 18 establishments in Hanoi and 24 establishments in Ho Chi Minh City on this list.

Notably, there are 5 new names in Hanoi on this list, including Bun Cha Chan, Luk Lak, Dong Thinh Eel Vermicelli, Mr Bay Mien Tay, and Pho Khoi Hoi.

8 new names in Ho Chi Minh City include Banh Xeo 46A, Bo Kho Ganh, Bun Bo Hue 14B, Nha Tu, Man Moi (Thu Duc City), Vi Que Kitchen, Tiem Com Tho Chuyen Ky, Sol Kitchen & Bar.

In addition to the Bib Gourmand, Michelin Guide Special Awards, Michelin Selected Dining Establishments, and the most coveted Michelin Star Dining Establishments will also be announced on this occasion.

Among them, the Bib Gourmand list is causing a lot of controversy. Besides some convincing names that have received a lot of sympathy such as Hu Tieu Hong Phat, Pho Minh, Pho Hoang, Man Moi, Com Tho Chuyen Ky, Bo Kho Ganh, Nha Tu..., many Vietnamese people think that this list is still inadequate.

According to the schedule, the restaurants selected by Michelin Guide in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will be officially announced on June 27 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Xoi Bat and Vi Que Kitchen are named in the Bib Gourmand category - Photo: FBNH

Each person has their own taste

Many local eateries that meet the two criteria in the Bib Gourmand category, and are loved by many Vietnamese, are not on the list. Meanwhile, some addresses that were included in the list (old and new) by Michelin appraisers, a group of Vietnamese people strongly criticized.

According to them, this stems from the fact that "Michelin appraisers do not understand local culture".

On the Saigon Dining Guide group, Tan Nhan commented "first time knowing about Bun Bo 14B restaurant" in District 4.

According to this person, compared to Bun Bo 14B, many bun bo restaurants in the central area of ​​District 1 or District 3 have "up to 8,888 big and small bun bo restaurants to choose from".

For example: From Nam Giao on De Tham street to Ut Hung on Tu Xuong street (now moved to Tran Quoc Toan). Or the "legendary" Ngu Binh under Cong Ly bridge, Co Nhu's floating beef noodle soup with pork fat in alley 274 Vo Van Tan, "bankside" beef noodle soup with pork fat 725 Hoang Sa...

Tu's House - the establishment named in this year's Bib Gourmand - Photo: FBNH

Many people also shared that out of 24 establishments, there are… 8 pho shops. Meanwhile, "the culinary soul of Saigon is bread, broken rice, hu tieu, bun bo...", "Saigon has many delicious broken rice shops, but why is there only Ba Ghien broken rice this year"...

On the Pho Week Club group - a forum for pho lovers in Hanoi, many people also commented enthusiastically about the establishments that made the shortlist this time.

"Pho Ga Nguyet's broth is bland", "Get rid of Khoi Toc Long (Pho Khoi), I don't know what's so good about it", "Pho Ly Quoc Su and Pho Khoi Hoi's quality has gone down a lot, the service attitude is inconsistent", "Bun Cha Ta is really funny on the list",...

Ganh Beef Stew, Chuyen Ky Rice Shop, Luk Luk were selected - Photo: FBNH

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Thai Chau (35 years old) - one of the two owners of Bun Bo Hue 14B restaurant in District 4 - shared that he himself was "very surprised when his restaurant was chosen because this is a very normal restaurant".

"I think there are many restaurants that are more delicious and beautifully presented than mine. To explain, I guess the only way to explain is luck," said Mr. Chau.

Last year, Ba Ghien Broken Rice was also on the Bib Gourmand list and caused controversy, with many people saying the restaurant did not meet the criteria to be honored. Responding to Tuoi Tre Online at that time, Mr. Truong Vinh Thuy (41 years old) - the restaurant owner - said that diners have to come to see it to appreciate it.

"I can guarantee that in Saigon, there is no restaurant that sells a lunch box for 81,000 VND that has a piece of rib as big as mine. My rib weighs about 4.5 ounces on average, some even weigh 5 ounces. I get fresh, hot meat every day," Mr. Thuy shared.

Commenting under the article about Ba Ghien broken rice on Tuoi Tre Online, many readers also said that the restaurant did not meet the criteria to be included in Bib Gourmand - Photo: TRAM MAC

According to Mr. Thuy, since 1995, his mother, Mrs. Nguyen Ngoc Diep, has been selling rice with very large ribs. Later, he increased the size of the ribs to the current size, with the purpose of using it as a signature dish for the restaurant.

Why is there a gap between the "taste" of many Vietnamese people and that of Michelin appraisers?

Some people think that these judges are looking at Vietnamese cuisine through the eyes of a foreign tourist and so do not know all the good restaurants.

On the other hand, each person has a different taste. One person says it's delicious, but another person may not. Praise and criticism are completely normal.

Therefore, the list of establishments named in the Bib Gourmand category in particular, as well as other categories, is for reference only.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dan-mang-cai-nhau-vi-pho-khoi-hoi-bun-bo-hue-14b-duoc-michelin-chon-20240621151947721.htm