Anan Saigon named Asia’s best restaurant at World Culinary Awards

Located inside an old market on Ton That Dam Street near Bitexco Financial Tower, Anan specializes in street food-inspired dishes created by its owner and chef, Peter Cuong Franklin.

Franklin is also famous for inventing the $100 banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) that is topped off with French foie gras, a traditional garnish of sliced cucumbers, cilantro and mint and served with a side of fried sweet potatoes and caviar.

If tourists want to experience a fine dining banh mi, advance booking is required.

 

 

Anan Saigon named Asia’s best restaurant at World Culinary Awards

A fine dining banh mi

Other dishes that have helped the restaurant gain a reputation among international foodies are banh xeo taco, a dish consisting of a central Vietnamese region-style banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) folded into the shape of a Mexican taco and filled with shrimp and pork, Hanoi-style grilled catfish or beef stew.

Born in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat, Franklin migrated to the U.S. in 1975 and had a career in banking before deciding to follow his passion for food.

In 2021 his restaurant was named among Asia’s 100 best by William Reed Business Media, a U.K. business magazine and digital media company.