Michelin Hanoi 2025: Foodie "Drama" and Twists You Won't Believe!
- Tung Pham
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
Listen up, everyone! The 2025 Michelin Guide has just dropped, and Hanoi's food scene is once again in an uproar, with chatter buzzing from fancy cafes to sidewalk iced tea stalls. This year isn't about familiar nods; it's about sharp turns and wild plot twists that have the city's foodies fiercely debating!
Let's dive into what's hot!
The Biggest Drama: Farewell to Tầm Vị's Star!
The first and biggest shock is that Tầm Vị (4B Yen The Street, Dong Da), the pride of Hanoi's "home-style cooking," has lost its prestigious star and been moved to the Bib Gourmand category.
The public immediately split into two camps:
The "Makes Sense" Camp: Many people think this is a good move. One seasoned foodie commented: "Tầm Vị is delicious, true authentic mom's cooking, but calling it 1-star was a bit of a stretch. Putting it in Bib Gourmand—great food at a reasonable price—is the perfect fit. The star should be for places that are truly groundbreaking, truly 'wow'."
The "Disappointed" Camp: But oh my, this side is huge! Lovers of traditional cuisine are heartbroken: "I can't believe it! Michelin doesn't understand the soul of Vietnamese food. The beauty of Tầm Vị is how it elevates simple, everyday dishes into a refined experience. Taking away their star is like saying our home cooking isn't good enough for the world stage."
Truly, a never-ending debate!
A New Star is Born: "Lửa" is on Fire!
To make up for the loss, we have a brand-new star: Lửa - Creative Vietnamese Kitchen (15, Lane 200 Au Co, Tay Ho). This restaurant represents a new generation of young chefs who aren't afraid to break the mold, reinterpreting Vietnamese ingredients in a completely new style.
And of course, there are two sides to this story as well:
Team "Hooray!": The youth and chefs are thrilled. "Awesome! Finally, Vietnamese cuisine in Michelin's eyes isn't just about pho and bun cha. A star for Lửa is a huge motivation for all creative chefs out there."
Team "Head Shake": The older generation is a bit skeptical: "It looks beautiful, the price is sky-high, but after eating, it just feels... foreign. It feels like eating a Western dish with Vietnamese spices, not the real taste of Hanoi."
Meanwhile, GIA (61 Van Mieu Street, Dong Da) and Hibana by Koki (at the Capella Hotel, 11 Le Phung Hieu Street, Hoan Kiem) have held onto their stars, proving their top-tier class.
Bib Gourmand: Michelin is Finally Exploring the Alleys!
This is perhaps the highlight that Hanoians are most pleased with this year. The Bib Gourmand list (great food, great value) has welcomed some names that sound instantly beloved and familiar:
Phở Bò Khôi Hói (50C Hang Vai Street, Hoan Kiem)
Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân (16 Doc Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh)
Hearing this news, everyone nodded in agreement: "See, if Khôi Hói's pho is on the list, no one can argue. It's the real, traditional deal!" or "Michelin is finally finding the 'go-to' spots for real Hanoians. This is the good stuff!"
But the joy was quickly followed by worry. A young person humorously lamented online: "Oh no, from tomorrow, I'll probably have to wait in line for half an hour for a plate of banh cuon. The price will probably jump with the star too!"
So, The Gist Is...
After catching up on all the gossip, it seems Michelin 2025 wants to play by clearer rules:
Michelin Star: Reserved for creativity, innovation, and a truly "top-of-the-top" experience.
Bib Gourmand: Honors outstanding, authentic local eateries that are also affordable.
Listening to the Locals: It's clear the inspectors have spent more time wandering the streets and diving into alleys to find the real gems.
Despite all the controversy, you have to admit that Michelin has created a vibrant playground, making us love, appreciate, and even... argue about our own beloved dishes. So, what do you think of this year's list?
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