The renown global website www.theworlds50best.com has just released its annual “Asia’s 50 best restaurants 2021” list called “Essence of Asia” collection. 

Four restaurants from Vietnam are on the list, including Pho Bat Dan in Hanoi, Ngoc Suong Seafood restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Pizza 4P's in Ho Chi Minh City and Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen in Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam.

The "Pho Bat Dat"- a renown Hanoi specialty Photo: Phong Le

“From street vendors to champions of sustainability, from time-honoured institutions to pioneering newcomers, the Essence of Asia collection reflects the breadth of the continent’s gastronomic riches.

And at a time when the hospitality sector across Asia is emerging from a prolonged crisis, it provides travelers and gourmets with an invaluable guide to vibrant local dining spots while also celebrating some of the unsung heroes of the food community,” the website stated.

The Pho Bat Dan or Bat Dan Beef Noodle eatery is located at 49 Bat Dan street in Hanoi’s downtown district of Hoan Kiem. 

Photo: www.theworlds50best.com

According to the Theworlds50best.com, Pho Bat Dan is a small restaurant in size but mighty in reputation, with many claiming it serves the finest pho or Vietnamese traditional  noodle dish in Hanoi.

It is best known for its beef pho, served with fresh slices of stewed beef, light rice noodles and crispy, savoury doughnut sticks that are born to be dipped to soak up the broth.

Ngoc Suong Seafood & Bar is at 106 Suong Nguyet Anh, districts 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo: www.theworlds50best.com

A family-run restaurant spanning four generations, Ngoc Suong originally opened as a casual seafood eatery in coastal town of Cam Ranh in 1955 when its founder was a village chief who served his locals socially, as well as with food.

Today’s restaurant, which opened in early 2020, is more modern and refined but still serves its community by cooking for those in need and acting as a meeting place for local musicians, foodies and business people. For the full experience, try chef Vinh Le’s tasting menu with its abalone trio and deconstructed hotdog.

Pizza 4P's, Ho Chi Minh City branch is located at 8/15 Le Thanh Ton, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City. 

Photo: www.theworlds50best.com

Being a pizza restaurant with a twist, 4P’s is run by a Japanese couple and sells salmon sashimi pizza, teriyaki chicken pizza and even a vegan version with lotus and Japanese seaweed, as well as other fusion foods. While its combinations are unusual, it is a firm favourite with locals and now has 25 outposts across Vietnam.

Its owners are also local heroes, having fed front-line workers during the pandemic. The name 4P’s actually means ‘for peace’, reflecting its extensive sustainability practices and efforts to make the world a better place.

The Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen is in Hoi An town, Quang Nam province. 

Photo: Foody.vn

Hailed as the best place for banh mi in Hoi An (and possibly in all of Vietnam), this casual shop has been run by Madam Khanh for more than 30 years.

The cook, now in her 80s, makes up to 200 baguettes a day, stuffing them with spicy, succulent fillings such as fried eggs with papaya and cucumber, or pork with barbecue sauce. Once you’ve tried one, you’ll have no doubt why they call her the banh mi queen.

Since 2002, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has reflected the diversity of the world's culinary landscape. Thanks to its panel of more than 1,000 culinary experts, as well as its structured and audited voting procedure, the annual list of the world's finest restaurants provides a snapshot of some of the best destinations for unique culinary experiences, in addition to being a barometer for global gastronomic trends.

The “Essence of Asia” collection of restaurants that represent authenticity, culinary culture and community focus, presented in association with S.Pellegrino-an and Acqua Panna, two Italian natural mineral water brands.