-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org)
The World Culinary Award was given to Anan Saigon in District 1 of HCMC after it was named Asia’s greatest restaurant for the first time by industry insiders and travellers.
Anan, a restaurant owned and operated by Peter Cuong Franklin, is situated inside a former market on Ton That Dam Street next to the Bitexco Financial Tower and specialises in dishes influenced by street food.
Franklin is also well-known for creating the $100 banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich that comes with a side of fried sweet potatoes and caviar and is topped with French foie gras, truffle, sliced cucumbers, cilantro, and mint.
Reservations must be made in advance if visitors wish to enjoy a fine dining.
Banh xeo taco, a Vietnamese pancake made in the style of the central Vietnamese region and filled with shrimp and pork, as well as grilled catfish or beef stew prepared in the style of Hanoi are other dishes that have helped the restaurant earn a reputation among international foodies.
Franklin, a native of Da Lat in the Central Highlands, immigrated to the United States in 1975 and worked in banking before deciding to pursue his passion for cooking.
A U.K. business journal and digital media company called William Reed Business Media named his restaurant one of Asia’s top 100 in 2021.
