Excited about the series of new restaurants opening in Ho Chi Minh City.

After causing a stir in Hanoi, Mak Mak Thai has made its presence in Vạn Hạnh Mall (District 10). The restaurant space is spacious, blending dynamism and elegance with its melamine green tone. The menu features over 100 dishes prepared by Thai chefs. Flavors are tailored to Vietnamese tastes while maintaining their characteristic richness and spiciness. Not limited to Thai milk tea or Thai tamarind tea, there are many creative beverages available here such as mango sticky rice smoothie, Thai coconut milk tea… The restaurant opens from 10 am to 10 pm, with prices ranging from 45,000 VND per dish. Photo: Mak Mak Thai.

Midam is a Korean BBQ restaurant with a minimalist style located on Thi Sach Street (District 1). Dominated by black tones, the space is divided into 5 floors with large glass doors overlooking the city. The restaurant focuses on premium beef cuts such as ribeye, ribs, tenderloin… The meat is dry-aged to preserve freshness and natural flavor. The panchan counter offers a variety of options constantly replenished for a seamless dining experience. However, the food may take a bit long to arrive. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 11 pm, with prices ranging from 170,000 VND to 1.7 million VND. Photo: Jessi, Midam BBQ.

Chillhouse on Mai Chi Tho Street (Thu Duc City) specializes in fusion Asian-European cuisine with nearly 100 dishes prepared in various styles. While portions are not generous, they are intricately arranged, with flavors leaning slightly towards the salty side. The restaurant is divided into 2 separate areas, with the upper part elegantly designed in soothing cream tones and the lower part offering an open-air space. Diners can choose outdoor seating for sunset views. The restaurant is open from 4 pm to 11 pm, with prices ranging from 59,000 to 430,000 VND per dish. Photo: Chillhouse.

Located in the Thao Dien complex (Thu Duc City), Dotori Dining has a small yet cozy space with low ceilings. The restaurant uses wooden furniture and projects Anime films on the wall, transporting diners to Japan. The menu offers a limited selection, focusing on signature dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun such as tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), tornado omelette, mazemen (brothless ramen)… Flavors are creatively tweaked with prices ranging from 100,000 to 250,000 VND per dish. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 10 pm, but tables fill up quickly, so diners are advised to make reservations. Photo: Dotori Dining.

Zumwhere stands out on Dong Du Street (District 1) with its "izakaya" culinary style from Japan. The space comprises 3 floors, each table illuminated with yellow lights and adorned with woven furnishings. The menu focuses on Japanese dishes, with traditional flavors presented in a modern setting. Bestsellers include sashimi, miso salmon, and salad. Additionally, the restaurant serves a selection of Asian-European dishes for variety. With prices ranging from 59,000 to 1.3 million VND, portions are relatively small. The restaurant opens from 10 am to 2 am daily. Photo: Zumwhere Dong Du.

Inspired by the universe and caves, Smith’s Kitchen & Bar features a curved metal ceiling design and large glass windows overlooking the city's landmarks. The warm space is lit with yellow lights. The menu offers a diverse range of cuisines, predominantly European and Vietnamese. The simple yet pleasing arrangement is eye-catching. Flavors are generally pleasing, although some dishes may not suit Vietnamese tastes. Located on Le Lai Street (District 1), the restaurant opens from 6 am to 11 pm, with prices ranging from 80,000 to 668,000 VND per dish. Photo: Khanh Nguyen, Smith’s Kitchen & Bar.

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