Michelin-recommended Hanoi restaurant offers a 'homecoming' experience

The 40-square-meter Chao Ban Restaurant has been recognized three times by the Michelin Guide in the Bib Gourmand category for its delicious, affordable food and its philosophy of making diners feel at home.

According to manager Phan Phuong Linh, the grilled pork with moc mat leaves (pictured) is one of the three best-selling dishes. At lunchtime, the meat is oven-roasted, while in the evening, it's grilled over charcoal outdoors. A serving costs 260,000 VND.

Located at 98 To Ngoc Van Street, Hanoi, Chao Ban Restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine and has received the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand award (good quality, good value cooking) three times.

Owner Helen Hoai chose the name "Chao Ban," meaning "Hello Friend," to create a welcoming atmosphere. "I want guests to feel like they're coming home and being welcomed," she said.

The second best-selling dish is pomelo salad with dried shrimp and prawns (pictured). Upon completion, each dish is placed on a stainless steel tray hung at the kitchen window for servers to collect. The pomelo salad is priced at 160,000 VND.

Married to a French chef, Hoai has dined at Michelin-starred and recommended restaurants internationally. She enjoyed these experiences and dreamed of owning a Michelin-recognized restaurant herself.

In 2023, three years after opening, her dream came true when Chao Ban received the Bib Gourmand award.

"I was very happy and honored," she said, acknowledging the ongoing need to improve service.

Video of Chao Ban Restaurant.

The restaurant is located on the first floor of a building and spans nearly 40 square meters, including a patio area. It seats 32 guests and offers a core menu of 32 dishes available year-round.

According to manager Phan Phuong Linh, the 32-item menu was chosen to match the number of seats. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition to the core menu, seasonal specials are offered. This summer's five new dishes include fresh spring rolls with pork, Hanoi fish cakes, Hanoi bun cha, stir-fried water spinach with garlic, and lotus seed and red apple sweet soup. Prices for these specials start at 85,000 VND.

The special menu items have limited daily availability. A new special menu is introduced every two to three months.

Since receiving the Michelin recognition in 2023, the restaurant has seen its customer base double. International guests make up 90%, primarily from China, Japan, Korea, the US, and Europe. Regular customers account for 50-70% of the clientele.

Nguyen Truc Van, 22, said this was her third lunch visit. She often comes with a Chinese friend who introduced her to the restaurant.

Van favors the grilled ribs, while her friend prefers the traditional spring rolls.

Grilled pork ribs served with rice (pictured) are another signature dish. Head chef Pham Thi Thu Hang explained that the ribs are fresh loin ribs, with the end bone removed, marinated in soy sauce, black pepper, and honey for 30 minutes, and then simmered until tender for 45 minutes.

The ribs and rice dish starts at 210,000 VND and includes a dessert.

The restaurant has 13 staff members, including three assistant chefs and head chef Hang. The kitchen area is over 10 square meters. Hang prepares all dishes, from savory to sweet.

Hang, Hoai, and the restaurant manager create the 32-item core menu.

Hang has 28 years of culinary experience, including 14 years at the Metropole Hotel.

All ingredients are purchased fresh each morning and used within the day, with Hang overseeing quality control.

Braised pork belly with eggs is another customer favorite. A serving with rice starts at 210,000 VND. To maintain freshness, the restaurant purchases just enough ingredients for each day, avoiding freezing or overnight storage.

"We estimate the daily customer flow, so we cook just enough and don't have leftovers," Hoai said.