At the Michelin Guide ceremony in Hanoi on June 4, Pho Bo Au Trieu and Mau Dich No.37 were removed from the Bib Gourmand list, which recognizes restaurants offering high-quality food at reasonable prices.
Both establishments were included in the category in 2025.
According to Michelin, Bib Gourmand restaurants are selected for offering quality meals at reasonable prices. Inspectors evaluate venues based on five criteria: the chef’s personality reflected in the cuisine, flavor harmony, mastery of cooking techniques, ingredient quality, and consistency over time and across the menu.
Eight other restaurants were also removed from the Michelin Selected list this year: 3G Trois Gourmands, Lai, Octo Tapas Restobar, Olivia Dining, and Oryz in Ho Chi Minh City; as well as El Gaucho, Etēsia and Maison 1929 in Hanoi.
The restaurants’ profiles are no longer available on the Michelin Guide website.
Michelin Selected list recognizes restaurants that impress Michelin Guide inspectors with its outstanding food, but have not received a star of Bib Gourmand distinction. The list is evaluated on ingredient quality, cooking, flavor balance, the chef’s style, and consistency.
Michelin has not provided any explanation for their removal.
Many observers argue that a restaurant’s removal from the Michelin Guide does not necessarily indicate a decline in food quality. Rather, it may reflect the fact that the establishment no longer meets certain evaluation standards or criteria applied during Michelin’s latest inspection.
Chef Nic Vanderbeeken, who has worked at both one- and two-star Michelin restaurants, once said possible factors may include a decline in culinary quality, changes in kitchen staff, closures, inconsistent service, or hygiene issues.
Former Michelin inspector Pascal Remy once revealed that inspectors are often overwhelmed by the volume of restaurants requiring evaluation.
Two restaurants in Vietnam received Michelin stars this year, taking the total number of establishments rated with one star in the country since 2023 to 11.
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