Nén Light Restaurant

We booked a full dining experience here to celebrate our anniversary. We loved the storytelling and creativity of each dish. The food presentation was stunning, with each dish resembling a work of art. The staff, particularly Huy, was very attentive and eager to explain the stories behind each dish. They also surprised us with a special gift for our anniversary, which was a thoughtful gesture that added a special touch to the experience. We loved the desserts and the bread with duck liver. However, the flavors of the other dishes were rather experimental and didn’t quite stand out. Overall we had a great time here! :)

Each course came with a photo and story, like dining in a gallery🎨 The food was excellent and the staff were attentive. We still had a great time despite being a little disappointed with the alcohol pairing. We opted for both alcohol and non alcohol pairings, but the pours were very small. After asking the server, we found out each glass was set to 50ml, something that should really be stated on the menu for the customers, as most would expect more. One drink was even served in a shot glass. It felt more like a wine tasting than a true pairing. For the price, ordering a bottle might’ve been better value.

I had dinner at Nén Light Restaurant for the first time to celebrate my birthday, and it was a memorable experience. The food stood out with its unique flavors that truly delighted my senses. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, and Mr. Học’s confident presentation added a special touch. He explained the story and ingredients behind each dish with passion, showing a deep understanding of the chef’s creative vision. This made the evening feel even more personal and enjoyable. The restaurant surprised me with a lovely birthday gift, which made the celebration extra special and left a positive first impression. However, a couple of issues did affect the evening. The waiters were a bit too eager to clear the table, even removing dishes before one of us had finished eating, which felt rushed and disruptive. The biggest concern was the noise from a nearby table of four Chinese customers, who were very loud throughout their meal. It was difficult to focus on our dining experience, and the noise significantly impacted the atmosphere. When I raised this with the staff, I was told the guests didn’t speak English and had already been asked to lower their volume. However, as I left, I spoke to the group directly and discovered that one of them spoke English fluently. They apologized sincerely, which I appreciated, but it was disappointing that the staff had not handled the situation properly or been honest with me. Despite this, the food and thoughtful details from the restaurant made my first visit a memorable one. I hope the staff can improve their handling of such situations in the future to ensure an even better experience for all diners.

Nén transforms traditional Vietnamese ingredients into creative dishes. Fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and modern presentation come together in every plate. We had a great time celebrating our anniversary here and I highly recommend Nen for anyone seeking a refined dining experience with calm and elegant atmosphere!

Hidden Gem! We landed in HCMC and we thought whats the best place to start the trip off with a bang, Nen Light. Staff and service was amazing, staff spoke both English and Vietnamese so you don't have to stress about the language barrier. Each dish that came out we loved, the story the presentation, the taste. Everyone at the table was speechless, we love every bit of it. We look forward to coming back again!

Dining at Nen Light Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City was a unique and immersive experience. The carefully curated menu not only showcased exceptional culinary skill but also carried a thoughtful narrative, with each dish telling its own story. The journey through each course was beautifully enhanced by decorative, colorful cards accompanying the dishes, adding depth and connection to the dining experience. These artistic cards provided insights into the inspiration behind each creation, allowing us to appreciate the thought and creativity involved. The attention to detail extended beyond the food. The staff were attentive and well-versed, providing thorough explanations of each dish and ensuring that every part of our dining experience was seamless. The ambiance was equally impressive, with a warm and inviting vibe that made us feel relaxed and fully engaged with the evening. Every element—from the flavors on the plate to the visual presentation and storytelling—came together to create a memorable experience. Nen Light is more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where food, art, and storytelling blend harmoniously, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy innovative dining in Ho Chi Minh City. I captured photos of each dish and the accompanying cards, which serve as beautiful reminders of this unique culinary journey.

Curated & created by Chef Patron Summer Le, Nen Light offers a tranquil dining experience with an “hyper” focus on local ingredients. The setting is serene, the service is subtle yet attentive with Restaurant Manager Sena Le at the helm offering thoughtful explanations for the raison d’etre of his place and the inspiration behind each and every dish. Summer’s mission to elevate and accentuate exclusively Vietnamese ingredients was the reason for Michelin’s recognition and this approach shone thru last night on the plate. The Sea Urchin and Banana|Rhizome was beautifully executed & we could almost taste the ocean from the blue scampi|eggshell. The eel fish|tofu was delightfully layered & textured with the scallop|rice field crab the surprise & delight of the evening thru the cleverness of the construction of its components. The Longan honey|strawberry brought the curtain down on the 9-course meal with aplomb showing delicious depth of flavour set upon a panacotta taste trampoline. We also enjoyed am esoteric non-alcohol drinks pairing showcasing local components such as plum, perilla, cascara, cactus and Ninh Thuan grapes. Food: 9 course 2,570, 7 course 2,090, 6 course (veg) 1,750 (++) Drinks: Alcohol 7 glasses 1,400, Non Alcohol 5 glasses 800 (++)

Really high expectations - left really disappointed. We cancelled another reservation at a really popular place to come here having read reviews and seen it was Michelin selected. The meal started off well. First few courses were tasty and interesting. From here it went downhill. The noodles with eggshell in them were inedible the texture was just too much to handle for anyone. The next course was described as a snail to us in the description while the flavour was good the texture was again too difficult to stomach. Finally the third main course dish was chicken and rice. On its own it was pleasant however little flavour. You then added an option of different spices. We started eating this dry before the waiter then poured green tea over it. Hard to tell if this was supposed to be dry and then wet or wet all along. Finally dessert was ok and an improvement on the main courses. At the end of the meal we were asked for ‘reflections’ on the courses. We were very open on our feelings that we had been disappointed by the middle courses and wrote this down. These thoughts were taken away and seemingly thrown in the bin given the lack of response or acknowledgement from the team. We did challenge the management on this that having not really enjoyed our meal would they be willing to make an offer to reduce the bill. Not about the money but more about the gesture/principal. The response was a reduction of 10% - we found this quite insulting and not at all the service we are accustomed to. It’s definitely experimental if that’s what you want to try but just be warned that you may be left disappointed. As an aside the beer we were served was out of date. They replaced my bottle because I pointed it out but not my wife’s who was probably the same.