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The Bib Gourmand is a Michelin award given to restaurants and eateries that offer high-quality food at affordable prices. It is considered a more "humble" sibling of Michelin stars, focusing on familiar dishes that are skillfully prepared and offer good value for money.
Since 2023, Ky Dong chicken noodle soup has consistently received this Michelin award. This is a recognition from experts for the dedication of Mr. Nguyen Van Duc - the second generation of the family, who is currently directly managing the quality and service of Ky Dong chicken noodle soup.
The Michelin awards for 2023 and 2024 are displayed near the restaurant's entrance; the Michelin award for 2025 is currently being transported from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
From a roadside food cart to a Michelin-awarded restaurant.
Without fancy furniture or elaborate decorations, this small alley at 14 Ky Dong Street, Ho Chi Minh City, is always bustling with people coming and going, like an unending stream of taste and memories.
Ky Dong Chicken Pho & Vermicelli is located at 14/5Bis Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
That tradition has lasted for nearly 50 years, since the days when Mrs. Mot – Duc's mother – used to push her cart selling pho, vermicelli, and broth by the roadside. The image of Mrs. Mot on Ky Dong Street after 1975 has become a familiar part of the memories of the people of District 3.
Since that day, Mrs. Mot's hands have transformed a humble eatery into a familiar address, winning the hearts of generations of Saigonese. Even when the restaurant moved into a deeper alley with a more spacious layout, customers continued to frequent it regularly.
Despite being located in an alley, the restaurant still attracts many diners who come to enjoy the food.
Gradually, Mrs. Mot began to adjust the flavors, expanding the menu with pho noodles, vermicelli, and many other types of noodles, harmonizing traditional seasoning with the culinary tastes of customers from all over the country. The broth was also adjusted to be clear, rich in pho flavor, subtle yet profound.
Having weathered the elements for nearly half a century, from a small pushcart on the roadside, the family has opened a restaurant that, while not overly luxurious, is spacious and airy, serving customers all day long, from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. The restaurant has a total of 30 tables with a capacity of approximately 100 customers, and is regularly cleaned to ensure a clean environment for future diners. The kitchen is located outside so customers can see the food preparation process firsthand. A staff member is on duty to supervise parking, allowing customers to enjoy their meal with peace of mind.
The restaurant space is spacious and bright, and is regularly cleaned by staff to ensure hygiene.
Maintaining quality through every ingredient.
The bowl of pho at this restaurant is visually appealing and its aroma captivates diners with its clear, sweet broth, tender and chewy chicken, and golden-brown skin. What makes the restaurant special is the chicken, according to Mr. Duc – it must be carefully selected free-range chicken, with sweet and firm meat, not mushy like factory-farmed chicken. The chicken is imported fresh daily from a facility with food safety and hygiene certification; when steamed, the skin is golden, glossy, and succulent.
The broth at the restaurant is always kept boiling hot, emitting a fragrant aroma throughout the day. The broth is made with chicken bones and simmered continuously for 4-5 hours at a time, using a secret family recipe and seasoning. Importantly, no additives or sweeteners are used, resulting in a distinctive flavor that is very popular with customers.
The pot of chicken bone broth is always kept warm in the processing area.
The rice noodles, vermicelli, and other toppings such as quail eggs and chicken gizzards are all freshly sourced daily and have food safety certifications. "Although the cost is much higher than sourcing from other suppliers, ensuring hygiene is our top priority," shared Mr. Duc, the owner of the restaurant.
Flavors that evoke memories
For generations, the flavor of Ky Dong chicken noodle soup has left an unforgettable impression on food lovers, especially those living far from home. It's not just about the delicious taste; it's also about evoking a whole realm of memories.
The authentic flavor of the pho at Ky Dong evokes memories for many regular customers.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, diners can choose their preferred type of noodles: pho, vermicelli, egg noodles, or instant noodles. The staff, always wearing gloves, nimbly chop the chicken, debone it, pour in the broth, and sprinkle with chopped scallions and fried shallots. The bowl of chicken pho or vermicelli is still steaming and fragrant when it reaches the customer, evoking memories of childhood or youth.
“It was a cool Saigon morning about two decades ago, sitting and eating smooth, soft pho and vermicelli noodles, with a piece of sweet, tender, slightly chewy chicken, and slurping up spoonfuls of broth until my stomach was full before cycling to school,” shared Nguyen Tran Hieu, a resident of District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, whose house is about 1.5 km from Ky Dong chicken pho and vermicelli restaurant.
The live food preparation area, where visitors can observe the steps involved in making a bowl of vermicelli or pho.
Located in the heart of District 3, Ky Dong Chicken Noodle Soup offers affordable prices: a small bowl for 55,000 VND and a large bowl for 65,000 VND. Additionally, diners can order a special bowl with various toppings at their desired price, or a plate of chicken salad for 100,000 VND to enjoy a unique flavor.
Having experienced a childhood of hardship, growing up alongside his mother's food cart, Duc – the successor to the restaurant – always cherishes the image of his hardworking mother and the fragrant aroma of the broth every morning. This has become his motivation to preserve the authentic flavor of the dish as a way of honoring his mother's legacy. Thanks to this unwavering commitment, Ky Dong Chicken Noodle Soup has not only won over diners near and far but has also been honored three times by Michelin for its consistent flavor, guaranteed food safety and hygiene, and the trust of generations of diners for nearly 50 years.
Many customers from near and far, including regulars and elderly patrons, frequently return to the restaurant.
"In the course of serving, shortcomings are inevitable. I always hope to receive understanding and constructive feedback from customers so that the restaurant can improve," Mr. Duc shared sincerely - just as his family has preserved every bowl of pho, every drop of broth, over the years.
