CieL Dining — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

CieL (Ho Chi Minh City): Innovative Cuisine with Vietnamese Soul CieL, a recently awarded one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, has quickly made a name for itself as a bold and innovative force in Vietnam's evolving culinary landscape. Under the guidance of the talented Chef Viet Hong Le, CieL offers a unique dining experience that seamlessly blends refined modern techniques with a deep respect for Vietnamese heritage and ingredients.

The Culinary Philosophy Chef Viet Hong Le, a young chef with extensive international training from prestigious institutions like Ferrandi Paris and stages at renowned establishments such as Noma and Disfrutar, has returned to Vietnam with a clear vision for CieL. His cooking style, fundamentally built on French culinary artistry, is not about mimicking Western cuisine but rather about creating new dishes that honor the spirit of Vietnam and celebrate local ingredients. The restaurant's name, "CieL," meaning "sky" in French, symbolizes an unbounded approach to cooking.

The dining experience at CieL revolves around a seasonal tasting menu that continually evolves. This allows Chef Viet Hong to showcase the freshest produce and his most creative compositions. Dishes demonstrate a masterful fusion of techniques and flavors. For example, a standout might be the fish maw and custard, a sublime East-meets-West creation that highlights a balance of texture, umami, and sophisticated technique. Another example often cited is the blue crab paired with Dalat heirloom tomato consommé, a dish that uses classic French techniques with distinctly local Vietnamese ingredients. The menu might even boldly present a duo of local Mallard duck and French pigeon, served back-to-back to highlight fascinating contrasts. Chef Viet Hong's philosophy is rooted in exploring the best that both land and sea have to offer, integrating influences from Danish minimalism, Japanese precision, and French finesse into a unique culinary narrative that prioritizes the finest ingredients, regardless of their origin.

An Intimate and Artistic Ambiance CieL is nestled in a modern villa in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant residential enclave. The ambiance is designed to feel like stepping into a stylish friend's home—peaceful, inviting, and understated. The space blends tropical calm with Nordic restraint, featuring an abundance of glass, green views of the surrounding garden, and thoughtfully curated local design details. Guests can choose to dine at a counter on the ground floor, which offers an immersive view into the open kitchen, or opt for a more formal setting upstairs. A striking design feature is the oculus that cuts through the second floor, drawing the eye towards the wine cooler below, adding a unique architectural element. The atmosphere is refined yet relaxed, allowing guests to feel comfortable and at ease, eschewing the stiffness often associated with formal fine dining.

Thoughtful and Confident Service The service at CieL is characterized by its warmth, energy, and impressive professionalism. The young team, guided by experienced management, strikes a confident balance between formal professionalism and genuine ease. While not all staff may speak fluent English, their attentiveness and personal touch ensure guests feel welcome and well-cared for. From the moment of arrival, with warm eye contact and the chef waving from behind the kitchen glass, to the thoughtfully curated wine list with charming sketches by co-owner Mai Thanh Liem, every interaction feels personal and authentic. This relaxed yet high-level service enhances the overall dining experience, making CieL a compelling addition to Ho Chi Minh City's burgeoning fine dining scene and a true reflection of Vietnamese...

For a newly launched House, the kitchen team must be commended for pulling off a smooth, flawlessly elegant dance one would expect only of a seasoned team. Adopting an Open kitchen concept, every guest gets a front row view of the culinary magic come to live.

Chef Viet Hong’s extensive experience in some of the finest two and three starred restaurants in Asia and Europe is clearly evident throughout the evening especially when it comes to flavor contrast within a dish. There is little doubt that the Kitchen’s execution is strong in technique , flavors and ingredients.

Compared with local counterparts, Ciel’s flavors pack an impactful punch without offending [the] local taste sensibilities. While there is no doubt that Chef Viet Hong first strives to ensure that each dish is palatable, he boldly [at least in local and regional context] weaves in a clever combination of sweet, salty, spicy, or sour that gives a mild jolt, enough for dinners to notice [or perhaps have opinions about] without ratcheting into an abusive, unwelcome kick. Should that singular, particular ingredient within a dish designed to send your tastebuds on an off-tangent culinary journey be unsettling to your personal preference, skip it, and indulge in the soothing, mild, harmonious umami without feeling that you are missing out or having less of an experience whatsoever. Essentially then, while Flavor Contrasts celebrates bold, contrasting flavors that create taste explosions that may be repulsive and unwelcomed to the local palette, Ceil delicately introduces and entices [local] diners to this new culinary exploration. And finding that right balance is a true work of master craft and Chef Viet Hong successfully walks the fine balance between fat, acidity and flavors adapted to, and for, the local palette.

Chef Viet Hong’s strive to push boundaries goes beyond just flavors. In fact, he has no qualms about daring and challenging diners beyond their usual comfort zones. In an off-menu dish from his Tasting Menu of which he has but one, he introduces Milt, otherwise known as Cod testicles/sperm, which while considered a delicacy in some cuisines, especially Japan, may be challenging for the less adventurous to imagine and digest. Nevertheless, given the mild to tasteless flavor of Milt, and its tendency to absorb flavors from accompanying spices for which Chef Viet Hong leans on by preparing this in a Tofu Mala accompaniment, he does successful manage to induce the unknowing to try -and even enjoy- an element one might otherwise be...

New Hidden Gem in HCMC’s Thao Dien

For those seeking a new dining experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Ciel Dining is the place to try.

This newly opened (early September) fine dining restaurant is quickly gaining a reputation for excellence. Tucked away in a modern villa on a quiet street in Thao Dien, Ciel offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making you feel as though you’ve entered an intimate dining space at a close friend’s home.

From the moment you step inside, the well but simple designed ground floor counter and open kitchen invite you into a world of culinary craftsmanship. Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner for two or a lively gathering, the ambiance suits any occasion.

Our evening began with an exquisite amuse-bouche, setting the stage for a delightful culinary journey. Among the standout dishes were fresh oysters, succulent toofish, and perfectly cooked lamb that left us wanting more. In addition, we can’t not to mention the marble tofu with Sichuan pepper, the stunning baba ginger soup and the guava ice cream, a refreshing and perfectly balanced tropical treat. These flavors elevated the meal to another level.

The lively energy of a full house added to the charm, making it feel like a true celebration of food and community. While, as with any new restaurant, a (very) few dishes could be refined, the overall experience was nothing short of impressive, ranking as one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in the past year.

We recommend Ciel Dining and look forward to returning—especially with the exciting promise from the chef to offer customized menus for regular guests.

If you’re in the mood for a new culinary adventure, Ciel Dining is a must-visit, you won’t be disappointed!

Thanks to Chef Hong, Em Liem (GM) and em Hieu (Wine master) as well as the whole team for their...