Nén Light Saigon — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

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As an aside the beer we were served was out of date.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...

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...

This place is a little slice of heaven tucked away from the hustle and bustle but also smack bang in the middle of HCMC. It's almost like time stands still while you dine here, knowing the craziness continues outside on the streets. The entire experience left me speechless and emotional! They take everything one step further and it is clear how much thought went into its creation.

The menu is based on a themed story about the head Chef/owner's life and sparks really deep conversation with your server, or "story teller" (the menu even gives you the option to specify how much conversational interaction you'd like- something I've never seen or considered before). Each dish was a work of art and showcased DaNang cuisine (reflecting the owner's home city). They played with shadows, lighting, texture, sound, as well as flavor. One dish was even cooked infront of me as they poured molten bees wax over it and left it to solidify. I don't really have the right words to describe the food because it was beyond incredible. Everyone at Nen Light is extremely passionate about what they do. It really felt like you had been invited to join a family for dinner.

How did I find out about Nen Light? I had the pleasure of eating with the Chef/owner Summer Le and her husband Leon on their DaNang street food tour (also a must-do!) As soon as they mentioned their restaurant...I just had to go! Their passion for food, culture and philosophy is so inspiring!

Nen Light is an absolute "must do" experience for anyone visiting HCMC. If you're really into food, and special experiences, then this is the...