Å by TUNG

Had a really great experience here tonight. The atmosphere was elegant but relaxed, which made it perfect for a long dinner with good conversation. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, and everything arrived at a comfortable pace. The food was excellent. You can tell the kitchen cares about quality ingredients and proper technique. Every dish felt balanced and well thought out rather than overly complicated. The presentation was also beautiful without feeling forced. What stood out the most was the consistency of the experience — from the welcome at the door to the final course. It’s the kind of place where you can sit back, enjoy the moment, and know you’re in good hands. Definitely a spot I’d come back to again.

Dining at Ăn by Trung Tùng was nothing short of extraordinary. An establishment of such calibre naturally commands excellence, and it delivers impeccably through its meticulously curated 20-course plant-based tasting menu, which I had the pleasure of experiencing. Priced at approximately 60–70 USD (exclusive of alcohol), the offering represents not merely a meal, but an immersive culinary journey. Each course emerged from the kitchen with graceful precision—beautifully plated, thoughtfully presented, and accompanied by a detailed explanation. From the provenance of locally sourced ingredients to the cultural narrative inspiring each creation, every dish carried a story. This storytelling element elevated the act of dining into something profoundly engaging and memorable. It is rare to encounter cuisine where intellectual appreciation and sensory pleasure coexist so harmoniously. The ambiance is refined and contemporary, yet deeply rooted in Vietnamese heritage. There is nothing overtly Western about the cuisine; rather, it is an inspired interpretation of local flavours transformed into an elevated, modern expression. It felt authentically cultural, yet artfully progressive—what I would describe as a truly exotic Oriental experience in the finest sense. Several courses stood out in particular (as reflected in the accompanying photographs), each distinguished by freshness, creativity, and remarkable balance. The integrity of the ingredients—sourced locally—was evident in every bite. I would especially like to acknowledge Mr. Vũ, whose passion and attentiveness enriched the evening. His thoughtful explanations ensured I fully understood and savoured each course, allowing the experience to linger meaningfully beyond the table. The gracious ladies who assisted in service were equally warm and engaging, even concluding the meal with a charming interactive element that allowed me to select my dessert in a playful yet elegant manner. It was a delightful and memorable touch. Experiences such as this are precisely why one travels—to encounter culture through taste, narrative, and heartfelt hospitality. I highly recommend making a prior reservation and communicating your dietary preferences in advance; the element of curated surprise is part of the magic. For clarity, this review is entirely independent and not a sponsored endorsement—simply a genuine appreciation of an exceptional culinary experience.

We visited ÅbyTung in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate a birthday and had high expectations for a memorable fine dining experience. Having enjoyed tasting menus across Italy and Europe, we were familiar with the level of hospitality and generosity typical of this price range. Unfortunately, our experience fell short in several key areas. While tasting menus naturally involve smaller portions, the servings were unusually small even by fine dining standards, leaving us less satisfied than expected. The wine pairing, consisting of only three wines for 14 courses, was notably insufficient. At this level, it is common to see 6–10 different wines, which allows for a balanced progression alongside the menu. The pours were very small — approximately 3–4 cl per serving — and at one point, I had four dishes left when my wine was already finished. One of the wines, a Spanish bottle with a retail price of approximately 18 EUR, was served in such minimal quantities that it felt particularly underwhelming. In previous experiences at a lower total price (around 275 EUR), we were served a full bottle of wine alongside the tasting menu, contributing to a more generous and harmonious experience. Here, with a total cost close to 4,00EUR, the overall impression was markedly less generous. Water was not included in the menu, which felt unusual for a fine dining tasting experience. We had informed the restaurant in advance that this was a birthday celebration and were told — in the booking confirmation email — that a plate with text would be prepared for the birthday guest. While this removed the element of surprise, we naturally expected that something more would be presented as part of the celebration, such as a dessert or small personalized touch. What arrived was so simple and sparse that it felt like a hastily thrown-together afterthought — not something the chef or restaurant had genuinely planned or valued as a thoughtful gesture to celebrate the occasion. Unfortunately, several dishes on the tasting menu did not meet expectations in terms of taste. There were unusual flavor combinations, such as rice with a strange cinnamon-like note served with rum, and a drink made with almond milk and caviar that we were expected to consume through a straw — an odd concept that did not translate well on the palate. Portions were extremely small, for example, one “miniature” dish consisted of only half a spring roll, approximately 1 cm in size. These choices made the tasting feel experimental in a way that was more confusing than enjoyable. Additionally, we noticed visible scratches on some walls and dust on certain decorative details. At this price point and level of dining, attention to ambiance and detail is essential, and this was unfortunately lacking. The service staff, however, were consistently professional and attentive throughout the evening. That said, the final part of the experience — being asked to give a rating using a “card game” that required only positive cards reflecting our mood after dinner — felt unusual and somewhat awkward. Finally, the payment process was unnecessarily complicated. I was asked to place my card in a box at the table, be called to the counter to enter my PIN, walk back to the table, and then wait for the card to be returned in an envelope along with receipts and various fees. This added a cumbersome conclusion. Overall, fine dining is not only about portion size, but about harmony, generosity, and thoughtful execution. Sadly, these qualities were missing in our experience, which felt restrained, less hospitable, and often confusing rather than delightful — particularly on a special occasion.

Å by Tung delivers a thoroughly pleasant fine-dining experience. The atmosphere is calm, refined, and thoughtfully designed, comfortable without being stiff. Service was attentive and well-paced, making the evening feel relaxed rather than rushed. The food is creative and confident. Each course shows clear intent and technical skill, with flavors that are interesting without being gimmicky. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable culinary journey. One small note: the portions are more generous than what one might typically expect from a tasting menu. That said, this is more a reflection of my own capacity than any fault of the kitchen: the quality and execution remain excellent throughout. All in all, a memorable and satisfying experience. Would happily recommend for those who enjoy creative cuisine and a polished dining atmosphere.

The moment you enter you see the artistry in motion. The kitchen is completely open on the first floor where you can see the process and you’re greeted by the chef and staff. The food was paced perfectly and the flavors, texture, and concept of the dinner was a full experience. Probably one of the best food experiences I’ve had in Saigon, and frankly ever. This was an exquisite culinary experience that wins awards and deserves to be paid attention to. Absolutely worth every penny or in this case dong.