Nén Danang Secures the 2024 MICHELIN Green Star.
During the prestigious MICHELIN Awards Ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel Saigon, the spotlight was cast on Nén Danang, a beacon of Vietnam’s culinary scene, which was awarded the 2024 MICHELIN Green Star for Excellence in Sustainability.
This honor recognized Nén as the first Vietnamese restaurant to receive such distinction globally, highlighting its role as a trailblazer in implementing innovative and environmentally conscious practices that redefine industry standards.
The MICHELIN Green Star, an esteemed annual award, acknowledges restaurants at the forefront of sustainable dining. It rewards establishments that maintain strict ethical and environmental protocols, engaging with eco-conscious suppliers to minimize waste and the use of non-recyclable materials. Worldwide, only 540 restaurants have been decorated with this distinction, celebrated for their blend of culinary mastery and outstanding sustainable efforts, setting an example for both culinary aficionados and the hospitality sector.
Under the progressive leadership of Chef Summer Le and her partner Leon Le, Nén Danang champions the cause of sustainable dining. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing 99% of its ingredients locally, including from its adjacent Nén Farm, enhancing Vietnam’s local economies and supporting regional artisans while significantly reducing environmental impacts. This local sourcing strategy not only secures the freshest ingredients but also strengthens ties with the local community and environment.
Nén’s culinary narrative is expressed through its Sto:ry Menus, which seamlessly integrate Vietnam’s rich cultural traditions with creative culinary innovations. Each menu item celebrates nature and tells a story, designed to touch the diner’s emotions from joy to nostalgia. A notable highlight is their Sto:ry Menu #5, a pioneering zero-waste effort that turns everyday items like eggshells into culinary innovations, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.
The essence of Nén’s gastronomy is captured in its dedication to ‘Conscious Vietnamese Cuisine,’ which is reflected across various facets of its operation. The restaurant’s philosophy, focusing on origin, aesthetics, intention, balance, emotion, and presence, informs every culinary decision, ensuring that each meal is not only a feast for the senses but also an act of conscious consumption.
The name ‘Nén’ itself—inspired by a simple yet profound ingredient from Central Vietnam—embodies the restaurant’s philosophy of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. This ethos permeates their approach, turning each dish into an exploration of Vietnamese culinary depth.
Situated beside Nén Farm in Da Nang, the restaurant stands as the flagship of a brand deeply committed to sustainability and research. Despite a temporary shutdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, Nén Danang reopened in 2023 with a fortified resolve to pursue its sustainable goals, culminating in the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star in 2024—a testament to its leadership in fostering an ethically aware and sustainable dining culture.
At Nén Danang, dining transcends mere eating; it is an immersive experience where each dish dialogues with the chef and the environment, continually inspiring diners and culinary peers globally with its innovative approach and sustainable ethos.
