Meet The Winners Of The Vietcetera Editor's Pick - Flavors Awards 2024!

Besides the Grand Jury Awards and Flavor Collections, this year’s Flavors Awards introduced a new category: the Vietcetera Editor’s Pick, showcasing emerging hospitality spots that offer premium or innovative experiences in Ho Chi Minh City.

Outstanding destinations that truly deserve the spotlight are selected to share with the public. Let's honor the winners of the Vietcetera Editors’ Pick 2024!

The Ultimate Traveler Hotspot: Zion Sky Lounge & Dining

This award celebrates the destination that provides a perfect entertainment experience, concerning the space, the service, and the food and drink quality.

Perched on the 14th floor with sweeping views of Saigon and just steps from Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Zion Sky Lounge & Dining is celebrated as the ultimate nightlife destination. Offering a sophisticated ambiance, a rich menu spanning Western and Asian cuisines, and electrifying live DJ performances, it sets the stage for unforgettable nightlife moments.

Zion is also renowned for its vibrant array of events, including pop-up shows, themed costume parties, and captivating weekly music performances, making it a must-visit spot for those seeking an elevated nightlife experience in the city.

Hotel Of the Year: Kin Hotel

The "Hotel of the Year" award recognizes KIN Hotel, a lifestyle hotel chain strategically located in Ho Chi Minh City’s most sought-after destinations. Despite being an emerging name in the market, Kin Hotel has quickly gained popularity, maintaining high occupancy rates—a testament to its commitment to quality and exceptional service.

Embodying the philosophy, "More than just a place to stay, we create a lifestyle," each KIN Hotel location is uniquely and thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse guest needs. Whether for a workation, staycation, leisurely retreat, or a short business trip, KIN Hotel offers flexible and inspiring accommodations.

Concept Of The Year: Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon

The F&B Concept of the Year award honors groundbreaking culinary ideas from newly opened restaurants that reimagine tradition with a modern twist. This year’s award goes to Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon.

As the first international branch of a renowned Japanese brand, Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon carries the legacy of three generations from the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market.

The restaurant introduces the groundbreaking Meatless Yakiniku, where premium sashimi-grade seafood takes center stage. Lightly grilled to preserve its natural umami, this unique approach replaces traditional meats. Complementing this is a refined Omakase-style experience, with seasonal dishes artfully crafted and prepared tableside by expert chefs.

This harmonious fusion of masterful culinary techniques and the pure essence of fresh ingredients delivers a dining experience that is both innovative and authentically Japanese.

Rising Premium Retailer Concept: Mena Gourmet Market

The Outstanding Premium Retail Brand award celebrates exceptional retail concepts that combine innovative models, diverse services, and meaningful community contributions. This year, Mena Gourmet Market has earned the honor for its unique approach to premium retail.

Known for its distinctive "shop-in-shop" design, Mena Gourmet Market goes beyond being an integrated supermarket. It champions sustainability and social responsibility by sourcing products from Tây Giang communities, such as wild vegetables, H’Mông chickens, and Tây Giang wild ducks.

At Mena Gourmet Market, customers enjoy an all-encompassing experience, featuring a bakery, fresh produce market, wine shop, cosmetics boutique, in-house restaurants with live chefs, a coffee shop, and even a kid area. This seamless blend of shopping and dining ensures ultimate convenience. Shoppers can also indulge in freshly prepared farm-to-table dishes or select ingredients to enjoy a teppanyaki-style cooking experience right on-site.

Rising Star In Sensory Dining: Yuzu Omakase

This award honors F&B establishments that excel in crafting innovative dining experiences, engaging not only the palate but also the senses of smell, sight, sound, and touch.

Yuzu Omakase, guided by its philosophy of "Catching the Culinary Dream," offers a modern interpretation of the omakase experience, inviting diners on an unforgettable culinary adventure.

The menu, thoughtfully curated by a team of expert chefs, changes with the seasons to highlight the freshest and most exceptional ingredients. Each dish at Yuzu Omakase is a masterpiece, presented with artistic techniques involving fire and smoke, turning every course into a captivating sensory performance.

Must-Visit Aesthetic Dining Experience: Steakhouse The Fan

The Steakhouse The Fan has been honored with this award for its exceptional dining experience, set in an elegant and inviting space that feels like an art gallery, complete with beautifully curated artwork adorning the walls.

Renowned for its commitment to quality, Steakhouse The Fan serves only the finest cuts of meat, dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days to achieve unparalleled flavor and tenderness. Each steak is meticulously grilled over a wood fire, imparting a signature smoky aroma that promises to captivate even the most discerning steak lovers.

Must-Visit Bar For A Storytelling Experience: EM.Me House

The name Em.me—pronounced /em-mi/—goes beyond a clever play on words; it embodies the essence of "a place for you and me." Living up to its name, EM.Me House radiates romance through its nostalgic ambiance, heartfelt poetry shared on its fanpage, and the unique stories woven into every signature cocktail.

This harmonious blend of charm and creativity has earned EM.Me House the title of “Bar with the Most Compelling Storytelling Experience” in the Vietcetera Editor’s Picks.

If you’re looking for an experience that’s both enchanting and soul-stirring, EM.Me House is the destination that promises to leave a lasting impression.

Worthy Trying Interactive F&B Experience: Fufu Tea Omakase

As Saigon’s only omakase-style tea house, Fufu Tea Omakase is on a mission to bridge the younger generation with the timeless traditions of tea, while celebrating the spiritual essence of Eastern heritage.

The experience takes guests through six meticulously curated courses, featuring premium teas brewed using diverse techniques and paired with complementary dishes that enhance each flavor.

By night, Fufu transforms into a tea cocktail omakase haven, where the worlds of tea and mixology collide. Picture yourself savoring a fragrant gin cocktail infused with oolong tea on a tranquil evening—an unforgettable experience worth indulging in.

Guests can discover expertly crafted tea pairings alongside exquisite dessert presentations; with its intimate ambiance and innovative approach, the restaurant redefines tea culture in a memorable and inspiring way.

Flavors Vietnam 2024, a partnership between Vietcetera and Mastercard, is a five-month long celebration of Vietnam's F&B scene. An annual occurrence since 2018, this year's theme is focused on “Crafting shared culinary experiences.”

As part of Flavors Vietnam 2024, the Flavors Awards (previously known as the Vietnam Restaurants and Bars Awards) celebrate premier F&B businesses and services across Vietnam. The awards highlight local flavors, exceptional talent, and elevate the significance of Vietnamese culinary culture.

This year, the ceremony will integrate with the Flavors Festival, Flavors Vietnam's first exuberant fusion of food, culture, and live music.

About Flavors Awards:
Location: 135 Nguyen Hue - 39 Le Loi, District 1, HCMC.
Date and Time: 14th December 2024

Special thanks to all sponsors and partners of Flavors Awards 2024: Title Sponsor: Mastercard; Major Sponsor: Diageo (Owner of Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray và Don Julio), Vikki and Menas; Category Sponsor: Vietdeli; Product Sponsor: Unios, Osterberg Quality and Bliss Premium Gelato; Travel Partner: be; Communication Partner: Vero; Creative Partner: InSpace-Creative; Event Partner: Trinity Live and Flava Live.

Learn more about Flavors Vietnam 2024 here.

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