Review: NP Bistro, Chef Nghiem Minh Duc’s new modern Vietnamese bistro

Starting a new culinary journey is always a bit of a gamble, especially for a chef with a name. Leaving their old restaurant to start something new comes with a ton of pressure to live up to expectations. And when the new spot is more laidback? Well, that just adds to the challenge. It's like comparing their old hits to their latest tunes, with every dish under the microscope against their past successes.

Say hello to NP Bistro, the new laidback bistro of chef-founder Nghiem Minh Duc

Tucked away in the cozy streets of Binh Thanh District, NP Bistro is the new kid on the block in the local food scene. Calling itself a modern casual bistro, NP Bistro mixes Italian and Vietnamese flavours in a fun way. Chef Nghiem Minh Duc (ex-Executive Chef of MICHELIN Select - NOUS), a rising star in the culinary world, has whipped up a menu full of top-notch dishes that won't break the bank.

NP Bistro: “A New Page”

The moniker "NP" could be a nod to Chef Duc's family venture, "Nghiem Phung," but it's also a symbol of a new beginning in his career, hence the "New Page" vibe. This leap signals his transition from leading the charge in upscale dining to co-running a laid-back bistro with his wife.

After cooking up a storm in top-notch kitchens like MICHELIN-Select Nous and the famous Nobu in Melbourne, Chef Duc wanted something new. "I wanted a place where my buddies and fam could kick back and enjoy my creations," he says. His goal? To bring top-notch cooking and creativity to the local market. So, he picked a quiet spot in Binh Thanh on purpose—not just to save some dong, but to introduce his wild fusion dishes to a crowd that might not have tried them before. This also explains NP Bistro’s wallet-friendly prices starting from just 145,000 VND for a main (yes, you heard it right).

NP Bistro isn't your run-of-the-mill joint. It's Duc's playground, where he gets to show off his culinary wizardry. Here, they're shaking things up, blending flavours you wouldn't expect from the menu to the furniture, everything screams fresh and fun, promising a dining experience in Saigon that's both surprising and satisfying.

A renovated Indochine house belonging to a local celebrity

Step into NP Bistro, and you're stepping into a cosy Indochine-inspired haven. Think wooden furniture, warm vibes, and doors that welcome you in like an old friend. Downstairs, the open kitchen steals the show, giving you a front-row seat to all the culinary magic. And don't miss the mini bar nearby, where they whip up some seriously tasty mocktails right before your eyes.

Head upstairs, and you'll find indoor seating with a cool open-air layout on the first floor—perfect for catching a breeze while you dine. Need to beat the heat? No worries, the second floor's got your back with some sweet AC action. Plus, there's a snug private dining room that fits ten, ideal for those special occasions. With all that wood and Indochine flair, you'll feel right at home.

So, where'd Chef Duc get his inspiration? Well, he's got a soft spot for a joint in Da Lat owned by one of his fave authors—his wife's a fan too. Their aim? To create a space that screams "Come on in and get comfy" before you even pick up a menu. And let's not forget the quirky touch of that bright red vending machine slinging only Pepsi goodies. Sure, the walls are a bit bare for now, but they've got big plans to jazz 'em up with some cool art soon.

Familiar favourites and a ‘secret’ signature menu

NP Bistro’s got a cool mix of your favourite classics like Bolognese Spaghetti and Carbonara but also a ‘Chef Signature’ menu featuring Chef Duc’s creative dishes, like Mi Quang Snakehead Fish Fettuccine and Squid "Rocket" Pasta with satay sauce that are priced a tad higher, but still very affordable (245,000 vnd).

And, if you’re looking for a more experimental and out-of-the-ordinary experience, flip to the end - beyond the dessert and drinks - to Chef Duc’s ‘Signatures Menu’, an everchanging menu with a nod to Vietnamese flavours, where Chef Duc’s inspiration from his travels and culinary stints gleaned from NOUS and Nobu comes alive. Think 14-day dry-aged duck breast served with taro potato, purple sweet potato, and Dracontomelon sauce and X and that's what you get from this ‘secret menu’.

For starters, I recommend the caramelized Fish Sauce Fries topped with Bonito flakes, which taste similar to Japanese Takoyaki and come generously portioned. For mains, I opted for the Squid Rocket Pasta with Satay sauce, which I found while interesting has an acquired flavour almost similar.

A booze-free drinks menu where creative sodas and teas featuring familiar Vietnamese flavours come to the fore

And get this—NP Bistro doesn't do booze. They believe in pairing amazing food with awesome non-alcoholic drinks. Their mocktails are out-of-the-box, with familiar flavours like Root Beer Peach Tea and Mango Tangerine Tea starting from just 45,000 vnd. Or, if you're into a little buzz, they've got beer, but that's as far as it goes. NP Bistro wants to show you that you don't need alcohol for a kickass dining experience.

Overall verdict: a new opening featuring wallet-friendly prices and creative dishes. For the price, its portion and creativity are a bang for the buck but, expect fine dining or Nobu.

Address: 80/1 Hoang Hoa Tham, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 11 am–2 pm, 5–10 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npbistro.sg