Hidden in Plain Sight

Tucked behind a discreet entrance on Nguyễn Văn Thủ, Oryz doesn’t scream for attention. The palette is minimalist—concrete walls, warm wood, soft lighting. But don’t let the zen fool you. The moment you sit down and catch a glimpse of the open kitchen—where Chef Chris Fong and team are moving with precision—you know you’re in for something serious.

Meet Chef Chris Fong: Koji Whisperer, Rule Breaker

Chef Chris cut his teeth at Michelin-starred kitchens across Singapore (think André, Saint Pierre). But this isn’t a copy-paste of fine dining formulas. Oryz is his personal manifesto: a love letter to East Asian flavors, rewritten with modern technique and a quietly rebellious spirit.

What sets it apart? Fermentation. Koji. Time.

The kitchen even has its own fermentation lab upstairs, where things bubble, funk, and deepen for weeks—sometimes months—before they reach your plate.

The Menu: A 12–14 Course Dance Between Tradition & Twists

There’s no à la carte here. You surrender to the chef's tasting menu (approx. 1.4–1.8M VND), and honestly? That’s the only way it should be.

Some highlights from our visit:

• Cured fish collar that evokes Cantonese roast meats, but with a smoky, umami complexity that makes you pause mid-bite.
• Sticky rice mille-feuille layered with fermented garlic and something mysteriously nutty—like eating a memory from a festival you don’t remember attending.
• A clear duck broth kissed with aged soy and preserved mustard greens. Comforting yet elegant, like grandma’s soup if grandma had a PhD in koji.

The flavors are rooted in East Asia—Vietnam, Hong Kong, even touches of Korea and Japan—but the execution is thoroughly modern, and at times, delightfully subversive.

Drinks: The Quiet Co-Star

The drink pairing (alcoholic or zero-proof) is equally thoughtful. Think: infused sake, house kombucha, or tea that’s been steeped with botanicals. Each sip is calibrated to bring out a new side of the dish—like a friend who knows how to keep the conversation going.

Final Thoughts: Why Oryz Deserves Your Full Attention

Oryz isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s not all over Instagram (yet). But it is one of the most original culinary experiences in Saigon right now. It demands time, attention, and an open mind. And in return, it gives you a dinner that feels intimate, intelligent, and—most importantly—alive.

So, if you’re craving something different from the usual bistro-with-a-twist, go here. Go hungry. And maybe go with someone who won’t mind if you fall into silence mid-meal, because the food says more than words ever could.