At just 27 years old, Chef Nhật Duy has become a defining voice of Vietnam’s new culinary generation. The youngest recipient of the Michelin Young Chef Award, he blends international training with local roots to craft dishes that tell stories — heartfelt, refined, and deeply Vietnamese.
From the bustling streets of Saigon to the cosmopolitan kitchens of Washington D.C., Chef Nhật Duy’s journey has been one of vision and conviction. His first encounters with professional cooking came while studying abroad in the United States, where he found himself drawn to the intensity and creativity of the kitchen. It was at the acclaimed Rose’s Luxury that he discovered his path: food could transcend culture and geography, becoming a medium of inspiration and dialogue.
Armed with this realisation, Duy immersed himself in international kitchens, sharpening his skills and expanding his perspective. His time abroad instilled not only technical discipline but also an appreciation for storytelling through cuisine how ingredients, techniques, and presentation could weave narratives that lingered long after the last bite.
Returning to Vietnam, he carried with him a clear mission: to reimagine Vietnamese gastronomy with authenticity and innovation in equal measure. That vision took form in Little Bear Wine Bar, which he co-founded with like-minded partners. More than just a restaurant, Little Bear embodies his belief that dining should be warm, welcoming, and layered with meaning.
At Little Bear, every dish reflects Duy’s philosophy: a respect for Vietnam’s culinary heritage paired with a willingness to reinterpret it for a modern audience. His menus highlight local ingredients, yet elevate them with contemporary techniques and global sensibilities. The result is cuisine that feels both rooted and revelatory comforting in its familiarity, yet surprising in its refinement.
Recognition soon followed. At 27, Duy was named Vietnam’s youngest Michelin Young Chef Award recipient, an accolade that underscored his role as a leader of the country’s evolving culinary scene. But beyond awards, his focus remains on creating genuine connections between chef and guest, tradition and innovation, Vietnam and the wider world.
Passionate, ambitious, and uncompromising in his craft, Chef Nhật Duy is more than a rising star; he is a storyteller whose language is food. Through Little Bear Wine Bar, he is not only reshaping how Vietnam dines but also how it dreams one inspired plate at a time.