The debate has resurfaced following the release of the 2026 Michelin Guide Vietnam in Hanoi on Thursday, which recognized 193 restaurants and eateries nationwide, the highest number since the guide began covering Vietnam.

This year’s selection features a mix of long-established dining spots and newly recognized venues across multiple categories.

In total, 11 restaurants received one Michelin star (including two new entries), 72 were awarded Bib Gourmand status (11 new additions), 110 were listed under Michelin Selected (nine new), and three establishments joined the Michelin Green Star category (one new).

However, once again, no banh mi shop in Vietnam made it onto any of the lists.

The absence has sparked discussions among food lovers, given the sandwich’s status as both a beloved everyday meal and one of Vietnam’s most recognizable culinary exports.

Banh mi, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is a type of Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables.

Well-known names such as Banh mi Huynh Hoa, Banh mi Bay Ho, and other popular stalls in Ho Chi Minh City continue to attract long queues of both local and international customers, reinforcing the dish’s cultural and gastronomic significance.

Some observers believed that the Michelin Guide does not evaluate food based solely on taste, as is often assumed.

Instead, it applies a broader set of criteria, including service, presentation, cooking techniques, ingredient traceability, and food safety standards.

Still, here’s a fun fact: Michelin Guide has in fact recognized Vietnamese banh mi, but only outside Vietnam.

In March, Bánh Mì Nếm in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, was listed among the 72 Michelin Selected restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, making it one of the few Vietnamese-style banh mi establishments acknowledged by the guide.

The shop was also selected in last year’s edition of the guide, underscoring the appeal of Vietnamese cuisine in Hong Kong.

In an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, shop owner Kiki Phung said the shop is committed to serving banh mi that is “authentically Vietnamese.”

According to her, the baguette must follow a traditional Vietnamese recipe, while the fillings include a full range of classic ingredients such as cold cuts, and pâté, along with the signature herbs and pickled vegetables that define Vietnamese banh mi.

Also, a search for “banh mi” on the Michelin Guide website shows another listing: Bánh Mì Boy in Orlando, the U.S., which has been awarded Bib Gourmand status, recognizing establishments offering good quality, good value cooking.