About us
The Culinary Team
Meet The Chef
Chris JF Fong
Founder & Chef from Singapore with roots in Hong Kong, Chef Chris Fong is enthusiastic about Eastern Asian Cuisine. Moreover, he spent his childhood in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Growing up in a diverse cultural background, he aims to break the boundaries and connect different cultures using food.
Having been impressed by the “artisan” value of Vietnamese people, he has decided to leave a “fingerprint” in the South of Vietnam – Saigon and let his soul be nurtured in this beautiful country.
He has over a decade of fine dining experience, five years of hospitality consultancy experience, and multiple kitchen stints in the star-studded kitchens in Singapore, including that of Restaurant Andre and Saint Pierre.
Chef Chris has also led vital consultancy projects across several countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China & Australia.
He first arrived in Vietnam in 2019 to help redevelop the gastronomy concept for the award-winning – boutique hotel Villa Song Saigon #2 on Tripadvisor as the Executive Chef before heading to multiple sets of innovative concepts.
Chef Chris Fong’s take on innovative cuisine has always been a locally sourced approach with East meet West techniques, reinventing tradition without breaking the soul. His perception of “Cooking” is connected closely to “Time” as his creations result from his journey exploring different cuisines. From understanding the roots and how culture influences particular food, he has created a vast number of masterpieces to deliver an extraordinary culinary experience for dinners at ORYZ Saigon.
Chef Chris has also led vital consultancy projects across several countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China & Australia.
He first arrived in Vietnam in 2019 to help redevelop the gastronomy concept for the award-winning – boutique hotel Villa Song Saigon #2 on Tripadvisor as the Executive Chef before heading to multiple sets of innovative concepts.
Chef Chris Fong’s take on innovative cuisine has always been a locally sourced approach with East meet West techniques, reinventing tradition without breaking the soul. His perception of “Cooking” is connected closely to “Time” as his creations result from his journey exploring different cuisines. From understanding the roots and how culture influences particular food, he has created a vast number of masterpieces to deliver an extraordinary culinary experience for dinners at ORYZ Saigon.
Philosophy
Step into the world of Eastern Asian Gastronomy, we are going through a transformative culinary journey. Our philosophy in creating art of flavours placed in the Asian Progression: Commencing with dough work, bao rather than bread in French Progression, and fermentation from the last season to reflect on time, life and purity. Followed by a hot dish that focuses on the meticulousness of temperature and honours agriculture with staples like rice and noodles. Finishing off the meal with the ritual of fruits, childhood confectionery, and tea.
Taking an unconventional approach, our magic lies in transforming textures and layers of traditional dishes, using common ingredients in any Asian kitchen, into unique masterpieces.
From October 2023, ORYZ has come to three oriental places: Red River Delta, Sichuan and Hong Kong, and the journey doesn’t stop there. Our ORYZ crew passionately pays homage to regional inspiration in modern interpretation. With the deft touch of Asian heritage, we, once again, transform the ordinary ingredients into extraordinary stories every five weeks.
Each dish at ORYZ narrates the Taste of Time – A testimony to time-honoured culinary techniques. With 90% of our ingredients locally sourced, we take pride in offering unique gastronomic experiences that reflect our solid cultural influences.
The essence of in-house fermentation is celebrated here, with a menu curated from meticulously aged, cured, and fermented ingredients, blending the rich traditions of Asian gastronomy with modern culinary creativity.
The Space
ORYZ, a zen-like space with a minimalist design. ORYZ has an open kitchen where Chef Chris Fong and his culinary team embroider the Eastern Asian culinary tapestry. Moreover, the transparency is again committed through a round window that acts as a camera lens looking directly into our kitchen. The “O” shape represents the letter O of ORYZ and the harmonization of Asian cultures, while providing a temporal perspective into the realm of food-making.
ORYZ spans two floors of dining spaces and one private area for special occasions, with a controlled capacity to provide an intimate experience for diners. Covered by two primary tones, earthy gray and beige, the raw grayish concrete tiles and bamboo-textured chairs enhance the ambience.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, the irregular natural formation of the mountain ridge is depicted from the rock pathway leading to our wooden entrance, providing our visitors an extraordinary journey to Eastern Asia. The use of wood creates a warm and cozy feeling to this private space, while we sophisticatedly arrange the tables to balance between intimacy and privacy.
Hidden in our third floor is our mysterious in-house fermentation room – where we utilize to create our flavor of “Time”. From soy sauce, pickles, and fermented rice to waxed meat and oyster sauce (our signature sauce), our culinary team has carefully put their heart into each fermentation jar to ensure the final products achieve the perfect balance of flavours. Significantly influenced by Asian cultures, the diversity of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures are bridged into a unified vibe in the restaurant space. Raw materials of bamboo, rattan, wood, and stone combined with Asian breath generate the warmth and romance necessary for a meal with beloved people.
The Brand
ORYZ Saigon, the expertise of chef-owner Chris Fong, unveils a tapestry of Eastern Asian gastronomy. Nestled in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, ORYZ invites patrons to a unique culinary voyage through our Eastern Asian Gastronomy concept.
Inspired by the scientific name of a rice grain – Oryza Sativa, we honour the significance of rice in developing Asian cuisine through the name – ORYZ.
The essence of in-house fermentation is celebrated here, with a menu curated from meticulously aged, cured, and fermented ingredients, blending the rich traditions of Asian gastronomy with modern culinary creativity. Each dish at ORYZ narrates the ‘Taste of Time’ – A testimony to time-honoured culinary techniques.
With 90% of our ingredients locally sourced, we take pride in offering unique gastronomic experiences that reflect the vast and diverse cultural influences from Asia. From the furthest southern tip of the Malay Peninsula to the Orient of East Asia, our menu offers a diverse range of delectable dishes, crafted by a team of diverse Asian talents.
Join the Family
ORYZ Saigon isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a haven for passionate minds who dream of redefining Asian cuisine.
We seek talented chefs, service professionals, and detail-oriented individuals for our back-office team. Join our dynamic team and collaborate with like-minded individuals, pushing culinary boundaries and crafting unforgettable experiences. Develop your skills in a fast-paced yet supportive environment, where innovation and exceptional service are valued. Fuel your passion for Asian cuisine – explore our openings and join the ORYZ family today.
Location
Here are directions to our location. We hope to see you soon!
51 Đ. Trần Nhật Duật, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh