Chef Sam Aisbett brings over two decades of culinary expertise across four countries to his restaurant Akuna in Ho Chi Minh City, which he launched in July 2023. Since opening, Akuna has quickly established itself as a rising star in the local and international culinary scene, earning distinguished recognition and being named New Opening of the Year.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Sam trained under renowned chefs Peter Gilmore and Tetsuya Wakuda in Sydney before founding Whitegrass in Singapore in 2016. Under his leadership, the restaurant gained widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to fine dining, earning multiple accolades and a reputation as one of Asia’s most celebrated dining destinations.
Drawn to the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, Sam embraced its vibrant culinary culture at Akuna, presenting his most authentic cooking to date. Unbound by traditional definitions of region or style, his cuisine blends influences from across the globe while honouring Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. At Akuna, Sam Aisbett shares his culinary soul through imaginative dishes and the stories that inspire them.
