Vietnamese Vegan Restaurant 'An' Opens in Karlsruhe

On 24 July, the family‑run Vietnamese restaurant “An” opened on Kaiserstraße opposite the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The outlet serves exclusively plant‑based Vietnamese dishes, aiming to offer authentic flavors rather than imitative meat substitutes.

Hai Dong Nguyen, a 23‑year‑old student studying controlling in Pforzheim, is the restaurant’s manager and spokesperson. He notes that Buddhism influences Vietnam’s culinary tradition, providing a wide variety of naturally vegan options. Recipes were sourced directly from Vietnam, with some purchased from local chefs during recent trips. Nguyen’s uncle previously opened a Vietnamese restaurant in Pforzheim in 2015, and the new Karlsruhe venue expands the family’s presence in Baden‑Württemberg.

Customers have responded positively, with some non‑vegans trying the menu. “An” aims to fill a niche for genuine vegan Southeast Asian cuisine in the city.