The Chef
Khanh
Nguyen
Vietnamese-Australian Executive Chef at the two-hatted King Clarence, Sydney. Trained under Luke Nguyen, Dan Hong, and René Redzepi. East Asian flavors fused with European technique. One philosophy: cooking is architecture.
Cooking is architecture.
Ingredients are materials.
Flavor is design.
The Story
Khanh Nguyen grew up in his family's kitchen in Western Sydney, where traditional Vietnamese recipes met the Australian landscape. It was an environment where pho simmered for half a day and every spice was measured by instinct, yet those same recipes constantly adapted to new ingredients and a new audience.
That duality — tradition and adaptation — became the foundation of everything. Asian soul, modern technique, global ingredients. Precision without pretension. Fine dining without losing the street.
From apprentice at Red Lantern to Sous Chef at Mr Wong to an 11-week stage at Noma Australia — Khanh built his craft across Sydney's most demanding kitchens. In 2018, he moved to Melbourne to open Sunda, where his Vegemite curry roti became iconic. In 2023, he returned to Sydney as Executive Chef of King Clarence — earning Best New Restaurant (Gourmet Traveller 2024) and Two Hats (Good Food Guide 2025 & 2026). The mission remains: make it perfect, make it meaningful, make it yours.
The Journey
Red Lantern · Apprentice
Sydney · Under Luke Nguyen
Bécasse · Chef de Partie
Sydney · Under Justin North
Mr Wong · Sous Chef
Sydney · Under Dan Hong
Noma Australia Pop-up · Stage
Sydney · Under René Redzepi
Bentley Restaurant Group · Junior Sous Chef
Sydney · Under Brent Savage & Nick Hildebrandt
Cirrus Dining · Senior Sous Chef
Sydney
Sunda · Opening Head Chef → Executive Chef
Melbourne
King Clarence · Executive Chef
Sydney
Recognition
Retained in 2026
"Fun and delicious in equal measure"
Retained in 2020
Vegemite Curry Roti
"Star chef Khanh Nguyen can really, really cook"
Hosted and mentored 2025 finalists (not a personal award)
Evidence & Citations
- Broadsheet: Executive Chef announcement at King Clarence
- Mediaweek: Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards 2024 winners
- Sydney Morning Herald Good Food: SMH Good Food Guide 2025 hats list
- Sydney Morning Herald Good Food: King Clarence review
- Network 10: MasterChef Australia pressure test with Khanh Nguyen
- IMDb: MasterChef Australia: Khanh Nguyen's Pork Wellington
- IMDb: Khanh Nguyen IMDb profile
- Sydney Morning Herald Good Food: Departure context from Aru and Sunda
- Melbourne Food & Wine Festival: How I Melbourne: Khanh Nguyen
- Melbourne Food & Wine Festival: Aru named Restaurant of the Year
- Everyday Gourmet: Khanh Nguyen profile
- Sydney Seafood School: Khanh Nguyen guest presenter profile
- delicious.: Khanh Nguyen appointed Executive Chef at King Clarence
- I'm Still Hungry: Sunda Dining Melbourne review
Timeline entries use registry-backed records and public citations, including Sydney Morning Herald Good Food. For related references, see Media and Links.
Connect with Khanh
Say Hello on Instagram
Executive Chef at King Clarence in Sydney—Khanh shares from the kitchen on Instagram. Reach out for press, collaborations, or a friendly hello. Reservations and dining enquiries through King Clarence.