Celebrity chef Luke Nguyen is closing Red Lantern Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney at the end of November, cutting ties with the venue he established with sister Pauline and executive chef Mark Jensen almost 25 years ago.
However, it may not be the end of the road for the popular dining venue if they can find a buyer.
The owners have said they are “open to possibilities” for Red Lantern’s story to continue operating in new hands.
“Red Lantern has always been bigger than us,” says Jensen.
“If the right custodian came along who shared our values and vision, we would welcome a conversation about how the legacy might live on beyond November.”
Red Lantern was the first restaurant opened by Luke Nguyen who will continue to operate the Fat Noodle and Botanic House businesses after the planned closure of Red Lantern.
Pauline Nguyen and Jensen plan to turn their attention to growing their Tiger Purrr Chai brand, which Nguyen co-founded with Emma Scott. Pauline Nguyen also plans to build on her global speaking career and flagship leadership program Numinous.
“This is not a closure, it’s a celebration,” says Pauline Nguyen.
“Red Lantern was never just about food. It was about identity, resilience and connection.
“Every guest who has dined with us has been part of our story. We’re proud to honour what we’ve built, and even more excited about what comes next.”
Jensen says the journey has always been about “community, perseverance and purpose”.
“Red Lantern has been a labour of love for 25 years,” he says.
“We’ve faced challenges, celebrated triumphs and built something that lives on in the memories of our guests. Now we look forward to new ventures that carry the same heart.”
In a LinkedIn post in June this year, Pauline Nguyen described the challenges of starting a restaurant business both then and now.
"When we opened Red Lantern back in 2002, we were fully booked every night," she said.
"The thrill of success, however, came at a steep price. We worked 80 to 100-hour weeks, burnt out, stressed and drained, too exhausted for our personal lives, our health and even our dreams. I developed alopecia from the pressure."
The industry today is even tougher, with Nguyen saying the stakes have "never been higher" as family-owned restaurants compete against corporate giants and hedge fund-backed groups.
"Family restaurants like Red Lantern survive because of you… our community," she said at the time.
The partners plan to serve their last diners at the award-winning Darlinghurst restaurant on 22 November 2025.
“This is not the end just yet,” says Jensen.
“We still have time to celebrate together. We want as many people as possible to experience the joy of Red Lantern one more time - to laugh, to connect, and to taste the dishes that have been part of our story for over 20 years.”
Red Lantern offers modern Vietnamese and Asian-inspired dishes, with a focus on fresh ingredients and authentic flavours.
Over the last two decades, the venue has won multiple Restaurant & Catering Association Awards for Best Asian Restaurant and Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Sydney and nationally.
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