Bún Thịt Nướng – Chả Giò 01 Nguyễn Trung Trực (at the corner of Lê Lợi) District 1 ***************************** Saigon is different now. Scores of highrise office buildings and apartments have mushroomed across downtown. The government is clearing sidewalks of “unauthorized” street food vendors. The subway system is under construction, and shopping malls are rising [Read on …]
Saigon Xôi Bắp Lady 24 Nguyễn Hữu Cầu District 1 ****************************************** By far, the greatest thrill of writing Eating Saigon! over the past several years has been discovering a new, truly authentic Saigon Street Food Lady. Someone who has sat on the same Saigon street or small alley for decades offering her unique culinary specialty [Read on …]
Bánh Canh Bột Gạo Cắt 75 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, P. Đa Kao District 1 0122 365 6973; 0904 499 298 ***** Having served her food at this street corner for over ten years, this Saigon street food vendor features a few special treats! First, Bánh Canh Bột Gạo Cắt‘s District 1 location is rather convenient to Saigon’s [Read on …]
Banksy Studio Cafe’ 1st Floor, Old Apartment Building 14 Tôn Thất Đạm District 1 0169 999 0003 ***** No place in Saigon could be further from the classic verdant rice paddy image of Vietnam than the Banksy Studio Cafe’. I mean, Was I in Sojo, New York City, 1970? Was I in the Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, 1972? NO, [Read on …]
Cô Khàn Đêm 57-59 Hàm Nghi Street District 1 ***** Some weeks back, when our friend, Hai (not my Hai, but Hai’s friend, Hai) (that’s clear, right?) invited us to enjoy some lẩu (Vietnamese hot pot), of course we said dĩ nhiên (of course). Hai (the other one) is also a connoisseur of excellent, authentic, [Read on …]
Bánh Cuốn Tây Hồ 127 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street District 1 # 38200584 ************************ Legend has it that this place serves the best bánh cuốn south of Hanoi … and has for the past 50 years!! WELL, SOME LEGENDS ARE REAL! So when I told Hai that I really felt like bánh cuốn for breakfast, [Read on …]
Having lived in Saigon together for over 5 years, Hai and I have found that when we plan to go out with friends for the evening, we always must choose between a “western” or a Vietnamese eating experience. No longer! Last night, East met West at CLB Bia 2F and we all loved it! First, [Read on …]
Phở Thanh Cảnh 55 Nguyễn Cư Trinh street District 1 (on corner with Cống Quỳnh street) ***** So what does one eat when he’s been living in Saigon continuously for nearly a year, and he wants to enjoy one last memorable meal with friends before heading back to the USA for several months? Maybe I [Read on …]