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1. Bun Cha Hoa Dong
Hoa Dong's bun cha is considered the most delicious and authentic in Saigon. Previously, the restaurant was located on the sidewalk of Le Thanh Ton Street, then moved to Ly Tu Trong Street. Now, it has moved to Ton That Tung Street.
Bun Cha Hoa Dong
The traditional Hanoi-style grilled pork patties on bamboo skewers are also preserved in their original form at Hoa Dong. Each piece of grilled meat sizzles over the hot coals, turning a golden-brown color like honey. The patties are seasoned just right, with a balanced ratio of fat and lean meat, so they are not greasy. The meatballs and patties are served in a sweet and sour dipping sauce with pickled green papaya. The dish is presented neatly, meticulously, and cleanly.
Address: 28/6A Ton That Tung Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 06:00 – 21:00
2. Bun rieu Co Huong Beo
Bun rieu Co Huong Beo is probably familiar to many people because there are numerous branches throughout Saigon. Most of Co Huong Beo's bun rieu establishments are quite professional and attentive. The shops are clean and the staff are enthusiastic.
A complete bowl of bun rieu (Vietnamese crab noodle soup) at Bun rieu Co Huong Beo.
The signature dish here, bun rieu (crab noodle soup), has a clear, light broth. The sweetness of the broth comes from the tomatoes and fermented rice vinegar, and when lime is added, it becomes even more fragrant and delicious. The crab roe, though not abundant, is soft and not clumpy. The crab roe is simmered with slightly burnt onions, creating a distinctive aroma.
When eating bun rieu (crab noodle soup), it's best to eat it with fresh vegetables to balance the richness of the broth.
Crispy pork cracklings and meatballs are two indispensable ingredients here. The pork cracklings are cut into bite-sized pieces and fried until crispy and flavorful. The meatballs are made from pork, cartilage, and shrimp, giving them a crunchy texture. A complete bowl of vermicelli soup will include tofu, beef, fertilized duck eggs, pork ear sausage, and crispy meatballs. When eating, diners should accompany it with fresh vegetables to complement the rich broth and other toppings.
Address:
- Branch 1: 19B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 2: 110 Cao Thắng Street, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 3: 40/1 Lam Son Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 4: 33 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 5: 521 Do Xuan Hop Street, Phuoc Long B Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 6: 233 - 235 Nguyen Van Nghi Street, Ward 7, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 7: 72C Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
3. La Vong Fish Cake
While there are many different locations selling La Vong fish cakes in Saigon, the La Vong fish cake chain remains the authentic and best place for diners to experience.
La Vong fish cake.
Fish cakes are a familiar dish to Hanoians, both a delicious meal and a snack. Traditional fish cakes are made from fresh, naturally caught catfish, which is meaty and has few small bones, resulting in tender and sweet fish meat. Combined with over 10 spices, especially dill, the dish boasts a distinctive aroma that anyone who has tried it will surely praise.
Fish cakes are often eaten with many other side dishes.
La Vong fish cakes are typically served with vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, herbs, and shrimp paste. The dish's flavor is enhanced by the shrimp paste being prepared according to the correct recipe, which includes shrimp paste, lemon juice, sugar, and a little of the oil from frying the fish.
Address:
- 7-9 Ho Xuan Huong Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- 1000 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
- 106 Hoa Phuong Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Tien Hai Vermicelli with Tofu
Tien Hai Bun Dau is one of the restaurants that has preserved the authentic flavor of Hanoi-style bun dau mam tom (vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste) in Saigon.
A platter of vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste at Tien Hai restaurant.
The signature dish at the restaurant is bun dau (rice noodles with fried tofu), featuring the basic ingredients commonly found in bun dau platters: rice noodles, fried tofu, pork leg, rice patties, and herbs. The rice noodles are pressed firmly but remain soft when eaten, and the fried tofu is crispy on the outside and fragrant and tender on the inside. The pork leg is flavorful, and the rice patties are fried until crispy and not greasy, served with Vietnamese coriander, perilla leaves, and cucumber.
Fried fermented pork sausage (nem chua rán) is a popular item at Tiến Hải restaurant. (Illustrative image)
In addition, a popular dish here, Tien Hai's fried fermented pork sausage (nem chua rán) has its own unique flavor, being fragrant and crispy on the outside while chewy on the inside. Combined with the special dipping sauce, it brings out the distinctive taste of Hanoi-style fried sausage, making it a popular choice for many when visiting Tien Hai's bun dau restaurant.
Address:
- Branch 1: 409 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 5, District 1
- Branch 2: 804 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 12, District 1
- Branch 3: 02 Dong Nai Street, Ward 15, District 1
- Branch 4: 155 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5
- Branch 5: 679 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, District 5
- Branch 6: 39 Nguyen Son Street, Phu Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District
- Branch 7: 263 Nguyen Thi Thap Street, Tan Phu Ward, District 7
- Branch 8: 153 To Hien Thanh Street, Ward 13, District 1
- Branch 9: 211 Nguyen Cu Trinh Street, Nguyen Cong Tru Ward, District 1
- Branch 10: 376 Ten Lua Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan District
