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WHERE IS BEN THANH MARKET LOCATED?
Ben Thanh Market, centrally located in District 1, on Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, is an unmissable destination when mentioning Saigon. Built in 1912 during the French colonial period, Ben Thanh Market has witnessed over 100 years of turbulent history and development, becoming an indispensable cultural and commercial symbol of Saigon.
Ben Thanh Market - an enduring symbol of Saigon.
With its long history and development, Ben Thanh Market is not only a traditional shopping destination but also an attractive cultural and culinary spot with affordable prices. Tourists can find a wide variety of delicious food, from savory dishes to soups, from traditional dishes to street food snacks.
The food court at Ben Thanh Market is always bustling and crowded, with numerous eateries open from morning till night, attracting many tourists and locals. It's not just a place to enjoy delicious food, but also an experience of Saigon's culture and lifestyle.
Here are 3 famous food stalls you absolutely must try when visiting Ben Thanh Market:
CO ANH'S HUE-STYLE RICE CAKES
The bánh bèo here retains the original flavor of the dish from Hue. The owner revealed that the rice must be of the sticky variety for the bánh to be soft and tender. The shrimp filling inside is praised by customers for its rich flavor.
Hue's specialty dish
The mixed platter here is presented in a colorful and appealing way on a small plate, including bánh bèo, bánh bột lọc, bánh ít trần, and a piece of chả (Vietnamese sausage). Each ingredient is meticulously prepared and arranged neatly on the small plate, creating an attractive and interesting presentation. In particular, finely ground shrimp is sprinkled on top, along with a few breadcrumbs to enhance the flavor and crispness of the dish. Finally, fish sauce is added, playing a crucial role in creating the dish's distinctive taste.
The famous bánh bèo (rice flour cakes) shop in Ben Thanh Market has sold over a thousand plates every day for 22 years.
When enjoying this dish, each piece of bread soaked in fish sauce will give you a harmonious blend of salty and sweet flavors in your mouth. The fish sauce, mixed in the Southern style with a mild spiciness, perfectly complements the crispness and flavor of the bread crumbs. The pork sausage and spring rolls each have their own distinct flavor, homemade by Ms. Anh's family, making them special and different from many other places.
This bánh bèo (steamed rice cake) stall is open from early morning until after 3 PM, peaking at lunchtime when it's busiest. There are no tables; customers sit on plastic chairs, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Surrounding the stall are beverage vendors offering a variety of options from fruit juices to sugarcane juice, adding variety to your meal.
BA HAI'S RICE NOODLE SOUP
Mrs. Hai's noodle soup attracts many tourists not only because of its delicious flavor but also because of its affordable price, suitable for all types of customers.
The cheapest noodle soup stall in Ben Thanh Market, priced at 50,000 VND per bowl.
With over 30 years of existence at the eastern corner of Ben Thanh Market, District 1, Mrs. Hai's banh canh (rice noodle soup) stall has become a familiar and favorite destination for many locals and vendors in the market. Although each bowl of banh canh costs only 50,000 VND, lower than the average price of 65,000 VND at other stalls in the market, the quality and flavor of the dish are still guaranteed and highly appreciated.
Inside a full serving are crab meat, a shrimp, several large slices of pork, and a few slices of fish cake.
Mrs. Hai's stall isn't very big, just big enough for a table and a glass display case. Every day, she prepares a small pot of broth, placing it in front of her so customers can easily get more when needed. She especially focuses on keeping the broth hot and flavorful to serve her customers whenever they visit.
Although Ben Thanh Market regularly welcomes many international tourists, Mrs. Hai's customers are mainly locals and vendors in the market. However, occasionally, curious foreign tourists stop by to try this famous dish. Upon arrival, you will be immediately served a comfortable plastic chair to sit on.
The restaurant only sells one type of noodle soup, but customers can choose according to their preferences, such as crab noodle soup, pork knuckle noodle soup, or a bowl with all the ingredients. Importantly, a steaming hot bowl of noodle soup will be delivered directly to the customer after placing their order.
BUN RIEU BA LIEN
Having been a vendor at Ben Thanh Market for over 40 years, Mrs. Mai Thi Lien's vermicelli soup stall is not only a familiar culinary spot but also a favorite destination for tourists, especially foreigners and overseas Vietnamese.
Delicious restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City frequented by celebrities.
The nickname "fancy crab noodle soup" is given to Mrs. Mai Thi Lien's noodle soup stall not only for its quality but also for its professional service and unique way of preparing the dish. Although it doesn't contain snails, crab roe, or pork sausage like traditional crab noodle soup, her version still retains the distinctive and appealing flavor of crab broth.
A bowl of bun rieu (Vietnamese crab noodle soup) costs 60,000 VND and does not contain meat.
Mrs. Lien's vermicelli soup with crab and pork is known for its simplicity yet irresistible appeal. Each bowl contains basic ingredients such as thin vermicelli noodles, blood pudding, crab meatballs, diced tofu, and tomatoes, garnished with blanched onions on top. What's special is that each ingredient in the bowl is carefully selected and generously sized, creating a satisfying and filling feeling with every bite.
Moreover, the broth in Mrs. Lien's noodle soup is also a key factor in determining its deliciousness. The rich broth, with its natural flavors from chili fish sauce and tamarind paste, creates a harmonious and satisfying blend.
When enjoying this bowl of bun rieu, you will not only savor the distinctive flavor of the dish but also experience the unique and appealing aspects of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
