One of the few destinations that Penang has direct flight to would be Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), it only takes less than 2 hours to reach Saigon from Penang. Vietnam has undergone rapid development in recent years, things were so different during our last visit in 2017. The city's booming food scene making it very attractive for foodies to explore- from affordable street food to fine dining, or even Michelin-starred restaurants (Michelin rolls out its food guide- Saigon version earlier this year).
1) SH Garden Dong Khoi
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: Yes 8%
Address: 26, Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 10 am to 10:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 6659 6622
Menu: here
Fried Rice with Dried Shrimp and Lotus Seeds (VND 295k)
Hanoi Prawn and Pork in Mustard Green Rolls (VND 235k)
Nam Roi Grapefruit Salad with Dried Prawns and Dried Squid (VND 225k)
Stewed Chicken with Lemongrass and Chilies (VND 255k)
An authentic Vietnamese restaurant that deserves Michelin award, SH Garden is one of the higher end restaurants in town but you will get some top-notch quality Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant is also strategically located in District 1 (old town of Saigon) with cozy dining atmosphere. The servers speak fluent English, making it very easy to place orders (they have English menu too). But be prepared to pay a premium for the quality and services. All dishes are beautifully presented, one of our favorites- the Fried Rice with Dried Shrimp and Lotus Seeds is served in Lotus Leaf. The texture is similar to Glutinous Rice but slightly lighter texture. It has some Chinese waxed meat and heaps of Dried Shrimps, Lotus Seeds... a dish expertly seasoned with multi-layer of dimensions. Another dish we found ourselves enjoying- the Hanoi Prawn and Pork in Mustard Green Rolls. Unlike the classic Vietnamese Spring Rolls in rice paper, this dish is aesthetically prepared with a huge Prawn served. The flavor is simple and straight-forward but the fresh, plump Prawn speaks for itself. Overall, we were very happy with all the dishes. SH Garden is one of our favorites in this trip and we recommend you to try it out if you happen to be in Saigon.
2) Anan Saigon
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 5%
Government Tax/ VAT: Yes 10% and 8%
Address: Ground Floor, 89, Ton That Dam Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: Opens for Dinner only, from 5 pm to late. Closed on Mondays.
Menu: here
Wagyu Beef Fried Rice (VND 225k)
Crab Fried Rice (VND 225k)
Roasted Duck Salad (VND 225k)
Mekong Elephant Fish (VND 595k)
Mui Ne Frose (VND 325k)
With many accolades and international awards in its bag, Anan Saigon has recently awarded a Michelin Star in Vietnam's Michelin Guide 2023, putting more spotlight to the restaurant. It is also the first and only Michelin-starred restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon. It is also being recognized as one of Asia's top 50 restaurant. The restaurant is packed even on weekdays so early reservation is highly recommended (we reserved our seats 6 weeks before our trip). Save for the Chef's Tasting Menu, the ala-carte menu can be ordered after you have arrived in the restaurant. The Chef's Tasting Menu however, requires early reservation. We did not go for the Tasting menu and merely sampled a few of their signature dishes.
The Roasted Duck Salad has Banana Blossom, Ginger and Cabbage dressed with classic Vietnamese dipping sauce. The flavors are well-balanced with a refreshing, herbaceous aroma. Good on its own but even better with the Prawn Cracker. The Mekong Elephant Fish is a beautifully done dish- the fish is deboned and deep fried till perfection. It is mildly seasoned on its own but we recommend dipping it in the creamy Chili sauce, for the extra dimension. We must say that we were a little underwhelmed as the spiciness was muted, probably to cater the palates of non-Asians. For tummy-fillers, we had the Wagyu Beef Fried Rice and Crab Fried Rice. Both are expertly cooked with a delightful wok-hei aroma. Not a bad experience overall, but the flavors are a little mild to our liking, probably more suitable for non-Asians.
3) Ninh Giang Rice Shop 寧江客家飯店
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: Ground Floor, 1452, Duong Tu Giang, P.12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 5 pm to 11 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 09 3339 5476
Stir Fried Prawns with Pepper, Salt and Garlic (VND 250k)
Hakka Salted Chicken (VND 220k)
Hakka Yong To Fu- Combo (VND 72k)
Stir Fried Noodles with Oyster Sauce (VND 120k)
Another favorite of ours in this trip is Ninh Giang Rice Shop, a humble Chinese-establishment in district 5 (China town of Saigon). The eatery is a little tricky to locate, the best way to reach here is via Grab. It is located in a small, narrow alley; many tables are being set up along the alley. Walk towards the end of the alley and you will find this eatery. Like many local establishments, they do not have an English menu but instead, they have a Chinese menu. Cantonese works here, making it easier to communicate with the servers. We suggest visiting the place some time before 6 pm, especially on weekends. It gets busier and peak at 7 pm, you might need to queue to get a table.
You will not find a lot of tourists here, more like a place for the locals to get their casual fix. Many patrons are here for their hotpot but we recommend trying signature Hakka Salted Chicken, a very classic way of serving Chicken. Another must have is their Stir Fried Prawns with Pepper, Salt and Garlic. Extremely fresh Prawns that are deveined, given a quick stir fry with a generous amount of Garlic, Pepper and Salt. It may sound deceivingly simple but the flavors are beyond amazing. A little salty on its own but best enjoyed over Rice or Noodles. If you have big appetite, do not miss their Stir Fried Noodles with Oyster Sauce- carefully seasoned and expertly cooked with bold Wok Hei. Everything we ordered was perfect, a place that I would want to return to for my next trip back to Saigon.
4) Maison Marou Vietnam
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 57, Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 8 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3520 8957
Mix Cup Ice Cream (VND 45k)
Signature Iced Chocolate (VND 90k)
Established in 2011, Maison Marou- a gourmet Chocolate brand based in Saigon has quickly expanded its business operations throughout the whole nation and it is now a renowned Chocolate brand in the country. Many visitors make special trips to Maison Marou outlets to purchase the chocolates as souvenirs. With gourmet and artisanal chocolate in the name, you are reassured that the chocolates do not come cheap. If you are just keen to try the chocolates out for novelty experience, you can just order their Chocolate drink and some of their specialty chocolates. If you enjoy super thick and rich Chocolate drink, go for their signature Chocolate drink. We found it overly rich and sweet to our liking. The Chocolate Ice Cream may be a better choice (in our opinion).
5) Pho Hung
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 241-243, Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 6 am to 3 am. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3838 5089
Beef Pho (VND 70k)
Chicken Pho (VND 80k)
Proudly awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, Pho Hung is one of the popular Pho joints in Saigon. The strategic location in district 1 making it ideal for tourists to visit. The menu is tourist-friendly and comes with plenty of choices- not only Beef. The servers understand English perfectly too. The broth is clean and easy on the palate. They also serve lightly blanched Sprouts (most Pho joints serve them raw), making it safer and easier to consume. We've had both Chicken and Beef Pho, though we were not disappointed with the flavor-combo (pretty safe and soul-comforting broth), we did not find them out of the ordinary. Also, the serving portion is smaller than expected.
6) My Banh Mi Saigon
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 5%
Government Tax/ VAT: Yes 8%
Address: 57, Nguyen Du Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 9:30 am to 7 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3827 2145
Chicken Banh Mi (VND 120k)
US Beef Banh Mi (VND 150k)
Across the street from Saigon's central Post Office- a major tourist attraction in the heart of Saigon, My Banh Mi is one of the many places where you can find good Vietnamese Banh Mi. But what sets this place apart is the variety and the availability of an English menu. Diners get to choose what type of meat or toppings, instead of the default Pork Ham. We are not a big fan of Pork Ham so naturally visiting this place is a good decision for us. They have a few outlets across Saigon but this particular one is 2 shops away from Maison Marou. Their Banh Mi comes with a Western-twist where you will find some creative sauces instead of the classic ones. We recommend trying Chicken Banh Mi, the Chicken is expertly marinated and perfectly grilled. All other elements are spot on. Also, you need not worry about hygiene issue as this place is a proper, clean and air-conditioned restaurant.
7) Du Mien Garden
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 07, Phan Van Tri Street, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 7 am to 11 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3894 5555
Beef Noodles Hue Style (VND 75k)
Thick Noodle Soup with Crab, Shrimp and Fish (VND 72k)
Lotus Seeds Tea (VND 58k)
Approximately 10 minutes away (by car) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Du Mien Garden is the best place for you to stop by over a quick meal before catching your return flight back to home country. The place is very spacious with beautiful landscapes and you will often find tourists carrying suitcases here. Every corner is a photo opportunity and can be ideal to spend a couple of hours relaxing here before a long haul flight. The menu is tourist-friendly with reasonable prices. This is probably the last stop where you can find good Vietnamese Pho before heading to the airport. Something different, go for their Beef Pho- Hue Style, the broth has a distinctive aroma with a heavy beef note. Instead of the usual fine, thin Rice noodles; the fat, Vermicelli Noodles are used. For those who enjoy Seafood, go for their Thick Noodle Soup with Crab, Shrimp and Fish. The broth carries a clear seafood sweetness with small pieces of Crab meat. It carries a hint of spiciness too. We've had a good lunch here before catching our afternoon flight back to Penang.
8) Ha Ky Chinese Sweet Soup Dessert
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 183D, Chau Van Liem Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3856 7039
Mung Beans with Coconut Milk (VND 35k)
Iced Water Chestnut (VND 35k)
Vegetarian Pork-Skin Noodles (VND 35k)
For some hearty, comforting Chinese desserts, make your way to Ha Ky Tong Sui located at District 5. The dessert parlor gets busier in the evenings. It has a Chinese menu, making it very easy to read. The servers speak decent Cantonese too, if you are well-verse in this dialect, there will be no communication issue in Ha Ky Tong Sui. The dessert choices are pretty much with Chinese influences, yet unique in its own ways (with Vietnamese twist). The classic Chinese Mung Bean Tong Sui got an upgrade here, served in a thicker way and with Coconut Milk... for a creamier texture. This shop also offers some light snacks but nothing is overly interesting, they are probably better in serving Tong Sui.
9) Little Hanoi Egg Coffee
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 2nd Floor, 212 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 8 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 90 452 2339
White Bread Dip Creamy Eggs (VND 60k)
Matcha Egg (VND 40k)
Avocado Yogurt (VND 65k)
Another popular breakfast place for tourists- the Little Hanoi Egg Coffee is one of the few places in Saigon known for its Egg Coffee. It occupies a unit on the upper floor and the entrance is a little narrow so it does take a while to navigate. This place is also within walking distance from the famous Banh Mi Huynh Hoa. Little Hanoi Egg Coffee's menu is pretty straight-forward, the signature dishes are all well display in the menu, along with some Western and local Vietnamese breakfast choices. If you are not a Coffee person like us, go for their White Bread Dip Creamy Eggs. It has a bold Egg flavor, slightly sweet and creamy; it certainly works well with the crisp Toasts. We do not recommend the Matcha Egg, the combo felt a little odd and we did not enjoy it.
10) Pho Le
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 413-415, Nguyen Trai, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 6 am to 12 am. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3923 4008
Pho- Beef Slices and Beef (VND 90k)
Pho- Beef Slices and Beef Balls (VND 90k)
A little off the beaten track, Pho Le can be found at District 5, Saigon's China town. A journey to this place from central Saigon (district 1) would take approximately 30 minutes by car. Pho Le is very popular in the neighborhood and has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The servers speak Mandarin here and the menu is very straight-forward, only offering Beef Pho (with various cuts and toppings). The broth is clear but packed with bold beefy flavor. The noodle comes in a huge portion, as well as a side serving of greens as well as raw sprouts. They are very generous with the meat and toppings too. We seemed to have enjoyed Pho Le more than Pho Hung.
11) The Workshop Coffee
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 2nd Floor, 27, Ngo Duc Ke, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 8 am to 9 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3824 6801
Cold Brew Cascara Tea with Orange (VND 60k)
Earl Grey Tropic Ice (VND 45k)
The Workshop Coffee is one of the cafes that has entered Saigon's cafe scene, the brand is well-known to many locals. The cafe is also strategically located near to the central location of the city. It offers a cozy, pretty space on an upper floor unit. Many sing their praises over their coffee, the cafe also run its own coffee roastery, specializing in Vietnamese Coffee. Our visit there was after dinner so we did not want any Coffee. We had the Cold Brew Cascara Tea with Orange and Early Grey Tropic Ice, both were refreshing and it was indeed a nice space to stretch our shopping legs.
12) Banh Xeo 46A
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 46, Ding Cong Trang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 10 am to 2 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +84 28 3824 1110
Regular Vietnamese Pancake with Pork and Shrimps (VND 110k)
Vietnamese Spring Rolls (VND 90k for 5 rolls)
A short walk from the Tan Dinh Pink Church, Banh Xeo 46A is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy a good Banh Xeo (crispy Vietnamese Crepe). Cooked over coal fire, one can expect the Banh Xeo to turn out to be crispy with a delightful burnt aroma. There are plenty of seating available, when the place gets busy, they will open up new tables nearby. They have English menu, making the place tourist-friendly. Most people are here for the Banh Xeo, with side orders of the Vietnamese Spring Rolls. The Banh Xeo is crisp but not overly thin, you can still taste the distinctive aroma of the crepe and often enjoyed with fresh Herbs and Greens. A serving of the Banh Xeo should be good enough for 2 diners, a place worth visiting.
13) Nest by AIA at The Landmark 81
Pork-Free
Service Charge: Yes 5%
Government Tax/ VAT: Yes 10% and 8%
Address: 75th and 76th Floor, The Landmark 81 Building, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 9 am to 9 pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Opens Daily.
Belgian Waffle (VND 195k)
[Mocktail] Lavender Lassi (VND 210k)
[Cocktail] Frozen Watermelon Margarita (VND 290k)
A skyscraper and currently the 2nd taller building in Southeast Asia, the Landmark 81 is one of the tourist hot spots in Saigon. Visitors can purchase tickets to go up to the observation deck but there is another more practical option to enjoy the view. Visitors can opt to visit Nest By AIA on the 75th floor. There is no entrance fee. Although the (food) prices here are beyond average, but visitors are rewarded with spectacular view and specialty drinks instead. We did not make any early reservations and merely walked in. Simply walk to the lift entrance and speak to the officer, they will allow lift access to 47th floor and subsequently, change to a different lift to 75th floor. We did wait a while for them to get the seats ready for us. The menu is quite simple- some beverages (both alcohols and without alcohols) with a few dessert choices. We've had a couple of drinks and a Waffle, we did not find them spectacular or worth the value. More like a place for novelty experience and photo-opportunity.
14) Ivoire Pastry Boutique
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax/ VAT: No
Address: 28, Cao Ba Quat, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 11:30 am to 8:30 pm on weekdays, 10:30 am to 8:30 pm on weekends. Closed on Mondays.
Contact Number: +84 96 659 5857
Peach (VND 205k)
Painne Suisse Aux Pistache (VND 120k)
Cinnamon Roll (VND 70k)
Not to be missed by cake lovers, Ivoire Pastry Boutique right next to the Saigon Opera House is one of the highly acclaimed cafes in the city. We are not surprised. The cafe is housed in a 4-storey building, step in the place and you will be welcomed by a beautiful display of cakes and pastries. The servers speak perfect English so we don't see any communication problem here. There are plenty of selection, including some seasonal offer but they do not come cheap (a piece of cake may cost up to RM50 here). Peach is one of their best sellers here- delicately sweetened with real Peach and plenty of Cream, surprisingly light and easy on the palate with bold fruity flavor. Another signature of theirs, the Painne Suisse Aux Pistache is perfectly flaky and buttery, with nutty elements, but might be overly sweet for some.
15) Central Market Saigon (Also known as Saigon Sense Market)
Admission: Free
Address: 4D, Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Business Hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
A short walk from Pham Ngu Lao Street, also known as the backpacker's district in Ho Chi Minh city is the city's latest tourist spots- the Central Market Saigon (also known as Saigon Sense Market). It is an air-conditioned spot that houses a few restaurants and quite a number of stalls. Visitors can have a quick recharge here after a quick round of shopping. Bargains are worth a look here, especially on T-Shirts. If you are keen to grab some quality workout shirts, this is the place to look for.
Have Fun Exploring Ho Chi Minh/ Saigon!
No comments:
Post a Comment