With street Food on every corner and an infinite number of restaurants to choose from, Saigon is by far one of the most overwhelming, but exciting cities I’ve ever eaten in.
Here’s how I ate and drank my way through Saigon over a very brief, but deliciously filling 48 hours.
Local Eats & Drinks
Huynh Hoa Bakery
26 Lê Thị Riêng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão
When in Vietnam, you have to try bánh mì – one of Vietnam’s most popular street foods. How can you not, when small food carts sell these tasty sandwiches on every corner and you can fill your belly for less than a dollar?
Following the recommendation of a friend, I headed to Hyung Hoa Bakery, a famous bánh mì joint frequented by the locals. I knew I was in the right spot when I saw the long queue of eagerly hungry patrons rolling out of the little shop.
At Hyung Hoa Bakery, for 38,000 VND ($2.00 CAD), they serve up an aggressive, flavour-packed bánh mì, loaded with layers of different meats, pickled vegetables, green onions, and slices of cucumbers. All of this is packed into a fresh baguette, perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
This sandwich is aggressive indeed. I’m spicy-food adverse. I practically faint at the mere sight of a hot pepper, let alone actually eating one. And, who knew that craftily hidden, halfway down my sandwich, a tiny green chili pepper awaited my ill-fated self.
My mouth began spewing fire. But, having no self-control when it comes to food, I continued to mow down this fiery baguette, all while fighting back tears. It was too good to give up.
Phở Hòa Pasteur
260C Pasteur, Phường 8
It would’ve been a huge “pho pas” to visit Vietnam and not try one of the country’s most iconic dishes. And, this almost happened to me. I realized on my last night in Saigon that I had been so busy stuffing my face with other delicious, local eats, that I had almost forgotten the most important one. Could you imagine?! So, on an already full stomach, I made my way over to Phở Hòa Pasteur, to slurp up a bowl. And, I’m so relieved I did.
I was seated across from a local, a seemingly regular customer, who keenly helped me navigate through the twelve different pho options on the menu. He enthusiastically ordered the combination of beef soup for me, which came with a generous and deliciously tender selection of raw beef slices, flank, brisket, tripe, and beef balls.
But, what was even more generous was the monstrous size of this bowl of soup. This bowl of pho was bigger than my face, which for the first time in my life, made me doubt my highly advanced eating skills. But, if you’re wondering, I finished every last drop.
How could I not, when the broth was so rich and abundantly flavourful that I was practically foaming at the mouth? It all came served with an overflowing side plate of fresh greens and ingredients including lemon basil, mung bean sprouts, mint, and fiery chilis, to add to its already bold flavour.
Góc Hà Nội
165/3 Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão
Raw eggs in coffee? Nothing surprises me anymore after spending a year and a half sampling all sorts of strange ingredient combinations throughout Asia.
As strange as it seemed, this cup of java at Góc Hà Nội was darn good – possibly, the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had. And, I can see why it’s a favourite drink among the locals.
A strong dose of caffeine is topped with a frothed mixture of egg yolk and condensed milk. Creating a deliciously creamy, rich and sweet dessert in a cup.
If I could, I would slurp back cup after cup of this heavenly concoction. Too bad there’s no where in Taiwan or Toronto that I know of that whips these up. I can’t wait to go back to Vietnam, solely to get my next caffeine and raw egg fix.
Watering Holes
Ben Thanh Street Food Market
26-28-30 Thủ Khoa Huân, Bến Thành
This super trendy, open air food court has a buzzing atmosphere – with backpackers swigging back beers while chowing down on all sorts of sizzling street grub, live music echoing over the honking scooters whizzing by, and lively splashes of brightly coloured street art decorating its walls.
At the Ben Thanh Street Food Market, you can find a wide range of Asian fusion cuisine, including both Vietnamese street food and a variety of international fare, as well as several bars serving up cheap beers and cocktails. Perfect for those who are penny pinching at the end of their trip.
This is definitely the place to go if you want to grab an inexpensive drink, meet other backpackers, and have a ferocious or indecisive appetite.
Pasteur Street Brewing Company
144 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Bến Nghé
Calling all beer lovers. Craving a refreshing, cold one after sightseeing on a sweltering, hot day? Head to Pasteur Street Brewing Company, Vietnam’s popular, award-winning craft brewery.
Hidden through an unsuspecting, brightly decorated alleyway, a warm and friendly staff eagerly await to hydrate you.
They offer a solid range of locally brewed craft beers, catering to all tastes. From a jasmine IPA to a chocolate stout, their beer menu seems endless! Can’t decide on just one from their extensive menu? Opt for a flight, which for 250,000 VND ($14 CAD), gives you six, unique beverages to taste.
After sampling a few, my heart was won over by the passion fruit wheat ale. Delightfully crisp, light and fruity. It was perfectly refreshing after walking around in Saigon’s 30°C heat all day.
Indika: House of Curiosities
43 Nguyễn Văn Giai, Đa Kao
A curious place indeed. A perfectly serene brunch spot and cafe by day and lively bohemian bar by night. This magical little restaurant and bar is shrouded from Saigon’s bustling streets. Tucked behind the courtyard of a neighbouring restaurant and under the rickety balconies of charming, old homes, the entrance to Indika‘s whimsical and cozy garden is at first hard to find. But, once you’ve located its dimly lit sign, navigating the secretive path is a cake walk.
Indika serves up a mean Western-style brunch in the mornings, a wide range of tasty tapas, sandwiches, pastas, craft beers, and cocktails at night, and, some strong Vietnamese coffee all-day long.
