Saigon! Places to Eat

"New York, New York a city so nice, they named it twice," was Gerard Kenny's ode to his favourite city in 1978. As someone who likes a good authentic meal, I've just been to Saigon a couple of months ago and can't resist the chance to visit it again this week.  


Here are a few places for you to check out, whilst in Saigon:
Best Pho Place in town recommended by a local: Pho Dua , 288 Nam Ky Khoi Nghi
Banh Xeo 46A: serves "Vietnamese pancakes  (salty stuff, not sweet) and other stuff. Pretty popular street style restaurant too. Address is 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1off of Hai Ba Trungstreet. Any cab driver would know the place.

Best café in town, with lovely views  and cool design shop attached L'Usine

There are 2 in District 1, go to both if you have the time. The one with a view of the Opera from the balcony is great to hang and people watch.

Pho Places:

This is a breakfast place. Go there before 12 if you don't want to be disappointed. It's very close to Movenpick Hotel.

Pho Cao Van is a small shop that doesn't really look enticing but the pho is really good. The address is 25 Mac Dinh Chi street, it's close to the US embassy.

A more hip and laid back Pho joint is RU PHO BAR Alley 27E Tran Nhat Duat, P. Tan Dinh, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Lunch/Dinner:

A great restaurant to discover regional Vietnamese food… (great for lunch),  Quan Ngon 138, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

A great place for dinner is May Resturant 3/5 Hoang Sa, Ward Dakai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Honestly, the food here is better than the service and the place can be a little difficult to find. But worth the effort of finding the place and putting up with the indifferent service.

Another gorgeous roof top restaurant. Beautiful views and food… (great for dinner)

http://shgarden.com.vn

If you are around the Ben Thanh market, do check out:

Nam Giao: it's a popular restaurant that serves "Hue" food. The address is 136/15 D Le Thanh Ton street It's in a small alley at one end of Ben Thanh Market. 

If you are a fan of Anthony Bourdain, do check out Lunch Lady. She runs a small stall at  Phường Đa Kao, District 1 (Quan 1), Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. She's now a sort of celebrity, with TV cameras always waiting for an interview. Well worth the visit, for her broth is awesome!

Finally, save yourself for a 7 course French meal at:  Trois Gourmands, 18 Tong Huu Dinh Street, Thai Dien Ward, District 2, HCMC Tel: +84 8 37444585. The owners and staff are lovely, so is the food, wine, cheese and dessert. It's a little travel to get there, but worth it.

A word of advice, Only use cabs from VINASUN or MAILINH companies (both green and white). They will turn on the meter without asking any question. Any other cab companies will try to scam you.

"Golden Lotus foot massage" is great after a long day of walking the streets or doing nothing. Enjoy!