Known for its Vietnamese pho and street food, Mrs Pho has opened a new Vietnamese Charcoal Hotpot and Barbecue concept, Mrs Pho House at Ngee Ann City.

Mrs Pho House specialises in traditional Vietnamese charcoal fired hotpot as well as grilled side items. All dishes—including broths, ingredients, and side dishes—are prepared by a third-generation female Chef Linh from Vietnam.

To celebrate their opening, Mrs Pho House will be offering 50% off soup bases from 8 Sep – 8 Oct 2021. Diners must a prior reservation to enjoy the promotion.

There are four soup bases available on Mrs Pho House’s menu and they are made with Vietnamese herbs, spices and ingredients:

• Collagen Pepper Pork (regular S$28, large S$28)
• Vietnamese Perilla Mutton (regular S$25, large S$30)
• Herbal Chicken and Mushroom (regular S$23, large S$28)
• Crab Bisque (regular S$38, large S$48)

You can get a variety of meats, seafoods, vegetables and mushrooms that are perfect for hotpot.

Meat options include:

• Japanese wagyu
• Pork belly
• Iberico pork shoulder shabu shabu
• Handmade meatballs
• Beef balls
• Lemongrass brine chicken

Seafood options include:

• Whole rainbow lobster
• Scallops
• Mussels
• Tiger prawns
• Baby octopus
• Fish fillet

The Pomelo Salad (S$18.90) might not sound like much, but it was our favourite dish from Mrs Pho House’s menu. The refreshing salad came with Vietnamese crystal pomelo, fresh tiger prawns and fresh herbs.

Another dish that we really loved was the Mrs Pho Iberico Pork Belly on Skewers ($5.90) featuring marinated juicy slices of Iberico pork belly on sticks.

There are also other side dishes such as the Five Spice Butter Quail (S$18.90), Lemongrass Chicken in Claypot (S$13.90), and Stuffed Squid (S$19.90).

Mrs Pho House
391 Orchard Road, #B2-36A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872

Located along Geylang Road, Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette is a Vietnamese eatery that specialises in authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi.

We first knew about this hidden gem from a Vietnamese friend who highly recommended their Banh Mi. And it sure lived up to all the hype.

What we love about Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette:

• Very tasty and authentic Banh Mi with a generous filling
• Freshly-baked baguettes
• Affordable Banh Mi at only S$4.50 each
• It specialises in only Banh Mi

On Banh Mi Thit’s menu, you can find 6 types of Banh Mi—pork, chicken, ham, beef, egg and pate—which are affordable priced at only S$4.50 each.

You can also get authentic Vietnamese coffee and Thai milk tea to go along with your Banh Mi.

What makes Banh Mi Thit different from the other Banh Mi places in Singapore is they bake their own baguettes from scratch.

The Chicken Banh Mi (S$4.50) came with generous serving of chicken chunks, pickled carrots, coriander and it was sandwiched within the baguette which was freshly baked in-house. The toasted baguette was so good that you could eat it on its own.

The Beef Banh Mi (S$4.50) completely stole the show with the thinly-sliced beef which was cooked medium-rare. It was juicy, tender and simply delicious.

Banh Mi Thit is a humble Vietnamese eatery which serves one of the best Banh Mis in Singapore. And the best part? They are priced affordably and everyone can enjoy it. The location may be slightly out of the way, but it is definitely a place that is worth the journey.

Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette
543 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389498
Tel: +65 6909 8340

Being more than just a national dish and a bowl of noodle soup, Pho carries the tradition and history of Vietnam since the 19th century. Pho has since gone through a series of modification as the years go by, but it remains a well-loved dish by many.

Amongst the many food options in Somerset, we spotted this Que in TripleOne Somerset that serves Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha and other Vietnamese dishes. The menu is relatively affordable with nothing over S$10.90.

Aside from the usual chains you see in town, maybe this could be a new choice for you to savour!

Our Beef Pho (S$10.90) came served in a huge bowl; plus points for big portions! We first tried the broth on its own without adding any extra condiments and thought it was too light. Masterchef us started to add various sauces and toppings that were available at the counter in using our “agaration” to create our work of art.

We threw in some hoisin sauce, fish sauce, sriracha sauce, black pepper, two small limes (make do with just one if you don’t like it too sour) and some beansprouts. The flavours were immediately enhanced and the broth came to life.

Out of the few ingredients in the pho, we were bowled over by the beef balls that came with a chewy consistency and a pleasant beefy fragrance.

If pho is not your thing, here’s a rice option. As one of the highlights on their menu, the Grilled Pork Rice (S$8.90) comes with a fried spring roll. It was covered in a sweet sauce, similar to teriyaki or Thai pork skewers, moo ping, but with a firmer texture. The nuts and shallots sprinkled on it added some crunch and a nutty aroma to it.

The lady boss shared that she uses pork collar as it contains less fat but still has a good bite to it. Personally, we thought that a little more fat would have done this dish more justice with a more tender bite and fat-rendered goodness, possibly by using pork belly.

A dipping sauce made with fish sauce, vinegar and sugar that tasted similar to achar was served on the side, and it blended well together with the pork.

This food stall is a one-man show by this Vietnamese lady boss and was previously located at Toa Payoh before shifting here. She prepares everything on her own and we could feel her sincerity in cooking while tasting the food. Her friendliness and hospitality made the dining experience at Que even warmer than the bowl of noodles we had.

111 Somerset Road
#01-K10, TripleOne Somerset
Singapore 238164
Sun to Fri: 11:30am to 8pm
Sat: 11:30am to 3pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

New to the slew of cafes and eateries in Upper Thomson is Pho Viet, a humble Vietnamese eatery situated along the same stretch where Maneko Japanese Restaurant and One Man Coffee are located at.

They serve up anything from the classic pho to other lesser known Vietnamese dishes, mostly priced below S$10. Being literally the only Vietnamese joint in the whole stretch, we had pretty high expectations but did it meet them, surpass them or disappoint? Read on to find out.

Starting off with what many of us would consider a Vietnamese staple, the Beef Brisket Noodle Soup (S$8.90) is one of the most popular dishes in Pho Viet amongst diners which goes highly recommended by their staff.

Pho Viet’s rendition of the noodle soup dish features thick rice noodles topped with beef slices and beef meatballs. While the rice noodles were silky smooth just the way we like it, we thought that the broth could do with more flavours and that the beef pieces were a major letdown.

The meatballs that were served were undercooked, resulting in a hard texture whereas the beef slices were tough and lacked flavour.

The Pork Stew with Quail Eggs (S$8.90), on the other hand, came packed with robust flavours. A traditional dish that is consumed by the Vietnamese during Lunar New Year, this dish sees fork-tender pork belly pieces alongside quail eggs.

Served with steamed rice, the stew came with caramelised pork belly pieces and quail eggs which were both well-marinated in a sweet-savoury sauce. However, considering the price point of this item, we thought that they could afford to be more generous with its portion.

Pho Viet also offers a variety of appetisers on the menu ranging from barbecued seafood to Vietnamese baguettes. We ordered up a portion of BBQ Pork (S$8.90), our personal essential whenever we patronise a Vietnamese eatery.

Presented in the form of skewers, the pork pieces had a pleasant bite to it. Be that as it may, we thought that the skewers were overly salty. Besides the strong notes of fish sauce used in its marination, the skewers lacked dimension to its flavours taste-wise.

Pho Viet
215M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 8518 0090
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Known for her rich history, friendly town folks and incredibly cheap and delectable eats, Ho Chi Minh City is the best place for foodies to embark on an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.

Sure we all know what a good pho or banh mi should taste like, or so we believe we do. Prepare to have your perceptions completely flipped on its head. Though, it’s only fair that we warn you that having your favourite Vietnamese treats in Singapore won’t be the same anymore.

If that doesn’t deter you at all, dive into true-blue Vietnamese food starting from the back alley streets of Ho Chi Minh to some of the poshest looking bars. To help guide you along, here’s our Ho Chi Minh City District 1 food guide.

33 DE THAM RESTAURANT

While pho, spring rolls and banh mi are great, they aren’t all that Vietnam is good for. Tucked away along a quiet street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, lies 33 De Tham Restaurant.

Specialising in zi char-style cooking, their menu boasts a wide range of delights ranging from the usual to the exotic, and not only is the quality topnotch, but the price is also unbelievably affordable as well.

Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City 700000
Daily: 11am – 1.30am

BRIX WINEBAR KITCHEN

If you’re looking for a bar with great vibes and wines, look no further than to BRIX Winebar Kitchen. BRIX serves a great range of charcuterie, cold cuts and cheeses on their menu that pair excellently with their wines.

You can mix and match a few of your favourites to enjoy while you drink the night away.

42 Pasteur Street
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 12am

L’AMANT CAFE

L’amant Café impresses with both its gorgeous decor and a sensational medley of tasty treats. Conveniently located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the elaborate yet cosy café is best known for their range of Vietnamese coffee and contemporary Vietnamese dishes.

It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa or some cafe food too if you fancy it.

12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm

LUNCH LADY

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, no one ever leaves without paying the acclaimed Lunch Lady a visit. This internationally-renowned street food stall—located just a few steps away from popular pho joint, Pho Phuong 25—is famous for their down-to-Earth, rustic charm and menu that rotates daily.

Until today, Lunch Lady is still highly patronised by locals, tourists, as well as food bloggers from around the world.

23 Hoang Sa Street
Phuong Da Kao, District 1 (Quan 1)
Daily: 9am – 3pm

MAMA PHO

Mama Pho has a stellar pho-centric menu, featuring not only different flavours of the classic soup-based pho. Here is where you’ll find unique pho-based creations such as their Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, Rolled Pho and even Wok-Fried Pho.

You won’t find many locals dining here given its higher price point, but Mama Pho is worth a visit regardless.

111, Hem So 9,
Ben Nghé Quan 1,
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10pm

MAM BAC

Specialising in a variety of Vietnamese dishes from the classic pho, grilled meat dishes to some pretty exotic items as well, Mâm Bac is a 2-storey eatery in Ho Chi Minh’s District 1 that is worth visiting for a pleasant introduction to local flavours in a modern and comfortable setting.

94 Ho Tung Mau, Quan 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 90 130 15 08
Daily: 7am – 11pm

NHU LAN BAKERY

A popular pit stop among the Vietnamese locals, Nhu Lan Bakery houses a banh mi kiosk, a proper sit-down Vietnamese eatery as well as a delicatessen and meat grocer.

They serve everything under the sun, from bowls of pho bo to a massive selection of banh mi toppings and even some other local delicacies not commonly found elsewhere.

50 Ham Nghi,
Ben Nghé, Quan 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4am – 11pm

NHU LAN BANH MI

Like Pho, Bahn Mi is found in every street corner, available in fancy food joints and street stalls anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, and definitely here at Nhu Lan Bakery too.

While Banh Mi usually features pork paté, a variety of cooked meats, Vietnamese hams and sausages and more, you can also customise your own Bahn Mi from their wide variety of toppings here too!

50 Ham Nghi,
Ben Nghé, Quan 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4am – 11pm

STREET FOOD – MULTI-COLOURED GLUTINOUS RICE

While strolling through Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll inevitably come across a street cart or two selling gorgeous colourful glutinous rice desserts topped with coconut cream and desiccated coconuts, making for that perfect Instagram shot.

We do recommend asking locals for the best recommendations and asking for the price before ordering though.

STREET FOOD – RICE PAPER CRISPY PANCAKE

Known as Banh Trang Nuong, it’s a type of rice cracker more commonly found in Ho Chi Minh City. A rice paper sheet is toasted over a charcoal fire to a nice crisp before being topped up with ingredients such as diced vegetables, cream cheese, quail eggs, minced meat and a variety of sauces.

If you see a stall like this around Ho Chi Minh City, do not hesitate!

PHO HA

Having been around for the past 20 years, these folks know how to serve up a proper bowl of pho, so skip your McDonald’s and head over to Pho Ha for a delicious late-night bite instead.

Meaty and straightforward yet brimming with heady notes of spices, there really is no questioning why the locals here can have this every single day.

19 Hai Trieu, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4pm – 2am

PHO HAI TRIEU

Specialising in an assortment of chicken dishes, pho and hearty soups, this humble eatery may not seem like much at first, but it really does impress with its wide array of menu offerings. Also great if you’re in a hurry—because service here is lightning quick while packing a substantial arsenal of yummy delights with their chicken dishes standing out the most.

Ben Nghe, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PHO PHUONG 25

For a truly authentic and out-of-this-world beef pho experience when in Ho Chi Minh City, you really have to drop by Pho Phuong 25.

Besides offering tasty bowls of pho, they feature both indoor and open-air seating, you could easily bask in the aroma of simmering beef broth and freshly plucked herbs surrounding the entire eatery.

25 Hoàng Sa, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tue to Sun: 5.30am – 9pm
Mon: 5.30am – 1pm

PHUC LONG COFFEE & TEA

Essentially the Starbucks of Vietnam, this Vietnamese-born chain is best known for their tea and their iced teas are a big hit with many people of all ages, and although it might resemble the look and feel of a commercial coffee and tea chain, it was far from it.

It’s the perfect place to pop by and grab a quick iced coffee or tea and go about the rest of your day in the city.

29 Ngo Duc Ke Q 1
Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam (
Multiple outlets located within District 1)

THE RUNNING BEAN

If you’re planning to take a short break before embarking on more adventures in HCMC, take a break at The Running Bean and lounge in one of their comfortable seats inside or al fresco. This gorgeous cafe boasts a boho-theme, similar to the ones you’d typically expect to find in Bali.

They serve up ice cold smoothie bowls that are nothing short of perfect to cleanse and detoxify all the Vietnamese coffee and street food you’ve probably had by now.

115 Ho Tung Mau Dist.1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

After a full day of eating Pho and Bahn Mi, we were feeling guilty after gorging ourselves with that much delicious and hearty street food, so we knew we had to cleanse ourselves with something a little healthier. Just a stone’s throw away from Ho Chi Minh City’s very own “Stark Tower”, the Bitexco Financial Tower, sits one of the trendiest and most modern-looking cafés in District 1, The Running Bean.

We were first drawn to the chic architecture of the single-story building, reminiscent of South Korean-style cafés with geometric patterns lining the exterior of the building. The Running Bean is popular amongst a younger demographic and the entire compound is filled with Instagram-worthy backdrops for you to snap the perfect “OOTD”.

If you’re planning to take a short break before embarking on more adventures in HCMC, take a break at The Running Bean and lounge in one of their comfortable seats inside or al fresco.

After trying out a bunch of really great Vietnamese coffee, we had to take a break from the caffeine for fear of a sleepless night. Hence, we went for the Smoothie Bowls, something we were very much intrigued by on their menu.

It comes in 3 variations—Dragon Fruit (95,000VND | S$5.60), Mango and Green (90,000VND each | S$5.30).

We were surprised by the huge and generous portions but we were immediately sold on one thing—the vivid colours! We went right for the Dragon Fruit and Green Smoothie Bowls and they were both a hit.

The Green is a blend of banana, avocado spinach and almonds. It reminded us of regular green smoothies but elevated. The bowl is topped off with even more bananas, almond flakes, raspberries and chia seeds. If we were feeling anything but healthy before, the thought was certainly long gone. We especially liked the rich texture of this smoothie bowl from the bananas and avocados blended in.

The Dragon Fruit smoothie bowl is vivid purple and topped with strawberries, chia seeds, walnuts and honey. The actual smoothie was sweet and slightly tart but we love the chunks of fruit still unblended in the smoothie bowls to give it a nice bite.

Refreshing and extremely pleasant, it was a good palate cleanser before we went on to more street food!

If you’re an avid café hopper visiting Ho Chi Minh City, you must add The Running Bean onto your list!

The Running Bean
115 Ho Tung Mau
Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3915 0055
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City Guide to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel we were staying at in Ho Chi Minh City, sits cosy little pho joint, Mama Pho Restaurant. The seemingly cafe-style establishment serves up pho as well as other local delights but how it differs from those you get from the streets is a massive variety of pho types, as well as sides.

Mama Pho has a stellar pho-centric menu, featuring not only different flavours of the classic soup-based pho. Here is where you’ll find unique pho-based creations such as their Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, Rolled Pho and even Wok-Fried Pho.

You won’t find many locals dining here given its higher price point, but here’s why we think that Mama Pho is worth a visit regardless.

Stepping into the cosy little joint, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous floor tiles and comfortable seating. The wait staff was attentive and their strong air-conditioning really relaxed us after a long day of walking in the heat.

We went right for the unique Pho Sate Bo (78,000 VND, S$4.61) which is essentially beef pho but served in a rich peanut-based broth instead.

The pho broth was incredibly unique and we liked that it wasn’t overly rich, complementing the springy rice noodles and tender beef slices to perfection. After trying so many bowls of pho, we were glad to dig into something a little different.

We were torn between the Wok-Fried Pho and Crispy Pan-Fried Pho but we settled for the latter.

The Pho Ap Chau Tom & Rau Cu (Sautéed Shrimp & Vegetables over Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, 78,000 VND, SS$4.61) was, unfortunately, a little too tough to bite through.

For a light nibble before your meal, order up the Cahn Ga Chien Sa Nghe (Fried Lemongrass & Turmeric Chicken, 48,000VND, S$2.84). This deep-fried chicken wing delight comes served with a sweet chilli sauce on the side but truly, it stood up well on its own.

The chicken wings were marinated well and who can dislike the combination of turmeric and chicken, fried to golden perfection?

There were a few hits and misses during our visit but despite that, Mama Pho certainly deserves praise for their unique pho creations. Which one will you be trying?

Mama Pho Restaurant
111, Hem so 9, Ben Nghé
Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Tel: +84 28 3915 1009

Whenever we talk about Vietnamese food, the first thing that comes to mind is a cuisine that boasts complex heady aromas of fresh herbs and robust flavours that pack a punch yet remain light on the palate.

An amalgamation of fresh and exotic flavours hailing from various regions of Vietnam, newly-established Paper Rice aims to give diners nothing short of the real taste of Vietnam. This new concept by Arteastiq Group—you may know them for their stellar range of brewed teas and art jam spaces—sees a collaboration of colossal proportions, tying in the skillsets of Arteastiq’s award-winning Executive Chef Yip and Vietnamese-born Chef Minh.

Officially opening its doors at Changi City Point on 30 November 2018, Paper Rice takes diners through Vietnam’s rich gastronomic history encompassing the cuisine’s signature clean, exotic and robust flavours. Think nostalgic classics such as the hearty pho, smoky street-style grill and Vietnamese drip coffee, as well as other traditional and uncommon Vietnamese delights.

As part of their launch, you get to enjoy Saigon Export beers at just S$2 and 50% off Kirin beers with any purchase of food from 30 November to 31 December 2018. The best part? That’s probably the least exciting promotion the restaurant has in store. Make sure to read till the end of this article for more details.

STARTERS

Offering a pretty decent selection of starter dishes, these are what we advise you to start with to give you a more restrained introduction to the courses to come.

Vietnamese spring rolls are a must and on their menu, they have more than just the conventional spring rolls available. Feeling undecided? Consider their Spring Rolls Platter. heFeaturing 4 different kinds of spring rolls, the platter comes with two dipping sauces accompanied by rice noodles and greens.

PHO

A quintessential Vietnamese dish, the pho provides hot and meaty comfort in a nutritious bone broth.

At Paper Rice, you can choose from 5 different variations of pho originating from different parts of Vietnam. Apart from meat toppings such as beef, chicken, and pork, Paper Rice also offers a vegetarian option. Regardless of which you choose, each bowl of pho boasts silky rice noodles soaked in a flavourful broth which has been simmered overnight. Served with a heaping plate of crunchy leafy greens and various aromatic herbs, these aromatic bowls of comfort are certain to lift your senses.

RICE VERMICELLI

Rice vermicelli are essentially served dry, keeping the ingredients from becoming sodden. In the mouth, what you get is an ingenious combination of flavours accentuated by a vibrant dressing and exciting textures of beef slices, crunchy peanuts, bean sprouts and fresh herbs.

To bind it all together, stir in a tablespoon or two of fish sauce. One particular offering that we’re stoked to try is their Fresh Rice Vermicelli With Grilled Chicken.

BANH MI

On our recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, we tried multiple delicious variations of this Vietnamese staple – the Banh Minh, and was thrilled to see this Vietnamese street food featured in Paper Rice’s menu.

Banh mi—which literally translates to bread—is made up of a toasted baguette stuffed with grilled meat and pickled vegetables. At Paper Rice, two classic Banh Mi is featured—the Grilled Pork Banh Mi and the Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi.

MEKONG SPECIAL

The restaurant’s ‘Mekong Special’ features a selection of specialty dishes hailing from the Mekong region of Vietnam which has been known for its more pronounced flavour profiles and unique ingredients.

The Deep Fried Seabass with Spicy Lemongrass Peanut Sauce and Signature Hand Pulled Chicken are among the many unique Mekong dishes that grace this section of the menu. A special curation, the dishes here aim to bring nothing but sheer authenticity from pasture to plate.

EGG COFFEE & VIETNAMESE-STYLE HIGH TEA

To round out the entire experience, be sure to order up a cup of hot Vietnamese Egg Coffee. Every sip rewards the tongue with a frothy, creamy foam that provides a subtle sweetness as well as a gentle nuance of egg, all working well to complement the intensely flavoured dark coffee.

An all-day dining destination, Paper Rice also offers Singapore’s first Vietnamese-style high tea set ($32++ for 2) featuring colourful traditional snacks, desserts and pastries served alongside your choice of Vietnamese coffee or Arteastiq’s signature teas.

As part of their opening promotion, diners get to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee at just S$1 (with purchase of any food items) from 2pm to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays until 31 December 2018.

GIVEAWAY OF A LIFETIME

In need of a getaway? Visit Paper Rice any time between 30 November 2018 to 31 Jan 2019, share about your dining experience on either Instagram or Facebook as well as post a review on Google or Tripadvisor and you just might stand a chance to win a free 3D2N trip to Danang, Vietnam.

If lounging on pristine beaches and visiting the Instagrammable Da Nang Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills sounds like the perfect vacation for you, be sure to make a trip down on their opening day (30 November 2018) to stand a 10x chance of winning this prize!

Paper Rice
Changi City Point #B1-26/27
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6443 1261
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT Station: Expo

This post was brought to you by Paper Rice. 

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea is essentially the Starbucks of Vietnam, with outlets sprawling all over Ho Chi Minh City at literally every corner.

This Vietnamese-born chain is best known for their tea and their iced teas are a big hit with many people of all ages. The outlet we visited was rather spacious and it took up 3 levels of a stretch of shophouses, and although it might resemble the look and feel of a commercial coffee and tea chain, it was far from it.

Here’s what’s actually worth ordering at Phuc Long Coffee & Tea.

We went for a Cappuccino Blast (49,000VND, S$2.89) and a Vitamin C Relaxing Fruit Smoothie (49,000VND, S$2.89) as we were craving for something refreshing.

The former was a quick kick and we instantly felt a lot more awake after a few sips. The caffeine content was pretty high but the strong roasted taste was actually really pleasant.

The latter was a nice refreshing and healthy drink that made for a good pick-me-up after our heavy pho lunch but it was nothing to shout about. Stick to their coffee and tea and you’re set.

We also picked up a croissant that we saw in their glass display but it was disappointing. We like our croissants buttery and flaky but this was the complete opposite of that.

A word of advice is to just stick to their drinks and skip the food. Just pop by and grab a quick iced coffee or tea and go about the rest of your day in the city.

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea
29 Ngo Duc Ke Q 1
Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 1800 6779

(Multiple outlets located within District 1)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

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L’amant Café impresses with both their gorgeous decor and a sensational medley of tasty treats. Conveniently located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the elaborate yet cosy café is best known for their range of Vietnamese coffee and contemporary Vietnamese dishes.

Upon stepping into L’amant Café, you will be amazed by the huge and spacious interior and the massive range of instant coffee in their retail section. From the food, the coffee and even the service, here is what we loved about L’amant Café in Ho Chi Minh City.

Craving a taste of Vietnamese coffee (after so long), we went right for the most unique item on their coffee menu—L’amant Egg Café (65,000VND, S$3.82).

Floating above strong, black Vietnamese coffee is a sweet egg custard. The frothy custardy layer was sweet, eggy and creamy and it complemented the bitter coffee exceptionally well. Having egg in coffee was something that we had never tried before and we were pleasantly surprised.

The café doesn’t have many food items on their menu since they specialise in coffee, but we went for a breakfast item that seemed (to us) like a deconstructed banh mi sandwich

Costing us 90,000VND (S$5.30), this platter consisting of fried eggs, Vietnamese pork sausages, hams, luncheon meat, cilantro and pickled vegetables arrived at our table on a sizzling hot griddle. It is then accompanied by (you guessed it) a baguette.

The dish was tasty and made for a pretty decent breakfast (and picture), but it was truly nothing exciting. We could have easily gotten a version that boasted similar flavour profiles on the streets for a fraction of the price.

It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa before continuing on the rest of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, or some cafe food too if you fancy it.

L’amant Café
12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3827 7978
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, we found a cosy little wine bar in the heart of District 1—BRIX Winebar Kitchen. This cosy little bar stood out amongst the other bars in the vicinity with its sleek design and modern furniture—and considerably less dodgy appeal.

BRIX also serves a great range of charcuterie, cold cuts and cheeses on their menu that pair excellently with their wines. You can mix and match a few of your favourites to enjoy while you drink the night away.

If you’re looking for a nice and comfortable retreat in Ho Chi Minh City, you will fall in love with BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

Before we even saw the wine list, we were sold by their impressive range of cheeses and cold cuts. You can have them in 2 sizes—Platter of 3 (270,000VND, S$15.80) or Platter of 6 (540,000VND, S$31.71).

Their cold cuts selection include Honey Glazed Ham, German Beer Sausage, Parma Ham, Salami Milano and so much more. We decided on the Salami Milano.

Their cheese selection is even more impressive. Their range features cheeses such as Gruyère, Camembert, Gorgonzola and Pecorino.

The platter has a very generous serving of each cheese and cold cut we chose and it went exceptionally well with their house white wine.

Their House bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (560,000VND, S$32.90) was smooth and crisp and the wine tasted even better when enjoyed together with the salty, creamy nuggets of cheese.

If you’re looking for a bar with great vibes and wines, look no further than to BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

BRIX Winebar Kitchen
42 Pasteur Street
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 8 3825 6300
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 12am
Website: brixsaigon.com

A popular pit stop among the Vietnamese locals, Nhu Lan Bakery houses several food stalls in one. The establishment functions as a banh mi kiosk, a proper sit-down Vietnamese eatery as well as a delicatessen and meat grocer.

Every morning from as early as 5am, throngs of locals park their scooters right outside the eatery, grabbing themselves a quick bite before going about their day. Curious, and pining for a taste of what locals deem delicious, we decided to pay the humble eatery a visit.

They serve everything under the sun, from tasty, proper bowls of pho bo, to a massive selection of banh mi toppings and even some other local delicacies not commonly found elsewhere.

Outside is where you can get your hands on some freshly-made banh mi. Inside, however, they serve a pretty impressive variety of noodle and rice dishes from the classic pho, dry rice noodles to some pretty interesting, rarely heard of items as well.

Having read so much more about Vietnam’s many varieties of noodle dishes, we decided to wing it with their Rice Noodles with Fried Spring Rolls and Barbecued Pork (40,000 VND).

The dish features a colossal portion of rice noodles along with some pickled vegetables, spring rolls, barbecued pork, ground peanuts and a lime wedge. Like most Vietnamese dishes, it also comes with a platter of fresh herbs.

To get the ultimate combination of flavours and textures, you really have to mix everything together. We went with a dash of fish sauce, lime juice, chillis, garlic, fresh herbs simply torn in and sriracha for ours.

The result? A vibrant and addictive mix of fresh flavours that encompassed sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

Unsure of what else to get, we decided to go with our gut and randomly pointed towards one of the lesser intimidating items on the menu. Thankfully, what was served to us was the Rice with Fried Roast Pork, Braised Pork, Pickled Cabbage & Egg (40,000 VND).

Laced with a tangy, salty kick from the pickled cabbage, coupled with the fresh taste of coriander along with the smoky, meaty taste of the barbecued pork, this was honestly one of the most delightful we had—that isn’t pho.

The flavours reminded us of pig’s organ soup, especially with the heavy emphasis on pickled vegetables to counter the porky taste, just that this was much drier.

Stuffed from edge to edge with thin rice noodles, fresh vegetables and slivers of shrimp, we absolutely couldn’t get enough of their Pork & Shrimp Spring Roll (15,000 VND). The rice paper was a little stiff and tricky to nibble through, but besides that, everything was perfect.

We’re not fully sure what went into the dipping sauce, except that it was a mixture of sweet, tangy, savoury and nutty qualities. Come to think of it, hoisin definitely made up a majority of its flavour.

Nhu Lan Bakery
50 Ham Nghi, Ben Nghé, Quan 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3914 1338
Daily: 4am – 11pm
SGD to VND: S$1 : 16981.22 VND (aprox)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/nhu-lan-bakery-hcmc/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/phan-boi-chau-night-market/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/phan-boi-chau-night-market/#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2018 01:00:39 +0000 Cheryl Chong http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=167591 Continue reading →]]>

Visiting night markets in any country is one of the best things to do to truly soak up a country’s culture, largely due to the amount of local street food, people and shops present. In Saigon, the popular Phan Boi Chau Night Market is a hit among tourists.

In the day, Ben Thanh Market is bustling with locals and tourists buying fresh produce and knick-knacks. When night falls, the area surrounding Ben Thanh Market comes to life and the Phan Boi Chau Night Market emerges. In District 1, Phan Boi Chau Night Market is the most populated night market as they open daily from 7pm.

When we arrived, we were slightly disappointed by the size and crowd of the night market. However, that didn’t stop us from exploring it in its entirety. Should you visit the Phan Boi Chau Night Market? Let’s break it down for you.

PRODUCE AND PRODUCTS

There were a number of stalls around the market offering Vietnamese products, produce and snacks in the night market. However, we did realise that they were priced slightly higher than the exact same ones we saw in the day at another street stall.

While the price difference wasn’t a huge issue for us as it was not significant, we were thoroughly underwhelmed by the variety of items sold at the stalls.

Tip: Check the prices of the items you want in the day before purchasing anything here. It’s harder to bargain for snacks and produce compared to fashion items such as bags, clothing and accessories.

FOOD & DRINKS

There were roughly only 2 to 3 stalls here that offer full sit-down meals and dishes. The majority of the stalls offer seafood and a number of standard Vietnamese dishes priced higher than regular street stalls.

Tip: Ask for the prices before ordering anything as most of the seafood items do not have a specific price on the menu and you might be conned into paying way more than what it’s worth.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

If you compare the retail stalls at other night markets to Phan Boi Chau Night Market, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Most stalls offer only touristy t-shirts and every single bag stall here sells the exact same thing. There are a ton of fake luxury goods here, from branded bags to even sneakers.

Tip: You can bargain easily, especially if you purchase more than one item, as long as you don’t quote too ridiculous a price to annoy the stall owners.

VERDICT: HIT OR MISS?

Phan Boi Chau Night Market was just immensely underwhelming for us and it lacked the fun and exciting atmosphere of most of the markets we’ve visited in Asia. Many of the shops sell similar items and there really isn’t much variety with regards to street snacks and apparel.

Phan Boi Chau Night Market
32-30, 36-34-32-30 Phan Boi Châu
Phuoung Ben Thành, Quan 1
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 7pm – 11.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

The bustling and vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest and most populated area in the whole of Vietnam. Named after the late leader of Vietnam, people flock to this colourful city for its friendly people, incredible street food and rich history. For foodies like ourselves, our quest for the best food in Ho Chi Minh City started from the streets.

It is in the streets that you find the best of their street food with the most authentic flavours. Everywhere you stroll in Ho Chi Minh City, you will see a variety of road-side vendors dishing out tasty street food and passing them on to busy motorists or see groups of people sitting on tiny plastic stools enjoying their street food by the sidewalk.

We’ve tasted some of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh City but in our adventures, we also stumbled upon pretty disappointing ones. Here’s our Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Guide to help you find the best street food.

THE CLASSIC PHO BÒ (BEEF NOODLE SOUP)

When you think of Vietnamese food, most people will have pho on their minds. It is the country’s national dish after all.

You can find Pho in just about every street corner in Vietnam. The most common Pho is Pho Bo, or Beef Pho but you can easily find other variations such as Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). While we tried our best to find the best Pho Bo in random alleyways and street corners, our favourite Pho was still the one at Pho Phuong 25, a pho joint just beside the famous Lunch Lady.

Besides the tender cuts of beef and generous portions of other beef parts such as tendon and beef balls, the broth of their pho bo is just sensational. The slightly darker clear broth brimmed with flavour and each mouthful bore an intense meaty quality. Your trip to Ho Chi Minh City will not be complete without a trip here.

Our favourite Pho in Ho Chi Minh City:
Pho Phuong 25
25 Hoàng Sa Da Kao, Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam

Verdict: #1 must-try street food Ho Chi Minh City.

BÁNH MÌ (VIETNAMESE SANDWICH)

Whenever you need a quick and satisfying bite on the go in Vietnam, people go right for a Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich popular all over the world. Like Pho, Bahn Mi is found is every street corner, available in fancy food joints and street stalls any where in Ho Chi Minh City.

Bahn Mi usually features a baguette sandwich with pork paté, a variety of cooked meats, Vietnamese hams and sausages, pickled vegetables, chilli, coriander and more. You can also customise your own Bahn Mi in most places. While we thoroughly enjoyed the Bahn Mis we had in Ho Chi Minh City, nothing really stood out for us.

Verdict: Worth a try just for the experience. .

BÁNH TRÁNG NUONG (RICE PANCAKE)

While strolling around in the city, we passed by a couple of road-side stalls offering the Bánh Tráng Nuong. It is a type of rice cracker more commonly found in Ho Chi Minh City (in Southern Vietnam). A rice paper sheet is toasted over a charcoal fire to a nice crisp before being topped up with ingredients such as diced vegetables, cream cheese, quail eggs, minced meat and a variety of sauces.

For just about S$1, this pancake was one of the highlights of our trip. Each bite was an explosion of savoury, umami flavours and each bite came with a pleasant crunch. If you see a stall like this around Ho Chi Minh City, do not hesitate!

Verdict: Extremely satisfying, a must to try if you see it around.

COLOURFUL GLUTINOUS RICE

When strolling around the Phan Boi Chau Night Market, we were privy to a street cart offering gorgeous colourful glutinous rice desserts topped with coconut cream and desiccated coconut. We quickly ordered up a serving without first asking for a price. We chose a mix of colours and the total came up to about S$9 for a pathetically small portion.

The sticky rice was hard and not cooked well and the coconut cream made the taste one dimensional. We quickly tossed the dessert away after a bite or two because it was that bad. These street carts hang around the night market and serve tourists exclusively to trick them into buying a portion. You have been warned!

Verdict: Do not try unless you’re recommended by a local. Check the prices beforehand.

VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS

You can find Goi Cuon or Vietnamese Spring Rolls every where in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find street vendors offering them and restaurants serving them as a start or side. On our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, we realised that many locals enjoy this dish as a full-fledged meal. They would gobble up 4 to 6 of these rolls before going about the rest of their day.

We are huge fans of Vietnamese Spring Rolls and each refreshing bite really whets our appetites for more food. Each roll features rice wrappers stuffed with shrimp, Thai basil, mint leaves, coriander, lettuce and more. Dip it in some hoisin sauce and you’re good to go.

Verdict: Must-try street food, easy to consume and great for any time of the day.

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Amidst all the many street food heavens we stumbled upon during our trip to Vietnam, there were many intriguing cafes and eateries—ones that actually had proper service and air-conditioning—that truly impressed us. Mâm Bac was one such eatery.

Specialising in a variety of Vietnamese dishes from the classic pho, grilled meat dishes to some pretty exotic items as well, Mâm Bac is a 2-storey eatery in Ho Chi Minh’s District 1 that is worth visiting for a pleasant introduction to local flavours in a modern and comfortable setting.

Looking rather shabby and underwhelming from the outside, this eatery leaves much to be desired in terms of aesthetics. But venture inside and you’ll find that it boasts 2 levels of seating areas.

The first level is humid and filled with the sounds of chatter and passing motorised vehicles whereas the top level is air-conditioned and serene, comparable to a cafe.

Seeing as to how amazing beef pho—or pho bo, as it’s called in Vietnam—is on the streets, we decided to give their version a go too.

Their Beef Noodle Soup (VND59,000 for small, VND75,000 for large) was simple tasting with a rather generous amount of freshly sliced beef neatly arranged over top. The broth boasted a deep beefy flavour with heady notes of spices but in comparison to the ones we had on the streets—at a much cheaper price at that—it was rather lacklustre.

Perhaps they were trying to go for a much ‘cleaner’ approach with a lighter broth and neater presentation, but for what it was worth, we would much rather our beef pho elsewhere in future.

Feeling ballsy, we opted for the Steamed Snail & Pork Paste (VND69,000). Submerged in a sourish soup, the snails were slightly chewy with a pleasant earthy taste to them. Contrary to our initial expectations, the snails were not foul tasting in any way.

In fact, the hot sour soup coupled with the tender snail flesh and pork melded incredibly well, providing comfort as well as flavour in a single, unassuming bowl.

A popular breakfast item is broken rice and meat, and what better way to live the way the Vietnamese do than to order up their Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop, Shredded Pork Skin & Fried Egg (VND88,000).

We were pretty confused as to what the term broken meant at first given that the rice we had seemed similar to regular steamed white rice. But we realised soon after that the term ‘broken rice’ refers to damaged batches of rice which were often discarded, yet, at the same time was a common staple among Vietnam’s poorer class of people.

Whatever the rationale is, for whatever component of the dish that was ‘broken’, the grilled pork definitely managed to fix. The grilled pork was sweet, smoky and nicely spiced—nicely complementing every single item on the plate from the fried egg to the pickles on the side.

Mâm Bac 
94 Ho Tung Mau, Quan 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 90 130 15 08
Daily: 7am – 11pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

To only have a single bowl of pho during a vacation to Vietnam is a downright atrocity. The popular street food is the core staple of Vietnamese cuisine and is literally what going to Vietnam’s all about—for us anyway.

Stumbling upon a rather unassuming eatery by the street going by the name Pho Hai Trieu, we were lured in by the bold aromas of simmering meat broth and freshly stir-fried delights, as well as a team of friendly wait staff who were eager to sit us down.

Specialising in an assortment of chicken dishes, pho and hearty soups, this humble eatery may not seem like much at first, but it really does impress with its wide array of menu offerings—especially their chicken dishes.

While pho was the main item on our agenda, we were intrigued by the sheer number of dishes available in this small eatery. From an assortment of chicken dishes, comforting soups that include anything and everything, to a wide array of noodle dishes, they have it all.

Seeing as to how literally every table was having chicken, we decided to give their chicken a go too. Ordering a bowl of their Pho Ga (55,000 VND) did not disappoint as it came with a generous portion of tender shredded chicken meat, sliced onions and an insanely huge serving of rice noodles.

The broth was heavenly, to say the least, with every mouthful delivering so much more than just a deep, comforting chicken flavour. There was a subtle sweetness in the broth that complemented the overall savouriness of the dish as well as a thin yet crucial layer of chicken fat that provided an additional layer of hearty chicken flavour.

The Pho Tai (55,000 VND), essentially a bowl of beef pho featuring rare steak, was a tad underwhelming—only because of the fact that we already had our minds blown from the beef pho at Pho Phuong.

Nonetheless, the broth and everything else in it was pretty solid. Our only gripe was that the beef could have been slightly rarer so as to give it a better texture.

Great if you’re in a hurry—because service here is lightning quick—, Pho Hai Trieu may not be the best place for pho if that’s your main goal, but it sure does pack a substantial arsenal of yummy delights with their chicken dishes standing out the most.

Pho Hai Trieu
Ben Nghe, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 98 984 62 18

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, no one ever leaves without paying the acclaimed Lunch Lady a visit. This internationally-renowned street food stall—located just a few steps away from popular pho joint, Pho Phuong 25—is famous for their down-to-Earth, rustic charm and menu that rotates daily.

The stall made its mark less than a decade ago after the late, great Anthony Bourdain visited them as part of his food programme, No Reservations. Until today, Lunch Lady is still highly patronised by locals, tourists, as well as food bloggers from around the world—like us.

The humble stall is owned and run by Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh, also known as the Lunch Lady. An international street food icon, her modest stall in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is packed daily and for good reason–her food is truly out of this world. Period.

The moment you get yourself seated down, you are welcomed with an abundance of side dishes from deep-fried prawn fritters to an assortment of traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. Feeling rather stuffed, and with our stomach’s set on trying Ms Nguyen’s ever-popular Thursday Noodles, we decided to give the sides a miss.

For those of you pining for a taste of legit Vietnamese spring rolls, you’ll be happy to know that the snack is available here too. Having it alone won’t leave much of an impression, but accompanying it is a special dip that you simply must try.

A beautiful harmony of sweet, savoury and umami notes with an assertive characteristic of dried shrimp and roasted peanuts, the sauce really does elevate the taste of the spring roll, allowing the fresh herbaceous qualities from the basil to really shine through.

Lunch Lady specialises in serving noodle dishes with a different variant on the menu every day. We got ourselves what she calls, the Thursday Noodles (50,000 VND), and what it is is basically noodle soup dish with generous amounts of roasted pork belly, sliced pork, large prawns, fish cake, morning glory (kang kong) as well as cuttlefish.

The ingredients were fresh and for what the dish was worth, we were utterly shocked by how generous she was with her ingredients, but more so by how incredibly tasty the entire dish was from the rich broth to its individual components.

The broth was a hearty mix of deep, meaty flavours with a hint of savoury seafood, perfectly melded together to form a concentrated yet deeply satisfying combination of flavours. Despite it being so simple, the manipulation of skill and passion really showed, and every spoonful of the flavourful broth propelled our tastebuds into gastronomic nirvana.

Lunch Lady
23 Hoang Sa Street
Phuong Da Kao, District 1 (Quan 1)
Tel: +84 93 388 79 22
Daily: 9am – 3pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.