Ngõ Nooks: On Hàng Bài, Golden Bún Cá Thái Bình in a Hole in the Wall
When a friend of mine returned home after living abroad last year, he longed for a bowl of bún cá. I suggested the classic Hanoi dish, with satisfyingly oily deep-fried fish, but he had other ideas — a fresh feast originally from Thai Binh, located almost 100 kilometers from the capital.
From Fine Dining to Comfort Food: Why Chef Thierry Mounon Followed up La Villa with La Fontaine
“Beyond awards or recognition, a restaurant is about welcoming people, creating memories and bringing joy around a table,” explains Chef Thierry Mounon of his decision to expand from French fine dining into comfort food.
What Cooking Bún Chả for My Birthday Abroad Taught Me About Vietnameseness
“Hot summer night, mid-July, when you and I were forever wild,” Lana Del Rey croons every July 15 to celebrate my birthday. Those melodramatic words consistently evoke three specific elements in my mind: Heineken or Tiger beer cans on the floor; the sweet smoky smell of bún chả and nem enlaced with the rainy air of a darkening Saigon sky; and my friends and family under the LED-lit roof of an iCool karaoke room. Such pillars uphold what I consider the quintessential Vietnamese birthday experience.
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Where Fish Sauce and Soy Sauce Are Not Condiments, but Gelato Flavors
Living in central Saigon as a diehard fan of ice cream and all frozen sweets, I fondly remember the late 2010s–early 2020s as the age of abundance. Back in the day, across downtown, there was always a little something for ice cream fans of all preferences.
Govi Snell in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: At Phở Chay Như, a Banquet of Vegetarian Versions of Iconic Viet Dishes
A bowl full of noodles is one of the things that make me feel lucky to be alive, and alive in Saigon in particular.
The Unifying Presence of Cái Mâm, Vietnam’s Ubiquitous, Familial Food Tray
An authentic Vietnamese meal cannot be complete without cái mâm. Mâm, a humble, circular food tray, has conducted generations of Vietnamese into a familial ritual for centuries. Once a mâm is set as the centerpiece, knees begin touching knees until the whole family sits cross-legged in a circle. One person pairs up chopsticks from the bundle and distributes them to fellow diners, while another scoops rice into bowls.
Chợ Bà Hoa Transports Central Vietnam's Universe of Crispy, Funky, Sugary Treats to Saigon
My family lives in Saigon, a long distance from our hometown in Quảng Ngãi. We only visit a few times a year, but each time is a celebration of amazing food: bánh tráng nướng with sausages, bánh gói with spicy, garlicky nước chấm, crispy fried rolls, etc. Without fail, whenever I set food in the city again, I can’t help missing it dearly.
Hẻm Gems: An Alternative Cơm Tấm From Long Xuyên for Thịt Kho Trứng Fans
When it comes to cơm tấm, most people are familiar with cơm tấm Sài Gòn, featuring grilled pork ribs as the vedette topping. But since the dish’s creation, and as it gained popularity across the Mekong delta and southern Vietnam, another cơm tấm variant emerged alongside cơm tấm Sài Gòn. This version became so cherished by the locals that it was named after its birthplace — cơm tấm Long Xuyên.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: An Old-School Nhậu on D10's Bia Hơi Block
Any self-respecting Saigoneer has a certain reverence for the art of nhậu.
Hanoi Launches Mobile Testing Labs to Promote Food Safety
Hanoi recently launched three mobile food testing labs in an effort to reassure consumers and promote food safety.
[Video] Snoop Dogg Rolls a Mean Gỏi Cuốn
Cross this off the list of things to see before you die: Snoop Dogg trimming some, erm, cilantro and hand-rolling a perfect plate of spring rolls.
How French Colonialism Brought Spring Rolls to Senegal
Thanks to a strange twist of colonial history, fried spring rolls have become a popular snack in Senegal, a West African country with no apparent connection to Southeast Asia.
Brian Letwin in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Crab Curry Fit for a King
At a glance, this week’s District 4 Hẻm Gem might appear like any typical ốc restaurant in Saigon. Quan Oc 63’s laminated menu offers up no less than 40 dishes within its sticky plastic pages. However...
Ben Tre Company Eyes International Vietnamese Coconut Water Sales
A Mekong Delta-based company is aspiring to bring Vietnamese coconut water to the world stage.
[Photos] You Can Now Have Japan's Mouthwatering Fake Food on Your Phone
Japanese food is not only amazing in your tummy, it’s also wonderful on your phone.
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Nguyen Thuong Hien's Quaint Corner Juice Heaven
In Saigon, when life gives you grapefruits, you create a thriving business to sell its juice to health-conscious locals.
The KAfe Group Becomes Entirely Foreign-Owned After CEO Resigns
On October 25, Hanoi-based fusion food chain The KAfe became completely foreign-owned after CEO Dao Chi Anh announced her resignation.
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: D1's Bún Mọc Assembly Line
We leave our office in search of District 1’s famed phở áp chảo only to find bún mọc in a hopeless place.
Funky History: The Romans Made Fish Sauce, Too
Nước mắm holds a hallowed place in Vietnamese cuisine. In all its forms, it is a staple, found in kitchens and on tables throughout the country. But while fish sauce is often considered Vietnam’s – an...
Thanh Nien Issues Public Apology for Fish Sauce Articles, Vinastas Under Investigation
Both the Vietnam Standards and Consumers Association (Vinastas) and Thanh Nien newspaper have publicly apologized after a string of articles published by the latter claimed many brands of local fish s...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Eat & Drink
International Pop-Up Restaurant to Open This Week in Saigon
When James Sharman starts talking about the last three weeks, he gets a little wide-eyed. His hands animate each story, hovering above the table. Between sips of coffee, he launches into tales of squi...
New Partnership Allows Vinamilk to Sell Dairy Products at Vietnam's FPT Stores
Fancy a side of milk with your smartphone?
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Nguyen Tri Phuong's Chicken Rice Paradise
We promise this will be the last Nguyen Tri Phuong-based Hẻm Gem…for now.
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Conquering the Giant Bánh Canh Ghẹ Muối Ớt Xanh of D10
My uncle used to say that you haven't had real crab until you have to cook and dismantle one. For this week’s Hẻm Gem, Saigoneer takes you on a trip to do just that, relishing real crabs by break...
[Video] What Asia Eats: Bizarre Food Fads From Across the Continent
In kitchens and on tables across the continent, Asia serves up some pretty unique grub.
Hanoi's Hot-Tempered 'Bún Chửi' Vendor Featured on Anthony Bourdain's CNN Show
Anthony Bourdain is probably the favored culinary Midas among Vietnamese vendors, as it seems that every bowl of bún he touches turns to gold.
Mainland China’s First Michelin Guide Debuts in Shanghai to Mixed Reviews
Michelin’s first-ever mainland China guide debuted last month to mixed reviews.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Saigon's Original Bò 7 Món
Going to dinner at Au Pagolac is like going to dinner with family. That is, of course, provided your family spans several generations and also serves its meals in crisp, white button-ups and the occas...
