Hẻm Gems: At Bún Thang 50, Unexpected Hanoi Flavors in a Phú Nhuận Corner
When I was growing up in California, every couple of months, plastic containers of sliced fried egg, chicken, and chả lụa would line the kitchen counter. This medley of ingredients would usually mean bún thang for dinner — which, in turn, signaled that the dinner was a special occasion.
Paul Christiansen in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks
Ngõ Nooks: At Vietnam's Only Palestinian Eatery, Eating Maqluba and Dreaming of Peace
“If you have a heart and you have a mind, you must support Palestine,” Saleem Hammad emphasized as we sipped sweet tea overlooking Hanoi’s Old Quarter from the balcony of his restaurant, Oliva. The dinner we had just finished was delicious, but the visit to Vietnam’s only Palestinian restaurant felt more significant than a simple meal. Learning about Saleem’s journey, his personal relationship with Vietnam, and his efforts to deepen ties between Palestine and Vietnam underscored how cuisine can foster cultural exchange and understanding towards peace.
Hẻm Gems: Atop a Beef Bowl Eatery, the Hidden Cozy World of Shochu Bar Mitsuboshi
Looking back at my days in Japan, I cherish most the moments I decided to get lost in yokochos — small and narrow alleys filled with shops, often bars — and push on a random door, not knowing what could await me behind it. It could be a wooden stall illuminated by blinding lights, its noisy customers showered with beer; or a 19th-century-style Manhattan bar, where the only movements come from trails of smoke off the customers’ cigarettes and streams of light going through bottles of whisky behind the counter.
When Rush Hour Hits, The Straits Offers a Singaporean Alternative
Saigon’s streets snarl with hot, sticky knots of traffic every evening. As people finish their workdays and look ahead to quality time with families at home, precious hours pursuing hobbies and meeting with friends around the city, they must first contend with horrific congestion. This rush hour period, when movement is slow and frustrating, coincides with peak skyline beauty.
Hẻm Gems: Tokyo Moon Cafe Introduces Homey Korean Flavors to Japan Town
Stepping into Tokyo Moon is like venturing into a world of wonders, neatly packed within a mere 35-square-meter space.
Văn Tân in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Inside a Modernist Abode, O Phương’s Bún Bò Harks Back to Huế Flavors
“O” is the affectionate way central Vietnamese call their sisters and aunties. For children of Central Vietnam like me, it has taken root in me like the most natural anchor of home. Sometimes when I’m out and about, glimpses of the accent of my hometown would pull me back home.
Hẻm Gems: Bánh Canh Hẹ Is Phú Yên's Homage to Chives and the Sea
Ever since I was a kid, I have had a general dislike towards vegetables, but green onion has always been an exception. I regard green onion as a garnish that can lighten up the whole dish, and it seems like whenever it’s absent from my cơm tấm or xôi mặn, I will instantly lose my enthusiasm to eat. But during my teenage years, my affection for scallion was challenged for the first time, when I encountered a photo of Phú Yên’s bánh canh hẹ online.
Khôi Phạm in Food Culture
Welcome to the New Age of Mass-Produced, Enshittified Plastic Bánh Giò
Do you always remember the first time you tried a new food? With common staples like hủ tiếu, bún riêu or cơm tấm, that might be difficult, but I can recall exactly the first time I had bánh giò: it was from a bike vendor with a very distinctive northern-accented street call of “chưng, gai, bánh giò.”
Herbs: The Unsung Heroes Of Vietnamese Cuisine
People travel to Vietnam from all over the world for the country’s culinary magic. But while broths, meats and noodles are often play the leading role, the unsung heroes of Vietnamese cuisine are fres...
[Video] Anthony Bourdain Returns To Vietnam To Film “Parts Unknown” Episode
Celebrity chef and Vietnam enthusiast, Anthony Bourdain recently traveled to Huế to film an episode for his Emmy-winning CNN TV series, “Parts Unknown.”
Lee Starnes in Eat & Drink
The Hidden Gems of Binh Tay Market
Among the busy streets of District 6, Binh Tay, Cho Lon’s central market, sits in all its hectic glory.
Behold: The Phở Burrito
Vietnamese food has gained enormous popularity in the US to the point where phở has recently been added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. While dishes like bánh mì and phở please the A...
The Different Faces Of Bánh Cuốn
A favorite breakfast for many Vietnamese, bánh cuốn (steamed roll) is a quick and delicious day starter. While the traditional is always a crowd pleaser, let’s take a look at some interesting ren...
The Best Amarone Wine In Saigon
If you like wine, especially the Italian variety, you must try Amarone, one of those gems that was discovered by accident (think champagne).
Is Bánh Mì The Best Sandwich In The World?
Travel and food writer, David Farley, recently visited Vietnam on an assignment from the BBC to answer a question many others have pondered – “is bánh mì the world’s best sandwich?”
7 Of Vietnam’s Most Expensive Traditional Dishes
As Vietnam’s cities develop, there are plenty of restaurants that offer up dishes at international (read: expensive) prices. While Vietnamese food is generally considered cheap, there are a few notabl...
Saigon Ranked Among The World’s 18 Best Cities For Street Food
Lifestyle and travel site, Thrillist, has ranked Saigon as one of the world’s top 18 cities for street food, taking into account uniqueness of traditional food/drink style, quality of restaurants/bars...
[Photos] Mountains Of Honey: The Bee Farms Of Mộc Châu
There’s more to Mộc Châu than its breathtaking landscapes. Located in the Vietnam’s northern mountains, Mộc Châu is blessed with ideal conditions for raising honeybees.
Happy Meals: An Afternoon At Saigon’s VND2,000 Restaurant
"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity." - Joseph Addison
Anthony Bourdain: First Trip To Vietnam "Was Life-Changing"
Gordon Ramsay isn't the only celebrity chef obsessed with Vietnam. But unlike Ramsay, New York chef, Anthony Bourdain, has a close personal connection to Vietnam, cultivated over many visits since 200...
Burger King Unleashes 'Black Burger' on Japan
While fast food chains have taken advantage of America’s love of junk food (we’re looking at you, Taco Bell and KFC) in Japan, it’s the quirkiness that they try to exploit.
[Video] The Mì Quảng Song
Given the variety of Vietnamese noodles, there are plenty of contenders for the title of Best in Show, but for Jake Schofield, Phan Ngoc Hao and Ashlin Aronin, there’s no debate.
Cows Treated To Beer and Massages At Vietnam’s First Kobe Beef Farm
Most animals raised for their meat live a sad life in small cages and experience extremely low standards of living. But at Vietnam’s first Kobe beef farm, cows live a comparative life of luxury as the...
[Video] Marou Chocolate’s Quest for Vietnam’s Best Cacao
When it comes to beans, Vietnam is best known for the mass-cultivated, coffee variety. On the other end of the spectrum is the cocoa bean, the central ingredient in chocolate, which is grown throughou...
KFC, Pizza Hut Operator Launches US Bánh Mì Chain
While many U.S. sandwich shops have caught onto the magic that is bánh mì, it is still a relatively unknown dish to many Americans. One of the world’s largest fast food companies is seeking to change ...
Ramos Pinto Wines Arrive In Saigon
Alfredo de la Casa is a wine expert who runs the blog wineinvietnam. In order to increase awareness about wines available in Vietnam, Alfredo periodically stops by to profile some of his favourit...
5 Unique Spins On Phở That Can Be Found In Saigon
Phở is a known commodity. One of Vietnam’s most famous dishes and perhaps one of the world’s most famous soups, there are few mysteries (perhaps other than its origin) when it comes to the delicious b...
[Video] How To Cook: Rau Câu Khuôn (Jello Cake)
While rau câu khuôn is typically served in individual pieces, in the shape of flowers or animals, it can also be served as a cake wherein triangular slices are cut and served. But over at Hellen’s Rec...
