Here's a list of my favourite eating places in Saigon. They are all in District 1, for easy access. The Viet restaurants (with the exception of Phở 24) get very very crowded around meal times. So go before or after the usual eating times. These Viet restaurants are SUPER popular with the tourists and locals, a sure sign that the food is great! Price is very reasonable too.
When in Vietnam, a must-try would be the fruit smoothies!!! Super nice and refreshing. Try them in the restaurants, more hygienic than in the road side stalls (duhhhh!).
Vietnamese
1)Bún bò Huế Vietnamese Huế Noodle (Quan An Hue Truyen Thong)
39A Ngô Đức Kế
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bun_Bo_Hue
- The restuarant is located at the side road leading off Ðồng Khởi, near the Saigon River end.
- This is my new favourite restaurant! Way better than Phở 24, and the menu is good. Fruit smoothies are cheaper and just as nice here. Must try the Sapoche (chiku), soursop, mango, avocado...
- Try the mix pork and beef combination near the middle of the menu. It is sort of like fish balls/cakes, except that meat instead of fish is used.
- The Huế style of cooking is very similar to traditional Chinese cooking, so it's very easy on the palate.
- Add on the other types of meat 'cakes'.
- After a meal, do go over to Bố Già Ice-Cream to sit down and relax. When you exit the Bún bò Huế restaurant, turn right and it is a few shops down.
2)Quán Ăn Ngon (Marché-style Viet food)
138, Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa
- From this restaurant, you can easily walk to Diamond Plaza for shopping. Just ask the waiters/waitresses for directions. When you exit Quán Ăn Ngon, just turn left and walk down and later turn right.
- Super extensive menu. You could walk around the stalls to have a look, then order from the menu.
- DO NOT EVER ORDER their phở noodles. The soup stock is not nice and the noodles are not nice. You're better off having Phở 24 noodles. The fresh spring rolls are hard and NOT tasty.
- The bun noodles are not bad, try the Mekong Delta style bun noodles.
- The lemongrass steamed clams are really nice. Must order the seafood hotpot for 2 also. YUMMY!!!! Lots of veggie and fresh seafood.
- I prefer the Phở 24 and Bún bò Huế fruit smoothies. If you're at Quán Ăn Ngon, mango smoothies are the safer bet. Soursop is okay too. If it gets too sweet or concentrated, just ask for ice.
3)Phở 24
- Located everywhere!
- The fruit smooties are a must try. Strawberry is nice, so are the usual avocado, soursop, Sapoche (chiku), MANGO!!!!!
- Do try the fried spring rolls. But avoid the yoghurt unless you have a sweet tooth.
4)Café Central
At Sun Wah Tower, junction of Nguyễn Huệ and Tôn Thất Thiêp
- More for hanging out for snacks and drinks, and people watching. Great view of traffic and the sidewalk.
5)Temple Club
29-31 Ton That Thiep, Located right next to Fanny.
- Occupying a former Chinese temple, the place looks ordinary from the outside but is impressive once you've entered.
- The fresh / steamed spring rolls are highly recommended by my Viet friend "B".
- She said that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ate here as well!
6)Ice-Cream
a)quán kem Bạch Đằng at 26 & 28 Lê Lợi.
- Ask to sit on the 3rd or 4th Floor. A great view of the busy intersection, view the hectic traffic in the air-conditioned comfort.
b)Bố Già Ice-Cream at Ngô Đức Kế, a few shops away from Bún bò Huế restaurant.
- Supposedly the best ice-cream in Saigon. Literally, "Bố Già" (pronounced Bo2 Ya3), means 'godfather' as in the mafia.
Italian
7)Santa Lucia Trattoria Italiana
14 Nguyễn Huệ, this road is parallel to Ðồng Khởi and near the 'Lucky Plaza' shopping centre that's on Ðồng Khởi.
- Order the freshly made pasta if you want something more chewy.
- The clam pasta in white wine sauce is great for 90,000 VNÐ (less than S$9), but the pasta is not the freshly made type.
- As in all restuarants in Vietnam, tipping is not required but much appreciated. Can just leave small change behind, it is up to you.
8)Italian Restaurant at The Continental
- The Continental Hotel along Ðồng Khởi was the setting for much of the action in Graham Greene's famous novel, The Quiet American. It is next to the Opera House.
French
9)Augustin
10 Nguyễn Thiệp, this is adjacent to Ðồng Khởi Road.
- When you see "Gloria Jeans Coffee", just walk into the side road, Augustin is down the road on your right. There is a famous bread shop on the left.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Shopping Centres / Areas in Saigon
Here are the top shopping centres in Saigon. They are airconditioned, but standards vary. If you're tired of the traffic, heat, rain, dust and just need some respite from the outside, do pop in to one of these places. I've also included the key shopping areas as well - markets and streets to explore for the interesting shops and eateries.
High End Shopping
1)Diamond Plaza
34 Le Duan, Dist. Near Notre Dame Cathedral, intersection of Le Duan and Dong Khoi
- This is nice, with Levi's and most international brands here, with even a Ferragamo boutique on the 1st floor. There is a KFC, food court, small supermarket and bowling alley on the top floors. It is increasingly popular for the locals to hang out here.
2)Zen Plaza and Nguyễn Trãi Area
54 - 56 Nguyễn Trãi Street, District 1
- Designer boutique wear showcasing Vietnamese designers. There are small shops along the road outside, selling rather nice unique clothes and accessories.
- Food garden in Zen Plaza, 7th Floor, 54-56 Nguyễn Trãi St, Dist 1, HCM City
"Walk along HCM City’s fashion street, Nguyễn Trãi, and you’ll easily find a restaurant suiting your taste and budget following a guilty – but pleasurable – spending spree. One of the best places in the area is the Food Garden on the seventh floor of the shopping centre Zen Plaza, where the decor and style of cooking appeal to both Vietnamese and foreigners. If you’re a fan of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and are looking for affordable prices, Hoang Yen Restaurant should be your first stop. On offer are traditional Hanoi and Hue dishes, such as nem or cha gio (fried spring rolls), bun bo (vermicelli soup with beef) and goi cuon (fresh spring roll wrapped with rice paper and stuffed with vegetables, meat or shrimp). Prices are VND5,000-24,000 (US$0.48-1.50)," writes Anh Thu in The Vietnam News.
- "This swanky shopping mall houses 10 levels of sheer shopping pleasure. When you get tired, you can even stop for a meal at the numerous resaurants within Zen Plaza. It may be a bit up-class for the locals but the clothing and food are reasonably priced. You can also have your fastfood Pho - Pho 24. Zen Plaza is also a good place to buy local food stuff here, also if you want to buy foodstuff to cook, this is also the place. What To Buy: A varied amount of items from clothing to children wear, to food and even daily needs and what's best, there's no need to bargain as prices are shown as it is." (Taken from VirtualTourist.com)
Mid-to-High Range
3)Ðồng Khởi Road
- The equivalent of Singapore's Orchard Road and Hong Kong's ... erm... Causeway Bay? (not really!)
- Mostly catering to tourists, the better quality embroidery and range of goods can be found here.
4)Saigon Tourist Department Store (now more known as Parkson - the Malaysian retailer)
- Intersection of Ðồng Khởi and Lê Thánh Tôn Streets, Dist. 1
- There is a higher end small supermarket on the top floor, together with a food court. I like to buy the fizzy La Vie mineral water from here, because it's cold and nice, and you can sit at the food court area too. Unfortunately, the Phở 24 in the food court does not serve the fab fruit smoothies that's available in the other outlets. :-(
5)Tôn Thất Thiêp Road
One main street away from Ðồng Khởi
- Cool and unique Vietnamese items here on this street. There is also Fanny ice-cream (not my favourite though) and some hip restaurants and hang outs here.
Low-to-Mid Range
6)Saigon Center (Sedona)
65 Lê Lợi , Dist. 1 - Intersection of Lê Lợi and Pasteur, next to the Hyundai car showroom.
- This used to be within walking distance from Diamond Plaza (see point 1). Now it's relocated to be somewhat nearer the Bến Thành Market. - Great to start out here to have an idea of what to buy first. Mostly Abercrombie & Fitch, and other made-in-Vietnam clothes. Not sure if authentic, but workmanship and quality mostly good. Very good in fact, for the prices. There is a little lingerie shop on the 2nd floor, tucked away in the corner. Worthwhile popping in for their export items. Bought a nightwear top there, brand is "sophie b.", label looks like something similar to Victoria's Secret, looks like it's sold in USA.
7)Tax Department Store
Intersection of Nguyễn Huệ and Lê Lợi Streets, Dist. 1
- I do my grocery shopping at the supermarket here, wider variety, but you have to check in your bags at the counter before you can go in. That's good, because you can then shop around without carrying heavy items. I've tried depositing my things there, then shopping around, then coming back here to collect everything before returning to the hotel. Saves a trip going back to the hotel!
- There are small little shops all contained in this shopping centre. The embroidered pouches are quite similar to those found in Bến Thành Market, but usually of higher quality. Prices are fixed, and bargaining is usually of no use!
8)An Ðông Plaza
Intersection of Trần Phú & An Dương Vương
- I like shopping at this area in Chợ Lớn District (District 5). It is enclosed by street stalls, and there is An Ðông Market, An Ðông Plaza and Windsor Plaza Hotel all in the same area. Some parts are interlinked, but as I've only been there twice, I've not quite figured it out yet. For restroom breaks, Windsor Plaza Hotel is the place to visit.
- It's such a cool discovery. Start first at the Market (it's covered, and several floors high). There is a actual wet market in the basement, and food stalls. Fun to take photos there. After exploring the clothes and accessories shops, and you're ready to faint, proceed on to the Plaza.
- It can be overwhelming, so many shops, so many clothes, so little time!
- Market can be quite dusty and hot. But still interesting to take a look. On the top floor, you can do your souvenir shopping. Good buys include wooden or bamboo chopsticks, with mother-of-pearl inlay.
- Plaza has higher end or better quality clothing... but not all shops are nice. Quality really varies, but you can come across hidden gems. Like made-in-Korea (supposedly) clothes with embroidery, the quality and design are superb, all for S$26 for short denim skirt. It fits! But too short to wear.
- Windsor Plaza Hotel is supposed to have great buffet meals. For me, I prefer to eat non-buffet. But it's a good place for refuelling when you're stuck in Saigon's Chinatown and don't know where to eat. It can be a headache especially when it's very hot or raining, and most decent food places are far away.
- Don't get conned by the cab drivers hanging outside the Plaza. They will try to charge US$5 for a ride into District 1. But by meter on the Comfort Delgro owned yellow cab, it's about 26,000 VNÐ or about S$2.50 to get to Phạm Ngũ Lão. And about 35,000 VNÐ or less to Ðồng Khởi. Take a metered Comfort Delgro owned yellow cab! New, safer, less dodgy.
9)Bến Thành Market
At the cross roads of Lê Lợi, Lê Lai and Trần Hưng Ðạo, Just say "chợ Bến Thành / Bến Thành Market" and the taxi drivers will know.
- Be prepared to bargain. At least 70% off the quoted price, and that would be the realistic price to pay. I used to settle for 1/2 price, but my Viet friends were shocked that I was ripped off!
- Most of the mass-produced hand embroidered pouches can be bought here.
- The markets in Vietnam close early, so do be there before 6pm. After that, the area around the outside of the Bến Thành Market will be transformed into a night market & road side stall eating area. Great photo opportunities, do see what's for sale.
- Buy the Vinamit dried fruit chips here, they are cheaper than in the supermarket. But rarer chips like Apple Chips would have to be obtained at the supermarket.
Not explored yet:
10)Saigon Superbowl
43A Truong Son. Tan Binh Dist.
High End Shopping
1)Diamond Plaza
34 Le Duan, Dist. Near Notre Dame Cathedral, intersection of Le Duan and Dong Khoi
- This is nice, with Levi's and most international brands here, with even a Ferragamo boutique on the 1st floor. There is a KFC, food court, small supermarket and bowling alley on the top floors. It is increasingly popular for the locals to hang out here.
2)Zen Plaza and Nguyễn Trãi Area
54 - 56 Nguyễn Trãi Street, District 1
- Designer boutique wear showcasing Vietnamese designers. There are small shops along the road outside, selling rather nice unique clothes and accessories.
- Food garden in Zen Plaza, 7th Floor, 54-56 Nguyễn Trãi St, Dist 1, HCM City
"Walk along HCM City’s fashion street, Nguyễn Trãi, and you’ll easily find a restaurant suiting your taste and budget following a guilty – but pleasurable – spending spree. One of the best places in the area is the Food Garden on the seventh floor of the shopping centre Zen Plaza, where the decor and style of cooking appeal to both Vietnamese and foreigners. If you’re a fan of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and are looking for affordable prices, Hoang Yen Restaurant should be your first stop. On offer are traditional Hanoi and Hue dishes, such as nem or cha gio (fried spring rolls), bun bo (vermicelli soup with beef) and goi cuon (fresh spring roll wrapped with rice paper and stuffed with vegetables, meat or shrimp). Prices are VND5,000-24,000 (US$0.48-1.50)," writes Anh Thu in The Vietnam News.
- "This swanky shopping mall houses 10 levels of sheer shopping pleasure. When you get tired, you can even stop for a meal at the numerous resaurants within Zen Plaza. It may be a bit up-class for the locals but the clothing and food are reasonably priced. You can also have your fastfood Pho - Pho 24. Zen Plaza is also a good place to buy local food stuff here, also if you want to buy foodstuff to cook, this is also the place. What To Buy: A varied amount of items from clothing to children wear, to food and even daily needs and what's best, there's no need to bargain as prices are shown as it is." (Taken from VirtualTourist.com)
Mid-to-High Range
3)Ðồng Khởi Road
- The equivalent of Singapore's Orchard Road and Hong Kong's ... erm... Causeway Bay? (not really!)
- Mostly catering to tourists, the better quality embroidery and range of goods can be found here.
4)Saigon Tourist Department Store (now more known as Parkson - the Malaysian retailer)
- Intersection of Ðồng Khởi and Lê Thánh Tôn Streets, Dist. 1
- There is a higher end small supermarket on the top floor, together with a food court. I like to buy the fizzy La Vie mineral water from here, because it's cold and nice, and you can sit at the food court area too. Unfortunately, the Phở 24 in the food court does not serve the fab fruit smoothies that's available in the other outlets. :-(
5)Tôn Thất Thiêp Road
One main street away from Ðồng Khởi
- Cool and unique Vietnamese items here on this street. There is also Fanny ice-cream (not my favourite though) and some hip restaurants and hang outs here.
Low-to-Mid Range
6)Saigon Center (Sedona)
65 Lê Lợi , Dist. 1 - Intersection of Lê Lợi and Pasteur, next to the Hyundai car showroom.
- This used to be within walking distance from Diamond Plaza (see point 1). Now it's relocated to be somewhat nearer the Bến Thành Market. - Great to start out here to have an idea of what to buy first. Mostly Abercrombie & Fitch, and other made-in-Vietnam clothes. Not sure if authentic, but workmanship and quality mostly good. Very good in fact, for the prices. There is a little lingerie shop on the 2nd floor, tucked away in the corner. Worthwhile popping in for their export items. Bought a nightwear top there, brand is "sophie b.", label looks like something similar to Victoria's Secret, looks like it's sold in USA.
7)Tax Department Store
Intersection of Nguyễn Huệ and Lê Lợi Streets, Dist. 1
- I do my grocery shopping at the supermarket here, wider variety, but you have to check in your bags at the counter before you can go in. That's good, because you can then shop around without carrying heavy items. I've tried depositing my things there, then shopping around, then coming back here to collect everything before returning to the hotel. Saves a trip going back to the hotel!
- There are small little shops all contained in this shopping centre. The embroidered pouches are quite similar to those found in Bến Thành Market, but usually of higher quality. Prices are fixed, and bargaining is usually of no use!
8)An Ðông Plaza
Intersection of Trần Phú & An Dương Vương
- I like shopping at this area in Chợ Lớn District (District 5). It is enclosed by street stalls, and there is An Ðông Market, An Ðông Plaza and Windsor Plaza Hotel all in the same area. Some parts are interlinked, but as I've only been there twice, I've not quite figured it out yet. For restroom breaks, Windsor Plaza Hotel is the place to visit.
- It's such a cool discovery. Start first at the Market (it's covered, and several floors high). There is a actual wet market in the basement, and food stalls. Fun to take photos there. After exploring the clothes and accessories shops, and you're ready to faint, proceed on to the Plaza.
- It can be overwhelming, so many shops, so many clothes, so little time!
- Market can be quite dusty and hot. But still interesting to take a look. On the top floor, you can do your souvenir shopping. Good buys include wooden or bamboo chopsticks, with mother-of-pearl inlay.
- Plaza has higher end or better quality clothing... but not all shops are nice. Quality really varies, but you can come across hidden gems. Like made-in-Korea (supposedly) clothes with embroidery, the quality and design are superb, all for S$26 for short denim skirt. It fits! But too short to wear.
- Windsor Plaza Hotel is supposed to have great buffet meals. For me, I prefer to eat non-buffet. But it's a good place for refuelling when you're stuck in Saigon's Chinatown and don't know where to eat. It can be a headache especially when it's very hot or raining, and most decent food places are far away.
- Don't get conned by the cab drivers hanging outside the Plaza. They will try to charge US$5 for a ride into District 1. But by meter on the Comfort Delgro owned yellow cab, it's about 26,000 VNÐ or about S$2.50 to get to Phạm Ngũ Lão. And about 35,000 VNÐ or less to Ðồng Khởi. Take a metered Comfort Delgro owned yellow cab! New, safer, less dodgy.
9)Bến Thành Market
At the cross roads of Lê Lợi, Lê Lai and Trần Hưng Ðạo, Just say "chợ Bến Thành / Bến Thành Market" and the taxi drivers will know.
- Be prepared to bargain. At least 70% off the quoted price, and that would be the realistic price to pay. I used to settle for 1/2 price, but my Viet friends were shocked that I was ripped off!
- Most of the mass-produced hand embroidered pouches can be bought here.
- The markets in Vietnam close early, so do be there before 6pm. After that, the area around the outside of the Bến Thành Market will be transformed into a night market & road side stall eating area. Great photo opportunities, do see what's for sale.
- Buy the Vinamit dried fruit chips here, they are cheaper than in the supermarket. But rarer chips like Apple Chips would have to be obtained at the supermarket.
Not explored yet:
10)Saigon Superbowl
43A Truong Son. Tan Binh Dist.
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