Buzz
The already captivating dish for all Saigonese food enthusiasts becomes even more alluring when enjoyed in the style of hotpot, hủ tíu, or paired with baguette.
Grilled and Boiled Phá Lấu
While boiled phá lấu offers a light, less oily option with a specially crafted dipping sauce, grilled phá lấu is a fragrant, savory, and sweet delight, especially favored by connoisseurs of grilled dishes. Notably, grilled phá lấu perfectly complements the rainy afternoon weather in today's Saigon.
Address: 200/20 Xom Chieu Street, Ward 14, District 4; 565/21 Nguyen Trai, Ward 7, District 5.
Phá Lấu with Shrimp Noodles
Experience the fusion of the steaming hot phá lấu with hints of coconut, the bold spiciness of cinnamon and five-spice blend, along with the aromatic, chewy, and rich texture of shrimp noodles – one of those dishes you haven't craved for a while. The subtle tanginess of tamarind adds a light sour touch to the mix.
Address: Almost every phá lấu stall serves this dish, but the most renowned is Mr. Ba's phá lấu at 22 Dương Đình Nghệ, Ward 8, District 11.
Phá Lấu Baguette
With a business legacy of 60 years, the distinctive phá lấu cart of the Teochew people stands out on Nguyen Trai Street, outshining other phá lấu joints in Saigon.
Teochew-style phá lấu skips the broth for a fragrant, enticing aroma reminiscent of grasshopper wings, coupled with the distinctive tangy flavor. Noteworthy strengths include variety (aside from organ phá lấu, there's also chicken feet phá lấu), the refreshing sourness of pickled cucumbers, and the balanced aromatic, spicy, and rich broth with a slightly thick texture, making this variation irresistibly attractive.
Notably, besides pairing it with traditional rice, this dish is now enjoyed with a split baguette, stuffing the phá lấu into the middle of the bread.
Address: Tâm Ký Phá Lấu, 823 Nguyen Trai, Ward 14, District 5. Opening hours: 11 AM – 11:30 PM daily.
Sautéed Tamarind Phá Lấu
Essentially, sautéed tamarind phá lấu follows a similar preparation method to traditional phá lấu, with tender pork or beef organs simmered in robust spices like cinnamon, cloves, five-spice, and coconut milk. However, during the cooking process, the chef adds the tangy flavor of tamarind to the pot, giving the dish a unique and exotic sourness and aroma.
Address: In front of Apartment 141A Dang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan District. The shop is open from 1:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
Hủ Tíu with Phá Lấu
Hủ tíu with phá lấu is a harmonious blend of the deliciousness of thick, velvety sauce intertwining with the sweetness of simmered organ broth, fresh coconut water richness, the savory taste of coconut cream, the spicy, aromatic touch of cinnamon, five-spice, and the satisfying chewiness of hủ tíu noodles. It comes complete with various ingredients like liver, tripe, silk gourd, banana blossom, bee larvae, honeycomb, star fruit, sugarcane leaves, and sugar apple leaves.
Address: Aunt Liên's Eatery, 102 Phan Van Tri, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Hotpot Phá Lấu
Dubbed as hotpot, this dish doesn't boast an array of vegetables or accompanying side dishes. It's simply a pot of phá lấu with shrimp noodles underneath. The plus point is the resilient texture of the noodles, the rich and sweet broth with the coconut milk essence, honeycomb, and silk gourd, creating a delightful harmony of textures.
Address: 1A Suong Nguyet Anh, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Broken Rice with Phá Lấu
Simple yet satisfying, broken rice with phá lấu consists of a plate of broken rice topped with thinly sliced phá lấu, a touch of pickled vegetables, scallion oil, and a dipping sauce. The crispy and slightly chewy texture of phá lấu, combined with the sweet and sour taste of pickled vegetables, and the richness of scallion oil, gives you a delicious and unique experience.
Address: 459B Hai Ba Trung, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
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Source: Travel Guide Mytour – Courtesy of: Infonet
MytourAugust 1, 2013
