Buzz
The combination of golden strands of noodles with rice vermicelli, dumplings, or braised ribs, curry fish balls brings unique noodle dishes to the people of Saigon.
Hà Tôn Quyền's Dumpling Noodles
The narrow streets of Hà Tôn Quyền in Chợ Lớn are perhaps best known for their shrimp dumpling noodles. To experience all the essence of this dish here, remember to order the assorted dumpling noodles with noodles, shrimp dumplings, fish balls, squid, pork skin, and vegetables. Aside from its delicious taste, the dish also captivates diners with two points. One is the dried squid, soaked and marinated to perfection, soft and chewy with a unique color. The second is the clear broth that appears thin but is intensely flavorful, leaving a sweet, fragrant impression.
Address: 193-195 Hà Tôn Quyền, District 11
Cao Văn Lầu's Fish Noodles
Noodles with only four distinctive features. Made from rice flour, with small dimensions, when blanched in boiling water, the noodles coil tightly together like a roll of white thread and are only cooked with fresh fish. Due to the mild nature of this type of fish, when eaten, we can clearly taste the delicious flavor of the fish, the noodles blending with the broth. A small tip is that if you can handle spicy food, even just a bit, don't forget to add a little chili paste to the soy sauce; the fish meat will become even more fragrant and flavorful.
Address: 243 Cao Văn Lầu, Ward 3, District 6; Opening hours: 5 PM – 12 AM; Price: 32,000 VND/bowl. Braised rib noodles and Nguyen Thien Thuat chicken noodles
Braised rib noodles and Nguyen Thien Thuat chicken noodles
Located on Nguyen Thien Thuat street, Tâm Ký noodle shop has long been known for its delicious and eye-catching braised rib noodles. The highlight of this bowl of noodles here is the slightly sticky broth combined with tender and flavorful pieces of young ribs. Also at Tâm Ký noodle shop, diners also have the opportunity to enjoy a unique and delicious noodle dish, the Nguyen Thien Thuat chicken noodles.
Although it's named that way, the chicken here resembles fried chicken due to the crispy skin rather than the usual roasted chicken preparation. Because the chicken is served on a separate plate, the charm of this dish lies in simultaneously enjoying the fragrant and soft noodles while nibbling on the crispy chicken skin, with firm and succulent chicken meat. A rather unusual way to enjoy Saigon noodles.
Address: 280 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Ward 3, District 3; Opening hours: 6 AM – 10 PM; Price: Braised rib noodles (35,000 VND/bowl), Nguyen Thien Thuat chicken noodles (35,000 VND/bowl).
Golden Phukien Noodles
Called golden vermicelli because this dish is a combination of small white vermicelli, similar to Singaporean rice vermicelli, and golden round noodles. In addition to its unique combination, golden vermicelli also attracts diners with its sweet, fragrant broth and crispy shrimp cakes - an ingredient that many diners crave.
Address: 218 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Ward 14, District 5; Opening hours: 6 AM – 1 AM; Price for golden vermicelli: 32,000 VND/bowl.
Minh Phung's 'Sour Vegetable' Noodles
The noodles at Minh Phung noodle shop have the same ingredients as other Chinese noodle shops, but the peculiar thing is the side dish of sour vegetables and pickled bean sprouts, a Southern-style way of eating rather than Chinese. Specifically, in Chinese cuisine, sour vegetables are often served as a side to counterbalance the richness, but with this noodle dish, the accompanying dish has been transformed into a unique sour vegetable and pickled bean sprout mix.
Address: 311/3 Minh Phung, Ward 2, District 11; Opening hours: 6 AM – 12 PM; Price: Noodles, rice vermicelli, mixed noodles (45,000 VND/bowl), Fish balls (30,000 VND/bowl).
Truong Dinh's Intestine Noodles
For those experiencing it for the first time, Truong Dinh's intestine noodles may seem 'ordinary' in appearance, but upon tasting, you'll be surprised by its subtle complexities. The broth of this dish has a sweet, fragrant taste; the golden noodles are soft and aromatic; the intestines are carefully prepared, devoid of any distinctive odor. The most tantalizing aspect is the rich and spicy satay sauce, enhancing the already delicious noodles and intestines, making it irresistible.
Address: 62 Truong Dinh, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1; Opening hours: Morning from 6 AM – 11:30 AM, Afternoon from 3 PM – 9 PM. Closed on Sunday afternoon; Price: Intestine noodle soup (40,000 VND/bowl), minced meat noodles (36,000 VND/bowl).
Curry Fish Ball Noodles
Near the corner of Nguyen Trai Street lies the only place in Saigon that sells this dish. Despite its long-standing reputation and recognition among food enthusiasts, the curry fish ball noodle shop is nothing more than a mobile noodle cart with two aluminum tables, a few plastic chairs. This poses a challenge for many Saigonese diners and 'name-seeking' tourists.
Address: Curry Fish Ball Noodles, Nguyen Trai Street, District 5; Open daily from 5 PM – 10 PM. Price: 35,000 VND/bowl.
Source: Zing News
***
Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 30, 2014
