Buzz
Thị Buffet holds a revered status in Saigon's culinary scene, offering delectable dishes at an unbelievable price of 69k per person. It's a feast fit for royalty.
Hey there, folks! I'm Mai Ngọc. My mom and I share a profound love for snacking, so last week, we indulged in Thị Buffet's spread of snacks from all three regions. Tonight, I'm taking some time to share my thoughts with you all.
First Impressions of Thị Buffet
Mom and I decided to skip dinner and head straight to the street food-inspired buffet for an unforgettable culinary adventure. Given our shared passion for food, wherever I go, I always bring Mom along. We arrived at Thị Buffet on Hoa Mai Street around 6:30 PM, just as the evening was settling in, offering relief from the daytime heat.
Thị Buffet may appear modest from the outside
My initial impression of Thị Buffet was its petite size, which made it feel a bit cramped. Even at 6:30 PM, the ground floor tables were nearly full. Thankfully, a staff member ushered us in; otherwise, we would've struggled to find a seat.
The second floor offered more space with outdoor seating, but since our main goal was indulging in the food, we opted for the ground floor. Considering Mom's age, navigating the food selection while going up and down the stairs was a bit challenging.
Embarking on the Culinary Journey at Thị Buffet
As a street food buffet, Thị Buffet offers a comprehensive selection from all regions, from the North to the South. It's truly a feast for the ages. I started with dishes from the North and Central regions, grabbing two spring rolls and two plates of beef salad, along with several pieces of tapioca cakes.
A charming corner at Thị Buffet, where Saigon street snacks are neatly arranged and organized, don't you think?
The dipping sauce here strikes a perfect balance, not overly sour or sweet. The spring rolls and beef salad are delicious, with fresh and flavorful shrimp and beef; the vegetables are also very fresh, leaving both me and Mom quite satisfied. My favorite dish is the tapioca cake, which is molded into small portions, with shrimp cut into small pieces, about ¼ of a normal shrimp. It's smart for a snack buffet to serve them in this way, allowing guests to try more dishes.
After the appetizers, it's time to indulge. I scooped up a steaming bowl of crab soup right away. The crab soup pot is always kept hot on the stove, accompanied by a pot of broth for Quang-style noodles. Surrounding them are various herbs and condiments, making it quite convenient.
Here's the crab soup pot and the Quang-style noodle broth
The crab soup is rich and flavorful, just sprinkle some cilantro and pepper on top, and it's ready to enjoy. If you prefer it salty, you can add a bit of soy sauce. There's plenty of crab meat, and it's quite firm and sweet, without any unpleasant odor or taste.
Mr. Dũng, the owner of Thị Buffet, is very attentive, going around to every table to inquire if the food suits our taste. When my mom asked why such an unusual name, he shared: 'Thị is a common middle name for many Vietnamese women, and women often enjoy snacking, so we decided to name the restaurant after it.
After finishing the crab soup, I went for a bowl of crab vermicelli soup. The bowls of crab vermicelli are already prepared, so all you need to do is pour in the broth and you're ready to eat. In the bowl, there's vermicelli soaked in boiling water, a piece of fried tofu, a medium-sized crab cake, a piece of crab roe, a piece of crab paste, a tomato slice, and some green onions. The broth is rich and clear, with a gentle sourness and sweetness from the bones and crab meat. I also had it with raw vegetables to balance the flavors, and some pickled chili for added spiciness.
A small bowl of golden crab vermicelli at Thi Buffet
Still not quite full, so I grabbed a plate of sticky rice to fill up. The sticky rice is served in a clay pot lined with banana leaves, with the rice on top, shredded pork sausage sprinkled on top of the rice along with fried shallots. I prefer the sticky rice to be kept in the pot to keep it warm, rather than being laid out in the pot as it tends to get cold that way. Despite being left out, the sticky rice is still soft and fragrant, not tough, but it's even better when eaten hot.
White sticky rice served with pork sausage and fried shallots
Now that our bellies are full, it's time for dessert. I grabbed a bowl of chilled sweet soup, refreshing and delightful. The sweet soup is soft and sweet, especially enjoyable with some ice, with tender mung beans and simmered lotus seeds melting in the mouth. The crunchy wood ear fungus adds a pleasant texture, and the coconut milk is creamy and rich. Besides sweet soup, there's also grilled banana and sticky rice, lotus seed sweet soup, agar agar, and cold ginseng drink, etc.
A bowl of sweet soup - a famous Saigon snack, fragrant and sweet
The buffet price at Thị Buffet is only 69k per person, which is quite affordable for such a variety of dishes. The street food snacks are quite satisfactory and plentiful. Thị Buffet often gets crowded, so make sure to make a reservation beforehand and enjoy the discount here:
>>>Receive a discount from 99k/set down to only 69k/set at Thị Buffet
Reviewer: Mai Ngọc
Address: Thị Buffet - 13 Hoa Mai, Ward 2, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
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