Buzz
Crispy golden loaves filled with a medley of 8 different ingredients, priced at 28,000 dong each.
The inaugural community banh mi shop in Saigon
Over the crackling flames, Ms. Ngoc Ha skillfully blends ingredients in the pan. A fragrant aroma fills the room. After about 20 minutes, the mixture transforms into the filling of the community-style banh mi, which has been making waves in Saigon recently.
“So aromatic and rich,” exclaimed Bao Vi (a resident of District 1) after her first bite. According to her, the flavor of the community-style banh mi is entirely different from other filled baguettes in Saigon. “The harmonious blend of fillings is a game-changer,” Vi remarked, acknowledging the slightly higher price but still acceptable quality.
According to Ms. Ha, owner of the banh mi shop in District 1, ingredients such as sausage, pate, and eggs are sourced from reputable brands. The pate and beef jerky are homemade, following her own secret recipes. Thanks to its unique and delicious flavor, her shop has made a mark on customers since introducing community-style banh mi three months ago.
“Night owl” is the term commonly used for late-night banh mi vendors in Hanoi. Most customers at these establishments are either late-night revelers or early-morning workers, according to Ms. Ha.
However, not everyone fancies these peculiar filled baguettes. Ms. Ha recalls a customer from last month who, despite hearing rave reviews online, found the experience disappointing, commenting it was “subpar and not to their taste.” “I was taken aback. I just smiled, thanked the customer, and continued striving to do my best,” said the proprietor.
Two years ago, Ms. Ha began selling coconut jam, a specialty from Hai Phong, after residing in Saigon for a while. Before that, she pondered for days on how to introduce northern delicacies to southern diners. “Hanoi and Hai Phong hold many memories for me,” she said.
The U50 proprietor meticulously researched recipes for street snacks from Hai Phong and Hanoi. “Coconut jam was the first dish I sold when I opened the shop two years ago,” reminisced Ms. Ha. To this day, the dish remains a specialty of the establishment. Additionally, the menu includes other items such as spicy Hai Phong banh mi, pandan jelly yogurt, Hanoi-style green rice flan, priced at an average of 30,000 dong per serving.
Finding the shop’s location can be challenging as it's tucked away in a deep alley at 391 Tran Hung Dao Street. The establishment serves customers from 8 am to 7 pm daily. Visitors arriving by car can park outside the lane and enjoy their meals indoors.
Source: Di Vy/ Vnexpress
***
Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourOctober 25, 2019
