Buzz
Despite using chairs as makeshift tables, self-service, enduring over 30 minutes of wait time, and encountering unfriendly vendors... these dining spots have never been devoid of customers.
Three-color Dessert at Nguyen Phi Khanh - Tran Quang Khai
On the corner of Nguyen Tri Phuong - Tran Quang Khai, there's a dessert cart offering three-color desserts, black bean desserts, mung bean cakes, coconut milk puddings, and pomegranate jelly. The cart may be simple, yet it's always bustling with customers.
Most customers here are regulars. Some have been coming here since their school days, through graduation, marriage, and now their children also frequent this dessert cart. 'Anyone who has tasted his desserts, no matter how many dessert shops Saigon has, whether old or new, whenever they crave dessert or simply want to indulge, they only want to come here,' said Mrs. Huong (District Phu Nhuan).
Despite the crowd, the owner occasionally says, 'Many people say my desserts are delicious, but I don't find them delicious at all.' Not only does he critique his own products, but he also remains rather indifferent to customers waiting both inside and outside the queue. Regardless of whether the customers are many or few, he leisurely smokes his cigarette, scoops out desserts, and serves the customers.
Location: Corner of Nguyen Phi Khanh - Tran Quang Khai. Open from 11 am to 2 pm.
Super Oven Rib Noodle
Saigon is not lacking in noodle shops, especially rib noodle ones, yet it's rare to find a place bustling with customers coming in and out, or waiting for minutes to be served like at No. 105 Super Oven Rib Noodle shop.
Although its signboard reads 'chicken rib noodles', this noodle shop is known more for its pork rib noodles.
The standout feature of the rib noodle bowl here is the fairly long ribs, taken from young pigs and often the tastiest part. Not only are the ingredients carefully chosen, but the cooking method here is also unique. The ribs are stewed until the chef can easily split them with chopsticks, yet they retain their sweet flavor.
Accompanying the rib noodles is a ginger dipping sauce specially concocted to enhance the irresistible flavor of the ribs.
Location: Super Oven Chicken Rib Noodles, 105 Lò Siêu, Ward 16, District 11. Open from 6 am to 11:30 am.
Phan Dang Luu Steamed Cake
Different from the service style at other eateries in Saigon, the steamed cake shop on Phan Dang Luu street is famously 'high-end'. Guests are not greeted but rather have to find their own seats, use chairs as tables, and wait for about 20 - 30 minutes before eating. However, as Minh (Gò Vấp district) shared: 'Although the service isn't fast, the steamed cakes here, whether the cake itself, the meat, fried shallots, or dipping sauce, are all very delicious. And when you find something delicious and addictive, a little hardship only adds to the value of the dish.'
Location: Phan Dang Luu Steamed Cake, 116/11 Phan Dang Luu, Ward 3, Phu Nhuan District. Open from 2 pm to 7 pm. (Closed on the 1st and 15th of every month).
Van Lang Park Crab Noodle Soup
With just a few tables and over a dozen chairs placed close to the roadside, guests have to find their own spots, be self-sufficient, wait for several tens of minutes... yet the crab noodle soup shop near Van Lang Park has never been without customers, and it's rare for anyone to come here and only eat one bowl.
The enticing crab noodle soup at this eatery features tender pieces of boiled tofu, rich red broth, and fragrant crab bricks. In addition to the regular crab noodle soup bowl, you can also order extra shrimp, pork knuckle, crab cake bowl... to satisfy your taste buds.
Location: Near Van Lang Park - Hung Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Cade Sticky Rice
Situated on Tran Phu Street, this sticky rice cart has long been known for two titles: 'the most delicious and posh cade sticky rice cart in Saigon'. This is because of the quality of the sticky rice sold here and the owner's spontaneous decisions, sometimes closing for travel without prior notice, leaving customers frustrated.
Location: Cade Sticky Rice, in front of Giai Ky Noodle Shop, 451 Tran Phu, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. Open from 8 pm to 2 am.
As reported by Zing
