Unusual Foods to Try in Saigon
Phở poutine, y’all. You didn’t know you needed it - you’re welcome!
Here are some really special finds that are both delicious and relatively unusual to see here in Saigon, Vietnam. While there are probably a lot of little places that sell the first two dishes that I simply don’t know about, I’ve been to enough spots around the city to know these are rare, but crave-able, specialties. The third… well, you’ll probably never see it anywhere else.
Cơm Da Gà Nga
Hours: 6:30am-9:30pm Monday-Saturday, 8am-9:30am Sunday
Address: Building H1, 23 Lol o, Hẻm 243 Hoàng Diệu, Phường 8, Quận 4
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MjE2dajpuWLgAoxn9?g_st=ic
This is a must-try if you’re into… crispy fried chicken skin! Yes, indeed, this is a mega-delicious calorie bomb, and just outrageously good. Add some shredded chicken, a few chunks of wings slathered in a delectable sauce, and some egg strips, and this becomes a simply incredible box of joyful comfort rice.
Cơm Hến Huế
Hours: 6:30am-9pm everyday
Address: 284 Đ. Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường 14, Quận 3
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bzc6qpoxJrFHSWa69?g_st=ic
This is a great Huế dish at a fantastic Huế shop that I don’t see very often in HCMC - rice or vermicelli with baby clams. It’s Vietnamese street food at its very best. There’s a lot of elements coming together to make something special here, and it comes with a bit of soup you’re supposed to pour over the rice (a little is necessary, but I don’t like to use too much because I don’t like my rice soupy - it comes on the side so it’s your choice). At less than 30k a bowl, it’s an undeniable, satiating steal.
NOTE: enter the alley off Le Van Sy and it’s about halfway down, on the left side. Power tip - avocado and coconut ice cream in the same alley!
Phở Chào
Hours: 7am-9pm everyday
Address: 52 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jy3peHrGwaHDU5727?g_st=ic
Now here is a dish that’s truly unique (trigger warning for Canadians): Phở Poutine! While basically everything on the menu is top-tier (the chicken and the traditional phở here are especially crave-worthy) the dish that makes this spot stand out for this particular list is its unique fusion of Canadian poutine and phở flavors, all over french fries as the carb base. It really should not work as well as it does - the chef absolutely nails this unlikely combination, which is culinarily interesting, super tasty, and unlike anything else in the city.
These are just a few of the unusual-for-HCMC foods I’ve found over the course of my food adventures exploring the city. I simply love finding places like this which truly help underline what a top-tier (and underrated!) foodie destination Saigon really is. What it lacks in… *sigh* so many areas… it makes up for as a simply astounding place to eat and drink.
What weirdo dishes do you know? Drop us a comment, lovelies! I always want to try something new!
-Ben