Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)

Vietnam’s regional curry specialty knocks it out of the ballpark.

If you’re a curry fan, Vietnam would like your attention.

Most curries in Vietnam are imported styles, but the Chicken Curry is a delicacy that’s all homegrown. It’s prepared with coconut milk and features various cuts of chicken with sweet potatoes, taro, and lemongrass, making it an unusually sweet and especially fragrant Vietnamese main dish. Lots of places will offer you one of three carbs: noodles, rice, or a hot and crusty baguette. Obviously the baguette is the correct choice, but you do you! ;)

Forgive me for this, but I simply haven’t found a third place for you that features Vietnamese Chicken Curry! At least not that I’d willingly recommend. Fortunately for us these two spots are fantastic and bring enough taste for three.

Ngọc Hân Cà Ri Gà

Hours: 7am-2pm, 4pm-7pm everyday

Address: 384 Phan Xích Long, Phường 2, Phú Nhuận

https://maps.app.goo.gl/otpydvzqWJGL7sTB6?g_st=ic

It doesn’t really look like much, but these are deep, rich bowls of curry with perfectly cooked chicken - just phenomenal if you’re in the mood for something sweet and savory and warm (and if you’re cold, see a doctor please because that ain’t right, except maybe in December). Vietnam’s only regional curry is executed perfectly at this very small shop and prices are super affordable for a healthy, filling meal. Below is a pic of the sign when I visited, because it truly is easy to miss.

Cà Ri Gà 3T

Hours: 8am-8pm everyday

Address: 28 Huỳnh Tịnh Của, Phường 8, Quận 3

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CKaoMWBBoWrcHssQ7?g_st=ic

One great thing about this hyper focused curry joint is that you get to choose the cuts of chicken you want as well as your carb. You like gizzards? You can have gizzards! You want noodles with your curry? You’re objectively wrong but you can do it! Go on, bring out your chaos monkey to play here, and get a second baguette because one is just not enough for this bowl. Truly excellent chicken curry!

If you want comfort in a bowl, a hot Vietnamese Chicken Curry will always be there for you - trust me on this one. One of the few soups I make a hot lunchtime exception for, tbh, especially on bad days.

Thanks everyone for reading! As always, please share far and wide to your foodie and/or travel friends. It means a lot to reach more people and get their input for even more exciting spots!

I’m always looking for more of these bowls, so drop a comment if you’ve got a good spot around town!

-Ben