Nghi Xuan Restaurant (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Bánh bèo tôm chấy (Tiny steamed rice cakes) 68,000 VND (S$4.10)

Nghi Xuan Restaurant located opposite the Saigon Opera House is a boutique restaurant that serves traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

It was not easy spotting this restaurant. You would need to spot its signage located at the left of the above photo at the entrance of the alley. After that you would need to enter the dark alley. The restaurant is located all the way at the end of the alley.

Entrance

The entrance of the restaurant. We proceeded the the second level.

The ambience and environment of the restaurant was excellent! Craved wooden chairs, flowers, wine glasses and lacquerware made the restaurant looked so classy.

Look at how elegant and classy the setting was. Suitable for even a royal family. The waitress were dressed in ao dai, a vietnamese national costume and some of them could speak English. The menu was available in Vietnamese, English and even Japanese languages.

Bánh bèo tôm chấy (Tiny steamed rice cakes) 68,000 VND (S$4.10)

We ordered the Bánh bèo tôm chấy (Tiny steamed rice cakes) 68,000 VND (S$4.10). Shredded shrimp, pork lard and spring onions were added on top of the rice cake. Each person would be served a separated fish sauce. Fish sauce would need to be added on top of the steamed rice cake. After which, mix the fish sauce with the toppings on top of the rice cake. Once they are evenly mixed, divide the steamed rice cake into quarters and then enjoy. The video below shows how this is done.

The Tiny steamed rice cakes were fantastic. The combination of the fish sauce, toppings and rice cake was heavenly. This is a must try if you are at this restaurant.

A Instagram video showing how the Tiny steamed rice cakes should be mixed.

Bún hến (Rice noodles with mussels) 68,000 VND (S$4.10)

The Bún hến (Rice noodles with mussels) 68,000 VND (S$4.10) which consisted of rice noodle mixed with mussels, mussel soup, roasted peanuts and fresh vegetables.

Bún hến (Rice noodles with mussels) 68,000 VND (S$4.10)

The waitress assisted us to mix up all the ingredients till it looked like the above photo as we had no idea what should be done. It had a good mixture of textures and flavours. Reminds me of Lei Cha.

Thịt bò nhúng dấm (Sliced beef dipped in vinegar hot pot) 148,000 VND (S$8.90)

We also ordered the signature Thịt bò nhúng dấm (Sliced beef dipped in vinegar hot pot) 148,000 VND (S$8.90).

Thịt bò nhúng dấm (Sliced beef dipped in vinegar hot pot) 148,000 VND (S$8.90)

It consisted of raw sliced beef, vinegar hot pot, rice paper, fresh vegetables and herbs, slices of unripe banana and star fruit, rice vermicelli and fish sauce

Thịt bò nhúng dấm (Sliced beef dipped in vinegar hot pot) 148,000 VND (S$8.90)

Again, the waitress demonstrated how it should be done before letting us try it ourselves. First, the vinegar hot pot was brought to a boil. After which, the raw sliced beef was dipped into the vinegar bath and cooked to individual's preference.

Thịt bò nhúng dấm (Sliced beef dipped in vinegar hot pot) 148,000 VND (S$8.90)

Once the sliced beef was cooked, it would be placed onto the rice paper on top of the fresh vegetables and herbs, slices of unripe banana and star fruit, and rice vermicelli. All that is left was to roll it up, dip it into the fish sauce before enjoying it. It was a unique dining experience, but taste wise it was not fantastic (i.e. not a must try).

Cơm hấp lá sen (Lotus steamed rice) 98,000 VND (S$5.90)

As we were still hungry, we asked the waitress for recommendations. We were recommended the Cơm hấp lá sen (Lotus steamed rice) 98,000 VND (S$5.90). The rice was steamed in a lotus leaf together with other ingredients such as carrots, corn, pork, shrimps and lotus nuts. It was the worst dish that night. A waste of the calories.

The food at Nghi Xuan Restaurant was more pricey given its top notch environment and service.  If you are there, I would highly recommend the Tiny steamed rice cakes. The staff were very attentive and prompt. They were always around and it was so easy getting their assistance. We noticed that there were no locals and that they catered to mainly Japanese. Their service was so good that we were shocked when we noticed that a Japanese couple asked the waitress to feed their child (who was playing with his ipad game). The child had to be coaxed by the waitress all the time to open his mouth to eat while the couple were just chatting away. And the child was constantly playing his ipad game even when he was being fed! I thought that crossed the line. Kudos to the waitress. Would you have done that if you were the waitress? 

Nghi Xuân (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)
5/9 Nguyễn Siêu
Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: +84 (08) 8 3823 0699
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
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Fanny Ice Cream (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Demi Bol 149,000 VND (S$8.95): Chocolate Sauce and Almonds

After our dinner at 3T Quan Nuong, we proceeded to the building next door for dessert! Our destination was Fanny Ice Cream, a highly raved about french owned ice cream parlor in Vietnam. I heard about this place on Celine's Carpe diem. 一期一会 blog.

Fanny Ice Cream was established in Vietnam in 1994 by Jean-Marc Bruno, a pastry specialist graduated from the renowned Le Nôtre Paris school. It manufactures 100% natural ice cream with natural ingredients, using tradition method which the Jean-Marc Bruno acquired in the school. Today, it manufactures and distributes its premium ice cream to over 1000 restaurants and hotels, and has 7 ice cream parlors in Vietnam.

Fanny Ice Cream's outlet at Ton That Thiep Street was huge, occupying 2 units.

This was what greeted us when we went in through the entrance. Clean, warm, cozy, air conditioned with a pink theme. Even the waitress were wearing pink too!

Part of the selection of ice cream with real fruits being displayed. I was wondering how come it seems like no one ate

Fridge with more ice creams, probably for takeaway.

As we were undecided on what to order, we were lead to the next unit where they had more seats available. They provided both alfresco and indoor sittings. All their other customers chose to seat outside (i.e. alfresco). But we chose to take the indoor seats and we were the only ones =).

This was what was on each table. By the way, the flowers were real.

Menu

Part of the menu. We decided to order the Demi Bol after pondering for sometime as there was so many choices and all the pictures were so beautifully taken!

Demi Bol 149,000 VND (S$8.95)

We ordered the Demi Bol 149,000 VND (S$8.95) which allowed us to try a little of everything. There were a mix of sorbet and ice cream, chocolate sauce, almonds, caramel sauce, whipped cream and fruit salad.

Mix of sorbet and ice cream

From the left to right: (i) Chocolate, Pistachio and Mint Chocolate ice cream, (ii) Mango sorbet, Vanilla and Stracciatella ice cream, (iii) Strawberry sorbet, Vanilla and Chocolate Coffee ice cream, (iv) Green Tea, Coconut and Vanilla Macadamia ice cream, and (v) Strawberry and Cookies ice cream, Mix Berries sorbet.

Fruit Salad, Caramel Sauce and White Chocolate

Demi Bol was very beautifully presented, just like how it looked like on the menu. I was impressed with the effort. The mix of ice cream and sorbet was very good and allowed us to discover so many flavours. We also had the choice of adding chocolate sauce, fruit, caramel sauce or white chocolate as a topping. For just 149,000 VND (S$8.95), the Demi Bol was so value for money! If you are around the area, you should give this a try! Great place and ambience for dessert!

A Instagram video (aka Instavideo) which I took.

Good news for Fanny Ice Cream fans. Fanny Ice Cream is in Singapore! The franchise outlet was opened in Feb 2014 at 99 East Coast Road, Singapore 428795 (opposite 112 Katong). It is Fanny Ice Cream's first outlet outside Vietnam. The prices are charged in Singapore Dollars (of course!). The Demi Bol would cost $25 in Singapore!!!

Fanny Ice Cream (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

29-31 Tôn Thất Thiệp
Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1
Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: +84 (08) 3821 1633/0949

Facebook

other outlets in Vietnam
1) Vincom Center, tầng B3, 27 Lê Thánh Tôn, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
2) 22 Phạm Hồng Thái, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
3) 63 Xuân Thủy, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
4) Foodcourt Lầu 4, TTTM Pandora City, 1/1 Trường Chinh, Quận Tân Phú, Hồ Chí Minh
5) 6A Trần Hưng Đạo, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
6) 51 Lý Thường Kiệt, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội.

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3T Quan Nuong Vietnamese Barbecue (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Tôm nướng muối ớt (Roasted Prawn with Salt and Chilli) (100g) 58,000 VND (S$3.50)

3T Quan Nuong (3T Quán Nướng) is a roof top Vietnamese Barbecue (BBQ) / Grilled restaurant. 

3T Quan Nuong is located along Ton That Thiep Street, a 5 minutes walk away from Saigon Centre. It is located just next to Fanny Ice Cream. It was not easy getting to 3T Quan Nuong. When we saw Fanny Ice Cream, we were knew that 3T Quan Nuong was next door. But yet we could not find it, we had to ask the locals. We were directed to the right side of Fanny Ice Cream.

3T Quan Nuong was located above Temple Club (an upscale fine dining Vietnamese restaurant where Brad Pitt and Angelina JolieBrad Pitt and Angelina Jolie once dine at). Hence, if you are going to 3T Quan Nuong, look out for the Temple Club Signage instead.

Once you located the building, you would need to walk pass a long narrow corridor which is dimly lighted to the stair case and proceed to the roof top. If we had not done any research before hand, we would not have walked through this corridor. It seemed sleazy and doggy! 

Tada, the reward! Open air roof top BBQ! About one third of the dining area was sheltered while the rest was not. I wonder what happens when it is the monsoon season (rainy season). When we reached at around 630pm on a weekday, the restaurant was not even half full. But by the time we left at around 8pm, the place was nearly full! We noticed that most of the customers were locals except for two other tables.

Menu

Menu

Menu

3T Quan Nuong had both Vietnamese and English menu available. I do wonder if there are any differences in price between both menus. Do note, not all the serving staff understand English. Whenever we had questions or wanted to order an item, they would always send a particular waiter who could speak and understand basic English.The staff were friendly and when they noticed we were foreigners, they would assist us and show us how to cook the food items.

Ceramic tiles table with a grilling stove in the middle.

Noticed the small container with a stick? It contain oil and the stick was actually the brush. You would need to oil the grill so that your food would not stick to it.

Cơm Trắng (Steamed Rice) 50,000 VND (S$3.00)

We ordered a Cơm Trắng (Steamed Rice). It was served in a cute little ceramic 'pot'.

Tôm nướng muối ớt (Roasted Prawn with Salt and Chilli) (100g) 58,000 VND (S$3.50)

As we did our research before hand, we knew what to order. The Tôm nướng muối ớt (Roasted Prawn with Salt and Chilli) was one of the highly raved about dish! As there was only the two of us, we decided to order 100g (4 prawns) which cost 58,000 VND (S$3.50).

The prawns were still alive when they were served on wooden skewers. Salt and chilli were sprinkled over it. These prawns were still alive as they were taken from the tanks full of prawns at the kitchen. To ensure the freshness, these prawns were taken out from the tanks only upon order.

Grilling the live prawns

Brush some oil over the grill and you are ready to grill the live prawns. I know this is cruel.. as the prawns were put over the grill, they were still moving.

Left to right: Grilling the live prawns, Lime with salt and chilli dip

Needless to say, the prawns were fresh. The shells came over so easily. In addition, the meat was firm and sweet.

To further enhance the taste, squeeze the lime over the salt and chilli powder. Then dip the prawn into it. The different dimension in taste of the prawn, lime, salt and chilli was just out of the world! Top notch! This is a must try! Wish that we had ordered more!

Bò nướng mật ong (Roasted Beef with Honey) 85,000 VND (S$5.10)

The next item we ordered was the Bò nướng mật ong (Roasted Beef with Honey) 85,000 VND (S$5.10). It was served together with a plate of vegetables (kang kong, lady finger, etc.)

Grilling the beef with vegetables

When the Roasted Beef with Honey was served, the waiter helped us to oil the metal grill again before helping us to put some of the beef meat onto the hot sizzling grill. The beef meat was delicious, but I can't detect any hint of honey if any.

Heo nướng sả ớt (Roasted Wildboar with Lemongrass and Chilli) with salad 110,000 VND (S$6.60) 

The Heo nướng sả ớt (Roasted Wildboar with Lemongrass and Chilli) which cost 110,000 VND (S$6.60) was served with a plate of salad.

When this was served, the staff replaced our metal grill with a new one without us requesting for this to be done. =D

Heo nướng sả ớt (Roasted Wildboar with Lemongrass and Chilli) 110,000 VND (S$6.60)

The Roasted Wild Boar with Lemongrass and Chilli was a little too tough. I wonder if its because of our 'cooking skill'. In short, this dish did not wow me.

Rau muống xào tỏi (Deep Fried Kangkong with Garlic) 100,000 VDN (S$6.00)

As we required some greens, we ordered a plate of Rau muống xào tỏi (Deep Fried Kangkong with Garlic) 100,000 VDN (S$6.00). It was well fried! The kang kong was crunchy and tasty. Do note that it was not deep fried as indicated in the menu. I was impressed that I could get such a decent dish in a Vietnamese restaurant.

As we were enjoying our meal, a big group of around 15 locals arrived and ordered a whole lot of prawns! They requested for the staff to grill it for them. And the staff had to heat up two metal grills and spent a good 20 minutes grilling all the prawns! What great service!

After the meal, the restaurant served us complimentary fruits (watermelon and pineapple) and tea. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Tôm nướng muối ớt (Roasted Prawn with Salt and Chilli)! The staff here were warm, friendly and attentive. They seemed to pay extra attention to tourist, coming over to assist and demonstrate how the cooking should be done, adjusting the temperature of the grill when it was too hot, helping to brush oil on the metal grill, changing of metal grills, etc. All the little things that matter!

Do note, you would smell of BBQ food despite it being very windy at the roof top. Nevertheless, this was worth it!

Ending off with a Instagram video (aka Instavideo) which I took. 

3T Quán Nướng Vietnamese Barbecue (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

29-31 Tôn Thất Thiệp

Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: +84 (08) 3821 1631
Opening Hours: Daily 5pm to 11pm

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Cuc Gach Quan (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Cuc Gach Quan (Cục Gạch Quán) is a "country side" restaurant which specialises in serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The owner aims to bring back to the modern city a slice of the old countryside with his motto “eat green, live healthy” where the emphasis is on fresh ingredients and Vietnamese flavours with no preservatives or MSG added.

The restaurant is tucked away at the quiet street of Dang Tat; a private residential area at Ward Tan Dinh in District 1. The three storey air-conditioned restaurant is easy to miss as it looks like a typical house from the exterior with a security guard seated in front of the restaurant. Despite its (remote) location, this restaurant is very popular. It ranks number 14 in tripadvisor and was visited by Brad and Angelina in 2010. After reading all the reviews on it, I had high expectations of this restaurant and decided to visit during my trip to Ho Chi Minh.

Menu cover (English)

They had a English only menu with wide product offering. It was easier researching the items to eat and to ask the so friendly staff for recommendations. A quick observation, most of the customers in the restaurant seems to be tourists.

Mixed Fruit Juice 80,000 VND (S$4.80)

Sugar free Mixed Fruit Juice which cost 80,000 VND (S$4.80). What was unique was that instead of a conventional straw, the straw was actually the stem of a morning glory! In additional, the stopper of the bottle was also made of pandan leaf. 

Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Thịt (Fresh Spring Roll with Shrimp) 20,000 VND (S$1.20)

Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Thịt (Fresh Spring Roll with Shrimp) 20,000 VND (S$1.20) was average. Can skip.

Cải Bẹ Xanh Cuốn Bò (Lettuce Roll with Beef) 20,000 VND (S$1.20)

The Cải Bẹ Xanh Cuốn Bò (Lettuce Roll with Beef) 20,000 VND (S$1.20) was also average. Can skip.

Bông Bí (Pumpkin Flowers)

This is the first time I am trying Bông Bí (Pumpkin Flowers). It was stirred fried with garlic. This seemly simple dish was wonderfully cooked and tasty. It was not too oily and not too salty, very well executed. 

Đậu Hũ Trứng Chiên Xả Ớt (Deep Fried Home Made Tofu with Lemongrass and Chilli) 90,000 VND (S$5.40)

Đậu Hũ Trứng Chiên Xả Ớt (Deep Fried Home Made Tofu with Lemongrass and Chilli) 90,000 VND (S$5.40) as its name suggested was home made with no preservatives added. Each cube of tofu was coated in a thin, crunchy crisp batter while the interior was silk soft. The bits of fried lemongrass and chilli paired off very well with the tofu, providing an appetising aroma and tantalising flavour. These bits also went well with rice.

Unique dish, but not fantastic or a die die must try. 

Cá Chẻm Chiên Giòn Sốt Chanh Dây (Crispy Sea Bass with Passion fruit Sauce) 90,000 VND (S$5.40)

Cá Chẻm Chiên Giòn Sốt Chanh Dây (Crispy Sea Bass with Passion fruit Sauce) 90,000 VND (S$5.40) was unique. The addition of the passion fruit added a distinctive flavour to the crispy sea bass. 

 Steamed Rice and Brown Rice 60,000 VND (S$3.60)

We shared a pot of Steamed Rice and Brown Rice 60,000 VND (S$3.60). The brown rice tasted different from the ones I had in Singapore. It tasted exactly the same as the steamed rice.

We had high expectations for Cuc Gach Quan and were disappointed with the food. The food was not bad, but not fantastic. I should have heeded the advice of my Vietnamese friend who told me that locals seldom visit this restaurant as the food was average yet expensive. The positive aspect was that the restaurant ambience was warm cozy and homely, and the staff were friendly, attentive and extremely helpful.

Cục Gạch Quán (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

10 Dang Tat, Ward Tan Dinh 

District 1, Saigon 

Tel: +84 (08) 3848 0144
Opening Hours: Daily 1030am to 1030pm

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Hoa Dong (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) 65,000 VND (S$3.90)

Hoa Dong (Quán Hoa Đông) is an eatery located in District 1, near the North Gate (Cửa Bắc) of Ben Thanh Market. 

The small humble, no frills eatery with less than 35 seats. We chanced upon this eatery by accident. Despite the fact that it was not air conditioned, we decided to step in to the shop as we were hungry. We did not regret it. In fact, it was one of the best decision we made that day.

Some of the food (e.g. Grilled Pork and Grilled Shrimp Paste wrapped around Sugarcane) being displayed.

Menu 

Menu

The owners of the eatery did not understand English. Luckily, the menu had both Vietnamese and English language with prices clearly indicated. We had to rely on sign language to seek "clarifications" on how to eat certain dishes.

There was a set of condiments, bottle drinks, spoon, chopsticks and even toothpicks at each table.

We ordered the Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle), Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) and Café Sữa Dá (Coffee with Condensed Milk and Ice).

The beansprouts were for the Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) while the rice noodle (vermicelli), lettuce leaves and Vietnamese leaves aka fresh herbs (i.e. Vietnamese basil, mint leaves, betel leaves)  was for the Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle).

Bún Chả (Grilled Pork ) being grilled

Bún Chả (Grilled Pork ) being grilled

The Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle) being grilled over a charcoal stove upon order.

Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle) 60,000 VND (S$3.60)

This is the Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle). The grilled pork were soaked in a clear light brown sauce which had a unique flavour with a tangy kick (which I have to confess, turned me off at first).

Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle) 60,000 VND (S$3.60)

The right way to eat the Bún Chả Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork served with Rice Noodle) 60,000 VND (S$3.60) is to add the rice noodle and the different leaves into the dish and give it a good mix (note: you should need to remove the stem from the leaves for better texture and experience).

Despite the sauce being tangy, when the ingredients were mixed in it, they tasted pretty good. The sauce made a whole world of difference to the taste of the usually tasteless rice noodle. In addition, the different leaves enhanced and added a different dimension to the taste depending on which leaves we ate in that particular mouthful.

The Bún Chả (Grilled Pork) was superb, in a different league of its own. It had the right blend of taste with a unique rich and smoky flavour. It was so addictive and delicious. A must try!!

Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) 65,000 VND (S$3.90)

The Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) is a Vietnamese cuisine which is popular among the locals. Most foreigners/tourists would be more familiar with Phở (Vietnamese beef noodle) compared to Bánh Canh Cua. Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) is essentially a thick crab and shrimp stock with udon noodles and crab meat.

Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) 65,000 VND (S$3.90)

The Bánh Canh Cua (Glass Udon Soup with Crabmeat) 65,000 VND (S$3.90) at Hoa Dong was very well executed. The stock was (slightly) thick, robust and flavourful. The thickness of the stock complemented the udon noodles perfectly as each piece of udon noodle was well coated with the flavour of the stock. The chunks of soft and fresh crab meat was the icing on the 'cake. Shiok! A must try!! Definitely not from tin cans. In case you are wondering what to do with the beansprouts, they are to be added into the bowl and mixed.

Café Sữa Dá (Coffee with Condensed Milk and Ice) 20,000 VND (S$1.20)

The Café Sữa Dá (Coffee with Condensed Milk and Ice) 20,000 VND (S$1.20) on the other hand was just average. It was simply too sweet and not aromatic enough.

Nevertheless, the food at Hoa Dong was amazing! We were so impressed that we squeezed this in as our last meal just before we flew back to Singapore.

Do note, as this is located near the Ben Thanh Market. This eatery together with the other eateries located near tourist attractions normally tend to be more expensive compared to other eateries which the locals go to. 

Quán Hoa Đông (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

121 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành

District 1, Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: +84 (08) 3823 7647

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