How Soy Milk Symbolizes an Imagined Vietnam of My Childhood in France
I still remember vividly the anticipation running through my veins, when I saw a waiter bringing me a glass of sữa đậu nành, every time my family took me to one of the many Vietnamese restaurants of the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the city’s renowned Chinatown. It was a neighborhood I was bound to get dragged to as a French kid with a Vietnamese parent, whether I wanted to or not. For me, this glass represented the quintessence of typical Vietnamese drinks during a good meal: one of the rare glimpses into the daily customs of my ancestors’ culture.
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: At Sara Ethiopian Restaurant, a Chicken Stew for the Soul
Before the existence of Sara Ethiopian Restaurant in Saigon, my knowledge about the African country could fit squarely in a child’s palm: its capital, Addis Ababa; the tragic Ethiopian Airlines crash in March; and its national dish, injera.
An Homage to Mỳ Quảng and Its Branching Family Tree Across Vietnam
Mỳ Quảng’s reputation has spread across Vietnam and even abroad, yet few are well-informed about its origin story and the land it hailed from.
Hẻm Gems: At Bún Thang 50, Unexpected Hanoi Flavors in a Phú Nhuận Corner
When I was growing up in California, every couple of months, plastic containers of sliced fried egg, chicken, and chả lụa would line the kitchen counter. This medley of ingredients would usually mean bún thang for dinner — which, in turn, signaled that the dinner was a special occasion.
Paul Christiansen in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks
Ngõ Nooks: At Vietnam's Only Palestinian Eatery, Eating Maqluba and Dreaming of Peace
“If you have a heart and you have a mind, you must support Palestine,” Saleem Hammad emphasized as we sipped sweet tea overlooking Hanoi’s Old Quarter from the balcony of his restaurant, Oliva. The dinner we had just finished was delicious, but the visit to Vietnam’s only Palestinian restaurant felt more significant than a simple meal. Learning about Saleem’s journey, his personal relationship with Vietnam, and his efforts to deepen ties between Palestine and Vietnam underscored how cuisine can foster cultural exchange and understanding towards peace.
Hẻm Gems: Atop a Beef Bowl Eatery, the Hidden Cozy World of Shochu Bar Mitsuboshi
Looking back at my days in Japan, I cherish most the moments I decided to get lost in yokochos — small and narrow alleys filled with shops, often bars — and push on a random door, not knowing what could await me behind it. It could be a wooden stall illuminated by blinding lights, its noisy customers showered with beer; or a 19th-century-style Manhattan bar, where the only movements come from trails of smoke off the customers’ cigarettes and streams of light going through bottles of whisky behind the counter.
When Rush Hour Hits, The Straits Offers a Singaporean Alternative
Saigon’s streets snarl with hot, sticky knots of traffic every evening. As people finish their workdays and look ahead to quality time with families at home, precious hours pursuing hobbies and meeting with friends around the city, they must first contend with horrific congestion. This rush hour period, when movement is slow and frustrating, coincides with peak skyline beauty.
Hẻm Gems: Tokyo Moon Cafe Introduces Homey Korean Flavors to Japan Town
Stepping into Tokyo Moon is like venturing into a world of wonders, neatly packed within a mere 35-square-meter space.
Michael Tatarski in Food Culture
Crossing the DMZ: A Visit to Saigon’s North Korean Restaurant
UPDATE: We're sad to announce that as of October 2017, Ryu Gyong has been shuttered permanently, along with a few other North Korean restaurants in Da Nang, Hanoi, and Saigon.
Spice up Your Morning Phở With These Herbs
In the wonderful world of Vietnamese soups, everyone has their preferred set of spices.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Dessert Happy Hour at Quynh Hoa
Just as rush hour traffic starts to pick up around me, motorbikes zipping back and forth down the wide alley, I send a message to my coworker.
Vietnam's Wrap & Roll Gets $6.9m Investment From Local Private Equity Firm
Saigon-based private equity firm Mekong Capital just announced a US$6.9 million investment in Vietnamese restaurant chain Wrap & Roll.
30% of Coffee in Vietnam Has No Caffeine: Survey
If you've been seeking out cà phê sữa đá from street carts for a super-caffeinated start to your workday, you might want to look elsewhere, as there’s a chance you've been drinking coffee-flavore...
Hẻm Gems: Good Bánh Bèo Comes to Those Who Wait
The most memorable eating experiences are the ones that take time. Of all the meals Saigon’s sidewalks can offer, the best require a pilgrimage to some faraway district and a series of trial-and-error...
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
[Video] Hẻm Gems: Fish Balls, Curry and Noodle Soup, a Perfect Storm
Some may say that good things in life come when you least expect them, and from my encounter with this week’s Hem Gem – curry fish balls and noodles – you can count me in as a firm believer in this pa...
[Video] Saigoneer x Pasteur Street Brewing Company: The Saigoneer Session
Saigoneer is proud to announce the launch of its creative agency, Unbranded Creative. Our first project is one that has been in the works for over a year: a collaboration with Pasteur Street...
Vinamilk Goes Organic
Vinamilk, Vietnam's largest dairy producer, is going organic.
Brian Letwin in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Enter the Bánh Đúc Jungle
While many of our culinary adventures take us out of our downtown comfort zone, there are a few gems hidden among the office buildings and skyscrapers of District 1.
The Saga of the Bánh Mì
While Hanoi gets all the credit for phở, touting itself as the birthplace of Vietnam's national dish, Saigon holds the distinct honor of inventing the modern-day bánh mì.
Vietnamese Cafes Take on Global Giants, Emerge Victorious
When Starbucks first opened its doors in Vietnam in 2013, a slight panic was in the air. From abroad, news outlets wondered whether the global coffee giant could adapt to Vietnam's unique coffee ...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: For Good Phở in Saigon, a Dollar Is All You Need
You can really stretch a dollar in this country. That's two cà phê sữa đá or two bánh mì, a couple liters of bia hơi, a xe ôm ride, a well-bargained souvenir, enough snacks to constitute a meal or a s...
[Video] Americans Fail at Eating Vietnamese Food, Love It Anyway
There are a handful of universal truths in life. For instance:
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: The Best Bún Chả in Hanoi…in Saigon
The weather was truly Hanoian earlier this week. Outside, rain fell in sheets, flooding the pockmarked alley outside our office door. The sun had disappeared. Though a few particularly photo-obsessed ...
Brian Letwin in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Maison Marou: The House That Chocolate Built
Across from Ben Thanh Market sits a massive, open pit that will eventually serve as the base for a set of gleaming, modern towers housing the likes of a six-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel. But just beyond th...
Hanoi World’s Greatest City for Food: Telegraph
While the international press has been fawning over Vietnamese cuisine long before US President Barack Obama shared a few bowls of bún chả with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi a few weeks back, the visit ma...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: The Legend of Baby African
You'll have to clear an afternoon to get to Baby African.
[Photos] South Korea's Top 10 Spiciest Dishes
From a sprinkle of freshly sliced chilis to a dash of flaming hot sauce, many cuisines around the world share a penchant for spicy food.
[Video] Everyone Is Ordering Suất Obama at Hanoi's Bun Cha Huong Lien
As you might have expected, business is booming at Hanoi's Bun Cha Huong Lien.
