Hẻm Gems: The Ghé Coffee Tucks Art, Fragrant Coffee Into a Quiet D1 Crevice
Delivering premium origin coffee and fine art from artists across Vietnam in a tiny room that dates back to French colonial times, smack dab in the middle of District 1, The Ghé Coffee balances the finer things in life and the comfortably mundane.
Paul Christiansen in Food Culture
Into the Beguiling Backyard Rice Wine Distilleries of Long An
The highway eases into sand and gravel the way history descends into myth and legend when traveling towards Long An. A mere 27 kilometers outside of Saigon, the province feels a world away: the difference between a cocktail made with 18-year-old scotch, jackfruit-infused rum, seven types of bitters and brandy-soaked organic cherries and a plastic water bottle of homemade rượu nếp. The latter was the reason we were going there: for information, interviews and anecdotes to complete Saigoneer’s two-part investigation of the history of rice wine.
From a Blend of Cultures, Phá Lấu Became a Beloved Saigon Street Snack
When the word phá lấu is mentioned, two genres of dishes will appear in the mind of Vietnamese. One is a small bowl of orange broth that sings of coconut milk, another is slices of caramelized offal awash in a translucent shade of brown. Both these forms of preparations speak volumes about the growth of local street food through episodes of history.
Live Music, Sports, Art and Activities Fill District VUI with Summer Fun
Vietnam’s south-central coast is blessed with warm sunshine, cool waves, and relaxed vibes all year round, creating a perpetual vacation atmosphere. With school breaks and summer holidays, there is no better time to explore the tropical regions at the nexus of forest and sea.
Gỏi Đu Đủ Reflects the Mekong Region's Culinary and Cultural Wisdoms
As the cicadas begin to sing in the tamarind canopies along Pasteur Street after the first monsoon rain, vivid scenes from my formative years flash by in my mind. My cheeks became flushed and my eyes teary, but not from the harsh sun and wind, nor the frustration of losing multiple marble games; it was the sight, or rather, the scent of a papaya salad enveloped in Cô Ri pungent anchovy sauce.
Hẻm Gems: In D5, a Family Durian Xôi Xiêm Recipe Inspired by Cambodia
At first glance, xôi xiêm sầu riêng — or sticky rice with egg custard and durian — may appear plain-looking, but apart from being a tasty sweet treat, this simple dish also holds stories of life during Vietnam’s post-war period.
A Pilgrimage to Sơn La, Vietnam's National Mận Capital, as a Devoted Fan
There’s a kind of sweet, sour, and slightly tannic fruit that never fails to make our mouths water every summer.
Paul Christiansen in Food Culture
Banana Is a Paragon of Neutrality. I Propose Using It as a Metric to Rank All Fruits.
Line up all the world’s fruits, best to worst, taking into account every rateable aspect imaginable including taste, appearance, price, reliability and seasonality — the banana rests at the exact middle. So I've personally used it as the ideal threshold to rank every fruit I've ever eaten.
Hẻm Gems: 70 Years of Hủ Tiếu Down a Saigon Alley
At the corner of a dead-end alley and the crowded pub street of Ton That Thiep among neon signs of nearby bars and restaurants, an eatery with an old hand-painted sign reading “Thanh Xuan” might come ...
[Video] This Is How You Make A Phở Burger
We got the phở burrito, the phở cocktail and the phở dumpling. What other twist on the Vietnamese staple is missing from this list? Yup, the phở burger.
[Video] New York’s Annual Trứng Vịt Lộn Eating Competition
The annual Balut (A.K.A trứng vịt lộn) Eating Contest just took place in New York City where contestants were tasked with eating as many of the duck fetuses as possible in a 5-minute window.
This Is What Happens When You Mix Dumplings And Phở
American chefs continue to show their love of phở by twisting it into everything from cocktails to burritos. While the above concoctions claim both fans and detractors, this new creation out...
[Video] You Don’t Have to Be White to Butcher the Vietnamese Language
White people aren’t the only ones who mangle the Vietnamese language.
[Video] How White People Order Vietnamese Food
Many poke fun at white American’s for showing off appreciation for ethnic food. After all, if you want to be cool in the eyes of others, what better way that to spin off a few words in another languag...
Herbs: The Unsung Heroes Of Vietnamese Cuisine
People travel to Vietnam from all over the world for the country’s culinary magic. But while broths, meats and noodles are often play the leading role, the unsung heroes of Vietnamese cuisine are fres...
[Video] Anthony Bourdain Returns To Vietnam To Film “Parts Unknown” Episode
Celebrity chef and Vietnam enthusiast, Anthony Bourdain recently traveled to Huế to film an episode for his Emmy-winning CNN TV series, “Parts Unknown.”
The Hidden Gems of Binh Tay Market
Among the busy streets of District 6, Binh Tay, Cho Lon’s central market, sits in all its hectic glory.
Behold: The Phở Burrito
Vietnamese food has gained enormous popularity in the US to the point where phở has recently been added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. While dishes like bánh mì and phở please the A...
The Different Faces Of Bánh Cuốn
A favorite breakfast for many Vietnamese, bánh cuốn (steamed roll) is a quick and delicious day starter. While the traditional is always a crowd pleaser, let’s take a look at some interesting ren...
The Best Amarone Wine In Saigon
If you like wine, especially the Italian variety, you must try Amarone, one of those gems that was discovered by accident (think champagne).
Is Bánh Mì The Best Sandwich In The World?
Travel and food writer, David Farley, recently visited Vietnam on an assignment from the BBC to answer a question many others have pondered – “is bánh mì the world’s best sandwich?”
7 Of Vietnam’s Most Expensive Traditional Dishes
As Vietnam’s cities develop, there are plenty of restaurants that offer up dishes at international (read: expensive) prices. While Vietnamese food is generally considered cheap, there are a few notabl...
Saigon Ranked Among The World’s 18 Best Cities For Street Food
Lifestyle and travel site, Thrillist, has ranked Saigon as one of the world’s top 18 cities for street food, taking into account uniqueness of traditional food/drink style, quality of restaurants/bars...
[Photos] Mountains Of Honey: The Bee Farms Of Mộc Châu
There’s more to Mộc Châu than its breathtaking landscapes. Located in the Vietnam’s northern mountains, Mộc Châu is blessed with ideal conditions for raising honeybees.
Happy Meals: An Afternoon At Saigon’s VND2,000 Restaurant
"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity." - Joseph Addison
Anthony Bourdain: First Trip To Vietnam "Was Life-Changing"
Gordon Ramsay isn't the only celebrity chef obsessed with Vietnam. But unlike Ramsay, New York chef, Anthony Bourdain, has a close personal connection to Vietnam, cultivated over many visits since 200...
Burger King Unleashes 'Black Burger' on Japan
While fast food chains have taken advantage of America’s love of junk food (we’re looking at you, Taco Bell and KFC) in Japan, it’s the quirkiness that they try to exploit.
[Video] The Mì Quảng Song
Given the variety of Vietnamese noodles, there are plenty of contenders for the title of Best in Show, but for Jake Schofield, Phan Ngoc Hao and Ashlin Aronin, there’s no debate.
