Thi Nguyễn

in Food Culture

Chè, Bánh, Chả, Nem: The Curious Lives of Vietnam’s Regional Food Names

Realizing the word that one is using refers to an entirely different object in another region is a situation many can relate to. The last time this happened to me, it almost cost me a bowl of Hanoi’s bánh đa trộn.

Khôi Phạm

in Food Culture

From Kuy Teav to Hủ Tiếu: How a Phnom Penh Classic Became Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang

Originally from Cambodia, made popular by Chinese vendors and enjoyed by local diners, hủ tiếu Nam Vang captures the essence of Vietnamese history in one hearty bowl of noodles.

Khôi Phạm

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: A Streetcart Named Aoya and the Comfort of Sidewalk Ramen

The first time I tried to visit Aoya Ramen was on a Monday. The pavement where the stall should be was empty, without any trace of noodles or noren. I learned quickly that they’re closed on Mondays. The second time, my joy in discovering that the cart was open for business was quickly dashed by the long queue of hungry diners already in line. The third time, learning from the previous crowd, I arrived later at 8:30pm, just to find out that they were out of stock for the day.

in Snack Attack

Tracing the Roots of Bến Tre's Coconut Candy via My Grandma's Family Tales

Hometown treats encapsulate within them the flavors of memories, reminding us of a land we haven’t visited for a long time. I open the jar of coconut candies from my mother and my hometown, and immediately breathe in a familiar scent reminiscent of our kitchen back then. I thought to myself: so this is the feeling of yearning people often talk about when referring to home. 

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Time-Tested Sâm Bổ Lượng Versus Wacky Quail Eggs in a Dessert

As a kid, my mom would often buy me chè when the weather was too hot to keep me from drinking Coca-Cola. Chè made by Hoa people always got my attention, thanks to its distinctive presentation. Though, to get to it, I would usually drive to Chợ Lớn, which is fine, but it often involves traversing through traffic jams. So when I discovered Chè Sâm Bổ Lượng 399 on a random Google search, a long-established chè shop run by a Hoa family just 7 minutes from my office, I had to check it out.

in Dishcovery

The Unbearable Lightness of An Giang's Bánh Bò Thốt Nốt Chảo

Some simple delights can capture the flavor of an entire region.

Thi Nguyễn

in Snack Attack

In Bánh Củ Cải, a Curious Slice of Bạc Liêu's Teochew Heritage

You know a dish is special when it can spark conversation with a stranger on a bus. Halfway through the scrumptious bánh củ cải (radish cake) from our last-minute trip to the market, I shared the other half with my mom. "You're full?" asked a lady in the bunk next to us, which was then followed by a long discussion. I came home with several handy tips on how to recreate and elevate the already flavorful treat.

in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks

Ngõ Nooks: This Modern Co-op Serves up One of Hanoi's Best Skewer Bánh Mì

Hợp Tác Xã Thịt Xiên is more than just a bánh mì eatery, it’s a place to rekindle your childhood nostalgia and take in the ambiance of the street.

Back Eat & Drink

in Food Culture

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?”

in Food Culture

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...

in Food Culture

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...

in Food Culture

[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.

in Food Culture

Happy Meals: An Afternoon At Saigon’s VND2,000 Restaurant

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity." - Joseph Addison

in Food Culture

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...

in Food Culture

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.

in Food Culture

[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.

in Food Culture

Cows Treated To Beer and Massages At Vietnam’s First Kobe Beef Farm

Most animals raised for their meat live a sad life in small cages and experience extremely low standards of living. But at Vietnam’s first Kobe beef farm, cows live a comparative life of luxury as the...

in Food Culture

[Video] Marou Chocolate’s Quest for Vietnam’s Best Cacao

When it comes to beans, Vietnam is best known for the mass-cultivated, coffee variety. On the other end of the spectrum is the cocoa bean, the central ingredient in chocolate, which is grown throughou...

in Food Culture

KFC, Pizza Hut Operator Launches US Bánh Mì Chain

While many U.S. sandwich shops have caught onto the magic that is bánh mì, it is still a relatively unknown dish to many Americans. One of the world’s largest fast food companies is seeking to change ...

in Food Culture

Ramos Pinto Wines Arrive In Saigon

Alfredo de la Casa is a wine expert who runs the blog wineinvietnam. In order to increase awareness about wines available in Vietnam, Alfredo periodically stops by to profile some of his favourit...

in Food Culture

5 Unique Spins On Phở That Can Be Found In Saigon

Phở is a known commodity. One of Vietnam’s most famous dishes and perhaps one of the world’s most famous soups, there are few mysteries (perhaps other than its origin) when it comes to the delicious b...

in Eat & Drink

[Video] How To Cook: Rau Câu Khuôn (Jello Cake)

While rau câu khuôn is typically served in individual pieces, in the shape of flowers or animals, it can also be served as a cake wherein triangular slices are cut and served. But over at Hellen’s Rec...

in Food Culture

A Look at Vietnam's 'Paper' Food

Vietnamese food not only features a wide range of ingredients, but also takes many different forms, from steaming bowls of phở to crispy bánh xèo. One of the more unique forms of Vietnamese cuisine is...

in Food Culture

U.S. Brewer Bringing Craft Beer To Saigon

Beer may be the libation of choice in Vietnam, but choices are limited to the cheap, and flavorless variety. While the country’s tastes have become increasingly westernized over the past few years and...

Brian Letwin

in Food Culture

[Video] What Does The World Eat For Breakfast?

Cultural differences are perhaps most apparent in the food people eat. The awesome video from BuzzFeed shows what people all over the world consume for breakfast, highlighting Vietnam’s morning love a...

in Food Culture

[Video] Vietnam’s 300-Year-Old Food Forest

7 hours south of Hanoi, in the province of Hà Tĩnh exists a 300-year-old, 2-acre food forest, one that has been tended by 28 generations of a single family.

in Food Culture

Spanish Bodegas Castano Wine Lands In Vietnam

Since good wine is still slowly trickling into Vietnam, I was pleased to hear that Bodegas Castano has finally made its way to Saigon.

Brian Letwin

in Food Culture

[Video] How To Cook: Cá Hấp

One of our favorite YouTube channels, Helen’s Recipes, recently posted a super simple recipe for cá hấp, a steamed fish with mushrooms, glass noodles, all rolled up in rice paper.