Linh Phạm

in Food Culture

This Tết, Learn to Wrap Bánh Chưng in One of Hanoi's Oldest Villages

Much like the peach blossom or the lucky money envelope, bánh chưng is a staple part of Tết.

in Vietnam Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: In Đà Nẵng, Góc Nhà Tụi Mình Is Where Tea Time Feels Like Home

As a Đà Nẵng native, I often get asked where and what to eat and drink by friends who are in town. The tried-and-true list of places in my mind always includes Góc Nhà Tụi Mình, which I’ve frequented nearly constantly for the past six years.

in Snack Attack

Bánh Thuẫn Anchors Central Vietnam Kids' Tết Anticipation and Childhood Joy

Bánh chưng and bánh tét are the two reigning monarchs of Tết food, representing the north and south of Vietnam. Still, no...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Beloved in Korea, Dwaeji-Gukbap Is a Hearty Soup for Saigon's Cold Days

When the owner of a popular restaurant in South Korea specializing in dwaeji-gukbap, a dish widely beloved in Korea but little known outside, visited Vietnam for vacation for the first time around a decade ago, he saw a real possibility of bringing and introducing this special Korean dish to Vietnam. Fast forward to today, his vision has materialized into the quite remarkable scene of a restaurant in Thảo Điền bustling with Vietnamese customers who come to enjoy the humble dish.

Khôi Phạm

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

5 Cozy Saigon Coffee Shops With Outstanding Cat Residents to Befriend

I almost never remember the faces of the employees at cafes that I’ve been to, but I am strangely attuned to the existence of their cats. I remember the textures of their fur when I gave them pets, the little squeaks when they jumped up and down the furniture, and the subtle ways they expressed their personality during our fleeting but memorable encounters.

Uyên Đỗ

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Woko Brings the Comfort of American Chinese Food to Saigon

When a dish travels far from its homeland to take root somewhere else, one common yardstick for judging it is “authenticity.” Is the seasoning true to form? How closely do the ingredients match the original? Has the cook stuck to tradition, or wandered too far into improvisation? But what if an entire cuisine was born and shaped in defiance of that very idea?

in Snack Attack

From Abroad to My Favorite Bún Riêu: A Brief History of Trứng Vịt Lộn

I pride myself on being a child of Hanoi, but only after nearly 20 years, did I realize that trứng vịt lộn is not exactly an authentic topping in Hanoi-style bún riêu.

Back Eat & Drink

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.

in Food Culture

[Photos] The Honey Hunters Of Phú Yên

July is the time for the honey hunters of Phú Yên Province’s forests. The honey season, which starts in February, is centered in Xuân Phước forest, located in Đồng Xuân District (Phú Yên).

in Food Culture

5 Unique Markets In The Mekong Delta

While the cities of Vietnam become hooked into the global supply chain, their culinary tastes are becoming more homogenous. From pizza to shopping in supermarkets, our diets are slowly moving in line ...