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Eat & Drink Eat & Drink Categories Street Food
Hẻm Gems: At Madam Oyster, Two Brothers Prove that Taiwanese Food Is More Than Just Milk Tea
- Details
- Published on Friday, 28 September 2018 11:00
- Written by Mervin Lee. Photos by Mervin Lee.
Arguably one of the most underrated cuisines in Asia, Taiwanese fare has remained under the radar in Saigon for a long time, even though Taiwanese business owners were among the first foreign business arrivals after the enactment of Doi Moi in 1986. When one queries an average Vietnamese or foreigner about Taiwanese cuisine in Saigon, most answers likely revolve around items such as fried chicken, milk tea or castella cake (a sweet sponge cake of Japanese-Portuguese origin), reinforcing the cliché that Taiwanese snacks have a greater prominence than their mains.
Hẻm Gems: On Eating Greek With Chopsticks
- Details
- Published on Friday, 07 September 2018 11:00
- Written by Michael Tatarski. Photos by Kevin Lee.
Who says excellent Greek food can't be served on the same menu as Korean tofu along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal?
Hẻm Gems: On the Hunt for Succulent Seared Chicken in an Old French Apartment
- Details
- Published on Friday, 24 August 2018 11:00
- Written by Khoi Pham. Photos by Kevin Lee.
As far as urban nooks go, exploring Saigon’s apartment buildings is perhaps the best way to discover new hangouts, Instagrammable corners and amazing views of the city.
Hẻm Gems: Tried-and-True Singaporean-Style Hainanese Chicken Rice in D4
- Details
- Published on Friday, 17 August 2018 13:00
- Written by Mervin Lee. Photos by Mervin Lee.
Every foodie who has visited the island-nation of Singapore has probably heard about about a local specialty known as Hainanese chicken rice. With a Michelin star and Michelin Bib Gourmand title, two extremely popular chicken rice stalls draw awe of how a simple commoner’s meal managed to leap to international stardom in such a short span of time.
Hẻm Gems: Lured by the Promise of 7-Way Noodles, We Found Delicious Dim Sum in D5
- Details
- Published on Friday, 10 August 2018 11:30
- Written by Khoi Pham. Photos by Kevin Lee.
Come for the seven-way noodles, stay for the dim sum.
Hẻm Gems: Old-School 'Take It or Leave It' Nam Dinh Phở in District 3
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- Published on Friday, 27 July 2018 10:00
- Written by Stephanie Bui. Photos by Kevin Lee.
Pho Dau captures the essence of the Nam Dinh soul food that the owner brought with her to Saigon six decades ago.
Hẻm Gems: Northern-Style Miến Lươn Is a Magical Saigon Breakfast
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- Published on Saturday, 21 July 2018 08:30
- Written by Samantha Tong. Photos by Kevin Lee.
Mien Luon Cho Ben Thanh was the final destination in my parents’ 20-year quest to find an authentic northern miến lươn in Saigon.
Hẻm Gems: An Expedition to D11's 7-Way Dim Sum Banquet
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- Published on Friday, 13 July 2018 12:00
- Written by Michael Tatarski. Photos by Kevin Lee.
According to historical legend, dim sum was created along the ancient Silk Road as a snack for weary travelers to enjoy with their tea while resting. On this day, I felt like I had traversed that fabled old trading route.
Hẻm Gems: Inside Le Thanh Ton's Japan Town Lives Saigon's Best Katsu
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- Published on Saturday, 07 July 2018 09:43
- Written by Khanh Tran. Photos by Kevin Lee.
Inside the unofficial Japanese quarter of Saigon lies scrumptious katsu and oyakodon to suit all palates. For beginners like myself at one point in time, the existence of Fujiro can swing open many new doors of flavors to savor, from a crash course in delicious fried pork to to funky natto. For familiar denizens of Japanese spots, their food will evoke plenty of nostalgia.
Hẻm Gems: An Authentic Hai Phong Bánh Đa Cua Right in the Heart of D1
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- Published on Friday, 29 June 2018 14:00
- Written by Khoi Pham. Photos by Kevin Lee.
I am a fervent champion of all things noodles.
Hẻm Gems: Tan Dinh's All-Conquering Bánh Canh Cua
- Details
- Published on Friday, 04 May 2018 09:00
- Written by Mervin Lee. Photos by Mervin Lee.
Bánh canh, at times described as Vietnamese udon or even “mouse-tail noodles,” is a great mystery on its own. Etymologically speaking, bánh canh translates to “soup-cake,” and these thick, cylindrical noodles made with tapioca and rice flour of varying ratios do invoke a sense of cognitive dissonance.
