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Eat & DrinkEat & Drink Categories Street FoodHẻm Gems: A Masterful Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki in Binh Thanh
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- Published on Friday, 15 February 2019 11:00
- Written by Pavan Shamdasani. Photos by Pavan Shamdasani.
An honest-to-god Japanese izakaya is a beautiful thing. Dark and smoky, often decked out in wood furnishings and yellowing travel posters, its flawless blend of bar and restaurant often involves nothing more than a simple countertop to indulge in ice-cold draft Sapporos and small-plate comfort dishes.
Hẻm Gems: Mexican Simplicity and Zen-Like Tacos in a D4 Strip Mall
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- Published on Friday, 14 December 2018 11:00
- Written by Pavan Shamdasani. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
Tacos, and the many meat-and-tortilla variations we often categorize as ‘Mexican cuisine,’ are having a bit of a renaissance in Saigon.
Hẻm Gems: Hear Us Out, Coconut Milk and Fish Sauce Are Actually Great Together
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- Published on Friday, 30 November 2018 13:00
- Written by Khoi Pham. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
There are few problems and little mediocrity that can’t be improved with an unctuous ladle of coconut milk.
Hẻm Gem: Spicy Phá Lấu Skewers Worth Suffering Traffic For
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- Published on Friday, 23 November 2018 09:00
- Written by An Dang. Photos by Michael Tatarski.
Saigon has a wonderful tropical climate with two seasons: dry and wet. As the cold weather approaches, chasing the blazing heat away, we all crave for some hot and steamy dishes to keep warm.
Hẻm Gems: In a D1 Corner, a Heated Battle Between Yellow Noodles and Red Noodles
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- Published on Sunday, 04 November 2018 11:00
- Written by Mervin Lee. Photos by Mervin Lee.
At the northernmost end of Saigon’s bustling District 1, the end of Hai Ba Trung Street leading to Phu Nhuan District is known best for heavy rush hour traffic. But a curious textbook case of an Asian phenomenon is underway around the corner on neighboring Tran Quang Khai Street: a noodle shop with red shirt-wearing staff just moved in...five meters away from a noodle shop with yellow shirt-wearing staff.
Hẻm Gems: At Madam Oyster, Two Brothers Prove that Taiwanese Food Is More Than Just Milk Tea
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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.
