I have to warn you that I don't do food reviews. But here I am again doing a food post. I say this because I did a food post before. Check out my first food post titled Cebu Eats. Well, I don't want to miss this opportunity of sharing my Vietnam food explorations with you because my trip has been a palate changing event in my life.
And I'm preaching this to you because this can be a palate changing event in your life too. Ahaha! The truth is, I'm not really a fan of Vietnamese cuisine however that has been changed since my trip to Vietnam. So today, I'll be sharing tips on where to eat when in Vietnam. Warning: This is not your typical food post.
My brother in law bought us banh mi for breakfast after fetching us at the airport. I immediately thought of Subway. However, when I've put it on my mouth I was like, "This one tastes much better than Subway!" Sorry Subway, I'm just being honest.
This can be bought at any vendors along the streets of Vietnam, however, you should check the hygiene first before deciding to buy. You know you don't want to get diarrhea when traveling. If you want to be extra sure with cleanliness and hygiene (which is fair enough) then check out Highlands Coffee.
They also sell banh mi. Pair your banh mi with a cold or hot coffee too. They serve very good coffee. ;) Highlands Coffee is not that hard to find as they are located in almost every street corner as well.
Meal price per person: 175,000 VND
Website: http://www.quananngon.com/
What is bun cha? According to Wiki, Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork & noodle, which is thought to have originated from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Bun cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles and herbs with a side dish of dipping sauce. Try 'googling' bun cha and see if you're mouth would salivate because mine just did. Ugggh! #cravings
Location: 30 Ba Thanh Quan 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Meal price per person: 150,000 VND
And so we went. The stairs leading to the restaurant is dilapidated. It's like the Mercado (wet market) where my grandmother buys her ingredients as well as her daily necessities but when we've arrived upstairs we're surprised to find a quaint restaurant with a touch of modern vintage.
The feel is like dining in Paris. Nah! It's just my overly active imagination. After having brunch, we then went to the shop (located on the same spot as the cafe) to browse. The husband and I wanted to buy their scented candles but it's just too expensive. :(( It's around 600,000 VND - 700,000 VND if I'm not mistaken. I just don't find the amount justifiable for a candle.
Meal price per person: 180,000 VND
Location: 151 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Website: https://vi-vn.facebook.com/Lusinespace
Locals love to drink their coffee cold. Like what?! Yes, that's what my brother in law said. I'm not a coffee drinker. In fact, I hate coffee because It has a reputation for giving me a churning stomach. However their cold coffee 'cafe sueda' is different. I just fell in love with it. It's a must-try. Try getting a can of Cafe Sueda drink, I bet you'll love it. ;))
Price per person: 70,000 VND
Location: Lot 29, Tran Phu, Nha Trang - Vietnam.
Meal price per person: 350,000 VND
Website: http://www.louisianebrewhouse.com.vn/
Note: I'm not paid to do this so you can guarantee that it's an unbiased referral. I guarantee you that this restaurant serves the best. Oh, I can't wait for you to try them all.
And I'm preaching this to you because this can be a palate changing event in your life too. Ahaha! The truth is, I'm not really a fan of Vietnamese cuisine however that has been changed since my trip to Vietnam. So today, I'll be sharing tips on where to eat when in Vietnam. Warning: This is not your typical food post.
THE BANH MI
What is banh mi? Let the picture below explain it properly. |
| Photo not mine. |
My brother in law bought us banh mi for breakfast after fetching us at the airport. I immediately thought of Subway. However, when I've put it on my mouth I was like, "This one tastes much better than Subway!" Sorry Subway, I'm just being honest.
This can be bought at any vendors along the streets of Vietnam, however, you should check the hygiene first before deciding to buy. You know you don't want to get diarrhea when traveling. If you want to be extra sure with cleanliness and hygiene (which is fair enough) then check out Highlands Coffee.
They also sell banh mi. Pair your banh mi with a cold or hot coffee too. They serve very good coffee. ;) Highlands Coffee is not that hard to find as they are located in almost every street corner as well.
Price per piece: 20,000 VND
NGA HANG NGON
The restaurant is housed in a quaint French villa. They serve authentic Vietnamese food. I just love their fresh spring rolls while my husband is drooling over their fried spring rolls. The restaurant is located at 160 Pasteur, Phurong Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.Website: http://www.quananngon.com/
QUAN NEM
This restaurant is my husband's favorite. He loves bacon. I love bacon. And we are like happy brats indulging ourselves to our bellies content. They only serve 2 menu items: fried spring roll (cooked in Northen Vietnam style) and a buncha yet they are full house.What is bun cha? According to Wiki, Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork & noodle, which is thought to have originated from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Bun cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles and herbs with a side dish of dipping sauce. Try 'googling' bun cha and see if you're mouth would salivate because mine just did. Ugggh! #cravings
Location: 30 Ba Thanh Quan 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Meal price per person: 150,000 VND
L'USINE
This is not your typical cafe because it's a fashion, lifestyle, cafe, gallery. We went here for brunch on Day 2 of our Vietnam trip. My brother in law said we should go for an English breakfast since we've been eating a lot of Vietnamese food yesterday.And so we went. The stairs leading to the restaurant is dilapidated. It's like the Mercado (wet market) where my grandmother buys her ingredients as well as her daily necessities but when we've arrived upstairs we're surprised to find a quaint restaurant with a touch of modern vintage.
The feel is like dining in Paris. Nah! It's just my overly active imagination. After having brunch, we then went to the shop (located on the same spot as the cafe) to browse. The husband and I wanted to buy their scented candles but it's just too expensive. :(( It's around 600,000 VND - 700,000 VND if I'm not mistaken. I just don't find the amount justifiable for a candle.
Meal price per person: 180,000 VND
Location: 151 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Website: https://vi-vn.facebook.com/Lusinespace
HIGHLANDS COFFEE
I've already mentioned this restaurant above, however, I wanted to iterate it like a broken record so that you'll remember visiting this restaurant when you get to Vietnam. You should try their coffee.Locals love to drink their coffee cold. Like what?! Yes, that's what my brother in law said. I'm not a coffee drinker. In fact, I hate coffee because It has a reputation for giving me a churning stomach. However their cold coffee 'cafe sueda' is different. I just fell in love with it. It's a must-try. Try getting a can of Cafe Sueda drink, I bet you'll love it. ;))
Price per person: 70,000 VND
LOUSIANE BREWHOUSE
When on a beach holiday, you just can't miss seafood. I love seafood. I grew up in Cebu, Philippines where there's plenty of cheap seafood. We went to Nha Trang which is a 40-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. It's a seaside city with flocks of Russian tourists. When in Nha Trang, seafood is a must. May I suggest you go to Lousiane Brewhouse because they serve the best plus they have their own brewery, we'll that if you're a beeraholic. The seafood may come a bit pricey as some menu items are sold per kilogram. But if you're a food fanatic like me and hubby then it's just worth it.Location: Lot 29, Tran Phu, Nha Trang - Vietnam.
Meal price per person: 350,000 VND
Website: http://www.louisianebrewhouse.com.vn/
Note: I'm not paid to do this so you can guarantee that it's an unbiased referral. I guarantee you that this restaurant serves the best. Oh, I can't wait for you to try them all.