Ho Chi Minh, Food Journey

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This was my great chance to visit a well-known Southeast Asian destination in a very long time. Ho Chi Minh City is renowned for being an extremely congested metropolis with a high volume of automobiles, particularly motorcycles. When we talk about the delicious food here, you will undoubtedly be aware of the Pho dishes that are served all across Ho Chi Minh City. But there are a ton of other meals as well; in fact, the Michelin Guide recommends them. This time, I'll provide details on eateries and spots that can be good choices for a Ho Chi Minh City culinary adventure.

1. Bếp Mẹ Ỉn

Despite being tucked away in a little alley, this Michelin Guide-listed restaurant serves Vietnamese pancakes. The modestly sized room is packed with people, with yellow color as the primary interior hue. Additionally, there is a house-like terrace space. It is strongly advised to try the Signature Vietnamese Pancake menu, which is served in a bamboo container with chunks of pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and an abundance of veggies covered in an egg layer. served with a refreshing dipping sauce. Fried rice with shrimp bits served in a coconut shell is another option. Regular pancakes cost VND 139,000 (IDR 89,000++) for a portion.

2. Phở Hoà Pasteur

The Pho dish—famous throughout the world—is a must-try if you visit Vietnam. It is quite simple to locate a store or eatery in Ho Chi Minh City that provides pho. One of the Pho recommendations you should try is Phở Hoà Pasteur. Since it opened its doors in 1968, Ho Chi Minh residents have grown to know this fabled pho restaurant. Up to the second floor, the space is fairly large with a straightforward concept. There are several options for beef on the main Pho menu, including brisket, flank, tendon, and beef meatballs. The meat in the pho is pretty soft and goes well with the vegetables and cahkwe that are served at the table. The pho has an amazing flavor that is aromatic and perfectly balanced with spices. With loads of soup and veggies, a portion of Pho costs about VND 65,000 (IDR 40,000++).

3. Marou Chocolate

It turns out that Ho Chi Minh is well-known for more than just coffee, it also makes chocolate. The greatest place to taste Vietnamese chocolate and purchase trinkets is Maison Marou, which has a local chocolate production area. While Maison Marou has quite a few locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Maison Marou Flagship Saigon is arguably the largest store in town. Whether people are shopping for chocolate bars or just enjoying a glass of chocolate, there are quite a few people there in the afternoon. Chocolate enthusiasts' tastes are truly pampered here, starting with the drinks and pastries. The flavor of dark chocolate is quite wonderful. A glass of iced chocolate costs about VND 100,000 (IDR 63,000++) at a cafe, especially one that is well-known is worth enough. 

4. BOM Kitchen & Wine Bar

Vietnamese tourists get nostalgic for Bờm's food and environment. The hallmark of this restaurant is its modern and excellent Vietnamese cuisine, served in a sleek, low-light setting that blends traditional bamboo with minimalist cement components. A must-try is the Bờm Set, which consists of bite-sized fried prawns, snail cakes, and fish cakes. Another characteristic dish is bò kho tart, which is succulent braised beef enveloped in puff pastry. Mè đen, a black sesame-filled mochi, offers a delightful finale. Overall, the food is decent but nothing particularly noteworthy; the presentation is intriguing, but the flavor is very common. Both boiled beef and Bờm Set taste like common beef stew; none of the items have a particularly distinctive flavor. Although Bom Kitchen is officially recognized as a Michelin Plate restaurant, the typical Michelin Plate restaurant is not particularly satisfying in my experience. 

5. Stir

Stir, takes place on no.82 Asia's Best Bar is a suggested modern cocktail bar with a hint of nostalgia that draws inspiration from Vietnam. They can be proud to be one of Asia's Best Bar in Asia. The place is a relatively concealed first-floor pub that transports us to Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s; it's a cozy, intimate setting that's frequented by local diners. Try a variety of cocktails that are modeled around classic Vietnamese street drinks. Trà ổi nha (Guava Tea) is an intriguing beverage that resembles a cup of tea but is actually a concoction of Tanqueray gin, oolong tea, red guava yogurt, and mint. The flavor is quite intriguing—fruity, fragrant, and all at once. You might also try playing with bubbles, or chơi bóng. Tanqueray gin, with its inventive presentation and mix of hibiscus, sour apple, bubble gum, and smoked bubble, is full of show. A drink costs VND 300,000 (IDR 191,000++) suits to the 50 Best Asia's Bars ranking of bar concepts standard.

6. Anan Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City's lone Michelin-starred restaurant at the moment. After working in several nations, Chef Peter Cuong Franklin returned to Vietnam to create this restaurant in a crowded local market. Adding cutting-edge cooking methods to real street food dishes to produce mouthwatering flavors. Sadly, the suggested bone marrow Wagyu beef phở menu is sold out, so I choose to order the roast duck small pizza with mozzarella combination, shrimp and pork tacos, or fresh tuna tartare. Extremely popular tourists; reservations should be made in advance. Here, you can purchase items a la carte or from a set menu starting at VND 2.3 million (IDR 1.4 million++).

It's great to be back in Vietnam, with its fascinating food excursions. There are plenty of different restaurants that you can visit; however, as many restaurants and retail establishments have limited seating, you should be aware of their operation hours and arrive early. You may find here everything from sophisticated restaurants to reasonably priced eateries. To make it easy to get to tourist attractions, it is recommended to book a hotel close to the downtown city.

                                                                              Yovent, is a full-time content writer and social media influencer who loves to travel overseas with high passion and enthusiasm to explore the world of gourmand. Living in Jakarta with the diversity of cultures, foods, trends, and lifestyles gives him much inspiration to create the stories. Blogging since 2014, with more than 5 years of experience, he has a good capacity to work in food writing & photography.