Ho Chi Minh City Restaurant Tips by sailor_p

The Taro Ice Cream is a Must in

HCMC!

Restaurant Name: Kem Bach Dang

The Vietnamese ice-cream is a must that you have to try. My favourite outlet is located along the main road in District 1. Cost of ice-cream ranges between USD 2 and USD 4. In addition, this cafe is a family-oriented place. On weekends, parents will bring their little ones to try out the lovely ice-cream!

Favorite Dish: Recommendation: Try the �kem trai dua� in which the ice-cream is served in a baby coconut with candied fruit on top. Also try the taro ice cream � yummy!

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
Address: 26 & 28 Le Loi Street, District 1, HCMC
Directions: Kem Bach Dang is located on the Le Loi street. Since it is famous both with the locals & tourists, every cab driver knows it. It is located on the main road in District 1.

Restaurant Chateau: Be Spoilt like a Queen at Restaurant Chateau

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Written by sailor_p

on Sep 5, 2005

A Feast Fit for a Queen

Restaurant Name: Restaurant Chateau

This little restaurant is located along the same stretch as the Metropole Hotel. I would say the road which this restaurant is located is heading the Cho Lon.

I was there a little early at around 6.00pm on a Sunday evening. The restaurant was empty and the waiter ushered me to the 2nd storey. Well, I was pampered like a queen! Service is impeccable and what I like about the food is the presentation. I was pleasantly surprised by the efforts put in by the chef to present his food.

Also, there was a in-house pianist who played the old piano well. At the end of the dinner, the restaurant gave me a pair of lacquer chopsticks as a gift.

Thumbs up!

Favorite Dish: Try the soup of the day at the restaurant or "Sup Chateau". The clear vegetable soup is served in a coconut. The soup is light and tasty. I simply love it. Not to be missed its the restaurant's appetizer dish. The fried spring rolls are served on a dish with a phoenix carved from fruits. What's interesting is I need to wrap a piece of cabbage round the friend spring roll before I eat it. This is not practised in Singapore. Yummy!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Phone: 9200079
Address: 160B Tran Hung Dao, District 1, HCMC
Directions: Take a cab - it shouldn't exceed USD 2. Just tell the driver that it's a few units away from the Metropole Hotel.

The La Taverne Restaurant: For best ambience, visit La Taverne!

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Updated by sailor_p

on Oct 2, 2005

Saying "Cheers" @ La Taverne

Restaurant Name: The La Taverne Restaurant

If you have the opportunity, do go down Suong Nguyet Anh Street in District 1 for a nice, cosy dinner. On weekends, you can see Vietnamese families enjoying a sumptuous dinner with their loved ones in the garden. I didn't dine in the garden but indoor. Ambience is good. It is a warm and cosy place with nice background music.

Favorite Dish: Generally, the dishes are all well prepared. Efforts are made in the presentation of the dishes. Service is great but the ambience is the best! Thumbs up.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Phone: (84.8)9252616
Address: 76 Suong Nguyet Anh St, District 1, HCMC
Website: www.latavernesaigon.com

Blue Ginger: Appreciating Local Cuisine with Blue Ginger

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Written by sailor_p

on Sep 6, 2005

A welcome dinner at Blue Ginger

Restaurant Name: Blue Ginger

Also called the Saigon Times Club, this Vietnamese bistro is an atmospheric choice with fine local specialties. I was there early at about 5.30pm for dinner as I had an early lunch on the plane. The food is unique with distinct taste of lemon grass, a common ingredient in Vietnamese food. Service is good and the setting is conducive for a good dinner chat. Too bad - I was travelling alone and I had to satisfy myself by chatting with the waitress.

Favorite Dish: I like the appetizer. I have mixed seafood salad and I have to eat it with prawn crackers. A very unusual experience but an interesting one! The prawns I had were fresh and I was told to dip the prawns in lime. Awesome!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Address: 37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, HCMC
Directions: This restaurant is within District 1. Hence, your cab fare won't exceed beyond USD1.50.

PHO 2000: A Celebrity Shop in Town

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Written by sailor_p

on Jun 28, 2007

Try the famous beef noodle (pho).

Restaurant Name: PHO 2000

With so much hype about Bill Clinton having his meal here, it is no wonder that Pho 2000 is a "celebrity" shop. The moment you enter the air-conditioned outlet, you will be dazzled by the photographs taken of Bill Clinton's visit to the shop on its walls. During lunch time, Pho 2000 is packed with curious tourists like me who also heard that the former US President had once patronised the shop.

During our one-hour lunch, we sampled it's well-known pho (say "fur"). Echoing what fellow VTer, bpacker, said, the food is laden with msg. Personally, my fiancee and I were not impressed with food. We felt that there was too much hype about this shop. In fact, we checked out the pho prices in other local restaurants and they are even lower than what's offered at Pho 2000!

If you're first time visiting HCMC, drop by Pho 2000 for the experience of being in a "celebrity" shop!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Phone: 84.8.8222788
Address: 01 Phan Chu Trinh Q 1 HCMC
Directions: The shop is just located opposite the famous Ben Thanh Market.

Quan An Ngon: Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Town

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Written by sailor_p

on Jun 29, 2007

Count your blessing if you can get

a seat here