Top Saigon

Been meaning to do this for ages... I get alorra email from folk asking me the same kinda question - What's the best place for this or that in Saigon? Below is a list of my faves. It's just opinion, so i'm not gonna get freaked out if you disagree. Frankly, I'm amazed anybody is even interested in my opinion.

• Nam Phan - best high end Vietnamese resto. And from The Vietnam News.

• Best French - by a long way. And the best resto in Saigon for food.

• Banh xeo - best savoury crepe combo in Saigon.

• Bun Cha - Best bun cha I've found in Saigon. Best in downtown Saigon.

• Cha Ca La Vong - Fried fish, northern style. So good it deserves a cliche, 'simply to die for'.

• Quan An Ngon

• Hoa Vien beer hall - Best for a decent beer.

• Banh Trang phoi suong - Simple, classic, herbfest.

• Pho 24 - Yet to find bettter in Saigon

• Banh mi

• Bun oc - another northern dish. A fabulous snail, noodle soup.

• Most interesting market

• Best noodle soup

• Best spring rolls and crabs

• Ngu Vien - best all round, but fairly basic Vietnamese restaurant

Thanks to reader Laura for giving me a mental nudge yesterday and to Jason and Meg for giving me the physical push I needed over lunch today. Nice one. I'll add to the list as and when.

Comments

[slurp!]

aww .. wish you could have done this earlier. will save me even more mouse clicks :-p

i have "fish cooked in bowl - ca kho to" but that somewhere out of hcmc (when on the way to Tay Ningh). i love this pungently aromatic dish, and wondering if i can find this in hcmc itself.

pleaseeee do share your view on the best coi & bi guon. 10q 10q

[An Nguyen]

our family will visit VN for the first time at the end of December. We will be part of a tour which 2 last destinations are Nha Trang then Phan Thiet. We however would like to end our tour at Nha Trang and travel directly to Da Lat then Bao Loc where we have family. Is this possible or is there a better way of doing this? I would appreciate your suggestions.

[Kim D.]

My god! I'll be traveling in Vietnam--mainly for the purpose of eating--in April of next year. (Yes, I know it's a long way away, but I like the frisson of anticipation.) Looking through your dining suggestions, however, leaves me with one conclusion and one question. Conclusion: You are performing a very, veeeery valuable service here. Question: Why the devil am I not leaving sooner? "Frisson of anticipation," my nose. I'm drooling already! :) Many thanks, Kim D.