RAT HUE : Food for the Gods

Hue is in the central position of Vietnam the middle earth in Froddo language, it was the haven for the Nguyen Dynasty that thrives during the 17th to 19th century. With Feudal Dynasty & Emperor ruled rose to prominence and very much dominated history.

Hence, did you know that so many Vietnamese reference their surname to Nguyen.
Meaning a royal descendant….

Royalty, emperor & empress clad in pure finery silks and dresses to the nth..and walks in the palaces and dine superbly to fine HUE special cuisine… FOOD FOR THE GODS…..Meet Rat Hue a small restaurant that spells wonders in food and taste. Truly hue….

While walking in 4-E Le Loi St. along Eden Mall you be amaze of their entrance no Palacial welcome here more like a secret entrance because it is only 2meters wide so don't walk so fast you’ll surely can not find this entrance as on its side is a Sacombank ATM machine you’ll wonder if there really is a restaurant in the 2nd floor…
You begin to step in the spiral staircase then you proceed to the 2nd floor…presto a orange lamp on top of your head greets you as this 35 seater capacity of an outlet is so Jammed packed … popular to the employees and tourist and getting a seat on lunch rush is extremely impossible…we need to stand and waited , stand and waited till .....
we decided to take lunch somewhere else but promise to return in the evening for dinner as the place is good as many patrons is an indication of good eats.

Note : Return to the resto during dinner time and Saturday & Sunday lunch… you’ll be treated royally and with care as we did, because our first attempt was futile as many patrons during weekdays…no seats for this prince.....

The Feel: Its more like invading the emperor’s kitchen or the servants quarters to me as
Simple boxy chairs & tables are arrange in a row and very small space for walking.
The hue poetry scribbled in the walls evoking of the past . While the hue grand entrance to the Citadel Palace is plastered at the end of the hallway. No fancy emperor seats nor trappings of wealth here as their true treasure is the cuisine.

The Food: So what I ordered is their famous rice cakes…”Banh Beo”/ “Ban thap Cain” tiny glutinous rice pancakes with ground shrimps topping and go with the banana leaves gift wrapped glutinous rice that was slowly steamed while the elastic sticky rice melts to cocoon the shrimp…same with the potted ham wrapped organically in banana and painstakingly tied as if you are to open a small gift.

Appetizingly good while dipping it in spicy vinegar with shredded carrots & papaya …
Mouth wateringly good… the small rice sticky cakes are topped by shredded shrimps… you only need to drop the vinegar concoction while scooping it out from its ceramic mold.. then it is ready to be swallowed.

Interestingly this cakes are taken during tea time and I could imagine the tea ceremony that the Emperor and his empress had experience while someone reads poetry or a hush music from a guitar is played as they enjoy the soft breeze of the lovely afternoon.

“Bon Bo dac biet” or Bon bo hue…. A soup made of……special pork leg part, sliced beef, potted ham and grounded shrimp with its orangey spicy color made the broth made of 24 herbs & spices made every slurp of the rich rice noodle expensive in taste but big value for money as it is only $2 dollars.

It comes with of course the staple in every Vietnamese cuisine garden salad of mint, lettuce & cilantros

The total bill is only $4 dollars again Good food Cheap eats… Rat hue made food for the goods affordable to the masses.

Street waffle nibblers

Street waffles nibblers...
By Aly Abaquin

Manic Monday mornings as everyone rush for work in the city: District 1 HCMC the new Financial & Business District.
As you hurry up along the side streets in the morning going to your office block one is greeted or shall i say persuaded by street vendors in buying their products or either the most favorite banh mi or root crops or the waffle nibblers... i secretly called them as they taste like waffle but crisp like cookies.

Or like barquillos... the one you put on top of ice creams as decor... these nibblers as i have tasted them are good for your in between meals.
Its crunchy and coconutty in taste. The flour with egg, water and coconut milk w/ coconut oil is the secret of this product as it is cooked in the metal waffle maker case fired up by a small coal... amazingly they can cooked right in front of you and packed them in fives for 10,000 vnd.. or roughly .50 Cents there are also triangular pancakes tasty and just right for light breakfast...or for that light snack.... now snack in hand off to go to do some morning coffee take out.... beats the manic monday bluess...

SAIGON BANANA FRITERRS: "Chuoi Chien"

SAIGON Banana fritters and cripsy rice and kamote sticks.
By aly abaquin



Afternoon delight....of the different kind. we chance upon this street sweets or must we say the Banana Fritters " chuoi Chien",small rice balls and kamote sticks " khoai tay Chien" ala french fries...

The lady pressed the banana into a flat shape then dipped over flourry sweet
batter.. like the one we have for pancakes..and then deep fried in hot oil...
The result are banana friterrs/ tempura style and every good snacks in the afternoon ...
while the sticky rice are rolled up into sugar then dip in batter then fried.. beats the potatoe balls same as the kamote sticks the local version of french fries...yummy the best eaten while still hot or freshly fried but not straight from the pan let it rest as if it can be rested .. as you noticed in the picture everytime she finished frying the banana its partically sold out...
Now all i need is a vanilla ice cream and its banana friterrs ala mode...
this is easy to replicate when in the house is must add to my favorites in Street foods finds.... as we took part in eating and forgot the time as we have love seeing the lady cooking as regulars and some in motorbike now begins to drive thru her and ask for the best seller: Chuoi Chien BANANA fritters no need to shout her wares...

Nuoc Mia:Sugarcane juice beats the lemonade stands

Nuoc Mia: Sugar cane juice beats the lemonade stands
By Aly Abaquin


Saigon street food are so plenty we took the streets and raided some of the very popular eats or drinks that every day saigonite partake.... the culinary daredevils that we are but unlike andrew zimmerman of bizarre foods these featured eats are our edible favorites and not near the bizarre kind... be in the morning, noon or evening... we pick three treats aside of course of the popular Banh mi that practically sold everywhere and its Cafe Sua Da Vietnamese iced coffee counterpart...


Meet my neighbor your local lemonade stand but this time its called :
NUOC MIa: Sugar Cane freshly squeeze as this juice stand are very much popular in saigon... the american counterpart being lemonade stands in the USA...

Unlike in the USA wherein every garage sales there always the present of kids selling the perinially culturally Iconic American lemonade stand for .50cents a piece... but in saigon for only 3,000 dong (vnd) .17 cents you get a freshly squeeze sugar cane.

The small NUOC Mia metallic stainless steel stand has this contraption wherein it mechanically squeeze the juice out of the surgarcane tube by putting the product in between two presser roller controlled by a poked stirring wheel more like a the one used in printing presses from the 18th century.... the lady made sure every juice from the cane is sucked out by repeating the process as soon as the cane become bare fibers....

True blue sugarry sweetness direct from the cane....Sugar overload.. but when we drunk it was suprisingly not very sweet but captivatingly good when the pure juice was poured over iced cubes we decided to take it out.. and every sip is very much appreciated underneath the heat of the sun.... Haaaaaaaahhhhh at last we see a shade.. all is needed is a swimming POOL as we like to take a plunge so we think.....this juice is a must try for every tourist...

Don't Blink, stand still & Relax.. Le Fenetre Soleil a French Bohemian Bistro

Don’t blink , stand still and relax:
Le Fenetre Soleil : a FRENCH BOHEMIAN BISTRO
By Aly Abaquin

You might be wondering why the catchy title of don’t blink, stand still and relax… why because there are two establishments that both require the above adjectives… One French bistro and the other Vietnamese Resto with royalty lineage.

Lets start with Le Fenetre Soleil, a French bistro that is located in the second floor of a Colonial Building at 135 Le Than Ton St. Corner Nam Ky khoi Nghia in Dist 1,HCMC

The Bistro has a 2 meter entrance that when one passes by one can simply miss out and not notice them …. Hence DO NOT BLINK... and locate the small entry way as I did…. Thank god for good eyes sight… while walking the corner section of Le Thanh Ton and Nam Ky there is a neon blurry sign of Le Fenetre Soleil so small one can take it for granted…

And if you STAND STILL long enough thinking is this the entrance???

Landmarks: It is next to the Sandwich fashion house And next to the uprising SJC a…. 30 storey Towering edifice of steel & glass…..SOON TO RISE…as advertise in tarpaulin clad Billboards …. progress…sipping in.…

So Thru a dilapidated passage way that thrills you in your viens as I walk up looking for signs to where to go.

Up the staircase that has seen its days. If only this steps and walls can talk… presto there is this dark alley…. you see light… now I get it the ray of light …. The soleil the sun light … soliel in french is SUN so … after a dungeon hunt you begin to be awed…. At last a hidden French café in the ruins .. so you think and you start to…… .RELAX.

THE FEEL: BOHEMIAN FRENCH quarters as if you are invading the abode of a French mistress….in its 18th century character of exposed bricks, amber crystals French fine light Chandeliers… the white washed French windows, hand crafted mix matched chairs and juxtapose with antique sofas and tables…. This café has STYLE & PERSONALITY.

THE FOOD: The ambience was so relaxing that I’ve chosen the Vietnamese iced coffee and waffles… my comfort food…for relaxation.. its Sunday morning after all….

The food was good in fact the waffle was crisp and accompanied small scooped dragon fruit, melon & pineapple with mint leaves was a good touch while the caramelized star fruit was sweet and the scooped vanilla was fabulously playful making one dream of
Early mornings in the south of France … smelling daffodils & lavender….. okey wake up while I take sip of Vietnamese iced coffee take note their coffee is good here.

But wait there is a japanese version of the pancakes plus other sandwiches and ginger tea…. Well I believe they cater to a lot of Japanese clients as I experienced … so many Japanese tourist in this French room…. Okey give in to the clientele that gives them the Bottom line…

Well I thought to myself this Bistro got the décor right & was so relaxing that I had my Sunday morning til lunch there….

THE SERVICE : Staff attentive and helpful and can speak English.

After a delightful breakfast and thrown into French bohemian gypsy attitude….

As the day passes……to a new friend…I bid goodbye….. soon I will be back…..

"Ainsi avec les laisser-passer de jour……. à un nouvel ami…. j'ai mis une enchère au revoir…… bientôt je reviendrai"

Cay Tre Dinner for two please...

DINNER FOR TWO PLEASE…
By Aly Abaquin


When in Saigon… going to dinner is such a mind boggling issue.. where to eat in this city???? Many an Options and many restos that I have not tried or …I've already tried and not good to be blog or raved about I tell you there are many…or .....other less desirable restos so what now…...

I told a friend I always heard of this Cay Tre bamboo resto so bravely my friend came to my rescue and we decided to dine there….. Equipped with our enthusiasm jump to a taxi off we go to dist 3 Cay Tre is located along Le Quy Don St. No. 37 to be exact….

Since he likes veggies we ordered the “Rau Muong Xao Toi” Kang Kong stirred fried with toasted garlic… Grilled beef in Bamboo. “Bo Nuong Ong Tre”, of course being called cay tre we went to taste the dish., “Com Hau Tay Cam” Oyster rice in Claypot and for dessert “Pan Xanh Banh Lot Huoc “ green beans with first extract of coconut..

As the servers are attentive but a little bit slow……
Of course the veggies went first to be served with our Cha Da (Organic green iced tea).

Deliciously crunchy and freshly munchies… we gobbled two plates actually to our amazement you can have dinner by this plate alone…. So while waiting for the rest to come in the rice is always the last to be delivered to our table…Chinese way of eating…
We thought…

So while we chatted I certainly see this unique al fresco dining or a griller thing as very homey open space and casual dining… .Bamboo mosaic tiles along side tile brick flooring, tegula Ceiling enclave with matching Vietnamese Yellow lanterns on a row with a dash of quirkiness a neon parrot/ sparrow in bamboo bird cages.. not chirping nor talking though but luminously present ….

No foreigners inside this resto but a favorite of the locals as they order beer with
Their chops…... Chopsticks clicking away the Barbeque Grilled beef with garlic on banana leaf on top bamboo shoot was not disappointing... while the rice with oysters is also good but few oyster found and we kept on digging in….

All smiles what the heck enjoy the food….as we exchange life stories and how long he stayed in Hanoi and Saigon… to be honest I am on the stage of shedding my tourist wardrobe and becoming localized….as my friend speaks the Vietnamese language not yet fluently but can converse….as yours truly is still in kinder garden mode….Laughing it out the dessert drinks came to cool as down this humid night… Green beans with first extract of coconut is just right not too sweet but very fulfilling…

Now with heavy stomach a good laugh and heard life stories this dinner is moving to its end and becoming memorable… And to top it all only 232,000 VND or $13 dollars...

Cay Tre like the bamboo is steadfast in this street and grew taller as its swings bending with the winds to come as the next door neighbors are opening up new modern dining options…...... and I think the Neon parrot should be there up in the alley walkways…..just a bubble thought.... ;)

Mini burger patties & pork cutlets grilled...

Mini Burger patties & pork cutlets grilled...
By Aly abaquin

Meet.... The Ban cha i hope got the name right???? .. Its mini burger patties and sliced pork cutlets grilled to perfection ALA BOBBY FLAY..... then soaked in a mixture of pickled carrots & green papaya.... giving you a mutiplicity of subtle flavors of .... salty soury sweet... then put on top of the rice noodle or wrap it around fresh lettuce, mint & other greeneries....then use the soaked mixture as dip... What not to love about the vietnamese cuisine....where crispy fresh herbs take part on how you can play around with your food...... wrapping it or rolling it... or just simply put on top the rice noodles ala bolognese minus the tomatoe sauce.....the charred grilled pork cutlets & mini burgers are good, more like meatballs on rice noodle...the sauce ofcourse give its flavor..and the grilling is the soul this food....

Hang Rong.. the fish balls on motorbike

“Hang Rong” The Fish balls on Motorbike.
By Aly Abaquin

The “Xe Om” or Bike is the most popular transportation of choice for all Vietnamese.
The hundreds and hundreds of motorbike that ply the roads of Vietnam every single
day of the week.

You have to get use to it and once you master the courage of riding one.
You simply get the hang of it. Free at last like a bird spreading it wings or like
herd instincts in buffalos wherein once one move every one moves…either stepping
on the pedal or simply zoom in and out of the asphalt jungle of Saigon….

Now....Frame on this…...Zooming in the food on wheels of sorts.
Meet the Hang Rong boys… Harley Davidson selling Fish balls on motorbike or bike
for that matter..

Yup Louis you heard me right…. For only 5,000 vnd or...27Cents….
You can get the crispy fish balls, or the sausage on stick more like Hotdog on
Stick and other varieties …or order it with matching veggies the okra…...
The motorbike is equipped with a small stove & a condiments area too boot......

Vietnamese are entrepreneurial and creative in using their motorbike and for
this one to sell food on wheels….

I wonder if they could sell slices of pizza… hmmp…

Swell idea kiddo…... beats Pizza delivery ha….Saigon truly wonderfully
different…....... Vavavavavarooommmmmmmmmmmmm…….

Fresh & visually stunning tropical fruits

Fresh & Visually Stunning Tropical fruits...
By Aly Abaquin

Its cheap delicious and good for you. One of the best things about Vietnam is the abundance of Fresh tropical fruits. Its taste vary and its texture plays/paints your tongue to different melodies or an abstraction of smooth, flimsy, some soury ,some requires you to peel with ease of just chew and swallow in delight.

Yummy is different size, shape & colors... Take your pick.. exotic looking dragon fruits "Thanh Long".or the seedy Custard Apple/"na" or for filipinos its "ATIS" munchly soft to touch if very ripe and suck the seeds out then spit it out like a bullet from a gun...

Mango.... yellowish( sweet) or green( soury)are the best for salads or just for simply dip in salt soury tastingly tangyy and make your mouth water for more.

The rambutan are "chom chom" refreshingly sweet similar to lychee almost chewy white flesh delighfully red hairy exterior.. making it POP out in the fruits stalls..
A new PUNK kid in the block kinda way... all these fruits are high in nutrients so if ever you drop by on this side of the equator... make sure you try trekking to any fruits stalls as the lady in the picture will gladly sells/served you with a golden smile...

A romantic interlude...an article by yours truly in Style Mag

ROMANTIC Interlude in HOTEL EQUATORIAL HCMC
By Aly Abaquin

Photography : Henri Hubert
Food Preps & styling : Executive chef Equatorial

There is a Creative Fun and sexy ways to spend time together.

If you think that dating is just for singles, then you’re short-changing your guy, your relationship and yourself.

Having regularly scheduled date nights with the man in your life can keep the flame alive in any relationships.

Yes you probably heard this advice before, but listen up.

There is a unique way to have that romantic interlude in one of the hip and becoming Hotel in Dist 5.
Over the past fourteen years (14) yrs Equatorial Hotel HCMC welcomes guest with a new functional & yet hip attitude.

And you know what you can booked a Suite and order a IN-ROOM-DINING with a romantic flare that is spellbindingly different in all other hotels. A perfect gift to your beloved as you celebrate that perfect date.

Their Executive Club rooms / SUITE are newly renovated and luxuriously decorated to make that perfect stay unforgettable.
Once you enter the room you are greeted with muted greys and off white tones that are modern but completely clean lines making your stay ZEN like.

The Chrome Stainless steel & silver colored Lamps with white shades complements the white blown glass chandelier both in the dining & living rooms. While the dining table is ample enough to seat two to four.

The bed is made of high quality beddings and choice from the “pillow menu” -pillows fit for the emperor & empress while the bathroom has a separate Zen shower , allowing ambient lighting that touches you and your date while you take a plunge .

A fresh & airy atmosphere and an over all feeling of spaciousness is what this new rooms are all about.

Remember this date is special and so are your relationship so what menu to cap off that date…The special Romantic dinner for two right in your suite for that Perfect hideaway from the bustle & hustle of city life.

Take note the menu is brought in by a professional wait staff who greets you and waits for your every wimp & fancy.

The Lotus menu tops of the list. It includes a perfect bottle of 2006 Oxford Landing, Viognier, Australia and one bottle of San Pellegrino.

The Orientica Four Season is a Vegetable deep-fried spring rolls, Baigai Clam salad, rice cake with shrimp, crab Salpicon with sweet chili sauce all prepared fresh and decorative.
And with scattered rose petals in the table will make your date more appealing.

The Grilled Pen Shell Mussel with Chives oil & peanuts is a perfect lovers delight while
You sip the wine and exchange sweet words in the process. Of course putting up some romantic tunes in the ipod docking station gets you in the mood of things. As you savour every bite of the –fried Squids and Fragrances of Lemongrass and chili will make your night unforgettable.

Yes, in feels like an indulgence to spend money on your date but occasionally you need to pamper your relationship. When you make an effort to take special care of your partnership you feel less stressed and better able to cope with the challenges of being part of a couple. Beside this is spending quality time for your relationship to grow fonder.

The Equatorial hotel had made it even easier for lovers & couples. So let the sparks ignite again for that romantic interlude.

Aly's Dish: Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Aly's Dish: Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Eater Outer foodie junkie write stuff for STYLE magazine....bring it on....

Its a great joy and pleasure to watch creative people in action and be in company of highly respected professionals in the fields of fashion, modelling, photography & publication.... Meet the newest addition to Hanoi's glossies... Style Magazine....
A Hip,modern & fun lifestyle magazine about Fashion, Fusion, Cuisine, Arts & Travel.....

And yours truly was chosen to write about the foodie scene from a foreigner's perception..... i work for food ...kindda thing..i have a day job and freelancing as a writer gives me that creativity that i'm looking for.. that said....it was easy to have this crazy eater outer foodiee junkie take anecdotes of the good food...cheap eats,luxe dining thats vietnam is now known for... the new taste sensation begins.... Hoping we can hook up readers to the magazine every month... Happy reading to one and all....with kind regards....aly abaquin

1 Dragon fruit, 2 apricots & a bunch of red grapes in my fair tree...

1 Dragon fruit, 2 apricots & a bunch of red grapes in my fair Tree....
By Aly Abaquin

Ok folks did you know that there this fruit in saigon they called a dragon fruit??? Its exotically different in configuration from all your friendly fruits in the fruit stall. Making a reddishly and bold statements to by-standers to pick me pick me!!!- to tourist like my self its intriguingly different... i say i must be tasty or is it sweet??? it is common here in Saigon as i see people munch it for
fun.

So why not be enchanted by this fruit and taste its nectar & seeds... since i am nursing a slight hang over from last nights partying... i can not bring myself to eat any piece of anything except fruits to de-mystify and get back my qi the balance of Ying & Yang... so what to do?? Get them dragon fruit & apricots with grapes to satify your hunger... good fruits keep me balance.. Yeah albert after gulppping all the vodkas from last night... this fruit in a bowl kindda do the ttrick to keep headaches at bay....

Whats the verdict.. okey slicing the dragon fruit was so easy the skin just peels off like banana and the A-apricots i got was chunkyly fresh.. and the grapes are just tender to the mouth and feels good as you eat one from the other.... i feel great, honestly i feel the poppy black seeds in a mushy white kinda watercrest fruit is soft and juicy and not to sweet but seems taste like watermelons.... long lost cousins i think..... what i did was just put them in a bowl and presto perfect dinner in bed and rready to play the DVD...yeah albert ....munching the fruits like popcorn...i thought to myself.... way to cool for popcorn & soda... indeed it was different ...as the song in my head popped up one dragon fruit, 2 apricots and a bunch of grapes in a fair tree... WOW christmas must be just round the corner... LOL...

$2 dollar Value meals....

Com (Rice) Vietnam : Value Meals for only $2 dollars or $ 30,000 vnd.
By Aly Abaquin


I always remember my stay in Brooklyn where they are sort of Chinese take outs or the ever present $5 ASIAN Chinese buffet in every nook and cranny in Brooklyn as also present in Manhattan. These restos are favorites of the employees, students & tourist as well as families… Here in HCMC they is also very much popular in fact this TOP joints is just around my neighborhood Hong Ha St Tan Binh Dist near the airport

This type of restaurants are a dime a dozen in HCMC. They are the favorite hangouts of employees, workers & students due to the meals are home cooked meals and way more
Cheaper than any other restaurant in the city that is commercially run.

This joint is operated by a closely knit family where in the matriarch always heads the kitchen and father & son holds the operations. The servers are either nephews & nieces. While the daughters always cooks and go to the market.

Hands down….For only 30,000 vnd or $ 2 dollars you get a bowl of rice, 2 viands, veggy soup and a side salad. But take note they have fried fish, fried chicken, pork, and
Grilled shrimps, and other meals with sauce. As well. Typically show in glass enclosure wherein all the customer needs to do is to point its finger to what he/she likes… In the Philippines this joint will be called “TURO TURO” or point point literally pertaining how customers point their fingers to the food.

My favorite is the Tofu & Pork in Tomato sauce and the Fish in clay pot.
Traditionally prepared and heavy in taste. The tofu is soft and fresh as well as the Fish is succinctly soft and amazingly tasty. While the spinach is blanch & the veggy soup with ocra & pepino is bland in taste. VALUE meals indeed but particularly prepared by the family for its guest. Inviting you to partake and be one of them.

Cheap eats at Top Jionts series...

Cheap eats at Top jionts challenge
By Aly Abaquin

The hip and modern Cosmo Saigon is now in the 20th century hence needs a food test challenge… CHEAP EATS at TOP JIONTS CHALLENGE a $10 or 180,000 vnd (dong) challenge at that…

First stop is the new hip and very Modern looking Villa FB its Mantra: FUSION FASHION & BUN (Vietnamese for noodles)

THE FEEL : Colors are your vintage classics: white & black. THINK: Tuxedo, Dominos & with an eclectic modern FASHION mix.

Equation of Fusion cuisine meets hip+ modern+ mod looking boutique dining enclaves equals = LUXE DINING!

The white homey Villa is immaculately white. While in the right corner of it is an architectural statement: a BOXY GLASS CUBICLE contraption that overflows with the water element.

Giving you a preview of things to come…..That spells the difference… Dining in here is very experiential….as you set foot in its tropical setting & you are greeted with friendly smiles and soft courteous respectful hellos are appealingly homey.

Will the food do justice to its architecture???
That’s the question we like to learn???? Later on we fill you with the juicy details…

To continue….The villa is refurbish and preserved to its former glory of the 1930’s. Colonial Mansion ….Kudos to the architect & owners. Surely the historical society will nod in agreement.

There is an extra effort to create that feel of spaciousness upon entry and while you
settle in the main house. The Modern, clean ,spacious calm & serene embraces you .
As the table setting is ready for that intimate & friendly lunch/ dinner that you as a gracious hostess will soon give to loved ones.

Lots of sexy curves, twirls are evident in the back seat matching with squared white glass frosted table top are blended tastefully as the black velvety curtains stand guard and grand in the corners.

The candelabra “gasera” is the main focal point although Spanish in style but completes the look of the modern tables with walnut colored mod 60’s chairs that sit in the middle of the house.. ATTENTION grabbing in a good way.
The feel is so welcoming that it invites you sit and enjoy lunch or dinner with family & friends.



The Service: Friendly, helpful & attentive but the staff needs to learn more English to properly explain the menu.

The Food : Of course the challenge was for $10 dollars lunch
So obviously I’ve pick the Mantra: Bun: “Bun xao Chay “noodle stirred fried with mushroom, fried tofu & vegetables on top of angel haired noodles.

The other Bun menu are topped off with the produce from the sea as well as the familiar pork & beef. So I went for the vegetarian fare Simple food Big in Taste… and for only 60,000 vnd. $ 3 dollars . Healthy food can only be so reasonably & satisfyingly priced.

I’ve chosen the pomelo drink as well suited to the veggies, again fairly priced at 60,000 vnd. $3 dollars

The menu is a fusion of colors, textures and temperatures… the noodles are also present in the soup while there are rice meals with prawns, crabmeat, and Western Continental fares are also availably evident in their Pan grilled beef, steaks etc.

Overall the experience is Good. It is worth coming back for.
But the small details of the bad internet connection in the lounge and more power sockets please can be fix.

Evidently the place is wonderfully & tastefully decorated . Kudos to the Interior designer as the Black & White motif are vintage classics and will never be out of style.

Fashionistas all over the globe including TWIGGY the Fashion icon & face of 66 will surely Live and lovingly dine here regulary….…

Another dining experience that does not break your wallet but made you feel a million bucks instead. In fashion either your in or out and in Villa FB you chose to be seen and be IN or else Heidi Klum will say “AUF WIEDERSEHEN”….Goodbye… ;)

Cheap Eats at TOP JIONTS

Cheap eats at Top Jionts
by Aly Abaquin

It twas a Saturday afternoon as the sky is in full bloom and not too hot not too cold atmospheric pressures divulging your eater outer foodie . I am in a mission to get the TOP JIONTS of HCMC a foodie challenge.

A FUN challenge as every week I do a gastronomical tour of HCMC.

The culinary scene in HCMC is very much alive & kicking…. very much evolving…from the bar culture & coffee culture which is a growing phenomenonly and those seeking a caffeine booze will relish a variety of high end cafes offering Italian concoctions as well as the Vietnamese kind.

Budding chefs from all over the globe are here to have a stake and put their toque up and grill, sautéed, pan fried, bake all they can.

There is an astonishing range of world cuisines as well ,International, Continental, Asian what have you….. here you can find everything from the traditional cultural dishes of Hue, the Spanish, Brazilian, Italian, to Korean kimchi plus some delightful sushi, and mostly French fusion mixing up some spicy curries from India. And don’t forget Halal food is now serving.

There are also the national dish the Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) to gourmet dining options…to spice up that gastronomy of Vietnam. The NEXT TASTE SENSATION.

From colorful presentation and variety of flavors. Different textures & temperatures
From noodle soups, dishes, fresh spring rolls and grilled seafoods awaits every foodie’s
Taste buds…

So what else to do but digest this hefty food sensations and be delightedly in food heaven….. the Vietnamese way.

Ban Xeo & Bhan Khat... Vietnamese pancakes

Ban Xeo & Banh Khat.. Vietnamese Pancakes.
By Aly Abaquin

Childhood memories of how my Mom do the Pancakes every Sunday morning in our household as an alternative, from the regular breakfast “sinanag” (fried rice), fried eggs & “tuyo” (anchovies)as Asians we are hearty breakfast eaters.

The Pancakes are welcome respite for us since we can experiment on this , I remember we chopped & mashed bananas or peanut butter to be included in the hotcake batter or as toppings with maple syrup or with the sugary water my Mom always prepare with butter. The makings of Comfort food indeed the pancakes brings us closer to our loved ones and makes one not afraid of the kitchen.

As kids we used to fight over who would do the mixing as if we are in baking mode. We always over beat the batter until no bubbles appear…..as we ready the pan.. as bubbles begins to pop in the pan the pancake is ready to be turned…. I could smell the egg yolks & buttery smell of the pancake…..

while the Vietnamese pancakes is a different kind of pancakes which is popularly known as Ban Xeo & Banh khat.
They also have a similar ingredients as your regular hotcake batter minus the eggs. But with a lot of asian flavor put into it. The pancake that I grew up is sweet and sugary but the Ban Xeo is salty & spicy with side greens in the side.
The Ban Xeo batter is composed of rice flour, coconut milk, tumeric, water , pinch of salt & sugar. Then cooked over oiled pan. Then filled with sliced onions, cooked shrimps, pork & mushrooms. With a dipping sauce of fish sauce with fresh lime and some pickled carrots thinly sliced and spiced with chili..

Now that’s how to BREAK YOUR FAST… we tried the Ban Xeo Resto… where they evoke provincial flare through the use the bamboo chairs, tables and no fuss three stoves heated by stone and bricks.
The salad of greens are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine with mint & basil to break the spice. While you bit and swallow the ban xeo piece by piece.
While the Ban khat are widely know in the South this are their version of the mini pancakes which is totally different to what we grew up of mini choco, peanut or plain mini pancakes …Then take coffee or tea as you read your dailies.
They might say “Same Same but Different” a slogan popularly used by the locals here.

Ban Khat are more tasty rather the “crepe” like pancake of Ban Xeo kind. This one I like better due to easy to eat and wrap it with greens presto dip over fish sauce w/ soaked chilis….while topped with freshly cooked shrimps.
Of course drown your self with Cha Da… the Green tea for that healthy breakfast….for cleansing anyone…

These treats are more of a snack to give you a headstart…… This is another memorable experience here in Saigon as I make my own Ban Xeo & Bhan khat thanks to the resto which shared its ingredients… pancakes or not they still are fun to eat…. Adding to your Memorable moments here in HCMC… indeed its is a comfort food in the making.