Western tourists try 70k sidewalk noodle dish, praise 'best ever eaten in HCMC'

Street food in Ho Chi Minh City has a diverse combination of ingredients and flavors that made two Western guests admit it was "the best they've ever eaten" and want to come back to enjoy it again.

Danny and Diggy – 2 tourists from England had a trip to Ho Chi Minh City not long ago. In addition to visiting some interesting destinations, they also spent time experiencing a variety of delicious street foods.

Among them, there is one dish that the couple revealed they enjoyed for breakfast and commented as “one of the must-eat dishes when coming to Vietnam”. That is grilled pork vermicelli.

To enjoy this dish, Danny and Diggy went to a grilled pork vermicelli and spring roll restaurant on Nguyen Trung Truc Street (Ben Thanh Ward, HCMC).

Diggy revealed that a close friend who is a chef introduced them to this address. Therefore, she was very excited and waiting to taste the food here.

“This grilled pork noodle shop is not only his favorite destination but also his first stop when he comes to Ho Chi Minh City,” the female tourist revealed.

Diggy (left) and Danny (right) experience grilled pork vermicelli at a sidewalk restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Diggy's first impression upon arriving at the restaurant was of a local street food scene. She guessed the restaurant had probably been open for many years.

Danny also could not hide his excitement, admitting that he felt comfortable with the experience of eating and drinking on the sidewalk with plastic chairs.

At the restaurant, the foreign tourist couple ordered two full servings of grilled pork vermicelli with spring rolls.

In addition to the main ingredients of vermicelli and grilled meat, each bowl is also served with spring rolls, pickled vegetables (carrots, radishes), scallion oil with crushed peanuts...

This dish is served with sweet and sour fish sauce, which diners will pour on top and mix well before eating.

Grilled pork vermicelli with spring rolls that two Western guests enjoyed

Danny commented, the spring rolls were hot with crispy skin, the meat inside blended with many different flavors, rich and a bit spicy.

The grilled meat is tender, juicy, slightly sweet and has a smoky aroma.

“I could eat more grilled meat and want to enjoy it again next time because it is really delicious,” the man from Europe shared.

A British male tourist praised the grilled pork vermicelli dish as delicious and enjoyed the comfortable sidewalk dining atmosphere.

Sharing the same feeling, Diggy continuously praised the grilled pork vermicelli dish for its delicious taste. She liked this dish because it had many fresh vegetables such as cucumber and lettuce, creating a refreshing feeling.

“The spring rolls are so delicious, the skin is so crispy. I really like this, the feeling is indescribable,” Diggy exclaimed.

The female tourist even affirmed that this restaurant is the best place and the grilled pork vermicelli here is the "best dish I've ever eaten in Ho Chi Minh City".

“I was very satisfied and will definitely come back here to enjoy it again,” she added.

The female tourist nodded in agreement with the taste of the noodle dish and admitted that this was "the best dish she ever ate in Ho Chi Minh City."

Two Western guests also revealed that the grilled pork vermicelli with spring rolls here costs 70,000 VND/serving. They found the price reasonable, commensurate with the quality of the dish.

According to research, the grilled pork noodle and spring roll restaurant that Danny and Diggy visited is a famous dining address in Ben Thanh ward (old District 1), attracting many domestic and foreign tourists.

Previously, Catriona Gray - Miss Universe 2018 also came here twice and praised grilled pork vermicelli as the best dish.

The grilled pork noodle shop that Danny and Diggy visited is a famous restaurant in old District 1.

Sharing with reporters, Ms. Vo Thi Thu Van (53 years old) - the shop owner said that the shop has been open for about 20 years, selling from morning to night.

Because she is originally from the old Ben Tre (now Vinh Long province), Ms. Van prepares dishes such as spring rolls, grilled meat and fish sauce with her own recipe that brings out the taste of the West.

Grilled meat is selected from the lean part, ensuring freshness, taken new every day.

The lean meat is hot and fragrant after being grilled. The burnt part of the meat is cut off.

Clean and thinly slice the meat, marinate with a few familiar ingredients and spices, then clip it on a bamboo stick and grill it over hot coals.

“The meat is grilled twice. Once lightly grilled to keep the meat fresh, then grilled completely (when customers order) to keep the meat piping hot,” Ms. Van said.

According to the restaurant owner, this method not only saves time but also keeps the grilled meat soft, juicy and not dry and tough.

The restaurant's grilled pork vermicelli dish is a bit expensive, but customers say the quality is worth it. Photo: Minh Khoi

Spring rolls are also the highlight of the restaurant's grilled pork vermicelli dish with a crispy crust and a rich, fatty filling made from crab meat, taro, etc.

In addition, the accompanying fish sauce is also considered a decisive factor in the flavor of the famous noodle dish. The fish sauce is mixed thickly, with a harmonious sweet and sour taste, and a light aroma of pickled onions.

Pickled shallots are white, crispy, sweet and flavorful. Diners eat them with grilled pork noodles, which is both delicious and prevents boredom.

Photo: Danny & Diggy

Western guests rave about the specialty dish in a small alley in Hai Phong , priced at only 35,000 VND . Although the famous Hai Phong specialty dish is sold at a sidewalk restaurant, Western guests are still surprised by the clean dining space, plentiful food, fresh quality and affordable price.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/khach-tay-thu-mon-bun-via-he-gia-70-nghin-khen-ngon-nhat-tung-an-o-tphcm-2454849.html