Lucky for our frail livers and cholesterol concerns, Vietnamese cuisine tips the scale on the healthier side. The Vietnamese are largely known and admired for their use of fresh ingredients with an abundance of fruits and vegetables and a whole universe of herbs. Most meats are only briefly cooked to retain their original color and grain. Fish sauce and soy sauce are used to season their dishes. As it is, every bite is a delightful mix and contrast of texture and a fusion of flavors.
Like any parts of Southeast Asia, you can get your fill of palate pleasers anywhere. There’s a wide range of places to eat at in the former city of Saigon and you can be spoiled for choice. From boiling pots of phos on the pavement, mobile food carts with roasts and banh mi, street side cafes to upscale restaurants - from local Vietnamese cuisine with French influence to international epicurean delights.
But Quan An Ngon hands down was a favorite; the food is undeniably good that we had to eat there twice. Housed in an old mansion located at 160 Pasteur Street in District 3, the menu offer an extensive range of international and traditional dishes on prices that won’t make quite a dent on the budget.
The 2 times we we’re there, the place is always full with a jolly mix of locals and foreign expats.
TIP: Try not to hit the lunch or dinner hour rush without a reservation, as you might not get seated right away.
Our distended bellies were satisfyingly stuffed some more with these.
Goi cuon or fried salad rolls with vermicelli noodles sprinkled with nuts
Pho bho or Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
Spicy grilled beef on skewers served with lime, pepper and sea salt on a bed of greens.
Fried fat chicken wings in fish sauce with a side dish of pickled vegetables.
Tart and sweet prawns in herby tamarind sauce.
Rounded up with seafood fried rice
and washed down with heart stopping ca phe sa dua
Good eats and vacations are inextricably linked.CUISINE: International and Traditional Vietnamese
PRICE RANGE:15000 VND - 30000VND
LOCATION: 160 Pasteur, 8th Ward, District 3
HOW TO GET THERE: the restaurant is located at 160 Pasteur, 8th Ward, District 3and can easily be reached by a cab.
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Geez - the photos are sinfully mouthwatering. Although I'm not big on Viet cuisine (there's a particular herb they use that I find rather overpowering), I went gaga over their spring rolls on my trip to Saigon.
ReplyDeleteNice blog. Sleek and not cluttered. :)
Quan An Ngon is LOOOOVEEEEEE!!! =)
ReplyDeletewe miss the sweet rice wrap of the fried spring rolls!
ReplyDeleteHi AJ! Herbs are indeed an essential part of their cuisine and a Filipino palate could take time getting used to it, acquired taste ata sya:-)Those spring rolls are divine!
ReplyDeleteRica! As in! We could go back to Saigon if only for the food.
Hi Ron and Monette! Food, glorious food! Plus ang mura.
(hindi ata napost yung isang reply ko)
ReplyDeletevietnam backpack tour in 2013??? mwahahahaha
hahaha! Ang tagal pa!!! pero sige sige, gusto namin yan. can we plan it na? i'm serious hahaha! we linked your Mini Saigon 1 review on our itinerary post:-D
ReplyDeleteeh kasi cambodia na ako next year and teka, anong nabook nyo na for next year? bawal na ang madaming malalaking trips eh. (at patay tayo kay sir mike) hahahaha
ReplyDeleteso magtagal tayo sa 2013!! mwahahahahahaha =p
wwwwiiiihhh ok, thankie! =)
Uhmmm, HK-Macau lang for next year, short trip lang and hopefully Coron, ayayay! Onga, bawal na muna malalaking trips so sige, gusto ko yang magtatagal sa 2013 - mga 1 month? hahaha!
ReplyDelete