Ho Chi Minh City: Nha Hang Ngon Stylish Street Food 胡志明市:NgoN 餐厅街头食品

Nha Hang (restaurant) Ngon (delicious) is arguably the number one restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City that can give you the gastronomic pleasures of Vietnam; with their concept of housing the best authenticity and heritage of Vietnamese cuisine from three regions - North, Central, South Vietnam in a restored colonial styled building restaurant, beautifully designed for both indoor and outdoor dining. 

If you dare not eat street food at street sides, this is the place that offer not only a taste of classic street food but a sense of street food experience. Some people called it 'Street food with style' whereby street food is elevated to gourmet standard, of course with a higher price tag! 

Food stations encircling the perimeter of the building showcasing Vietnam's regional specialties. Together with a waitstaff, you can walk around to order the dishes directly and stay to see the food being prepared and cooked (and also learn a little Vietnamese cooking). Or you can sit at your table and take your time to order from their extensive menu (in English). 

It's good if you go with a Vietnamese friend who can do an introduction of Vietnam's specialties and recommendation. If not, do a little homework on Vietnamese dishes to make  ordering easy.

Bun cha - Tangy marinated BBQ meat served with rice noodle, garnished with lettuce. A popular street food originated from Hanoi which is usually taken during lunch.

Banh Khot- Crispy and creamy miniature prawn pancake. Though mini in size, it can be deceptively filling. A hearty delicacy originated from Vung Tau for breakfast or as light meals.

Banh Xeo - Savoury pan fried crepe stuffed with shrimps, pork, lettuce and beansprout served with special fish sauce. This crunchy chewy crepe looks like a king size omelette but there is not a single egg in the making. A popular street snack, especially in southern Vietnam. 

Goi Cuon - Fresh spring roll or known as summer roll. Pork, Prawns, vermicelli, herbs and lettuce tightly wrapped in translucent rice paper served with sweet peanut or savoury fish sauce. 

Ngheu Hap Xa - Steamed Clams with lemongrass that looked like clams  soaking themselves in a lemongrass spa. No doubt, indeed its a healthy dish that will warm your stomach with its divine lemongrass touch.   

Mon Oc - Apple snails, Vietnamese version of french escargots. 

Our Vietnamese friend, Anh, delicately pulled the snail meat out of its spiral deep shell easily with a fork in one piece, unbroken. Apple snails do not have apple taste but earth taste! 

First visit by the invitation from my brother's Vietnamese friends. Seated at an atmospheric garden setting with twinkling fairy lights in an airy relaxing ambiance, enjoying cool beers and Vietnamese cuisine. Thanks to my brother's Vietnamese friend for the great dinner, Cheers!

Second visit with my family members (a year later). Our reservation table was allocated at level 2, main building with bright lights in a 'nothing special' ambiance, just want to order, eat and go. Alamak, panasnya!!

Vegetarian curry for my mum. Spicy sweet flavoured curry loaded with mock drumstick, tofu puffs, carrots and potatoes to be eaten with rice noodle.  

Pho Ga - Chicken Pho for my aunt. Hot steaming silky smooth noodle with steamed shredded chicken and beansprouts in clear tasty broth garnished with spring onions and coriander. Pho is the national dish of Vietnam, originated from Hanoi.   

Goi du du (Papaya salad) - Shredded green papaya mixed together with sugar, lime juice and fish sauce, sprinkle with crunchy peanuts and garnish with fresh coriander to make a refreshing appetizer. 

Banh Cuon (rolled rice pancake) - steamed wide thin sheets of rice noodle rolled with minced pork and wood ear mushroom, sprinkle with fried shallots served with cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), cucumber strips and beansprouts. A light dish originated from Hanoi.

Sunshine cuttlefish - nice name from the menu, but... just one cuttlefish flatten to make it look like 'sun-shining'? 

Clams with sweet basil - Take a clam, drop a drip of sweet chili sauce, scoop out the clam meat and drop it into your mouth. Enjoy the tasty chewy morsels! You will find yourself slurping for the rest of the clams and its tasty broth that you have to order another plate.

Nha Hang Ngon is a big hit with both locals and tourists. If you have not make any table reservation, you may have to wait in a bee line, so do not go with an empty stomach. Food wise, it might not be the best in Ho Chi Minh city, but its a dining experience worth having when you're in Ho Chi Minh, though it might be a little costly!! 

NOTE:
1.Make a reservation to avoid 'NO SEAT'.
2.Be there early to avoid popular dishes 'NO MORE'
3.Bring enough cash to avoid 'NO LINE' for credit card transaction.

NHA HANG NGON
160 Pasteur Street, District 1, HCMC.
26 A-B Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
60 Preah Sihanouk Boulevard, Chamkarmon District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.