Omnipotent Pork Chop

Grilled lemongrass pork chop with broken rice might be omnipresent throughout HCMC, but only one is omnipotent. Using superior quality pork on the bone, cut more thickly, marinaded expertly and charcoal grilled to perfection, it is easy to see why 167 Nguyen Van Cu is known as one of the best spots (if not the best) to get this delightful plate of porky goodness. 

Just look at this picture - doesn't it just induce hunger?

Everything is done perfectly here. The smokey, lemongrassy exterior of the pork with charred crisp bits which are unbelievably moreish; the addictive sweet and spicy hit of the fish sauce, the moist yet al-dente rice, and, I did not mention the pork terrine. No doubt French influenced, this pork terrine is moist, juicy, and put simply, a must have.

Go here early - it could easily sell out by noon.

Address: Com Tam Nguyen Van Cu, 167 Nguyen Van Cu, P.2, Quan 5, HCMC

Get here before noon!!!

Price: 130,000 VND (including terrine. Bit expensive but more than worth it)

Phone: (08) 3923 7350

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293925-d1070980-Reviews-Com_Tam_Nguyen_Van_Cu-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html 

Addictive crabby noodle breakfast

Hu tieu my tho (featured in this post is the 'dac biet' version, or special with crab). It's a bit hard to explain this dish, so let me just list all the elements first. Slightly chewy and highly slurpable rice noodles, char siew and minced pork, crab claw meat (sweet and tender), chopped spring onions, brought together by this rich reduction of crab and pork goodness, enhanced with the sharp sweetness of tomato.

Don't forget to squeeze on some lime and chuck in some beansprouts for some extra crunch, and if you like, a touch of vinegar will lift the dish slightly. It all comes accompanied by this soup broth of which I'd only recommend to use of bit to reduce this viscosity of the crab sauce.

It's meaty, sweet, sour, chewy, fresh, slightly spicy, definitely ticks all the right boxes. I must admit I did try to drink the potent crab sauce on its own - as you can see from the above it was a massive flavour bomb, perhaps even too powerful for my taste. Best to mix it with the noodles and crab/pork.

Address: Thanh Xuan - Hu Tieu My Tho, 62 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC
Another breakfast place - get here as early as possible otherwise it'll all be eaten up by people like me
Price: 80,000 - 100,000 VND
Phone: (08) 3821 3193

http://www.foody.vn/ho-chi-minh/thanh-xuan-hu-tieu-my-tho

Probably the best dollar you could ever spend

Food in Vietnam is getting more expensive these days, so it's great to see quality food staying at ridiculously low prices. For me, the pick of the bunch is Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai, where, for less than 1 USD (actually it's 75 cents), you can get charcoal grilled lemongrass pork patties stuffed into an airy-on-the-inside crisp-on-the-outside baguette, brought together by a sweet, tangy and devillishly spicy sauce.

What's even more awesome about this place is that it's easy to find. Tell the cab driver the address below, and look out for the alley pictured below and this little stand with a small charcoal barbeque next to it - this is where this legendary sandwich is made.

My only regret was that I only got one banh mi. Apologies for the pic quality, I took them whilst in the back of a cab.

Address: Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai, 37 Nguyen Trai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC

Opens at 5pm. Get there asap to avoid disappointment!