1. Bánh Mì Ôp La

This is one of my FAVOURITE BREAKFASTS IN THE WORLD. Fried eggs and an assortment of ham and fishcakes with sweet onion slices sizzling on a hot pan. Served with a fluffy baguette with a perfectly crunchy crust and pickled vegetables to cut the richness of this satisfying combination.

PRO-TIP: Order pâté on the side (This year it started being served with mayo on top but I’m not complaining as it adds a new depth!)

DRINK: A glass of their rich iced coffee OR the tea served in little pots on each table.

2. Phở

I order Phở Đặc Biệt Dử Thữ. Dac Biet means Special aka errthang is up in this mothurrr.

Flooded with tripe, raw beef slides, tendon, stomach, steak, beef balls, and flank.
Murdered with spring onions and a mountain of side herbs and vegetables to rip up and throw in (basil, mint, cilantro, perilla, beansprouts).
Add in some lime, sauce, and a conservative amount of their chopped chillies.

ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEIR DESSERTS.

Coconut jelly + Flan + Wedding Cake.

3. Bánh cuốn

Similar to Chee Cheong Fun in Singapore, this treasure isn’t empty like the former but STUFFED TO THE BRIM with shrimp and minced meat. Topped with CRISPY SHALLOTS AND BABY SHRIMP BITS (+ lettuce).
For the full experience get CHA (sausages) on the side, and douse it in chilli and nước chấm (The fishy sauce on each table)

HAVE: A milkshake or more iced coffee to go with!

4. Mì + Thập Cẩm

THIS IS THE HEAVIEST NOODLE YOU’LL EVER HAVE.

[Wan-Ton / One-Ton]

Pork ribs that fall off the bone with meat that melts in your mouth.
Wantons stuffed with full-on shrimp and pork. None of that starchy nonsense.

EAT WITH: Mountains of PICKLED GARLIC AND CRISPY GARLIC BITS IN OIL.
DROWN EVERYTHING IN GARLIC. I LOVE GARLIC.

PERFECT FOR: Date nights.

5.Bún Bò Huế Thập Cẩm and Bánh Ram Ít

There is phở, but then there is this PORK, BEEF, LEMONGRASS, SHRIMP PASTE, BRISKET, CRAB-CAKE, AND LEMONGRASS CONGLOMERATE aka Bún Bò Huế

You also want to: Get some Bánh Ram Ít Pork belly, shrimp, beans, savoury, sweet, crispy, chewy.

Also: Unwrap some delicious Chả from the pile on your table for extra umami magic!

[BONUS!]* 6. Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò

Succulent, barbecued pork and it’s grilled, minced counterpart. Crunchy spring rolls steaming hot. Peppered with roasted peanuts. Basket of herbs and vegetables, BUCKET OF nước chấm.

TO BE ENJOYED: As scooters park in the same outlet as you, indoors, and less than a metre away.
STIR IT ALL UP, and embrace this.

(Tissues on the side available for when you weep at the symphony of flavours)