Joanna James
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC in Vietnam is an enthralling destination with much to offer; apart from sites that provide insights into the city's rich history and heritage, you can also enjoy a flavour-packed foodie tour when here; these are some of the top dishes to try.
A perennial favourite, this dish features rice noodles that are prepared and served in a yummy soup which several ingredients that lend to the distinctive taste. The main meat used is beef though this can be in various forms like meatballs, slices or tendon. Added to this are basil, beansprouts, onions, mint, lime and cilantro which create a heavenly combination punctuated by a side serving of chilli sauce for that extra spicy kick! Generally eaten for breakfast, it is served at local restaurants and markets.
The influence of the French in Vietnamese cuisine can be seen in the delectable dish known as banh mi. For those based at centrally located serviced apartments, Ho Chi Minh City offers easy access to eateries and restaurants that serve this submarine-like sandwich made with a short toasted baguette. Best eaten fresh, the crust is crispy while the inside of the baguette is soft. Depending on the vendor and your preferences, it can have a variety of fillings like pate, cilantro, hot peppers, pickled vegetables, grilled pork loin, fried egg, fried fish or poached chicken.
Not to be missed is a chance to sample a local dish called banh cuon which is a type of rolled cake. Markets are amongst the best places to find this culinary creation; this includes the Ben Thanh Market near properties like Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Minh City. Banh cuon features some yummy fillings like ground pork, a local ham, cucumbers, onions, mushroom and beansprouts; these ingredients are wrapped in a fermented rice sheet that has been steamed and the dish is best eaten with a dipping sauce made from chilli, fish extract and lime.
A dish that can be enjoyed morning, noon or night, com tam is made with "broken rice" and can be found at street-side food stalls. It is relatively cheap, though that doesn't mean it isn't rich with flavour! Those who love pork will enjoy this dish which usually comes with a variety of meat choices such as shredded pork skin and BBQ pork chop along with chopped green onions and a fried egg. Other options include a side dish of vegetables and a dipping sauce.
Ban xeo is a kind of crispy pancake which is one of the popular dishes in Vietnam, though sizes can vary; in Ho Chi Minh City, for example, the portion is comparatively smaller than those in Hanoi. Ideal as a snack, this savoury pancake is made using turmeric, coconut milk and rice flour; the fillings vary and can include shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, mushrooms and onions. One way to enjoy it is to wrap it in lettuce leaves along with herbs, basil and mint and dip it into a special fish sauce.
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