THU THAI 酒店 - Khách Sạn THƯ THÁI

This chic establishment, part of CoCo Saigon, boasts a whisky bar, a private party villa, and a stylish dining room with a kitchen counter and black granite tables. Chef Thanh Vuong Vo presents contemporary cuisine that blends Vietnamese recipes with creative flair. A seasonal tasting menu is built around a unique theme, offering a culinary journey through thoughtfully crafted dishes. Each course follows a storyline that unfolds gradually, with flavours designed to complement one another in perfect balance. While the set menu provides a comprehensive dining experience, the à la carte menu is a

Since the 1990s, this unassuming stall has been serving what many locals consider to be the best cơm tấm (broken rice dish) in town. Their most popular version is steamed broken rice topped with pork chop marinated in a secret sauce and perfectly grilled over charcoal, along with pickled radish and sweet and sour fish sauce. There is a chicken version as well.

Since 1958, this humble stall has been serving phở – Vietnam's national rice noodle soup. Now led by the second generation, it offers phở gà and phở bò with extra toppings such as chicken skin, egg yolk, brisket and tendon. The broth is freshly made daily – clear, light and savoury-sweet.

Located at the end of a quiet pedestrian street in the busy city centre, this vegetarian restaurant crafts delicious, affordable Vietnamese nosh, such as braised eggplant with banana and green beans. The old colonial-style house sports a charming tree-lined patio, which provides the perfect foil to this fine dining experience. The small dining rooms are thoughtfully and attractively furnished and one boasts a colourful fresco.

Set on a bustling street corner, this modest eatery with indoor and outdoor seating has a lively atmosphere. The star of the show is bún riêu: rice noodles (thin, thick or flat) in a tomato and crab broth. The mildly spicy, naturally sweet broth has good depth and pairs well with generous toppings of fresh whelk meat and minced pork that soaks up the broth. Do like the locals and add condiments – but start with a modest dab of the pungent shrimp paste.

The meeting of Chaozhou and Khmer cultures gave rise to Hủ tiếu hồng phát noodles. The chả giò tôm cua (shrimp and crab spring rolls) and sủi cảo chiên (fried shrimp and pork dumplings) are great appetisers. The soft rice noodle soup comes with minced meat, liver, tiger shrimps or braised blood curd.

An oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city, Nhà Tú is depicted by green plants and a nostalgic vibe with the bonus of a lovely top-floor balcony. In terms of food, the owner captures the essence of her childhood with home-style cooking rarely found elsewhere. Steamed snails stuffed with minced pork seduces with umami and lemongrass fragrance. Mixed veggies dressed in a fish sauce reduction with pork crackling are simple, but addictive.