MQ村 - 民宿 Quận 1

After working abroad in Hong Kong, Chicago and Bangkok, chef-owner Peter Cuong Franklin returned to Vietnam to open this restaurant in a lively market. He applies modern cooking techniques to authentic street food recipes to create enticing flavours. Whether it’s the foie gras spring roll, Ha Noi turmeric fish or Wagyu beef mini bánh mì, every dish is a masterclass in well-balanced flavours and textures.

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.

This take-out only stall specialises in noodle soup topped with sliced beef, beef tendon and fish fillet. The broth made with onion, beef and pork bones is flavoursome. Add bean sprouts, chilli, lime and fish sauce according to your taste.

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

Vị Quê Kitchen champions a modern Vietnamese vegan repertoire, weaving together flavours from across the country with thoughtful, creative twists, using fruit and vegetables largely grown in the family’s own garden. Nem vuông, a Hai Phong speciality of deep-fried rice paper parcels, is reworked here with assorted mushrooms and glass noodles, offering pleasing layers of texture. Bún Vì Quê, a noodle soup topped with herbs and tofu puffs, is underpinned by a punchy, flavour-packed broth. A cosy atmosphere, complemented by well-chosen music, adds to the appeal.

Housed in one of the city’s luxury hotels, Long Trieu’s lavish dining room boasts jade stonework, traditional gold-leaf painted Chinese scenes and ornate seating. The menu offers a wide selection of à la carte and set dishes that pay tribute to Cantonese culinary heritage, while cleverly incorporating local Vietnamese ingredients into traditional Cantonese techniques. Highlights include the fried prawns with XO sauce and the hot and sour wonton soup.

Phở Lệ has been serving authentic Southern Vietnamese phở for over 70 years. Despite its age, the bustling stall remains popular among locals for its bold flavours and generous portions. The mixed beef noodles feature raw and cooked beef, brisket, beef balls and tendon and a rich bone broth.