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street gourmet
Banh Chung
Drink to Good Health
By Beth Young
Banh chung is a traditional
Vietnamese cake made
from glutinous rice, green
bean and pork. It is an essential
element of the family
altar on Tet and making and
eating banh chung during
this time is a well-preserved
tradition. Aside from Tet, it
is eaten all year round and
is one of the national dishes
of Vietnam. It goes for
20,000 to 100,000 VND,
depending on its size.
Hanh Nguyen
Grown originally in the south
west of France, Tannat—an
especially thick-skinned red
grape—has been keeping the
region’s population alive longer.
That’s because the littleknown
variety contains several
unique natural compounds
that are said to halt wrinkles,
contribute to cardiovascular
health and even protect
against cancer.
JB Baudron, sales and
operations manager at
The Warehouse, calls this
phenomenon the “French
Paradox”. Though foie
gras, creamy cheese and
cassoulet—a local delicacy
that mixes white beans, goose
fat, pork and duck sausage
with tomato sauce—comprise
the food of choice, the area’s
inhabitants are defying logic
with their good health.
A bottle of Madiran,
the most famous Tannat
drop—and the one most
widely drunk in France—goes
for 594,000 VND at The
Warehouse. Very similar to
Madiran is Saint Mont (which
ranges in price from 235,000
to 594,000 VND). Baudron
says both wines are dark
crimson in colour with a floral
yet woody bouquet owed to
a year spent aging in oak barrels.
And because of the high
level of tannin evident in all
wines made from this supergrape,
they have a crisp, fresh
and light texture.
Interestingly, Tannat grapes
have also travelled from
France to Uruguay. There,
a thriving Tannat industry
spanning 200 years produces
juicier wine with fruity, berry
notes, spicy accents and a
longer finish. The Warehouse
stocks Monte de Luz—a
smoky variety best served
with beef (309,000 VND).
Regardless of where the
wine hails from it is generally a
full-bodied brew that Baudron
says improves enormously
with age. When kept in the
bottle for up to two decades,
he says Tannat wines develop
serious complexity. The aromatic
berry and wood flavours
will remain, but will be joined
by hints of leather, tobacco
and dried fruit. What’s more,
the tannins will melt away,
creating a smoother finish that
Baudron enthuses is “well
worth the wait”.
CHINESE
Dragon Court
11-13 Lam Son Square, D1
Tel: 3827 2566
Open until 2am, this vast, no-frills eatery
gets packed with hungry locals who
savour generous portions of tasty dim
sum. All the Chinese staples are here.
Expect a good feed for under 100,000
VND per person.
Dynasty Restaurant
New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1
Tel: 3822 8888
Fine Chinese dining in an opulent restaurant
reminiscent of the Middle Kingdom’s
imperial days. Delicacies clock
in at 500,000 VND, but most dishes fall
between 80,000 to 180,000 VND.
Huy Long Vien
99 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 7799
www.huylongvien.com
A magnificent Chinese restaurant with
a leafy slate-tiled courtyard, Chinese
lanterns and a labyrinth of water works.
Lunchtime dim sum is 120,000 VND,
while the a la carte menu runs higher
with Chinese specialties such as Peking
duck for 400,000 VND.
Kabin
Renaissance Riverside Hotel, 8-15 Ton
Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 0033
Elegant dining space with beautiful
decor and great views over the river
offers extensive lunch and dinner menus
featuring authentic gourmet Cantonese
and Szechuan dishes and an assortment
of dim sum at lunchtime.
Li Bai
Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1
Tel: 3827 2828
Imperial-styled restaurant named after
a famous Chinese poet. Excellent lunch
time dim sum buffet for USD $17.00.
Nightly à la carte menu with dishes going
from 100,000 VND.
Lotus Court
1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon
253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan
Tel: 3844 9222 ext. 168
www.moevenpick-saigon.com
Dim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisine
in a unique and elegant setting.
Ming Dynasty
23 Nguyen Khac Vien, Phu My Hung
Tel: 5411 5555
Decorated in Ming Dynasty-style; offers
100 dim sum varieties and 300 dishes
prepared by a chef from Hong Kong.
The restaurant’s Imperial Buffet costs
USD $39 per person and includes free
flow of wine.
Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant
Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong
Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688
Beautiful wood paneling, colourful
hanging lanterns and a sparkling mineral
gallery make for a relaxing dining experience
at the Windsor. Feast on roasted
Pi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamed
king prawns. Be sure to check out
monthly specials.
Ocean Palace
2 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3911 8822
Both traditional and trendy Chinese
dishes are prepared by chef from Hong
Kong and served in an opulent 280-seat
dining room in this restaurant opposite
the zoo. Intimate private rooms and
larger party rooms available for booking.
Shang Palace Restaurant
Norfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong,
D1 Tel: 3823 2221
www.shangpalace.com.vn
An upscale Chinese restaurant with a
spacious and welcoming atmosphere.
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