Xin Chao. Welcome to Aunty Jojo's new world in Vietnam.
My Favourite Food Places
Bánh Xèo 46A Đinh Công Tráng
46A Đinh Công Tráng, Tân Định, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bahn xeo (Vietnamese pancake) is my all time favourite dish. Had to try this place which comes highly recommended. Served piping hot and super crispy with heaps of fresh herbs and vegetables - to make you feel less guilty about having deep fried pancake 😬😊 So so good!
Bánh mì 362
25 Trần Cao Vân, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
My go-to shop whenever I'm craving a good bahn mi. Love the grilled pork (thit nuong) baguette with all the veggies. Chilli is counted as a vegetable so be careful to omit if you're not keen on tongue-numbing goodness! Try the lemongrass-lime juice at half price when you order a bahn mi. The air-conditioned mezannine area is perfect to enjoy your sandwich and watch the world go by.
Banh mi Huynh Hoa
26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1 Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
https://goo.gl/maps/RXQH7Pn3vXt
Now I know why they call this the best banh mi in Saigon. It's a giant baguette stuffed with delicious pate, piles of meat, pickles, cucumbers and cilantro. It usually takes me 10 minutes to finish an average banh mi but this one took me 30 minutes! My digestive tract was officially closed for 48 hours after that.
Bánh khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu
40B Trần Cao Vân, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Order a mixed platter of bahn khot (mini pancakes) and pomelo/grapefruit salad. You won't regret it. Other local dishes good too. Nearby Turtle Lake has lots of coffee and bubble tea options.
Nhà hàng Hoàng Ty
70-72 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Very unique local Vietnamese cuisine. You will get a pile of rice paper, huge tray of herbs, thinly slices pork/beef, pickled carrots and daikon - and you get to make your own rice paper rolls. The chewy texture of the rice paper and special fish sauce is a delight to the senses. Super healthy and tasty option when you're pho'd up 😬
Quán Bánh Cuốn Tây Hồ
127 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Excellent bahn cuon (steamed rice rolls filled with pork & mushrooms) Similar to Chinese cheong fun but has a very distinctive twist with the addition of fish sauce/chilli dipping sauce. I ordered the Special - 4 rolls for VND48000. The bahn cuon was bursting with meaty goodness. So so yummy!
Villa Royale Downtown Antiques & Tea Room
Level 1, 25 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bìn, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Beautiful quiet spot on the first floor of an old apartment building. If you want to be transported into a dining room of old-world elegance, this is the place to be. Perfect English high tea with proper pots of Earl Grey tea, cucumber sandwiches, salmon sandwiches, cheesecake, lamingtons and scones - with clotted cream and strawberry preserves! Tracy the owner is wonderfully friendly and welcoming.
Phở Hòa Pasteur
260C Pasteur, Phường 8, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Seriously, any pho is a good pho. If you insist on a recommendation, this is one of the well-known joints in town.
Nhà hàng Ngon
160 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
An ideal place to sample all the street foods of Saigon in one location. Old villa with charming decor. Good for first time visitors to Vietnam. Hardly go there anymore because I eat real street food now 😉.
My favourite Spas
Sả Spa
40B Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Fabulous experience. It was like stepping into the film set of Indochine with gorgeous interior and furnishings. Masseuse was excellent hitting all the right spots. The yogurt and hot chrysanthemum tea at the end added a nice finishing touch. Highly recommended. Tell Vy the manager that Miss Jo sent you.
La Maison de L' Apothiquaire Spa Saigon District 3
64A Trương Định, Phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
I may have just found my favourite spa in Saigon. Old world elegance meets spa perfection. A canopy of trees lines a path that leads to a beautiful French-villa that was the home of the architect who designed the Independence Palace. The treatment was very good too. Prices are higher compared to other spas in the city. But it’s definitely worth every VND. 😊
