STREET FOOD “In the Alley”

Cơm Tâm 390
390 Cach Mang Thanh Tam
District 3

*****

I recall well the night that Hai and I first discovered Cơm Tâm 390.  It would turn out to be a very lucky night in our ongoing search for great Saigon Street Food.

Actually we has passed this small alley not far from our home many times as we sped down Cach Mang Thang 8 (CMT8) on our way to District 1 going to our gym or other center city destinations.  As it turned out that night, a sudden cloud burst dumped from the sky and a thousand motorbikes in unison, like a well-choreographed dance, came to an abrupt stop.  Several thousand rain ponchos swung through the air as drivers and passengers ducked under the colorful plastic sheets in the midst of the deluge.

Hai and I pulled in front of the Cơm Tâm 390 sign at the curb in front of a small alley along CMT8 on covered ourselves.

In a quick search for some protection, we both spotted the giant blue tarp 100 meters down the alley that sheltered about 8 tables from the downpour.

“Let’s Eat Here!” No argument from either of us!

Well – the rest is history.  I eat there at least once each week and am always ready to go back – anytime.

Simple, delicious, and inexpensive. The couple who cook and serve in this makeshift restaurant-in-an ally are so friendly, and welcome us warmly every time we pull up on our motorbike.

My favorite dish is gà nướng (BBQ chicken) – usually a leg/thigh combo.  The chicken meat is moist and tender and the marinade it’s prepared in is just delicious.  Most often I’ll add a serving of cha , a steamed loaf of ground pork, mushroom, crab and other “secret” ingredients.  And just to balance my nutritional intake (“eat your vegetables”), I’ll finish the meal with a bowl of canh kho qua (bitter melon soup). The melon is as you’d guess, bitter.  The broth is fresh, peppery and spoon-to-the bottom good.

Hai is a suon man.  So, he’ll more often than not enjoy the grilled pork chops, again tender and moist, as I devour my chicken.

Just off the very busy CMT8 street, Cơm Tâm 390’s small alley provides a secluded little shelter from the traffic chaos only a few yards away (rain or shine).  And the food is very memorable.

For those who prefer to sit right ON the busy street so as not to miss a single city beat from the passing traffic, Cơm Tâm 390 even offers a few tables set up immediately beside busy CMT8 where their alley meets the street.

So remember, in every cloud burst, there’s a silver lining.  In this case it’s named Cơm Tâm 390.

OPEN 3 PM until Midnight (or 1:00 AM)

Cơm Tâm 390
390 Cach Mang Thanh Tam
District 3
HCMC

UPDATE – January, 2016: Continuously re-confirmed as one of our all-time favorites.

UPDATE – March, 2017:  Had another great meal here.  Will remain a standard for Hai and I!

UPDATE – FEBRUARY, 2019:  YET another great meal here.  Remains one of our “must visits”!

UPDATE – FEBRUARY, 2023:  Re-confirmed as one of our all-time favorites!

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