A “western moment” (part 2) – shopping for western food in Saigon

Well – imagine my surprise when I received an onslaught of mail from Eating Saigon!‘s readers telling me my recent blog about Annam Gourmet Market was incomplete!  Such passion in my readers – I love it!

In response, I’ve spent today doing some research to assess the state of affairs on shopping for western food in Saigon.

First the bad news: This incident has clearly shown that my strong focus on Saigon Street Food has made my advice on that subject appreciated and usually “on the mark.” But, when I stray into the more typical Ex-pat world of Saigon’s western bars, Saigon’s western food markets, and Saigon’s western shopping, perhaps I’m less polished.

Now, the good news: The well-travelled Saigon Ex-pat community (and Eating Saigon!’s readers) are well informed on such matters, not at all shy, and can quickly fill in any gaps in my knowledge of Saigon’s western venues.

And more good news: After following-up leads provided by my readers today, I think I can now provide a clearer picture about shopping for western food in Saigon, wherein all parties are correct! (Does my 25 years of University-industry contract negotiation experience, seeking common ground for all involved parties show?)

So, if you’ll recall, I touted Annam Gourmet Market as being

filled with quite an amazing selection of western gourmet treats.

I marveled

at the French mustards, the Italian pastas, or the American canned soups available there.

I further touted their large wine selection, their array of gourmet cheeses, their yummy bakery display of sweets, and their pleasant cafe for a gourmet sandwich lunch.

My readers challenged me, however, to go check out two other western food shops located side-by-side in Saigon’s tourist central, just a block from Saigon’s most dramatic skyscraper, the Bitexco Financial Tower.

These two “mom & pop”-sized food markets, Thái Hòa and Phương Hà, are mirror images of each other.

Unlike Annam’s highly air conditioned, tasteful gourmet food display aisles, these two small shops each have piled their merchandise high along narrow, cramped aisle ways. A bit of a challenge to navigate through the mildly claustrophobic shop as the workers unpack their boxes of imported food items at your feet, I was astounded at the wide variety of wonderfully westernfood items available. An amazing selection of spices, baking goods, cereals, condiments, canned vegetables, soups and sauces! Taco shells!  Frozen Italian sausage! A small, yet interesting array of cheeses, packaged meats, dairy products, and wine and spirits.

And yes, prices somewhat lower than Annam’s.

Eureka! – both shops also carried my favorite low-fat granola packaged in Eugene, Oregon. And only a few blocks away from where my bus drops me off across the street from Chợ Bến Thành.

So, thank you Eating Saigon! readers. Thank you Saigon Ex-pat blog readers! These two “mom & pop” supermarkets will now be on my regular shopping route whenever the “I-need-a western-meal” calls out to me. I’m already planning to go back to pick up those frozen Italian sausage for my next at-home Italian pasta meal.

But, I must admit, on those days when I need a relaxing, air conditioned western gourmet sandwich, I’m still likely to return to Annam Gourmet Market to sit comfortably and enjoy my lunch there. And maybe try a slice of their bakery’s chocolate cake that I skipped on my last visit there.

So, depending upon your shopping mission, your mood, and your budget, Annam Gourmet Market, Thái Hòa and Phương Hà all have something good to offer.

UPDATE – January, 2020:  Thái Hòa and Phương Hà are still a good places to shop for “Western” commodities (including some that seem to have arrived straight from Costco). Annam Gourmet Market has several new locations that I’ll need to explore!

Phương Hà
58 Hàm Nghi street
District 1

Thái Hòa
60 Hàm Nghi street
District 1

Annam Gourmet Market
16-18 Hai Ba Trung street
District 1

Annam Gourmet Market has several new locations that I’ll need to explore!

View Western Food Shopping in Saigon in a larger map