Sometimes there’s not a lot to say. And that’s okay – because there’s not a need to say a lot.
That’s the case when sharing our most recent vegetarian street food experience in Saigon’s District 3.
One evening last week, Hai and I just wanted a quick bite on our way home.
Zipping down Nguyễn Thượng Hiền street on our motorbike, we spotted our dining spot. An old woman standing curbside, leaning over large steaming pots of – something?
A small glass vendor window displayed several food items alongside a small book featuring several Buddhist images. A short, two-person eating counter hung off the display case surrounded by a few red plastic stools. A stack of small blue plastic tables hugged the curb.
Pull up a stool & enjoy some vegetarian Saigon street food
The sign: MÓN CHAY
We would be dining on the street tonight ~ enjoying vegetarian Saigon Street Food!
Simple, Cheap, and Tasty
We had a choice of rice or several types of noodles – I was in a cơm (rice) kind-of-mood that evening.
Atop our cơm was heaped a mixture of vege food items of various shapes – cubes, ribbed spheres, and circular slices. Most all were reddish-brown in color, except for the pile of steamed bright green cabbage.
But, what an amazing array of flavors and textures were hidden in that uniform reddish-brown-colored pile. Soft tofus, leathery fried tofus, chewy deep-fried pineapple cakes, sweet and tangy steamed fruits, and yummy, “meaty” slices of ground loaf cakes (but of course – NOT really “meaty”).
Tofus, Veges, Fruits – Amazing flavors & textures
A truly rich and varied taste treat – and healthy!
Tasty, cheap and healthy vegetarian food
… and a bowl of soup
Our full cost – “out the door” (oh yes, there was no door). Our full cost “off the curb” – 30,000 vnd. That’s $1.50 USD total (75 cents per person!)
Simple, Cheap, and Tasty … and healthy!
We’ll be stopping by again – no question about that. A YUM on Eating Saigon!’s Yum Meter.
SERVING UP DELICIOUS VEGE FOOD (and small Buddhist booklets) from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m ever day.
Hmmm … I guess it turns out there was quite a bit to say! 🙂
MÓN CHAY
124 Nguyễn Thượng Hiền street
District 3
(near the corner of Nguyễn Đình Chiểu)
View MÓN CHAY in a larger map
Hey guys, we tried this place tonight, having read your review. As a vegetarian, it’s often more trouble than it’s worth to try to track down a real local food experience when travelling, but Mon Chay was really, really good. Thanks for the tip!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the vegetarian food at Mon Chay. There’s another good vege food place that I haven’t yet had time to post or map on Eating Saigon! (but will soon). If you’re up for another adventure, it’s worth it: “Quan Hu Tiu Mi Chay 373” at 373 Lê Quang Định, P.5, Binh Thanh District. ENJOY!