The Saigon Cháo Lady

The Saigon Cháo Lady
285/137 CMT8
District 10

*****

As everyone in Vietnam knows, when your tummy is a bit under the weather, or you have any kind of cold or flu symptoms, it’s time for some good CHÁO.

Yesterday, I was feeling a bit out of sorts, so ….. cháo it was!

Luckily, one of our favorite places for cháo is not far from our apartment.  Hai volunteered to go retrieve some hot porridge for me while I laid around the house looking pathetic and seeking some sympathy 🙂 .

In fact, feeling ill or not, we often visit The Cháo Lady (as we have affectionately dubbed her) for a simple, yet very delicious dinner treat near our home.

The cháo’s porridge stock base is deeply flavored with bbq’d dried squid.  The mildly “toasted-squidy” flavor permeates the dish.  Yet, it doesn’t overpower the delicious flavor burst that come with each spoonful of other ingredients – shredded fresh ginger, large chunks of tender and flavorful pork meat (in the cháo sườn), occasional crispy bits of fried pork skin, crunchy bean sprouts, and huyết cubes (congealed & steamed pork blood). The chopped scallions and twist of lime juice add the final flavor bursts. Actually, dip the pork meat in a small condiment bowl of fish sauce and chili and you’ve gone to heaven!

Tucked away in an alley in District 10, The Saigon Cháo Lady has actually been offering more than just delicious, soothing and healing cháo for the past 12 years.  Recently, I tried her súp cua (crab soup). It’s now become a regular appetizer before my requisite bowl of cháo here!

The súp cua consists of a thick broth filled with crab meat, a quail egg, bits of deep-fried pork skin, mushrooms, whipped eggs and parsley.  Major delicious!

Easily meeting Eating Saigon!’s criteria for a great Saigon eating adventure – excellent Vietnamese food, inexpensive prices, an authentic setting (small family restaurant tucked in an alley with simple tables and chairs) and warm and friendly staff  – The Saigon Cháo Lady is a must find.

Open each day from 2:00 pm until midnight.

September, 2015 UPDATE: Sadly, due to some staffing changes, the Saigon Cháo Lady has temporarily stopped making her wonderful cháo.  We’ll let you know as soon as she begins again.  By the way, she’s still making her other wonderful dishes.

January, 2016 UPDATE: We pleaded with The Saigon Cháo Lady to once again begin making her delicious cháo.  She appreciated our desperation, but couldn’t commit.  When she does resume her winning dish, for sure, we’ll let you know.  Meanwhile, she’s still making several other wonderful dishes. And the trip to her location is still a fun adventure all by itself!

The Saigon Cháo Lady
285/137 CMT8
District 10

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