An Bàng Beach Village Restaurant

An Bàng Beach Village Restaurant
6B An Bàng
Cam An, Hội An

*****

I love Saigon. But, sometimes it’s nice to spread your toes at the beach!

And that’s just what we did when our good friend, Pat from San Diego, came to visit Hai and I in Saigon a few weeks ago.

Some years back, during her first visit to Vietnam, Pat and I toured Hanoi, Sapa, Saigon, Dalat and the Mekong Delta. But, we missed the center! 🙁  (and Pat’s a “beach person”)

“Okay, Pat!  We’re off to see Hội An, Hue and Danang.”

We actually began our trip with a flight from Saigon to Hue … but more about Hue and the wonderful food there in a future post.

Today, it’s all about the beach!

Pat, Hai and I each rented a bike at our hotel, Hai Au Hotel, and peddled off for the gentle, scenic, and flat afternoon ride to the sea. The ride itself was a real treat. We passed small markets, green rice paddies, shops, eateries, and cycling school children along the several kilometer route. Very wonderful indeed!

Once we reached the beach, however, the temperature of the air and water, along with the steady sea breeze combined to quiet Pat’s usual boogie-board passion.  So, rather than immediately jumping into the sea, we decided to slide onto 3 empty lounge chairs, open the colorful beach umbrellas, relax, enjoy the clear blue sunny skies, and flag down a beach-roaming attendant.  “Do you have sinh to (fruit shakes)?” YES.   “Do you have any beer?” YES. “Do you have margaritas?” YES.

“OK … well then … we’ll have one of each!” (No need to discuss here who drank what 🙂 )

A very lovely (and a bit lazy) Hội An afternoon at the beach – What could be better?

Well, in fact, the best was yet to come.

When one of us had a calling for a restroom, things seemed a bit hopeless/desperate. Nothing but the chilly sea and miles of open beach. BUT, a pleading request of the beach attendant was to provide surprising results.

Not only did a short walk through hidden sandy walkways lead to a clean, almost spotless bathroom (not a common event at most Vietnam beach facilities), but it revealed a lovely thatched structure that would become “the dining event” of our Hội An stay!

After a brief interaction with the beach restaurant owner and a glance at the menu, we made our commitment right there on the spot. “We’ll be back tonight for dinner.”

Some hours later, we returned at twilight by taxi down a long narrow beach lane off the main road. A very lovely, even romantic, tropical beach setting.

We followed the sound of soft, folksy (American) music through a unique bamboo and brick-walled walkway, and found our way to An Bàng Beach Village Restaurant.

Gentle lighting, checkered table cloths, and full-sized chairs. Very nice! … Not Hai and my usual red-plastic-stool Saigon street food experience. But what the heck, we’re doing this for our guest Pat, and of course, as always for Eating Saigon! readers 🙂

Westerners filled six of the eight tables in the open-aired, thatched roofed restaurant. The soft, lanterned lighting was lovely.

We immediately met Dong, our very friendly, pleasant and helpful host. Oh, and he also happened to be the owner, waiter, and bartender of the restaurant … and cook, along with his brother and sister in the kitchen.

Dong prepared a round of margaritas for us as we considered the menu choices and as Dong and Hai had a friendly negotiation over our evening entrees.

Pat, Hai and I finally decided on:-

• Gỏi đu đủ – shredded papaya salad, finely shredded carrot and dicon, mint leaves, lightly spicy, lots of pork, and a few small shrimp. 

 

• Banana leaf fish – tuna like, boneless and meaty wrapped in a banana leaf (but a bit dry).
  
  

  LocaL fish grilled in a banana leaf

 

• Mixed vegetables – including crunchy turnips (jicama) and thin slices of flavorful black mushrooms, all in buttery mild dressing (housin, tomato, a dash of chili). 

 

• Cá khộ to – tuna-like fish steak, mildly spicy, thin sauce (pineapple-based) simmered in a black clay pot.

 

• Chilean wine

Dishes were a bit “westernized” and “fused” (as in fusion). Not, Hai and my usual “authentic” Saigon street food. But, no question, An Bàng Beach Village Restaurant offered us a lovely setting, a fun evening, and an overall wonderful Hội An beach eating adventure! We left with big smiles and happy memories.

About 600.000 vmd ($28 USD) for our dinner for 3, including 2 glasses of wine, and 2 cocktails. We used our VISA card!

OPEN until 11 pm.

An Bàng Beach Village Restaurant
6B An Bàng
Cam An, Hội An

[TURN RIGHT DOWN THE NARROW BEACH LANE TOWARDS THE SEA AT THIS CORNER]

If you’re off to Hội An anytime soon, you can read about our earlier (and wonderful) Hội An eating adventures here.