Bún Thịt Nướng – Chả Giò
01 Nguyễn Trung Trực
(at the corner of Lê Lợi)
District 1
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Saigon is different now.
Scores of highrise office buildings and apartments have mushroomed across downtown. The government is clearing sidewalks of “unauthorized” street food vendors. The subway system is under construction, and shopping malls are rising from empty street corners. Classic French buildings are falling to jackhammers.
The fundamental look and feel of downtown Saigon has changed forever. The transformation is remarkable – and saddening.
Where have all the street food vendors gone??
It was already difficult to find authentic Saigon street food in Saigon’s tourist center – Districts 1 and 3. Sadly, now it’s nearly impossible. Five-star hotel restaurants abound. KFCs, Starbucks, and Pizza Huts are just a block away from anywhere you might find yourself in city center. And local Phở chains have replaced real “mẹ và bố” (mom and pop) sidewalk street food. One must venture to more distant Saigon districts to enjoy the original charm and amazing foods prepared by Saigon’s street food vendors.
BUT … there are still a few holdouts!
Hai and Như sharing high school memories
Happily today, Hai’s good friend (an old high school girlfriend), Như, invited us to enjoy lunch at one such remaining street food vendor in Saigon city center.
Saigon street food at its best – Bún Thịt Nướng
The best bun thit nuong street food – directly across from the brand new Saigon Center
Ironically, literally in the shadow of Saigon’s newest skyscraper, the new Saigon Center, Hai, Nhu and I pulled up blue plastic stools just inches from the curb on Nguyễn Trung Trực street, near the corner of Lê Lợi street, to enjoy some of the tastiest chả giò I’ve ever had in the city.
The three small tables were all filled by locals enjoying bún thịt nướng. A major lunchtime treat!
Flavorful grilled pork was served atop crunchy julienned pickled vegetables, greens, and rice vermicelli noodles. A sprinkling of peanuts and the particularly delicious fish sauce topping turned our lunch on the busy streets of downtown Saigon into a very happy event!
Saigon street food at its best!
The BEST chả gìo !!
The crowning lunchtime jewel, however, were the delectable chả giò (spring rolls) topping the bowl of grilled pork and salad. The deep fried rice paper wrapper was a thin, crispy, flaky shell housing a super flavorful pork filling with hints of taro inside. Perhaps my favorite street food lunch this year! Just 43,000 vnd ($1.90 used) per bowl.
Proud owner of BUN THIT NUONG for 22 years!
The delightful woman host/owner told Hai she’d been here preparing her street food treat for more than 22 years … And boasted that she’d been visited by many world leaders and dignitaries over that time (the only name I recognized was Prime Minister Cameron.)
Whether you’re famous or not, do yourself a favor and stop by one of the few remaining classic street food vendors in tourist central Saigon and enjoy a great bowl of bún thịt nướng and chả giò . And, thank you Như for the introduction!
OPEN: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
UPDATE – February, 2019: I had worried that all the Saigon subway construction along Le Loi Street would have pushed out this classic Saigon street food eatery. Happily, its still here and still serving a great bowl of bún thịt nướng and the best chả giò
FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Still, delicious bún thịt nướng and the best chả giò around town!
Bún Thịt Nướng – Chả Giò
01 Nguyễn Trung Trực
(at the corner of Lê Lợi)
District 1