CƠM TẤM 43 – Old Saigon Charm

CƠM TẤM 43
43 Nguyễn Văn Lạc
Bình Thạnh District
0120 855 0155

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A simple, classic Saigon street eatery – that’s what Hai and I were looking for this morning as we left our apartment beside “our” canal (the Thi Nghe Canal in Bình Thạnh District).

And happily, we quickly found it … Cơm Tấm 43

As we circled through our new neighborhood in search of that perfect local breakfast place, we scanned dozens of signs – Bún Mắm, Phở, KFC …

Then, I saw it Cơm Tấm 43. Standing in front was a middle-aged man attending a hot smoky grill.  Inside the front door – a small dimly lighted room packed with locals – not an empty seat to be found.

“Let’s eat here!” (Of course, a tiny eatery with no empty seats is a far better indicator of great food than a 5-star YELP review.)

As we jumped off our motorbike, and the “white guy” (that’s me) approached the front door, several servers scurried to find me a seat. “Hai người” (two people), I announced, indicating that I was eating with Hải (the not-so-white guy) who followed behind me.

They pointed to a table where someone was finishing up his breakfast and seemed to apply a bit of “pressure” for him to vacate his seat for the “white guy”. Obnoxious, for sure. So, I did my best to NOT look anxious to take his table.

He finished up his rice plate, squeezed in a quick text message and “finally” left.

This tiny neighborhood eatery was a dimly lit, possibly not a clean as Burger King, and had an old – even an ancient – Saigon feel about it. For some, I’m sure, this would be undesirable. For me, perfect. A dip into tradition and authenticity. The attractive young woman said they’d only been operating at this location about a dozen years, but it felt more like 112.

TIME TO EAT!

Cơm tấm suon chả, for me (broken rice with grilled pork and ground pork loaf).

Hải ordered cơm tấm thập cầm – broken rice with a bit of everything.

YUM! Very basic, very delicious, very satisfying.  THE classic Saigon breakfast I was hoping for this morning.

I have a feeling this will become a regular breakfast stop during our stay here at the BonBon Residence in Bình Thạnh District.

OPEN: 6:00 AM – NOON

UPDATE – February, 2019: They were closed for Tet Holiday, of course, but just re-opened this morning. OMG, truly the best cơm tấm in town.

UPDATE – January, 2020:  Came here the day before they closed for this year’s Tet Holiday. Still the best place in town for Cơm tấm suon chả!

UPDATE – February, 2023: Enjoyed breakfast here 3 times this week – still one of the best cơm tấm in town

CƠM TẤM 43

Cơm Tấm 43

43 Nguyễn Văn Lạc
Bình Thạnh District
0120 855 0155