“What is there to eat at Ben Thanh Market? It is crowded with tourists and only sells things for tourists. The prices are also high.”... This is probably what many people think when mentioning Ben Thanh Market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
But for a long time, Ben Thanh market has become a famous culinary area attracting a large number of diners to enjoy. Not only are the prices affordable, but the taste is also impeccable.
Many young people take on the challenge of “What can I eat at Ben Thanh market for 100,000 VND?” and end up going home full.
Below are 3 famous restaurants that you cannot miss when visiting Ben Thanh market:
1. Hue rice cake of Ms. Anh
Coming to Ben Thanh market, if you want to eat Hue cuisine, you must visit Ms. Anh's small but always crowded banh beo stall at the West gate. Photo: @saigonbeoreview, @langthangsaigon59
The price of a plate of cake is 25,000 VND, those who eat a lot will have to "finish" 2 plates to be satisfied, the more "toppings" the plate of cake will of course increase the price. Photo: @saigonbeoreview, @langthangsaigon59
It is said that the banh beo stall has existed in the market for more than 20 years, and is considered to have kept the original Hue flavor with soft sticky rice cakes and rich shrimp filling. According to the shop owner, there are days when the banh beo stall can sell up to 1,000 plates, most of the customers are regulars, but there are also countless tourists.
Although it is called a banh beo shop, Ms. Anh’s shop sells all kinds of salty cakes from the Central region. Customers often order a mixed plate of banh beo, banh bot loc, banh it tran and cha. The small plate is filled with many kinds of cakes, topped with a layer of finely ground shrimp and some bread crumbs. Of course, the final fish sauce is indispensable - the soul of the dish.
Ms. Anh's Hue banh beo stall is open from morning to afternoon, and is busiest at noon. Customers come to eat sitting on plastic chairs, one hand holding the plate of banh beo firmly, the other holding a spoon to eat. It's so simple and rustic, yet many people love the taste of Hue banh beo here, coming back every three or five meals.
Ms. Anh's Hue rice cake
Address: Right at the West Gate, Ben Thanh Market, District 1, HCMC
Price: 25,000 VND/disc
2. Mrs. Hai's rice noodle soup
For 30 years standing firm at Ben Thanh market, Mrs. Hai's noodle shop is always bustling with customers, especially at lunchtime. Photo: @hongbietangi
Crab noodle soup, pork roll noodle soup or a full bowl, choose according to your preference, each bowl basically costs 50,000 VND. A full bowl has crab meat, shrimp, a few thick slices of pork and a few pieces of fish cake. The broth is thick and sticky, thanks to that it stays hot for a long time when scooped into the bowl.
Customers are mainly market vendors and locals, sometimes tourists also come to experience.
Mrs. Hai also sells refreshing ginseng drinks and dried beef salad. After finishing a bowl of noodle soup, if you still have some stomach, you can order a plate of dried beef papaya salad, guaranteed to satisfy your hunger. However, according to many diners, a bowl of noodle soup is more than enough for lunch, adding a bottle of ginseng drinks will make you full.
Mrs. Hai's crab noodle soup
Address: Stall 1301, Ben Thanh Market, District 1, HCMC
Price: 50,000 VND/bowl
3. Mrs. Lien's vermicelli soup with crab
No snails, no crab roe, no ham, but Mrs. Lien's vermicelli soup with crab soup is still famous for more than 40 years. Photo: @bunrieuganhchobenthanh
Each bowl of vermicelli soup costs 60,000 VND, with only crab meatballs, blood pudding, tofu, and thin rice noodles. Many people find the price a bit steep compared to the “lack of toppings,” but anyone who has tried it finds it worth it. Photo: @bunrieuganhchobenthanh
Previously, Mrs. Lien's vermicelli soup shop used to open at the East gate of Ben Thanh market, right at the corner of Le Loi and Phan Boi Chau streets, but in early 2022, the shop moved to a new address nearby, at 163 Le Thanh Ton, District 1.
No longer sold in the market area, but if you ask about vermicelli soup at Ben Thanh market, people will immediately think of Mrs. Lien's shop.
The quality broth cooked according to a traditional family recipe has conquered many diners, even many artists have taken the trouble to come and eat. That is also the reason why Mrs. Lien's restaurant is also known as "luxurious vermicelli soup at Ben Thanh market".
At Mrs. Lien's restaurant, in addition to vermicelli with crab soup, diners can order shrimp and pork spring rolls, and get more sausage placed right on the table if they like.
Mrs. Lien's crab noodle soup
Address: 163 Le Thanh Ton, near Ben Thanh market, District 1, HCMC
Price: 60,000 VND/bowl
Source
Comment (0)