Tucked away in a bustling alley on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Truyen Ky restaurant is a hidden gem, preserving a nearly 80-year-old family culinary legacy. A favorite among those who adore Chinese cuisine, especially the unique flavors of the Hakka (a subgroup of the Chinese diaspora from Fujian), Truyen Ky offers a delightful culinary experience.
1 Introducing Truyen Ky Restaurant in District 11
Introducing Truyen Ky Restaurant in District 11
Restaurant Quality: 4.3/5 (Rated by Google)
Address: 39/20 Ly Thuong Kiet, Ward 7, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Usually crowded at 12:00 PM)
Price Range: VND 65,000 – 290,000
Phone Number: 0908623623
Facebook: Truyen Ky Q11 LTK
Delivery: Available (Shopee Food)
Menu Highlights: Salted Steamed Chicken, Dong Giang Tofu, Pork Dishes, Shrimp Dishes, Squid Dishes, Beef Dishes, Fish Dishes, Steamed Dishes, Soups, Stir-fried Vegetables, and more.
Signature Dishes: Salted Steamed Chicken, Dong Giang Tofu, Braised Taro with Five-Spice Pork Belly, Fried Crispy Intestines, and Braised Pork Offal Hotpot.
Pros: Well-known for its delicious food, long history, diverse menu, and authentic Hakka flavors.
Cons: The restaurant has a small space and can get crowded and noisy during peak hours. Prices are relatively high.
Step into Truyen Ky, and you’ll be greeted by a warm and rustic ambiance.
Nestled in a busy alley on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Truyen Ky restaurant is a serene oasis, preserving nearly eight decades of culinary heritage. It is the perfect destination for those eager to explore Chinese cuisine, especially the distinctive flavors of the Hakka people (a subgroup of the Chinese diaspora from Fujian).
As you enter Truyen Ky, you’ll be enveloped in a warm and rustic atmosphere, reminiscent of stepping into a home cook’s kitchen. The restaurant’s menu is extensive and diverse, featuring dishes that are carefully and intricately prepared, offering unique and memorable flavors.
The signature salted steamed chicken boasts a golden skin and tender, sweet meat, infused with the briny flavors of salt. It takes center stage at Truyen Ky. The Hong Kong-style steamed garoupa, delicate and savory, and the nourishing ox knee soup with Chinese herbs are also must-try options. Each dish carries the distinct mark of family tradition, a culmination of generations-old cooking secrets.
More than just a restaurant, Truyen Ky is a guardian of the cultural values of the Hakka people. It not only evokes memories for longtime Saigonese diners but also serves as an ideal destination for visitors eager to explore and experience the unique Chinese culinary heritage.
Truyen Ky boasts an extensive and diverse menu, with dishes carefully and intricately prepared.
2 What Makes Truyen Ky Restaurant in District 11 So Enticing?
Nearly 80 Years of History, Homely Ambiance
Adorned with a signboard bearing the name “Truyen Ky Restaurant – Hakka Cuisine” in both Vietnamese and Chinese, the restaurant welcomes guests with a vintage and nostalgic ambiance. The first floor houses an altar with Chinese couplets and a kitchen area. While the space may seem somewhat cluttered, it exudes a cozy and familiar vibe, akin to dining at a relative’s home.
As you ascend to the upper floor, you’ll find stainless steel tables and chairs neatly arranged. The dining area is not overly spacious, accommodating only about a dozen tables, but it is always bustling with diners, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. Despite the limited space, the restaurant maintains a spotless environment, with gleaming tables and chairs and a trash-free floor. The staff is attentive and enthusiastic, always ready to assist guests with menu choices and seating arrangements.
With a history spanning nearly 80 years, Truyen Ky restaurant has faithfully preserved the traditional flavors crafted by Hakka chefs. The restaurant traces its roots to Mr. Nguyen Huu Truyen’s mobile food cart and is now run by Mr. Huynh Nhat Tai, Mr. Truyen’s grandson. Driven by the desire to safeguard his family’s culinary legacy and create a cozy gathering space, Mr. Tai has dedicated himself to upholding and expanding the restaurant’s reputation.
Truyen Ky opens only for lunch and dinner, and each session offers a limited time to savor their special dishes. Here, diners not only indulge in delicious food but also immerse themselves in a warm and nostalgic atmosphere, imbued with distinct cultural nuances of the Hakka people in the heart of modern Saigon.
Nearly 80 Years of History, Homely Ambiance
Diverse Menu, Portions Adjusted for Group Size
Truyen Ky boasts an extensive menu with over 80 home-style dishes, ranging from stir-fried, steamed, and fried options to stews, meeting the diverse tastes of its patrons.
The quality of the dishes lives up to their visual appeal, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.
One unique aspect of Truyen Ky is that prices are not listed on the menu. Instead, the restaurant adjusts the portions based on the number of diners, allowing guests to sample a variety of dishes without waste.
Diverse Menu, Portions Adjusted for Group Size
Signature Dishes You Must Try
Truyen Ky’s allure lies in its unique signature dishes, such as salted steamed chicken, braised taro with five-spice pork belly, Dong Jiang tofu, fried crispy intestines, and braised pork offal hotpot.
Truyen Ky’s Salted Steamed Chicken
Fresh local chicken is carefully selected and meticulously cleaned following a proprietary process. It is then coated with salt and steamed to perfection, resulting in a dish with a distinctive flavor.
The chicken meat is tender and sweet, infused with the briny essence of salt. The skin is golden and glistening, providing a satisfying crunch. The dish fills the air with an irresistible aroma, tantalizing your taste buds and offering an unforgettable culinary experience.
The salted steamed chicken is accompanied by a dip made of salt, pepper, and oil, creating a savory blend of flavors. Each bite of chicken, when dipped in this mixture, bursts with a harmonious blend of tastes.
Truyen Ky’s Salted Steamed Chicken
Braised Taro with Five-Spice Pork Belly
Famous at Truyen Ky, this dish captivates diners with the unique combination of tender, fatty pork belly and sweet taro. Thick slices of pork belly are interspersed with chunks of taro and slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce. As you take a bite, your palate will be delighted by the perfect harmony of salty-sweet sauce, rich pork, and starchy taro. Enjoying this dish with steaming hot rice enhances its heartiness.
Braised Taro with Five-Spice Pork Belly
Fried Crispy Intestines
Crispy intestines, also known as khau linh, are the last part of the large intestine (or old intestine) of a pig. In Northern Vietnam, they are commonly referred to as khau duoi. This dish is skillfully prepared to eliminate any unpleasant odors, resulting in a delicious specialty with a distinctive flavor. The golden-fried intestines are accompanied by honey for dipping, creating a unique blend of sweet and savory flavors. While this combination may seem unusual to some, those who try it often find themselves hooked on this unique treat.
Fried Crispy Intestines
Dong Jiang Tofu
At Truyen Ky, diners not only immerse themselves in the vintage ambiance but also fall in love with the unique flavors of Dong Jiang tofu. This dish captivates with the harmonious blend of bitter gourd’s mild bitterness, chili’s spiciness, and the creamy texture of tofu stuffed with minced meat.
The highlight of this dish lies in the bitter gourd and chili stuffed with soft fish paste. Each bite offers a delicate fusion of sweet fish, bitter gourd, and spicy chili. The thick, savory sauce enhances the overall experience, making it hard for diners to resist.
Dong Jiang Tofu
Braised Pork Offal Hotpot
Truyen Ky’s braised pork offal hotpot offers a refreshing take on the traditional dish. The unique combination of offal and sour pickles (fermented mustard greens) creates a balanced flavor profile, reducing the potential for palate fatigue.
To complete the meal, consider ordering a side of ox knee soup with Chinese herbs and beef. This soup exudes a refined herbal aroma, blending seamlessly with the sweetness of beef and ox knee. The Chinese herbs are subtle yet distinct, leaving a lingering, delightful aftertaste.
Braised Pork Offal Hotpot
This concludes our overview of Truyen Ky, renowned for its Hakka cuisine. We hope you found this information useful. Go ahead and indulge in the unique Hakka culinary delights at this restaurant!