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The Tasty Five: Indulgent Delights to Savour in Saigon’s Rainy Season

The Saigon skies open up and your tummy grumbles for some comfort food? Fear not, these 5 hearty dishes will warm your soul and fuel your body!

Administrator

23 September, 2024

Beef Hot Pot

There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of beef hot pot to chase away the cold on rainy days. The key to a great hot pot lies in the broth, which should be packed with flavor from skillfully simmered bones. The beef must also meet the highest standards of tenderness and texture to provide a sublime dining experience. Accompanying vegetables such as napa cabbage, bok choy, and water spinach not only add nutritional value but also enhance the flavor, making for a truly indulgent feast.

Today, beef hot pot has evolved to include a variety of ingredients and cooking styles. For the main protein, diners can choose from options like beef shank, oxtail, beef tendon, and brisket. Additionally, supplementary ingredients such as taro, soft tofu, and fried tofu offer even more enticing choices. A typical beef hot pot serves 3-4 people and is reasonably priced between 150,000 and 250,000 VND, making it a perfect choice for a cozy gathering on a rainy day.

Spicy Korean Noodles

The perfect blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors makes Spicy Korean Noodles a favorite among the youth. This dish is simple yet irresistible, thanks to its signature spicy broth. A variety of accompanying ingredients such as clams, seafood, sausage, mushrooms, and beef cater to different tastes. And let’s not forget the kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine, which adds a unique twist to this spicy noodle dish.

The recipe has been adjusted to suit the Vietnamese palate, allowing diners to choose their preferred level of spiciness. To fully enjoy this dish, it’s best to devour it while it’s still hot and steaming. Prices for spicy Korean noodles vary depending on the main ingredient, ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 VND.

Crab Soup

Crab soup is a delicate yet nourishing dish, perfect for rainy days. With its mild warmth, this soup provides a comforting feeling without being too heavy. Its creamy texture and rich seafood flavor have made it a favorite among many. The main ingredients include fresh crab meat and bone broth, with cornstarch and tapioca starch added for that signature thickness. Carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and corn complete the dish, providing a delightful blend of flavors. For an extra indulgent touch, some like to add century eggs or pig brains, taking this soup to a whole new level.

Crab soup can be found everywhere, from street vendors to upscale restaurants. On rainy days, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot crab soup—it’s not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients to boost your energy and immunity. Prices vary depending on the establishment, but a bowl of this comforting soup typically costs between 40,000 and 70,000 VND.

Offal Stew

Offal Stew is a beloved delicacy in Saigon’s food scene, with roots tracing back to Chinese cuisine. The flavors have been adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes. This stew features a variety of offal, including beef and pork stomach, liver, and intestines, carefully prepared and slow-cooked to perfection.
The stew’s broth is the star of the show, made from fresh coconut water and a blend of spices like five-spice powder, pepper, and herbs. It’s creamy, fragrant, and utterly delicious. Offal Stew is typically enjoyed with bread, rice, or fresh and instant noodles, making it a hearty and nutritious meal.
Offal Stew is easy on the wallet, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 VND per serving, and it can be found all over Saigon’s bustling streets.

Frog Porridge

On chilly, rainy days, there’s nothing like a warm and hearty bowl of frog porridge to hit the spot. Frogs are cooked with a generous mix of spices, including garlic, ginger, chili, and soy sauce, resulting in a fragrant and spicy dish. When combined with plain porridge, the flavors come together in perfect harmony.

Frog meat is also highly nutritious, packed with protein, low in fat, and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. A serving of frog porridge typically costs between 40,000 and 70,000 VND, depending on the establishment and the amount of frog meat included. It’s a comforting and energizing dish that’s perfect for rainy weather.