Travel

The Ultimate Battle of Broths: A Tasty Adventure in Chinese and Vietnamese Hot Pot Styles

Originating from the Teochew people, 'Phá Lấu' has become a familiar dish for Vietnamese foodies. Do you prefer the authentic Teochew taste or the flavorful Vietnamese-style 'Phá Lấu'? It's time to indulge and find out!

Administrator

9 June, 2024

Discover the unique culinary delights of Phá Lấu, a dish with roots in the Chaozhou people’s migration, now a beloved staple of Vietnamese cuisine. Join us as we explore two distinct flavors of this iconic dish: the authentic Chaozhou style and the hearty Vietnamese twist, at two well-known eateries in Saigon.

1 Indulge in the Authentic Chaozhou Flavor at Phá Lấu Tâm Ký, District 5

Taste the authentic Chaozhou-style Phá Lấu at Tâm Ký, located in District 5.

Restaurant Quality: 4.3/5 (Google Review)

Address: 823 Nguyen Trai, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Usually busy at 7:00 PM)

Price Range: 20,000 – 300,000 VND

Phone Number: 0906892799

Facebook: Tam Ky

Delivery: None

Menu Highlights: Pig offal, tongue, tripe, pig ears, chicken feet, tofu, duck eggs, and more.

Signature Dish: Full Phá Lấu set

Pros: Long-established restaurant, diverse toppings, unique Chaozhou flavors.

Cons: Primarily take-out, strong herbal scent from the Chaozhou-style broth may not appeal to all palates.

With over 30 years of experience, Tâm Ký offers a humble take-out service with a simple cart and a bubbling broth cauldron.

Famous in the Chợ Lớn area, Phá Lấu Tâm Ký on Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, is a must-visit destination for street food enthusiasts. This eatery captivates diners with its traditional Chaozhou-style Phá Lấu, delivering a robust and memorable flavor profile.

With over three decades of experience, Tâm Ký has perfected the art of take-out dining, operating from a simple cart with a constantly boiling broth cauldron. The secret to their success lies in their 24-hour simmered broth, which tenderizes the ingredients and infuses them with a perfect blend of spices.

Tâm Ký offers a diverse menu featuring pig offal, tongue, tripe, pig ears, chicken feet, tofu, and duck eggs.

The menu at Tâm Ký is extensive, featuring pig offal, tongue, tripe, pig ears, chicken feet, tofu, and duck eggs. Each ingredient is carefully selected and meticulously prepared before being cooked in their special broth.

The Phá Lấu broth boasts a beautiful brown hue, with a sweet and savory flavor derived from bone marrow, enhanced by the spicy warmth of Chinese herbal medicine. The aroma of this dish is so enticing that it can be smelled from a distance, tantalizing both the sense of smell and taste.

The skilled chefs at Tâm Ký finely slice the ingredients, ensuring they are easy to eat. The dish is then served in a bag with the hot broth, accompanied by pickled vegetables and a self-made dipping sauce. This combination creates a perfect harmony of salty, sour, and sweet flavors, leaving a lasting impression.

2 Experience Vietnamese-Style Phá Lấu at Phá Lấu Bò Ngọc Hân, District 12

Embark on a culinary journey at Phá Lấu Bò Ngọc Hân in District 12, where you’ll discover a unique Vietnamese take on Phá Lấu.

Restaurant Quality: 4.3/5 (Google Review)

Address: 43 To Ky, Dong Hung Thuan, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening Hours: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Usually busy at 6:00 PM)

Price Range: 20,000 – 40,000 VND

Phone Number: 0937471480

Facebook: Phá Lấu Bò Ngọc Hân

Delivery: None

Menu Highlights: Phá Lấu bowls, mixed noodles.

Signature Dish: Large Phá Lấu bowl (approximately 40,000 VND)

Pros: Delicious food, diverse toppings, Vietnamese-style flavors.

Cons: Tends to get crowded, and seating may fill up quickly during peak hours.

Phá Lấu Bò Ngọc Hân is located at B43 To Ky, Dong Hung Thuan, District 12, offering a delightful Vietnamese take on this classic dish.

With the abundance of Phá Lấu eateries sprouting up, finding a go-to spot for this street food favorite can be challenging. Phá Lấu Bò Ngọc Hân, situated at B43 To Ky, Dong Hung Thuan, District 12, is a haven for those who crave the fragrant and hearty flavors of Vietnamese-style Phá Lấu.

For over eight years, Ngọc Hân has solidified its reputation by offering exceptional food quality at affordable prices. Upon entering, diners are greeted by a vibrant display of carefully arranged ingredients in a glass case. The Phá Lấu is cut into bite-sized pieces, ensuring a complete experience with elements like tendons, fat, young lungs, honeycomb tripe, and star fruit.

What sets Ngọc Hân apart is their rich and flavorful broth, embodying the distinctive character of Vietnamese-style Phá Lấu. Unlike the Chaozhou-style, which relies on Chinese herbal medicine broth, Ngọc Hân’s broth is crafted from offal stock, fresh coconut water, coconut milk, cinnamon, and five-spice powder. The sweetness of the stock blends beautifully with the creamy richness of coconut milk, creating a symphony of flavors that is hard to resist.

Ngọc Hân’s memorable broth captures the essence of Vietnamese-style Phá Lấu.

Diners can enjoy their Phá Lấu with either bread or mixed noodles, depending on their preference. The signature dipping sauce, a blend of meaty plum and chili, is crafted with a unique recipe that strikes a balance between sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, enhancing the overall dining experience.

These two eateries, each with their unique take on Phá Lấu, offer a delightful culinary journey through Saigon’s diverse food scene. We invite you to explore these flavors and share your preference for the Chaozhou or Vietnamese style with us!