Tucked away in an alley on Ton That Dam Street, District 1, Saigon, Xa Li rice restaurant is a hidden gem in the bustling city, captivating diners with its unique and timeless Chinese cuisine.
Xa Li rice restaurant does not have a grand sign, only a simple setup with a few plastic tables and chairs arranged neatly indoors. However, the place attracts a large number of diners due to its delicious and characteristic Chinese stews. Discover it with us.
1. Introduction to Xa Li Clay Pot Rice, Ton That Dam
Introduction to Xa Li Clay Pot Rice, Ton That Dam
Restaurant Quality: 4.9/5 (Rated by Google)
Address: 76/6 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Price Range: 45,000 – 85,000 VND/dish
Phone Number: 02838210929
Website: None
Facebook: None
Delivery: No
Menu Highlights: Pork tail with shiitake mushrooms, pork tail with taro, black-boned chicken stewed in Chinese herbal soup, chicken wings with shiitake mushrooms, chicken wings with dong chong xia cao (a type of fungus), chicken feet with dong chong xia cao, pork ribs with pig brain and dried vegetables, pork ribs with dried vegetables, chicken feet with peanuts, and more.
Signature Dish: Three-colored steamed egg
Pros: Delicious food with a characteristic light taste, well-known for a long time, affordable prices.
Cons: Located in an small alley, limited parking space.
Unlike its sibling restaurant bustling on the main street, Xa Li clay pot rice restaurant has a distinct “introverted” character. The restaurant only serves lunch and offers a limited number of dishes each day, creating a sense of curiosity and attraction for diners.
Xa Li rice restaurant used to be known as My Huong clay pot rice, run by a Chinese family since ancient times. Catering mainly to the local community and regular customers, the restaurant closed down after 1975. In the early 2000s, the son of the family took over and renamed it Xa Li, bringing back the flavors of home to Saigon.
When visiting Xa Li, diners are advised to make reservations or arrive early to fully enjoy the dishes on offer. Each day, the restaurant prepares a limited quantity of each dish, regardless of the number of customers. This ensures that the quality of the food remains consistent, providing a refined and complete culinary experience for diners.
Although the menu at Xa Li is not extensive, it stands out for its uniqueness and refinement. There are around 15 savory dishes prepared using steaming, stewing, and braising techniques, with no stir-fried, boiled, or deep-fried options. Each dish is carefully crafted, delivering rich and memorable flavors.
Prices at Xa Li are reasonable, accommodating various budgets. Clay pot rice costs only 4,000 VND, while dishes range from 45,000 to 85,000 VND. For two people, ordering 2-3 dishes is usually sufficient to savor the unique Chinese flavors on offer.
While the menu at Xa Li may not be extensive, it captivates diners with its unique and refined dishes.
2. What Makes Xa Li Clay Pot Rice, Ton That Dam, So Enticing?
A Humble Shop Without a Sign, but Delicious Food Worth Reserving
Nestled deep in an alley on Ton That Dam Street, Xa Li rice restaurant lacks a grand sign but makes up for it with its cozy and inviting atmosphere. The space is simple yet warm and homey, as if you’re dining in someone’s home.
What sets Xa Li apart is that they prepare a limited quantity of each dish daily, and do not sell more even when there is high demand. Diners are advised to book in advance or arrive early to avoid disappointment. This is because the owners, an elderly couple, have limited energy and their kitchen space is small, restricting the number of steaming pots they can use.
Mr. Minh, the owner, shared that he stays up every night from 12 am to prepare and pre-process the ingredients. The dishes are then steamed from 4 am onwards to ensure freshness and taste. The restaurant opens at 9 am and closes at 1 pm. Previously, they used to operate in the evenings as well, but due to no-shows, they now only serve customers during the day.
A humble shop without a sign, but delicious food worth reserving.
A Menu Featuring Only Steamed, Stewed, and Braised Dishes
Upon entering Xa Li, diners are greeted by a menu of over 15 unique savory dishes, all prepared using steaming, stewing, and braising techniques. There are no stir-fried, deep-fried, or boiled options, offering a novel and refined culinary experience. The stewed dishes are slow-cooked for at least four hours, infused with the family’s secret fire-watching technique, resulting in irresistible flavors and high nutritional value.
The star of Xa Li’s menu is undoubtedly the three-colored steamed egg dish. A harmonious blend of chicken, duck, salted, and century eggs with minced pork creates a unique flavor profile. The soft and creamy eggs are complemented by the salted egg’s buttery texture, the century egg’s strong aroma, and the sweet and savory notes of the meat. This flavor explosion is best enjoyed with a dash of soy sauce and hot white rice, showcasing the essence of refined Chinese cuisine.
A menu featuring only steamed, stewed, and braised dishes.
The hallmark of Xa Li’s stewed dishes is their natural sweetness, derived from fresh ingredients and a delicate blend of spices. The pork ribs with pig brain and dong chong xia cao (a type of fungus) melt in your mouth, while the chicken with ginger is subtly flavored, and the pork kidneys stewed in Chinese herbal soup is rich and distinctive. Each dish offers a distinct sensory experience while nourishing your body.
Additionally, the restaurant offers a variety of other steamed and stewed dishes, including pork tail with shiitake mushrooms, pork tail with taro, black-boned chicken stewed in Chinese herbal soup, chicken wings with shiitake mushrooms, chicken wings and feet with dong chong xia cao, pork ribs with dried vegetables, and chicken feet with peanuts. Each dish is carefully crafted to preserve the original flavors and provide nutritious and healthy options.
The star of Xa Li’s menu is undoubtedly the three-colored steamed egg dish.
Xa Li rice restaurant is not just a dining destination but also a keeper of traditional Chinese cultural values in the heart of Saigon. It promises to offer diners a unique and memorable culinary experience. Make sure to book your meal in advance and join us on this delicious journey!
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