Taste Bud Twister: Exploring the Unique Flavors of Chaozhou-Style Family Meals in Cho Lon District

If you're craving Chinese food, we've got just the spot for you. Indulge in the delicious and renowned Teochew cuisine at Hong Bang Teochew Porridge. This restaurant specializes in a unique blend of flavors and offers a dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds. With every bite, you'll be transported to the vibrant culture and heritage of the Teochew region.

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Strolling along the bustling Hong Bang street, near Thuan Kieu Plaza, “Com Chao Trieu Chau 63” stands out with its vibrant signage, attracting diners’ attention. Today, let’s indulge in some delicious Chaozhou-style Chinese food cooked by the Chaozhou people themselves!

1 Introduction to Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 Hong Bang

Introduction to Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 Hong Bang

Restaurant Quality: 4.4/5 (Rated by Google)

Address: 663 Hong Bang, Ward 6, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening Hours: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Usually busy at 6:00 PM)

Price Range: From 70,000 VND/dish

Phone Number: None

Facebook: None

Delivery: None

Menu: Mixed offal stew, braised pig’s knuckles, bitter melon soup, tofu and meat stew, etc.

Signature Dish: Mixed offal stew

Pros: Long-established restaurant, diverse menu, authentic Chaozhou flavors

Cons: The authentic Chaozhou flavors may not suit everyone’s taste.

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy authentic Chaozhou cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City, look no further than Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 Hong Bang. This restaurant captivates diners with its distinctive flavors and attentive service.

Located at 663 Hong Bang Street, Ward 6, District 6, the restaurant impresses with its cozy and rustic ambiance, showcasing the distinctive cultural identity of the Chaozhou people. The diverse and rich menu features signature dishes such as mixed offal stew, braised pig’s knuckles, bitter melon soup, and tofu and meat stew. Each dish is carefully and elaborately prepared from fresh and high-quality ingredients, resulting in irresistible flavors.

The mixed offal stew, the star of the menu, delights diners with its rich broth, blending perfectly with the creamy texture of pig’s intestines, knuckles, and ears, and a hint of spiciness from chili peppers. The braised pig’s knuckles are tender and melt-in-your-mouth, complemented by a sweet and nutritious broth. The bitter melon soup is refreshing, with the bitterness of the melon balancing the sweetness of the broth to create a harmonious flavor. The tofu and meat stew is another standout, with the tofu absorbing the rich flavors of the broth, resulting in a soft and creamy texture that goes perfectly with hot rice.

Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 Hong Bang captivates diners not only with its delicious cuisine but also with its warm and enthusiastic service. The reasonable prices make it accessible to all types of customers.

Located at 663 Hong Bang Street, Ward 6, District 6, the restaurant exudes a cozy ambiance.

2 What Makes Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 Hong Bang So Appealing to Diners?

A Three-Generation Family Business

Stepping into Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 on Hong Bang Street, diners will encounter the familiar setting of a traditional Chaozhou restaurant: the owner bustling behind the counter in the middle of the old house.

Mr. Long, the 52-year-old current owner, shares that the family business has been passed down to the third generation, and he himself has been dedicated to preserving the traditional flavors for over 30 years.My grandfather used to live in Jieyang, Chaozhou (China) and worked as a porridge seller. When he moved to Cho Lon, he continued this trade and passed it on to my father. My siblings and I later took over the business, and it has been almost 80 years now,” Mr. Long shares as he attends to his tasks.

Three large pots simmering on a charcoal stove capture the attention of diners. One pot contains mixed offal stew with pig intestines, stomach, tongue, and ears, all cooked with pickled vegetables. The middle pot contains pig’s knuckles, also braised with pickled vegetables. The third pot, slightly smaller, holds bitter melon soup with generously stuffed meat fillings.

According to Mr. Long, the Chaozhou people use pickled vegetables to balance the richness of the offal and knuckles. Both the offal and knuckles are braised for 3-4 hours, using a significant amount of pickled vegetables to create the perfect flavor. Specifically, the restaurant sells about 15 kg of offal per day, and it’s always sold out. They prefer to maintain a family-style atmosphere, ensuring that customers don’t have to wait in long lines like at other famous eateries.

The restaurant has been passed down through three generations.

The Name “Com Chao Trieu Chau” and the Absence of Porridge

Some customers may wonder why the restaurant is named Com Chao Trieu Chau when there is no porridge on the menu. Mr. Long explains that the term “com chao” reflects a long-standing tradition and habit of the Chaozhou people. Historically, the Chaozhou people typically ate porridge for their daily meals instead of plain rice. The phrase “com chao” thus signifies the family dining culture of the Chaozhou people.

Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 captivates diners not only with its delicious cuisine but also with its rich family history that has been preserved through generations. It is an ideal destination for those seeking to experience authentic Chaozhou flavors and immerse themselves in a warm and intimate atmosphere.

The name “Com Chao Trieu Chau” reflects a tradition, even though porridge is not served.

Diverse Menu and Meticulous Preparation

Mixed offal stew, bitter melon soup, and tofu and pork stew – these three dishes are the classics that keep customers coming back to Com Chao Trieu Chau 63.

What sets this restaurant apart is its unique service style: each customer is automatically served two bowls of rice instead of one large bowl, as is customary. This approach is both convenient for diners and helps reduce food waste.

The mixed offal stew is a standout, captivating diners with its unique flavors. The offal, tongue, and stomach are perfectly tender, blending harmoniously with the slightly sour taste of pickled vegetables. The dish is served with two types of dipping sauces: fish sauce with chili and garlic in the Vietnamese style, and soy sauce with chili, accommodating different preferences.

The bitter melon soup is a refreshing choice, effectively cooling down the palate. The bitter melon is cooked to a soft texture, and the original meat filling is fragrant and not fishy at all. The sweet and light broth blends beautifully with the slight bitterness of the melon, creating a well-balanced dish.

The tofu and pork stew is another star on the menu. The tofu is soft and creamy, absorbing the rich flavors of the pork broth. This simple dish leaves a lasting impression with its unique taste.

With a price of 220,000 VND for a full set meal, Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 may seem a bit pricey to some. However, the excellent food quality, unique flavors, and attentive service make it a beloved dining destination for many.

Diverse menu and meticulous preparation ensure a delightful dining experience.

Com Chao Trieu Chau 63 is undoubtedly a fantastic choice for those craving authentic Chaozhou cuisine in the heart of bustling Saigon. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in this unique dining experience!

Frequently asked questions

Chaozhou cuisine, also known as Teochew cuisine, originates from the Chaoshan region of China’s Guangdong province. It’s known for its unique flavors and cooking techniques that set it apart from other Chinese culinary traditions. Chaozhou cuisine emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, with a focus on seafood and a preference for light, healthy dishes. One of the key characteristics is the use of ‘Kung Fu’ fire control, a technique that involves precise control of fire and heat to bring out the best flavors in each ingredient.

The Chaozhou people have a long history of migration and trade, which is reflected in their cuisine. The use of light and healthy cooking methods, as well as a preference for seafood, can be attributed to their coastal origins. Chaozhou cuisine also showcases their cultural values of frugality and simplicity, with an emphasis on bringing out the natural flavors of ingredients rather than masking them with heavy sauces or spices.

When exploring Chaozhou-style family meals in Cho Lon District, some must-try dishes include Oyster Omelet (Go Ken Xao Trung), Fish Porridge (Chao Ca), and Braised Duck (Vit Kho). These dishes showcase the unique flavors and cooking techniques of Chaozhou cuisine, combining fresh ingredients with delicate spices and herbs.

Key ingredients in Chaozhou cuisine include fresh seafood, pork, and a variety of vegetables. As for spices and herbs, Chaozhou cuisine often uses garlic, shallots, and fermented beans to enhance flavors. A unique ingredient is the ‘punip’ (a type of fermented soybean), which adds a deep, savory note to dishes. The balanced use of these ingredients and spices creates the distinct, delicate flavors that define Chaozhou cuisine.

The Chaozhou culinary tradition has been preserved through family recipes passed down from generation to generation, with each family having their own unique twists. In Cho Lon District, the Chaozhou community has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting their culinary heritage. Many Chaozhou-style restaurants in the area are run by families who have migrated from the Chaoshan region, ensuring that traditional cooking techniques and flavors are faithfully reproduced.