Vietnam is divided into three regions, each boasting its own unique culinary delights. If you’re from the South but crave the flavors of the North, or if you’re a Northerner living in Saigon, you’ll surely miss the authentic Northern dishes. To satisfy these cravings, we’ve curated a list of 5 must-visit restaurants in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, where you can savor the true essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
1 Phương Xưa Restaurant
Phương Xưa Restaurant
Rating: 4.0/5 (Google Reviews)
Address: 86 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Price Range: VND 200,000 – 400,000
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 21:00 (peak hours: 19:00 – 20:00)
Facebook: Nhà Hàng Phương Xưa
Phone: 02839302793
Delivery: Not available
Pros: Spacious (seats 250), parking available
Cons: Slow service during peak hours.
Phương Xưa Restaurant seamlessly blends Western architecture with Eastern motifs, creating an elegant yet cozy ambiance. Here, you can indulge in authentic Northern specialties like Hanoi Spring Rolls, Carp with Pickled Mustard Greens, Dong Tao Chicken with Chili Salt, Lobster Thermidor, Escargot Salad, and Phương Xưa Hotpot, all crafted by experienced chefs.
Ambiance at Phương Xưa
2 Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm A Chảnh
Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm A Chảnh
Rating: 6.9/10 (Foody)
Address: 359 Nguyen Thuong Hien, Ward 11, District 3, HCMC
Price Range: VND 23,000 – 55,000
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Facebook: Bún Đậu A Chảnh – 359 Nguyen Thuong Hien, Ward 11, District 10
Delivery: Available (Now, Grab)
Pros: Generous portions, delicious food
Cons: Limited parking space.
Despite its compact space, Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm A Chảnh offers a hearty bún đậu mắm tôm (rice vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste) platter, complete with pork belly, crispy tofu, pork throat, tripe, nem chua (cured sausage), and herbs. The shrimp paste is mild and easy on the palate, while the tofu is perfectly crispy.
3 Bún Chả Ánh Hồng
Bún Chả Ánh Hồng
Rating: 4.1/5 (Google Reviews)
Address: 140 Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 14, District 3, HCMC
Price Range: VND 15,000 – 55,000
Opening Hours: 06:30 – 20:00 (peak at 12:00)
Phone: 02839307878
Delivery: Available (Now)
Pros: Delicious food, friendly service
Cons: Crowded, small space.
Though small, Bún Chả Ánh Hồng serves up bún chả (grilled pork with rice vermicelli) that’s exceptionally flavorful, with tender meat and rich dipping sauce, true to Hanoi’s tradition. The affordable prices and cheerful staff make it a favorite.
4 Quà Hà Nội Quán
Quà Hà Nội Quán
Rating: 4.0/5 (Google Reviews)
Address: 21/1 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Price Range: VND 25,000 – 99,000
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 22:00 (Mon – Sat)
Facebook: Quà Hà Nội Quán – 21/1 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3
Phone: 0919192868
Delivery: Available (Now)
Pros: Delicious food, attentive service
Cons: Crowded, small space, located in an alley.
Quà Hà Nội Quán offers a variety of Northern delights suitable for any meal. Despite its compact size, the staff is attentive. Signature dishes include bún đậu mắm tôm, bún ngan (duck vermicelli), bún cá (fish vermicelli), bún dọc mùng (bamboo shoot vermicelli), and chả cá Lã Vọng (Hanoi grilled fish), all made with carefully selected ingredients.
Reference: How to Make Authentic Hanoi Chả Cá Lã Vọng at Home
5 Ngõ 8 – Trà Chanh & Lẩu Riêu Cua Đồng
Ngõ 8 – Trà Chanh & Lẩu Riêu Cua Đồng
Rating: 4.1/5 (Google Reviews)
Address: 35 Truong Dinh, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Price Range: VND 10,000 – 198,000
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 13:30 | 15:30 – 23:30 (peak: 19:00 – 20:00)
Delivery: Available (Now)
Facebook: Ngõ 8
Phone: 0972620333
Pros: Delicious food, friendly service
Cons: Crowded, long wait times.
Ngõ 8 may be small, but it offers a wide array of Hanoi street food like bánh gối (fried dumplings), nem chua rán (fried cured sausage), salted beef, and phở chiên (fried pho). The star attraction is the lẩu riêu cua đồng (freshwater crab hotpot), the first of its kind in Saigon.
We hope this list of 5 top Northern cuisine restaurants in District 3 helps you find the perfect spot for your weekend dining with family and friends!
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