Hoàng Lan

Thái Hồng Lam from Sài Gòn (locally known as HCM City) would never forget the beautiful setting at Ngon Sài Gòn which was decorated with thousands of fresh flowers, and full of the tasty and aromatic flavours of Sài Gòn at this restaurant located in Hà Nội downtown.

Fifty year old Lam,  who arrived in Hà Nội for the country’s Unification Day to spend time with his family, said it was the first time he had enjoyed such an amazing setting for a restaurant and its Garden of Freedom.

“My family and I are very happy to get together to enjoy such memorable dishes such as roasted chicken salad, crab with sticky rice and savory hotpots, all the while surrounded by flowers. It’s really great time for all of us,” Lam said.

Lam said he especially liked lẩu bông (snakehead fish hotpot with fresh flowers & vegetables).

“ It is a unique combination of fresh snakehead and a savory broth which is cooked from river-leaf creeper and tomato creating a special flavour combination of light sweet, light sour and light salt. 

“It’s enjoyable because each piece of snakehead is enriched with the broth flavour. It is eaten with 15 sorts of flowers, vegetables and fresh noodles, " said Lam, adding that the dish is perfectly suited to the changing seasons.

Lam’s Hanoian friend Lê Quỳnh Diễm said she was particularly impressed by the new and beautiful decoration of the restaurant at 8 Dã Tượng, including the bouquets of fresh flowers set in and around the restaurant's borders, along with the Garden of Freedom.

The outdoor seating is surrounded by green trees while indoors the restaurant, set over three floors, has a modern decor but is also reflective of the traditional Sài Gòn too, Diễm said.

Diễm told Việt Nam News that the restaurant offers hundreds of tasty dishes to serve all foodies and gourmets from the country’s three regions.

She said:  “I like grilled hemibagrus fish soaked with chili and fried crab vermicelli dishes and several others. All are enjoyable," adding that she was also impressed with the desserts.

The restaurant's banana pudding has its original Sài Gòn taste while the special garlic pudding is a mix of coconut juice and garlic, creating an attractive dish that is unforgettable, Diễm said.

Đỗ Thị Mai and her boyfriend Hoàng Quân in Hà Nội’s Hai Bà Trưng District, said they often enjoy breakfast at Ngon Sài Gòn.

“Bún bò Nam Bộ (southern beef soup) here is so excellent that we often order it as it gives us lots of energy so we can work very hard without any tiredness,” said Mai, noting that the iced-milk coffee is also enjoyable.

Mai said there are still many dishes and drinks for breakfast that they still have to try. “We will continue to come here.”

Mai said when they are busy, the couple often enjoy a lunch menu which includes new harvested rice, braised fish with quality fish sauce from Phú Quốc, white pepper and chilli and a plate of fried chive flowers and a hot sour soup.

Phạm Bích Hạnh, owner and CEO of the Quán Ăn Ngon restaurant chain, which includes Ngon Sài Gòn, said when visitors and guests arrive they can be sure to have unforgettable dishes and embrace a culture imbued with Sài Gòn style, served inside a stunning Hà Nội restaurant. An unforgettable experience for all foodies.

The dishes to sample include pork meatballs, a famous rice noodle soup with shrimp and pork from Chợ Lớn, as well as crab hotpot and others. All are being brought to Ngon Sài Gòn.

Those foodies who love Sài Gòn dishes, the culture and who enjoy the charm, openess and beauty of the Saigonese, are invited to Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant to experience its beautiful new flowers and paintings, delightful decor and tasty and delicious dishes, cooked by professional chefs from the country’s three regions, said Hạnh.

VNS