Frommer's Review
Ngon means "delicious," and, for authentic Vietnamese, this restaurant lives up to its name and gets my vote for the best in Vietnam. Ngon has become a real Ho Chi Minh institution and is always packed with both locals and tourists; they've even built a new location nearby to handle the overflow. The atmosphere is chaotic: a cacophony of laughing, chattering guests, shouting waiters, and clanging pots and pans. Seating is a mix of regular table dining in the central colonial or in the balcony or courtyard out back. The main building is surrounded by cooking stations, each serving a regional specialty. The menu is a survey course in Vietnamese cooking, and the tuition is low. Go with a Vietnamese friend, if you can, or someone who can explain some of the regional specialties. If you're alone, just point and shoot. Everything is good. They have Hue-style bun bo (cold noodles with beef); a catalog of pho (noodle soup); and all kinds of seafood. Meals here are best as leisurely, many-course affairs, but go just for a snack if you're visiting the Reunification Palace or any sights downtown. Don't miss it!
Note: Also check out their other restaurant, just west of the central Notre Dame Cathedral (88 Nguyen Du; tel. 08/827-7896; daily 10am-10pm). While the original Ngon Restaurant focuses on regional food, Nha Hang Com Ngon, which means "Delicious Rice Restaurant," delivers more local Saigon cuisine with a focus on rice. The decor is a unique faux colonial that includes a two-story courtyard area with balcony seating.
Also try the buffet-style dining at Nha Hang Tu Chon Ngon (25 Le Thanh Ton, District 1; tel. 08/824-3790), which is housed in a colonial-style building with a small courtyard near the busy expat and business area on Le Thanh Ton. Eight dollars gets you a fine lunch, and $10 (£5.55) a great dinner.
Warning: Service at both of these restaurants is getting better, but this isn't Temple Club. You'll have to flag down staff, and ordering means pointing to the menu, but restaurant service in a real Vietnamese restaurant is never doting or effusive, so think of it this way: You're not being ignored, you're just getting the real thing.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
