Is this Saigon’s best value meal?

Ok, it’s not a 12,000 dong bowl of noodle soup at Tan Dinh market (my local – and yes, that is a bargain!), or any other cheap Vietnamese treat, but a 195,000 dong set menu at French restaurant Ty Coz. Specifically, an authentic and delicious 3-course French meal of substantial serving size for around US$12!

Ty Coz is homely and quaint with a French seaside cottage feel – well, as much as you can imagine in a skinny, multi-storey, concrete Vietnamese building. Tucked down an alley off Pasteur (behind Au Parc Cafe) it’s the kind of place you can have a raucous group dinner with screaming baby in tow and no-one seems to mind (perfect!). The owners are really friendly and happy to explain the specials in both French and English.

The specialty is mussels (moules) and there are lots of flavours to choose from, with variations on the cream and white wine theme plus others like curry or blue cheese. I couldn’t resist the great value set menu and opted for a tuna pancake (galette), followed by mussels with a garlic/white wine/cream sauce and a lemon tart for dessert. The pancake was a thin, wholemeal crepe filled with chunks of tender tuna and vegetables – a healthy, wholesome choice. The mussels were accompanied by a bowl of delicious frites and were beautifully cooked, while the lemon tart was the best I’ve ever eaten – light, fresh and equally sweet and sour.

For real, hearty French cuisine, value for money, great service and an unpretentious, fun atmosphere, Ty Coz is the perfect dinner destination.

Ty Coz,Β 178/4 Pasteur Street, D1,Β Saigon

3 Responses

  1. Anonymous December 2, 2008 / 8:11 pm

    My wife, four year old daughter and me plan to visit Saigon this holiday season. I’ve noted some of your restaurant recommendations. Thanks! PW

  2. Brown2lip December 4, 2008 / 7:29 am

    Great post! I’m reserving a bday dinner there tonight even though there’re some rumours abot the quality having downgraded recently. I had dinner there last year and it was a great experience.

  3. A Girl in Asia December 4, 2008 / 7:56 am

    PW – you’re welcome!

    Brown2lip – I can’t compare it to last year but I thought the quality was great, have a good b’day dinner! Liz

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