Obsessed… in Saigon

Mini profiteroles at L’Usine

I love to try new things as much as the next person, but sometimes, I obsess over tried and true favourites I must order, must eat or must buy! In Phnom Penh, I couldn’t get enough of the brownies at The Shop, the Kampot pepper chocolate at Chocolate by the Shop, the lasagne at Pop…the list goes on. Here in Saigon, I’ve also built up a repertoire of regulars I can’t live without (and yes, I realise they’re not exactly ‘Vietnamese’ foods but I think I take commonly available things for granted, seeking out rarer, more craveworthy things!). Current obsessions include:

Fanny icecream – particularly mint and choc chip and vanilla macadamia, and their seasonal Asian flavours like ginger and anise. This might be my overall favourite Vietnamese brand – of anything!
Pacharan – I must have the chorizo at least once a month (I know – so bad for food miles – it’s flown in from Spain). The gambas al pil pil (garlic prawns) are pretty addictive too.
Au Parc – nemisis cake, nemisis cake, nemisis cake – I must have eaten my weight in this decadent chocolate concoction since moving to Saigon. Or maybe even more.
Shang Palace – I’ve always loved yum cha (or dim sum as it’s known here), but Shang Palace has become something of an obsession. Though I’m off to Ocean Palace tomorrow (the one near the zoo) just to mix it up a little!
Da Vinci’s – a home delivered pizza place I’ve somehow only just cottoned onto. So good, and so much better than the other Italian places we’ve tried. My pick – the Greek pizza with olives and feta!
Saigon Square – the city’s answer to Phnom Penh’s Russian Market. I love trawling the crowded stalls for clothing bargains, like a check shirt I just got for a steal. Even better are the kids clothes, should you need them.
Kita Cafe – the coffee here (Lavazza – not Vietnamese, I know!) is the smoothest brew I’ve come across in the city. When I’m over my cafe sua da’s at local places I crave a Kita cappuccino.
L’Usine – any dessert. So far have tried their mini profiteroles with raspberry sauce, chocolate fudge cake and their latest addition – cupcakes! All… so… good!

Time is fast running out for getting my favourite food (and shopping) fixes here as I’m soon moving back to Sydney, where a whole world of gastronomic temptation awaits (yay!). In the meantime, I need to make the most of what I like best about Saigon (and block out the rest!).

Image courtesy of L’Usine

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9 Responses

  1. Kristina October 31, 2010 / 4:52 pm

    Sounds delicious!! I wonder if I visited any of those placed by chance while I was in Saigon? Liz, when are you moving back to Sydney? Viele Gruesse, Kristina

  2. Bronwyn November 1, 2010 / 12:06 am

    Mmmmm, all the food sounds delicious! Especially the ginger ice-cream….

  3. amasc November 7, 2010 / 3:45 am

    Fanny’s dark chocolate and chilli ice cream is one of my “must have’s” and I’m with you on Da Vinci’s, their slightly spicy tomato base beats the other offerings hands down. Right now though, it’s the spinach and poached egg salad at The Refinery that I find myself craving at odd moments.
    Good luck on your move back to Australia.

  4. Marie November 10, 2010 / 8:04 am

    Some of those places weren’t there when we lived in HCMC. It makes me want to go back just to taste the goods. So, you are on your way back to Sydney? I don’t envy you that time of mixed feelings and packing up but I’m sure there are some relatives who can’t wait to kiss those babies! I hope you have a great trip:-)

  5. A Girl in Asia November 14, 2010 / 1:55 pm

    @Kristina – we leave for Sydney in a bit less than a week!!
    @Bronwyn – thanks for commenting – and yes, the ginger icecream really is amazing
    @Dani – I haven’t, but I’ll try it if I have time (not too many meals left here!). I do have a weakness for their 4 cheese pizza though!
    @amasc – Another amazing icecream flavour – i’m a huge fan of anything chilli chocolate. I hardly ever go to the Refinery for some reason..
    @Marie – yes, there’s lots of mixed feelings but fortunately we feel really ready to move home and we’re hoping it’ll be an easy transition. It probably won’t be though! I’m sure it’ll be a huge adjustment getting used to life in Oz after nearly 5 years in Asia…

  6. Managed Services Toronto December 9, 2011 / 4:11 am

    Thanks for this wonderful post and sharing a lovely decoration tips for food. I am really feeling good that I visited your post and get to know something about Asia.

  7. Anthonie Duyên January 26, 2013 / 6:04 am

    bánh nhìn ngon quá!! ko biết chỗ nào của SG bán vậy ta??

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