After finish my Canadian Visa Procedure, I had a few hours left to explore Saigon before take a flight to go back Hanoi. I decided to take advantage of time to try more food. I didn’t want to waste this trip by just waiting in airport.
I was so dissapointed with food in 1 District. Expensive but not impressive. So I asked for help from an “almost Saigon native” - 
I took a grab bike and head to 4 District to try “Bánh tráng nướng” and “Phá Lấu”. When I got there, that street restaurant located deeply in a long and small alley and brought for me a feelling of some small stands in Hanoi. I thought “yeah here it is”. This was kind of local food I was looking forward. I saw menu and really wanted to try all of it. But I knew I could not finish that much food so I just ordered 3 dishes.
This one is “Phá Lấu”. Not only my friend. Even the driver also recommended me to try this one. I order a type of Phá Lấu which is mixed with ramen. This is first time I have tried it. A bit sweet. And I keep wondering what it is made from. Cow guts??!! I guess. Hmmm. 6/10 since I love ramen. Haha
This one is called “Bánh Tráng Nướng”. I have seen it a lot of times, even in Hanoi but I have ever tried it before. It looks like pizza, right? You can call vietnamese style pizza as well. Haha. It is quite good. Crispy cover with the rich flavor created from a lot of ingredients put above which I dont really know what it is.
Last one is “Bánh tráng cuốn”. Actually I feel really full after finish those dishes but I realize that everyone order this one. So... just try then. I think this one is made from some ingredients which is the same with “Bánh tráng nướng” - the second one. But instead of grilling it, they just roll it up. And dip with a special sauce to make a completed combination of tastes.
I could not finish all of it. And something made me surpprised the most is the price. Total was just 65k ($2,5). Even cheaper than 1 bowl of Hủ Tiếu which I ate in 1 District. lol. I should have come here to eat, not that luxury restaurant.
Something interesting.
In South, when someones finish dishes and want to pay bill, they call the staff with South style “tính tiền” which is literally “How much? I’ll pay”. But I’m the North, I call with our style is “thanh toán” - this word is same meanning with “kill all” in some context. The staffs and owner stare at me for few seconds. lol.
One more. When I was going through 4 District, I saw a big lake. I asked the driver “Ohh. This lake is really big, feel like West Lake in Hanoi. What is its name?” He responded boringly “What lake? It is river tho”. lol. Shame on me.
Sài Gòn đẹp lắm, Sài Gòn ơi!
I’m now in airport. See you soon, Saigon!
