Cha Ca La Vong, Ho Chi Minh

Cha Ca La Vong is a Hanoi establishment that also has a restaurant in Saigon. Their claim to fame is Cha Ca La Vong, a dish that consists of fragrant catfish fried in saffron that is very simple, yet packed with the right balance of flavors. The experience of eating here is part of the charm, as the dish is simmered in a pan in front of you. Your job is to pick out pieces of the boneless fish and add it to your bowl of rice noodles, topped with unsalted peanuts, chili, and shrimp paste, creating an unexpected combination that truly melts in your mouth. While the Saigon restaurant does not have the old-fashioned charm of the one in Hanoi, the new restaurant offers a very airy and relaxing atmosphere, plus the aromatic classic dish. -Kevin Minh

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