Cô Ba Chang: Discovering an "Authentic Saigon Flavor" Spot in Hanoi

CÔ BA CHANG

Location: 28 Pham Tu Street, Thanh Tri, Hoang Mai, Hanoi

Opening hours: 7:00 - 22:00

Price: 50.000 - 90.000/person

Are you craving the genuine taste of Saigon right here in bustling Hanoi? Let me share a little secret about a place you might instantly fall in love with: Cô Ba Chang. Sounds intriguing, doesn't the owner, a renowned wholesale dealer of Đà Lạt orchids nationwide, has surprisingly ventured into opening an eatery specializing in authentic Saigon-style hủ tiếu (rice noodle soup), bún bò (beef vermicelli soup), and nước sâm (herbal drink). It's a fascinating and unexpected combination!

The owner, Ms. Trang (affectionately known as Cô Ba Trang), hails from Hai Phong but has been connected to Saigon since 1994. Her deep affection for Southern Vietnamese cuisine inspired her to bring the flavors of her second hometown to the capital city. Interestingly, the eatery is located outside the town center, conveniently close to several hospitals and the Ha Dong, Kim Van, Kim Lu, and Linh Dam areas. Perhaps this accessibility has made it a go-to spot for many seeking a delicious and quality meal.

Chatting with Ms. Trang, you can immediately sense her papassionor business and her love for her craft. She shares that opening the eatery stemmed from a personal fondness and a desire to offer delicious, high-quality food to everyone. Despite the demanding nature of her Đà Lạt orchid business, she still dedicates time and heart to this small eatery. Remarkably, some dishes are sold at a near-zero profit margin to ensure the freshness and quality of ingredients, staying true to the flavors she enjoyed in Saigon. Her philosophy is that if you can't make delicious and healthy food, then don't make it.

When you visit Cô Ba Chang, you absolutely must try the renowned trio that has built the eatery's:

• Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh Noodle Soup): The broth for the hủ tiếu is simmered from pork bones and uniquely includes roasted dried shrimp and grilled dried squid, creating an irresistibly rich flavor. Another secret ingredient that sets Cô Ba Chang'sChang'su apart is pickled radish (cải xà bấu), which many might not have encountered before.

• Bún Bò Huế (Hue-Style Beef Vermicelli Soup) "Saigon" Version": The "ún bò here carries the distinct flavors of Saigon, with the shrimp paste (mắm ruốc) carefully sourced from Hue but only the clear liquid extracted to achieve a delicate yet characteristically rich taste. Notably, the beef meatballs (viên bò) are twice the size of those found elsewhere, offering a genuinely satisfying bite. Additionally, the eatery provides crab cake (chả cua) made with genuine fresh crab meat.

• Nước Sâm (Herbal Drink) "The Mi" acle Worker": Besi "es the hearty meals, Cô Ba Chang is also famous for its unique and refreshing nước sâm. Ms. Trang reveals that this is a Taiwanese remedy that is highly effective in cooling down body heat and detoxifying, especially beneficial for those taking a lot of Western medicine. What's What'sable is the affordability of the nước sâm here, priced at around VND 70,000 per bottle compared to much higher market prices, as the herbs are readily available in Vietnam, and she mainly sells it for people to enjoy its benefits.

According to those who have experienced it, the flavors of the hủ tiếu, bún bò, and nước sâm at Cô Ba Chang are "exactly" like" what "they used to eat in Saigon. While it might be slightly sweeter to Northern palates, the quality of the ingredients is extremely high quality and very fresh". Alth" Ugh, the eatery is not known online yet; it has already garnered a steady following of regulars, a testament to the exceptional quality and flavors it offers.

Suppose you're of Saigon cuisine or simply looking for a delicious, high-quality, reasonably priced eatery in Cô Ba Chang. It is where you should experience the authentic taste of Saigon right in the heart of the capital city! Who knows, you might find your culinary soulmate here!