Bong-Chu Jim-Dak
KOREAN CHICKEN
B40 Nguyen Thi Dinh, Thanh Xuan
Tel: 6680 1423
www.bongchu.co.kr
11am – 10pm
In typical Vietnamese fashion, Bong-Chu Jjim Dak restaurant only serves one dish it knows best: chicken. A light kimchi soup is served alongside the steamed bird mixed with cellophane noodles packed in a mildly peppery but sweet combination. It’s simple — ordering options include half chicken, whole chicken, chicken and a half, or all of the above. Select the answer that best fits your appetite and escape from the ubiquitous boiled chicken on streets.
Gim Bab
KOREAN
50A Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh. Tel: 3201 2989
One of the longest running Koreans in town, this down-to-earth eatery just off Kim Ma specialises in the Korean nation’s version of sushi rolls. These can be ordered either plain or deep-fried. Other Korean fare includes bibimbab and a range of barbecue dishes. The cuisine is brought to your low tables with floor seating and in typical Korean fashion, all meals are served with free side dishes (banchan) of kim chi, pickles and eggplant.
Ky Y
JAPANESE RICE EATERY
166 Trieu Viet Vuong, Hai Ba Trung
Tel: 3978 1386
11.30am to 1.30pm, 5pm to 10.30pm, closed Sunday
Sushi, soba, sake. Buy a big bottle of sake and the staff will put your name on it and keep it until next time. Dine at the downstairs bar or in one of the private rooms with sliding doors for an authentic Japanese experience. Although Ky Y specialises in rice-style working man’s fare, it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu, but the Japanese omelets, tempura and saucy eggplant dishes are perennial crowd pleasers.
Izakaya Yancha
JAPANESE BBQ
121 Trieu Viet Vuong, Hai Ba Trung
Tel: 3974 8437
11am to 2pm, 5pm to 11pm
Just a stone’s throw from Ky Y, this Osaka-based chain does the same cuisine, but entirely differently. The small plates on the large menu are best shared among a group and with bottles of beer or sake. The tofu in amber sauce will leave you licking the plate and the chicken with udon and vegetables is off-the-charts delicious. The tidbit barbeque sticks of okra or bacon are also great, but more as a snack than anything else.
Saigon Sakura
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE
17 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem. Tel: 3825 7565
10am to 2pm, 5pm to 10pm
This Japanese eatery might be easy to walk past without noticing, but venture inside and you will find a small but neat interior. The food ranges from traditional Japanese to dishes that lean towards fusion. Very reasonable prices, compared with other Japanese establishments.