A Ho Chi Minh City Trendy Food Court serving Asian Fast food to a crowd of tourists.
Eatery: Ben Thanh Street Food Market
Address: 26-28-30 Thủ Khoa Huân, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Note: This is an independent restaurant eatery review based on my experience.
Following an informative day at the Cu Chi Tunnels and the fabulous countryside drive getting to and from, we showered, went for massages and a drink before heading over to the Ben Thanh Street Food Market. It was a short 10 minute walk from our hotel. We quickly strolled through the touristy Ben Thanh Market before bee-lining to the food court.
The Food Market: Let me clear, the entire Ben Thanh Street Food Market was built in 2015 with tourists in mind. Brilliant! That being said, the good news is it seems to be well laid out with hygiene in mind. Several booths (around 25?) prepare and serve predominantly Asian / Vietnamese food. There is a big seating area at the back, but, as we experienced, it is lacking sufficient seating at high times.
Ben Thanh Street Food Market - not your typical street food venue.
The Service: You order your food at whichever booth you like, they give you a marker to put on your table and bring your food to you when it is ready. Service was mixed; some places were extremely friendly and others looked as if they never wanted to see another tourist again.
The Food: Our orders were placed at 2 different booths. My husband’s Pho Shrimp Noodle Soup was extremely bland and could only be saved by begging some basil and chilis to spice it up. I had Korean Spicy Fried Chicken. When it finally arrived, the rice was cold and the chicken, although it looked great, was only bones and gristle.
The Cost: Korean Spicy Fried Chicken for 80.000 dong / €3 / USD$3.50, Pho Shrimp Noodle soup for 70.000 dong / €2.65 / USD$3.10. I think it is overpriced for what you get, when compared with other local eateries.
Summary: Personally, we definitely would not go back. That being said, for those who like to be as sure as you can be about cleanliness, are leery of spicy asian food, and like washrooms on the premises, this could be paradise. Ben Thanh Street Food Market – not your typical street food venue.
Get There:
Links of Possible Interest:
→ Ho Chi Minh, Saigon / Photos
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Location: Asia > Southeast Asia > Vietnam > South Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon > District 1 > Thủ Khoa Huân > Ben Thanh Street Food Market
