Nhà Hàng Ngon

Nhà Hàng Ngon is a villa restaurant at 160 Pasteur Street in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where open kitchens arranged around a courtyard cook dishes from across the country. The format recreates a street-food market indoors, with individual stations preparing specialities from the north, centre and south, so that visitors can sample several regional dishes in one sitting without crossing the city. Signature dishes include bánh xèo, the crisp southern pancake wrapped in herbs and lettuce, bún thịt nướng, grilled pork over vermicelli with herbs and fish sauce, and chả giò, fried spring rolls. Many of the stations are visible from the dining areas, and the cooking happening in view is a large part of the appeal. The building is a colonial-style villa with a shaded courtyard and indoor rooms, and the atmosphere is busy, noisy and informal, especially at lunch when tourists, office workers and families fill the tables. There is no dress code, and the air-conditioned rooms give a break from the heat. Service is brisk and menus are long, so first-time visitors often take a few minutes to choose. Reservations are not needed for small parties, though groups of six or more should phone ahead. Hours are generally from about 07:00 to 22:00 daily, but should be confirmed locally. A typical meal costs around 150,000 to 350,000 VND per person, which is above street-stall level but moderate for the central district. Drinks include fresh juices, Vietnamese coffee, iced tea, soft drinks and beer; wine is limited. The location, a short distance from the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace, makes it a natural lunch stop on a central sightseeing route.