You may be surprised to know that Nam Vang, the name of this dish, is another term for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Alright, this specialty originated from Cambodia. However, what’s more interesting is that the original Hu Tieu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh Noodle) was made by the Chinese living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Then, this dish was “imported” to the South region of Vietnam and has become so popular.
What Makes a Superb Bowl of Hu Tieu Nam Vang
The main ingredient is a white, tougher noodle made from rice flour.
The toppings are also the highlight of Hu Tieu Nam Vang. The toppings include ground pork, shrimp, slices of lean pork, pork liver, pork intestine, pork tongue, pork bones, and boiled quail eggs. You can ask the sellers to add or reduce any kind of topping to your bowls.
The broth is the decisive part in determining the deliciousness of this dish. It is usually simmered for hours with pork bones, dried squid and shrimp, ground pork, and white beet.
Hu Tieu Nam Vang is served with various vegetables, such as chives, green onion, and bean sprouts. When the soup is still hot, you can add raw vegetables like lettuce and parsley.
Learn about Saigon Com Tam (Broken Rice)!
Variations of Hu Tieu Nam Vang
Hu Tieu Nam Vang Kho (Dried Nam Vang Noodle)
A bowl of noodles mixed with the toppings without the broth is served with another bowl of soup.
Hu Tieu Bo Vien (Noodle soup with Beef Balls)
The noodle and broth are quite similar to Hu Tieu Nam Vang, but beef balls are replaced as the topping for this soup.
Hu Tieu Bo Kho (Noodle soup with Beef Stew)
Hu Tieu Bo Kho has a different taste from Hu Tieu Nam Vang. The only common ground is the tough noodle. The beef is stewed until tender with carrots.
Where to Eat Hu Tieu Nam Vang in Saigon
You can find Hu Tieu Nam Vang eateries or street vendors all over Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), so if you’re hungry, just drop by a random one that appears quite popular (guess this by looking at customer volume).
Below are a few famous names in the downtown areas. (Note that their fame entails the high prices.)
Hu Tieu Nam Vang Nhan Quan
Address: 488 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3
Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: VND 68,000 – VND 100,000
Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat
Address: 25 Co Bac, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: VND 42,000
Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan
Address: 62 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Hours: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Price: VND 37,000 – VND 62,000
Summary of Hu Tieu Nam Vang in Saigon
If Pho is the most popular dish in Hanoi, Hu Tieu Nam Vang can be considered one of Saigon cuisine’s signature dishes. This kind of soup might be easily found everywhere in Saigon, from luxury restaurants to simple street food vendors. Never forget to experience a delicious bowl of Hu Tieu Nam Vang when you travel to Saigon!